Important Mass Update:

In accordance with New York State and the Diocese, wearing of masks in church is now optional.

We continue to make adjustments as we receive guidance from the CDC, New York State and the Diocese of Rochester.

Thank you for patience and understanding.

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

Lent 2023

During Lent, we will have Holy Hour with adoration and benediction on Thursdays from Noon – 1:00 p.m. On Fridays, we will be praying the Stations of the Cross after the 8:30 Mass. and on Saturdays we continue our “What We Believe” program at 9:00.

Our Lenten Day of Penance will be on Tuesday, March 28 from Noon - 6:00 PM at Parish of the Holy Family.

Lent Fasting and Abstinence
 
Fasting is required on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday for ages 18-59.
Abstinence is required every Friday during Lent for those ages 14+.

When fasting, a person is permitted to one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.

Those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill including individuals suffering from a chronic illness such as diabetes.  Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women.  For more information on fasting and abstinence, visit usccb.org.
 

USCCB Lenten Calendar

USCCB Lent 2023 calendar

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.

 

 

EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

June 19 begins the three year National Eucharistic Revival in the Diocese of Rochester. The revival is a movement, called for by the Catholic bishops of the United States, to renew Catholics’ belief in and devotion to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Visit the National Eucharistic Revival website for information, updates and ways to participate.
 

https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/

BAPTISM PREPARATION

Baptism is the “doorway” through which we enter the Church community.  It is in this sacrament that Christ claims us for his own; that parents commit to raising their child as a Christian; and that the Christian community welcomes the child as a member.  What an awesome gift parents give their child when they come to the Church to ask for this sacrament of Baptism for their child!

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

GIRLS AND BOYS IN GRADES 4 -12…
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

Are you interested in volunteering at St. Theodore’s as an usher, lector, Eucharistic Minister or Sacristan? We are looking for more volunteers in these ministries. You will be need to complete an online Diocesan volunteer training in order to volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering in any ministry at St. Theodore’s, please contact the office at 429-6811. Thank you.
 

CATHOLIC MINISTRIES APPEAL

Please support this year's Catholic Ministries Appeal.  We are currently at 85% of our goal.  Thank you to all who made their commitments.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Join us for “What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith” beginning on Saturday, February 25 from 9 am till 10:30 am, same time for all our sessions. We will continue with session 6 – The Holy Spirit. These are the topics for the following Saturdays during Lent: March 4 -The Church; March 11– The Sacramental Life; March 18 – The Life of Prayer; March 25 – Fasting; and April 1 – Almsgiving. Lent begins February 22 and it is a perfect time to renew our faith in what we believe.

FOOD CUPBOARD ITEM OF THE WEEK

40 Foods for 40 Days - Please return all donations by Sunday, April 2.

Canned Beef Stew   Crackers  Tuna  Jello/Pudding Mix   Corned Beef Hash              Boxed Potatoes   Spam   Canned Fruit Canned Chili   Hamburger Helper             Pork & Beans  Baked Beans   Peanut Butter  Jelly    Rice-A-Roni/Rice      Pasta   Pasta Sauce   Soup  Canned Pasta   Tea / Coffee   1lb canned Ham  Tuna Helper  Pancake Mix & Syrup   Pasta Sides    Canned Tomatoes (diced, stewed) Gravy (canned, jar)  Adult Cereal (Cheerios, Corn flakes, Raisin Bran)

**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.

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 during Lent.

Grieving with Hope

Grieving with Great HOPE is a six-week grief support workshop series that offers a prayerful, practical and personal approach for anyone who is mourning the loss of a loved one. If you have lost a spouse, a child (including pregnancy loss), a grandchild, a parent, another family member, or a friend - you are encouraged to attend.
Program is free and All Are Welcome
The next session begins on Saturday, April 15th at 1:00 pm. Please contact the parish office at 429-6811 if interested.

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