Ministries & Stewardship
At Peace of Christ Parish, our ministry teams are an essential part of our worship and community. We invite you to learn more about our ministries and even sign up for one or two. To learn more about our ministries, we invite you to explore the drop down menu below or to click the "Ministry & Stewardship Opportunities" button to view our PDF listing all of our current ministries (as of September 2025).
Ministry/Stewardship Roles
Below we have listed out all of our ministries and areas of service in out parish. Please click the drop down for each area to explore specific volunteer positions.
If you are interested in getting involved in any of the areas detailed below, please contact our Parish Office (585-288-5000 or [email protected]) and we will get you in contact with the ministry leader/coordinator for your desired area of service.
MASSES / SACRAMENTS / ADORATION
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel Adorer: Participants set aside the same time each week to sit with the Lord in the Adoration Chapel, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are scheduled weekly events such as Group Rosary and Family Friendly Holy Hour, where children are welcome. Walk-ins are always welcome. Scheduling a time slot is encouraged.
- Altar Server: Altar servers assist the Presider at Liturgies. This Ministry is open to all people who have received First Holy Communion. Altar servers are expected to arrive 20 minutes before the start of Mass so they can complete their tasks without rushing.
- Cross Bearer: Cross Bearers are people who carry the cross and lead the procession of Ministers in and out of the worship space for each liturgical celebration. This Ministry is open to all who can accept the responsibility and carry the cross without difficulty.
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC): Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion distribute the consecrated Host to those at Mass. The Diocese requires that the Profession of Faith documentation be on file in the Parish Office.
- Lector: Lectors proclaim the Scriptures (Word of God) at Mass and other liturgical gatherings of the community. Lectors are asked to carefully and prayerfully review their Readings prior to their scheduled Mass. They are expected to arrive 20 minutes before the start of Mass. This allows time for them to review Prayers of the Faithful and weekly announcements, in the absence of the Deacon.
- Sacristan: The Sacristan sets up the liturgical items and is responsible for everything that is used in the Liturgy. Sacristans are expected to arrive 30 minutes before the start of Mass to allow them time to prepare the Altar. Sacristans also put away the sacred items after Mass. Additionally, especially at St. James, the Sacristan’s duties include such tasks as checking supplies in the bathroom and verifying that all pews are clean and clear of any clutter.
- Greeter: Greeters are Ministers of Hospitality. The Greeter interfaces with people as they enter Church at all Masses and other special occasions. Greeters should arrive 20 minutes before the start of Mass.
- Usher: Ushers greet people inside Church, count the attendees, welcome newcomers, care for any needs, including calling 911 in the event of an emergency. Additionally, they identify Gift Bearers and distribute Bulletins either at the beginning or at the end of Mass. Finally, they place the collection in tamper proof bags and sign the bag slip at the immediate end of each Mass. Ushers should arrive 20 minutes before the start of Mass.
- Church Decorator: Volunteers work directly with the Coordinator at each Church to create a prayerful ambiance for each liturgical season, as well as for special feasts, such as the month of November, when we honor our deceased.
- Fully Engaged Team Member (Pre-Cana): Team members are married couples who provide preparation for engaged couples planning to be married in the Peace of Christ Parish. Fully Engaged facilitators receive Diocesan-based special training to administer and interpret the corresponding Marriage Inventory and Workbook. Training and any related reference materials will be provided where applicable.
- Funeral Support Volunteer: Volunteers serve at our Parish Funeral Masses in such roles as Altar Server, Lector, Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion or Sacristan. They will help each Funeral Liturgy run smoothly for the family and fellow mourners.
- Liturgy Committee Member: This Committee creates and supports the prayer and worship life of the Peace of Christ Parish. Additionally, members research and prepare the special “Liturgy Corner” Bulletin articles.
- Liturgical Linens Launderer: Volunteers clean and press the small-sized Altar linens (Purificator-Corporals-Lavabo towels) used each week in our Liturgies. The linens used at the Altar in the Eucharistic celebration are to be treated with care and respect.
- Baptismal Garment Embroiderer: Volunteers embroider a Chi-Rho symbol and a fish on a small, baptismal bib. They are provided with bibs and the pattern. These bibs are then distributed to our newly baptized infants during the Baptismal celebration.
MUSIC
- Choir Member: Volunteers meet weekly for a two-hour rehearsal to prepare music for upcoming Masses and other Liturgies. Choir members also commit to regularly sing at either the 9:00, 9:45 or 11:00 Mass.
- Parish Combined-Choir Member: Volunteers form the choir at special Parish Liturgies such as the Mass of Remembrance, Lessons & Carols, Midnight Mass and the Tridium. They are usually members of our Sunday choirs, but they may also be parishioners who would like to sing only at these special Liturgies. Members rehearse twice a month, once on a Wednesday and a second rehearsal on a Saturday morning.
