If you are interested in joining any of these ministries, want more information or want to receive service from one of these ministries please contact Dawn Burdick at (585) 622-4594 or via email at dawn.burdick@dor.org.

We are especially called to put our time, talent and treasure in service of those in need and to be that presence of the merciful God in the world. A great way to respond to the many needs around us is to practice the Corporal Works of Mercy.
There are seven corporal works of mercy, taken from Matthew 25: 34-40 and the Book of Tobit:

1. To feed the hungry.
2. To give drink to the thirsty.
3. To clothe the naked.
4. To welcome the migrant and shelter the homeless
5. To visit the sick.
6. To visit the imprisoned.
7. To bury the dead.

And an eighth added by Pope Francis
      8. To Care for our common home

A new Spiritual and Corporal Work of Mercy: Care for our common home

In his Message for the Celebration of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, on September 1, 2016, Pope Francis has added a new work of mercy to the two traditional sets of seven. 

This new work of mercy is: Care for our common home, see what the message says, below:

"The Christian life involves the practice of the traditional seven corporal and seven spiritual works of mercy. “We usually think of the works of mercy individually and in relation to a specific initiative: hospitals for the sick, soup kitchens for the hungry, shelters for the homeless, schools for those to be educated, the confessional and spiritual direction for those needing counsel and forgiveness… But if we look at the works of mercy as a whole, we see that the object of mercy is human life itself and everything it embraces.”

Obviously “human life itself and everything it embraces” includes care for our common home. So let me propose a complement to the two traditional sets of seven: may the works of mercy also include care for our common home.

As a spiritual work of mercy, care for our common home calls for a “grateful contemplation of God’s world” (Laudato Si’, 214) which “allows us to discover in each thing a teaching which God wishes to hand on to us” (ibid., 85). As a corporal work of mercy, care for our common home requires “simple daily gestures which break with the logic of violence, exploitation and selfishness” and “makes itself felt in every action that seeks to build a better world” (ibid., 230-31)."

Our parish offers many opportunities to practice the Corporal Works of Mercy. If you would like to help one of these ministries with your time talent or treasure or simply learn more about the many opportunities please contact our Pastoral Associate Dawn Burdick. To learn more about the different opportunities please continue reading.

Sister Regis Food Cupboard
Matthew's Closet
Saint Vincent De Paul Society
 

We have a variety of outreach ministries which help us to extend our mission to the wider community:

The ministries of our parish have developed over the years and have derived from the various parishes that have come before us. The desire, of course, is to serve Christ by meeting the needs of families and individuals in the community. “Whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

Beyond what is described on this page, the parish offers: prayer groups, Bible study, evangelization, visits to the sick and prison ministry.

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Matthew’s Closet has provided quality clothing in a dignified environment, regardless of the ability to pay. Located at 316 Bay St., it accepts families and individuals referred by social, health care, and religious agencies in the Rochester area. Annually they serve as many as 2,900 children and adults. See here for more information.

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The Sr. Regis Food Cupboard, also located at 316 Bay St., provides several days’ worth of food for each family. SRFC services over 800 families as well. Their 2-1-1 page is here.

Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets and gifts, (done in collaboration with suburban parishes help to supply scores of baskets of food, clothes and toys to the poor.  Year after year, a collaborative effort brings gladness to the hearts of many in disenfranchised families in the city.  We are grateful to those parishes who help us to reach those who are less fortunate.

Affiliates

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

This committed group of servant leaders is composed of women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering.” The society works to improve the quality of life in the community through systemic change and providing basic household items to those who cannot afford them.  It offers furniture and housewares to those in need.  SVdP seeks to “embrace the world in a network of charity.

For more information click here.

 

St. Andrew Food Cupboard

SAFC provides emergency food to families in N.E. part of city – 890 Portland Ave. For 30 years, volunteers have served approximately 350 families each month.  Every age, race and religion is serviced by the pantry.  Single mothers and children make up the majority of those whose needs are met.  SAFC is part of a network of food pantries in Monroe County serving a specific section of the 14609 and 14621 zip codes.

See their Facebook page here.

 

These ministries collaborate with the parish, but have their own 501(c) (3) status and operate independently.