168 Spencerport Rd
Rochester, NY 14606
(585) 429-6811
Mass times:
Saturdays, 4:30 pm
Sundays, 9:00 am and 11:00 am
Mondays-Fridays, 8:30 am
Other Services:
Adoration Chapel always open.
Confessions - Saturdays from 3:00 to 4:00 in church
Parish Office Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:00 - 3:00
168 Spencerport Rd, Rochester, NY 14606
(585) 429-6811
ST. THEODORE'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
100 Years
1924-2024
As the New Year 2023 begins, we would like to look back to 1923. That’s right 1923…99 years ago! That was the year the people of North Gates came together to ask for a parish for their growing community.
The possibility of a parish was first proposed on April 16, 1923. Most of the Catholic families here were either members of Holy Apostles or Holy Family Parishes. These were both located several miles away. Distance and means of transportation became the most important obstacles a Catholic family had to overcome in order to fulfill the obligation of their faith.
The Catholics of North Gates persevered and on May 14, 1924, more than a year after being proposed, the Canonical approved the request for the construction of the new, but yet unnamed parish. It was formally announced on July 1,1924 but still only on paper.
During this coming year 2023, we are preparing for our 100th Anniversary Celebration in 2024. It will take us this whole year to prepare. The 100th Anniversary Committee has been meeting monthly since September and we will keep you informed on all planned events for 2024 and will also give you some insight on how it all began.
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON BANKRUPTCY CASE
STATEMENT FROM BISHOP MATANO RE: SUPREME COURT DECISION
EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

BAPTISM PREPARATION
It is a serious responsibility of the faith community to help parents in every way possible. Here at St. Theodore’s we offer an individual meeting with parents to talk together about the privileges and responsibilities of Baptism and a group session that further explores how both parents and Church can help form this child in our Catholic faith. Before you choose sponsors for your child's baptism, please review the Being a Baptismal Sponsor Pamphlet Being_a_Baptismal_Sponsor_(Revised_10-18-2022)[1]
If you are expecting, we encourage you to attend this class during your pregnancy, so you have as much of a “head start” as possible in forming your child in faith. If you have a newborn, we urge you to participate in this group session in the early months of your child’s life. Arrange an appointment by calling the parish office at 429-6811. Please let us know your name, phone number, email and whether this is your first child. Our next group sessions are:
Wednesday, November 9, at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 15 at 12:15 p.m.
Sunday, May 21 at 12:15 p.m.
Sunday, August 20 at 12:15 p.m.
Sunday, November 19, at 12:15 p.m.
ALTAR SERVERS
New and Current Altar Servers
Please contact Maureen Piehler at [email protected] if your child would like to become an altar server and also to let her know if current altar servers will continue.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
2023-2024 CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL
The Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) is the annual appeal inviting Catholics in the Diocese of Rochester to join in a partnership to advance the mission of our Church. This year’s theme is “Go Forth with Christ.”
We will hold our commitment weekend, September 23-24. A video of how the CMA helps parishes and other catholic communities will be shown. Commitment cards will be provided to assist you in participating in this year’s campaign. Please pray for a successful appeal.
FOOD CUPBOARD ITEM OF THE WEEK
Cereal, Pancake Mix, Syrup
**If you shop at Gates Big M, you can now purchase items at Big M and put in the St. Theodore's donation box in the store.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN
>Do you know an adult family member or friend who would like to join the Catholic Church but has never been baptized or a baptized adult who has never received First Eucharist and Confirmation? If so, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is the class for them.
Adults never baptized receive preparation for Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation.
Adults baptized Catholic or in another Christian denomination receive preparation for First Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation.
Do you know of a family member or friend who has a child 7 years of age or older who has never been baptized Catholic or baptized in another Christian denomination who would like to join the Catholic Church?
Preparation classes for Baptism and First Holy Communion followed by enrollment in weekly Faith Formation classes to prepare for Confirmation in 9th grade.
Classes are on Sunday mornings and will begin in September. If you are interested or need more information, please call Maureen Piehler at 429-5650 or email [email protected].
Prison Ministry
Items needed for the prison ministry are:
Soap, Deodorant, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Nail clippers, Towel set, Hairbrush, Comb, Razor, Shaving cream, Shampoo, Socks
Items can be dropped off in the church entrance or parish office.
BIBLE STUDY
After a summer break our Bible Study Group will come together again on Thursday afternoons, starting September 28. New members are always welcome. Sessions will be from 1:20 to 2:20 and no prior study is necessary. You are welcome to join us. Hope to see you there.
Digital Tutor
DO YOU HAVE COMPUTER QUESTIONS?
A trained Digital Tutor will be at the Parish Life Center to answer your computer questions the first Monday of every month from 9:30—12:30. Free of charge, plus you may come without an appointment. You may ask beginner questions or more advanced ones. Please tell friends and family of this wonderful opportunity.
Grieving with Hope
Holy Cross, Our Mother of Sorrows and St. Theodore’s Parishes are collaborating and welcome all who are grieving to consider joining us for the next offering of this 6 week series held on Saturdays from October 7-November 11 from 1:00—3:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Church (enter through doors located off back parking lot).
Jesus wept before breathing new life into His friend, Lazarus. So too, those who have suffered loss suffer and weep.
This support workshop series offers a personal, practical and prayerful approach for anyone who is mourning a loss of a loved one. If you have experienced such a loss or multiple losses, you are encouraged to attend. Your loss may be one of the following, yet not limited to them; a spouse, partner, child, grandchild, parent, sibling or other family member(s) and/or friend(s). Program is free and all are welcome. Previous program participants are encouraged to join as well. Please contact one of the following parish offices if interested: Holy Cross @ (585) 663-2244 Our Mother of Sorrows @ (585) 663-5432
An additional program will be held on November 18, 2023 from 1-3, entitled Surviving the Holidays. More details to follow.
SUNDAY OFFERINGS
We know that sometimes it’s hard to remember your envelope while you are running out the door to come to church. You can set up your donations to come right from your bank using your bank’s online banking feature.
Just add St. Theodore’s Church as a payee. Use your envelope number as your account number and let them know how often to initiate a check. The bank will then send the check right to St. Theodore’s and we will enter the contributions in our computer just as if you put your envelope in the collection basket.
You can also use this feature to make donations to the church’s ministries, pay faith formation fees, make your pledge to the CMA. Just make sure to put in the memo section what the monies are for.
If you have any questions, please call the parish office.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 178
Are You A Catholic Man Age 18 Or Older And Ready To Serve Others?
Since 1882, membership in the Knights of Columbus has been open to men 18 years of age or older who are "practical" (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See. Since that time, the Knights of Columbus has understood "practical catholic" to mean a Catholic who accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.
Become a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 178
Please contact us at [email protected] or visit KofC.org/JoinUs