- Cantor: Volunteers are members of our Sunday choirs who are comfortable in leading the worshiping assembly in song. Cantors work closely with the music director in preparing liturgical pieces such as the Psalm and Gospel acclamation.
- Instrumentalist: Volunteers are parishioners who have a desire to play instrumental pieces at some Masses. The instrumentalist works closely with the music director.
- Hand Bell Musician: Volunteers meet once a week to prepare for Liturgy. They play once a month on average at the Sunday 5:00 Mass at St. Ambrose. No prior musical training is necessary.
FAITH FORMATION
- Adult Faith Formation Development / OCIA Catechist: Volunteers are needed who are interested in developing Faith Formation opportunities for adults in the Parish, including occasional book discussions. OCIA is the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults--formerly known as the RCIA program. Team members can be involved in various phases of the Initiation process; volunteers would support Sponsors, Facilitators, Catechumens and Candidates. Volunteers should be knowledgeable and passionate about the Catholic Faith.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Catechist/Assistant: Volunteers are needed to bring this method of experiencing God to children during Sunday Faith Formation. These methods include presentations of various Gospel parables. Catechists will receive formal training, however, Assistants to the Catechists, would not need the formal training, but exposure to CGS would be very beneficial.
- Sacrament Preparation Catechist: Volunteers are needed for the implementation of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for First Penance and First Communion Prep in the future.
- Sunday Faith Formation Catechist: Volunteers are needed to serve as Catechists for our typically twice-monthly, Faith Formation sessions at St. Ambrose Academy after the 9:45 Mass. Textbooks and activity books are provided.
- Vacation Bible School Assistant: Volunteers are needed to assist with a one-week Catechetical program which teaches younger children how to share their Faith. This usually occurs during July. NOTE: Collaboration with neighboring Parishes is currently under consideration.
PASTORAL CARE
- Transportation Driver (City-East Driving Ministry): City-East Transportation Ministry is a service provided by certified volunteer drivers for Peace of Christ and St. Frances Cabrini parishioners, who can no longer drive themselves. Drivers can be scheduled for such needs as: medical or dental appointments, grocery shopping, banking, and pharmacy needs. Requests for transportation need to be submitted at least ONE WEEK in advance of any scheduled appointments.
- Peace of Christ Prayer Network Member: Team members are sent requests for prayers via email. Members then pray for those requested intentions.
- Meal Train Volunteer: Volunteers sign up to bring a meal to a parishioner who is experiencing a loss or an emergency. The Team Leader notifies the volunteers of the request for meals. The volunteers then sign up via the Meal Train website.
- Nursing Home Communion Visitor: Volunteers are needed for Sunday morning Eucharist distribution to residents in their rooms and weekly Rosary recitation at the Rochester Community Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, at 989 Blossom Road.
- Homebound Parishioner Communion Visitor: Volunteers visit and bring the Eucharist to homebound parishioners.
- Bereavement Ministry Volunteer: Grieving with Great Hope is a program where volunteers will help facilitate grief support workshops that offer a prayerful, practical and personal approach to participants who are mourning the loss of a loved one.
SOCIAL OUTREACH
- Converge Young Adult Ministry Member: Converge is a Young Adult Initiative (age 18-35) seeking to bring hope to the hopeless and enliven the young adult community in the City of Rochester. They are an active and enthusiastic community with events and activities taking place all year round. More information available online: https://www.converge-roc.com/
- Elevate: A 30+ Ministry Member: Elevate is a Ministry serving adults 30 years and older in the Diocese of Rochester and beyond. The Ministry seeks to build fellowship, grow the spiritual life of its members, and serve the community.
- Social Ministry Team Member: This committee promotes information and an awareness of the Catholic Social Teachings and the Gospel. It enables parishioners to respond to the Gospel challenges of justice, peace, Consistent Life Ethic and compassion. This is an opportunity both for direct service and advocacy.
- Grocery Collection Helper: Volunteers are needed in the transportation of regularly scheduled grocery collections at each Church. These groceries are delivered to pre-designated locations where they are used to serve the poor and hungry.
- Clothing Collections/St. Pauly Shed Helper: Clothing collections are made through a drop box at St. Ambrose, Volunteers regularly check the shed to ensure that donations are bagged and positioned properly between pickups. Poundage proceeds are collected and allocated to a local Charity. Note: The yellow Planet shed on the St John’s Church / School site is not included in this Ministry.
- Christmas Basket Team Member: Volunteers work in collaboration with Community Place to collect food, toiletries and paper product donations for the distribution, as determined by the staff at Community Place, to those needy families that they have identified.
- Walking with Moms in Need Network Member (WWMIN): This Ministry strives to offer compassionate, tangible and prayerful support to women facing difficult or unplanned pregnancies, while also providing awareness and vital information to our Parish and community, regarding local Pregnancy Help Centers and other valuable resources.
