Ministries

Liturgical

If you are interested in volunteering for any of the following Liturgical Ministries, contact Sr. Cathy at 429-6811 or [email protected].

Altar Server
Boys and girls ages 9 years and older are invited to be altar servers. Training is scheduled a couple times a year.

Bereavement / Funeral
For anyone who experiences a loss, especially through death, the parish offers comfort to those who mourn. The parish will assist with planning the funeral, contact the newly bereaved, make home visits, and organize special programs, such as the evening of remembrance.

Cross Bearer
This ministry involves carrying the processional cross during the weekend mass and is open to all adults and high school students.

Funeral Server
Adult servers assist the presider at the Funeral Mass. Their presence is comforting to those whose loved ones have died.

Lector
Volunteers are trained for proper pronunciation and vocal projection to proclaim the Word of God during weekend or weekday Mass.

Minister of Communion
Communion Ministers are trained to assist at Mass and/or take communion to the homebound. Those who visit the homebound may be the only visitors received during the week. The minister visits for a short time and brings them a church bulletin.
*CASE training is required for communion minister to the homebound.

Usher/Greeter
They greet people as they come into church. Ushers assist in finding seats, take up the offering, assist persons with special needs, distribute bulletins, etc. Open to adults and high school students.

Outreach Ministries

Food Cupboard
St. Theodore’s Food Cupboard serves residents in the 14606 and 14624 zip codes. The Food Cupboard is open for emergencies, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. We provide a four or five day supply of food which includes staples, frozen meat and fresh fruits and vegetables
based on availability.

We also have a monthly program for families who need our help on a regular basis and who qualify after an interview. Pick up day is the 3rd Wednesday of every month. The bulk of the food comes from Foodlink and the remainder from weekly donations from our generous parishioners, donations from the surrounding churches in our area and from various food drives in our community.We are totally staffed by volunteers. If you need assistance or would like to help, call 429-5360.

Martha Ministry
Volunteers host a reception following funerals held at St. Theodore’s in the Parish Hall. Paper Products, coffee, utensils and chafing dishes are provided. Arrangements may be made when planning the funeral liturgy.

Prayer Network
A group of people who pray for those who are in need of prayer. Names are displayed on the window in the receptionist office, the Healing Shrine in the Church and in the Adoration Chapel. Call the Parish Office at 429-6811 to add a name to the prayer list.

Prison Ministry
Our Prison Ministry

During Thanksgiving week this past November, I was dog sitting for a young Australian Shepherd
named Sir Mick Jagger, or Jagger for short. I want to share an experience I had with you.

As I walked Jagger near Parcel 5 and Main Street downtown, a man approached me to ask if I knew
where shelters for men were. He had been released from Prison and had nowhere to stay, he said. He didn't have
family or friends here. A kind policeman had driven him to men's shelters, like Salvation Army, Open Door Mission,
and the Catholic Worker, but they were full for the night. I didn't know of any other places. The kind policeman
told him to call next day if he hadn't found a place yet, and he would try to help him again.

It was bitterly cold that week, dangerous really. Arctic air had swept down on Rochester, frostbite weather.
The man had no hat or gloves, only a jacket. When I asked if he wanted my gloves, he said yes, and they fit him well.
Jagger the dog jumped up on his chest, as if to give him a hug, and the man hugged him back.
He thanked me for the gloves, and then wandered off.

I had many feelings, one following the other. I was happy to share my gloves, yet I also felt helpless,
as they were all I had to share. I felt sad that after doing his prison time, he was now homeless. I also felt angry.
Why wasn't there enough room for him somewhere, and why was he just dropped off to fend for himself?
I thought of the play Les Miserables where the main character steals a loaf of bread out of desperation.
I hoped this man wouldn't commit more crimes, also out of desperation. And I worried about him in this bitter cold;
I prayed for him then and for many days after. My hands were freezing by now, so I headed back to the apartment where
we were staying. At least Jagger and I had warm beds to spend the night in, and food to eat, while that man had nothing.
For Pete's sake, something is not right with this picture!