- Food Link Pop Up Pantry Distributions Volunteer: Volunteers assist Food Link workers in the distribution of food supplies. Dates are scheduled with Food Link and are publicized in the Bulletin. The drive through distribution process takes place at the St. Ambrose parking lot.
- Prayer Shawl / Blanket Ministry Volunteer: Knitters and Crocheters gather regularly to create shawls or blankets that can be given to those who are ill or grieving the loss of a loved one. When the recipient wraps themselves in a prayer shawl / blanket, they will be comforted by the prayers of our Parish family. Shawls can also be done at home and delivered to Church for distribution.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
- Garage Sale Volunteer: Volunteers are needed to fill various time slots over the course of several weeks for the gathering, pricing and maintenance before, during and immediately after the sale.
- Knights of Columbus Member: Members of the Knights of Columbus Ascension Council conduct service projects and social events for the Parish, School and community.
- Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus Member: Members of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus Ascension Council conduct service projects and social events for the Parish, School and community.
- Coffee Hour Team Member: Volunteers help with the set up and clean up at each Church's Coffee Hours. Also, volunteer bakers/treat bringers are needed for the St. John's Coffee Hours. Each Church sets up a rotating schedule for their volunteers.
- Website/Social Media/Communications Volunteer: Volunteers will assist the Parish’s Communications Administrator with maintaining our website, preparing communications (flyers, brochures, on-line OSV registration forms, etc.), and keeping our Facebook and other social media platforms interesting and up to date.
- Parish Photo Directory Volunteer: Volunteers will assist in scheduling family photo shoots for all Parishioners. Volunteers will work directly with Parish Office staff to confirm accuracy of addresses and related contact information.
- Team Member for Centennial Celebration at St. Johns: Volunteers are needed to work on the celebration commemorating 100 years of worship at the St. John the Evangelist Church building.
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
- Parish Office Volunteer: Parish Office Volunteers work under the direction of the Parish’s Administrative Assistant. Volunteers typically serve one regular four-hour shift (8:30am-12:30pm) per week or one shift every other week. Typical duties include answering/screening/transferring of phone calls, booking of Mass intentions, greeting/assisting visitors to the Parish Office, and various simple tasks to make the Parish Office run smoothly.
- Parish Office Helper for Occasional Mailings & Flyers: Volunteers offer support as needed to stuff inserts in the weekly bulletins or to help assemble bulk mailings.
- Offering Counter: Volunteers work in rotating teams to count the cash & check offerings made at the weekend Masses. Teams meet on Monday mornings to do the counting, and each team generally counts every third Monday.
- Gardening and Plant Care Volunteer: Volunteers care for gardens on Church grounds and recycle Altar plants around the grounds. There is one team at each Church which meets May through October. Some volunteers also care for indoor plants in each Church.
- Facilities Committee Member: Volunteers analyze problems and upgrades related to buildings and grounds and make recommendations to the Pastor and to the Finance Committee.
- Parish Days of Caring Volunteer: Volunteers are needed for the Days of Caring. These are Parish wide events that target specific indoor and outdoor maintenance needs at each Church. Activities have included outdoor weeding and trimming, cleanup of kitchens and the childcare room, pew maintenance and basic Church cleaning.
- Archive Room Team Member: The Archive Room is in St Ambrose Academy. There are glass cabinets that house materials which include yearbooks and pictures from all three schools. A suggested project is to catalogue all these items.
- Church Cleaning Team Member: Volunteers perform light cleaning and vacuuming of our Churches. Major cleaning tasks are performed during the Parish wide Days of Caring.
- St. John’s Children’s Room Cleaning Team Member: Volunteers are needed to help clean the window, the floor and the toys inside the room. A rotating schedule will be set up for the volunteers. Clean up will be once a month.
- Maintenance Volunteer: Volunteers who are tradespeople or have facility maintenance skills including carpentry, plumbing, glazing, HVAC, electrical, roofing, masonry, tiling, carpeting, painting, or data networking are needed at all Parish facilities.
PARISH LEADERSHIP
- Pastoral Council Member: Selected members meet five times per year to discern issues, projects of benefit to the Parish, and make appropriate recommendations. Members serve a minimum three-year term. For more information, click here.
- Finance Committee Member: Volunteers are adults with backgrounds in finance, accounting, law and business, along with members of the Parish-at-large. Members oversee receipt and expenditure levels in terms of budget guidelines, communicate the fiscal condition to the Parish annually, and ensure the financial controls necessary to maintain the stability of Parish funds.
- St. Ambrose Academy School Board Member: Volunteers with backgrounds in education, finance, marketing, fundraising and building maintenance would be welcome. The Board meets bimonthly to help ensure the viability of St. Ambrose Academy serving children from Pre-K-3 through and including 5th grade. Meetings include reports related to Catholic identity, academics, enrollment, budget, fundraising, marketing, school building facilities and student life.