Here at St. Theodores, we have a newly-formed Prison Ministry. This small team of people has discerned the need to help people
being released from the County Jail, men and women both, about 10 per week. We want to collect basic hygiene items for them,
like a comb, toothbrush and paste, socks, razor and shaving cream, and so on. These will be placed in a simple canvas tote bag
and given to those being released. It sounds helpful, doesn't it? Doing nothing is NOT the answer!

The late Dorothy Day, who founded the Catholic Worker movement in 1933, had this to say: "No one has a right to sit down
and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do."

And so, during the 40 days of Lent, we will have receptacles in the church entrances, to collect basic hygiene items,
which will be listed in the bulletin. We need to band together on this issue. Further, we ask some of you to please join our Ministry Team.
In Matthew 25, Jesus mentions His wish that we help those in prison. He is very clear on this matter.

So, when you get to Heaven and meet our precious Savior, He may well say to you: thanks a lot Elizabeth and Molly,
for those warm socks you gave me. Thank you, Fr. Kevin and Deacon Larry, for the toothbrushes and paste you shared. And Maureen,
I really used the nail clippers, shampoo, and socks you and your young people gave Me! You may ask Him, but when did we do that for you, Lord ?
And He will say, because when you did this for my least brethren, you really did it for Me.

 

St. Francis House
Started by Deacon Angelo Coccia that does fundraising and provides help to those in need. Contact Deacon Angelo Coccia at 429-6811.

Theo's Closet
St. Theodore’s Clothing Closet serves residents in the 14606 and 14624 zip codes. The closet is open Mondays 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. We provide full sets of cloths, coats, shoes and accessories for those in need. Donations come from our generous parishioners and the closet is staffed by volunteers.

Transportation
WESTSIDE EXPRESS – Senior Transportation Service

The mission of the WestSide Express Transportation Service is to provide safe, efficient and accessible transportation for residents of the Gates and Chili communities.

Service is provided Monday—Friday for appointments between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Weekend appointments are available for religious services only. Clients must be ambulatory. Walkers and canes are acceptable. We do not provide same day service. Phone at least five (5) days in advance. You will receive a confirmation call from the driver the evening before your appointment. One personal appointment ride per week. Multiple stops on a single trip must be pre-approved. Rides will be provided for appointments within Monroe County. Please note: All rides are based on the availability of a driver. Transportation is provided for the following appointments: Medical/Dental, Banking, Pharmacy, Hairdresser, Attorney, Government agencies, Health related shopping, Senior Center/Libraries, and Church services.

Call WestSide Express at 889-6104, 24 hours a day. Leave a voicemail with your phone number, address and appointment date and time.

This takes the place of the Transportation Ministry at St. Theodore’s Church.

Creating a Safe Environment

Where it starts
The Diocese of Rochester requires adults and teens over the age of 18 who volunteer in parish programs with children, teens, and vulnerable adults to complete an online training session entitled, “Creating A Safe Environment”. This includes a background check and signing a Volunteer Code of Conduct. Teens under the age of 18 are required to sign the Code of Conduct. To complete the on-line CASE training, follow these simple steps:

  1. Go to: http://ec.dor.org Note: There is no www.
  2. In the "Sign-In" box on the left-hand side of the screen, enter the following:
    Parish/Community: St. Theodore, Rochester
    Your username: IT054
    Your initial password: initial
  3. Click on "NEW VOLUNTEER C.A.S.E. TRAINING" from the menu
  4. Print the code of conduct and certificate of completion before exiting the program
  5. Return code of conduct and certificate to Maureen Piehler and receive the paperwork to complete for the background check

If you have questions or need more information, call Maureen Piehler at 429-5650. Ministries that require CASE (Adults and teens over 18 yrs. old)

  • Faith Formation teachers, substitute teachers and classroom aides
  • Children’s Liturgy Leaders
  • Volunteers and chaperones for Youth Ministry programs and events
  • Volunteers for Vacation Bible School
  • Choir/Band members (if a child or teen is in the group)
  • Transportation Ministry
  • Theo’s Closet
  • Communion to the Homebound

Get involved! Volunteer Form