Parish Council – Parishioners help develop a common vision and purpose for the parish; recommends parish priorities; promotes communication, understand and collaboration among parishioners. 

Finance Committee – This is a consultative body, mandated by Church law to advise the pastor about the temporal goods of the parish. A knowledge of finances is necessary as the committee monitors the annual budget, financial trends, advice on investments, capital improvement, and strategize about stewardship, fundraising and development. We ask for financial experienced parishioners to join.

Building and Grounds Committee –They monitor the physical condition of the various campuses and make recommendations for repair, preventative maintenance and capital improvements. Does this fit into your skill set?

Collection Counters – Monday mornings the collection is counted, balanced and deposits made ready by volunteers with banking/finance experience. There are Diocesan policies that must be followed in the procedure. This Ministry, depending on the date and the number of collection envelopes, could take up to 3-4 hours. When a holiday falls on a Monday, the counting is done on Tuesday.

Safety Committee –We are looking for individuals with training in law enforcement, fire safety, medical and CPR/defibulator training that can step forward in an emergency situation until local units arrive. We welcome their expertise in watching that we are putting the best practices to use for the safety of all parishioners and visitors to our campuses.

Social Ministry Committee –Members spearhead projects to promote the sanctity of life for all ages. They coordinate events hosted by Catholic Charities; hold various collections for food and personal items; spread educational materials on Public Policies, volunteer at the Community Kitchen meals, appeal for disaster relief, coordinate the Christmas Basket Program and participate in many other projects to help the needy. 

Other Committees and Societies include:

Altar Rosary Society – This group of ladies meet periodically to recite the rosary and conduct a short business meeting. They are responsible for altar sacristy care and conduct activities during the year.

Elmira Area Nocturnal Society – This organization meets monthly to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Currently it is being held at St. Patrick’s the last Saturday.

Legion of Mary – Members visit homebound/health care facilities and meet weekly to recite the rosary.

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration:  The Adoration Chapel is located at 1012 Davis St. Elmira, NY.  The hours are 8:00am to 8:00pm everyday.  You are welcome drop in for a visit or become a regular “Adorer” with a scheduled weekly hour.  For more information contact Mary Pat Cantando 607-733-2291.

Parish Life – This group of parishioners is involved with Event Planning such as the Parish Picnic and dinners for special reasons, like to honor the parish Veterans. We arrange bus trips, dances, card parties and fun things to do with our fellow parishioners. We also like to show our Catholic presence in the local community by participating in the city parade or community events. We meet a few times during the year to plan our calendar and prior to the events. Suggestions for future projects and more helpers are always welcome.

Card Ministry – Are you aware that our parish has over 175 people in either health care facilities or homebound? We try to send cards at least 4 times a year including birthdays, Christmas and Easter. Would you be interested in “adopting” a parishioner (or a few) to do this for? Mailing costs for the cards will come from the parish. Parishioners can donate cards and to share names of family members and friends who would enjoy receiving one. We would like to include military family members.

Lazarus Ministry – Death is a time of grief and loss. We have formed a Ministry of people who will attend funeral Masses when a Parishioner passes away. You will be contacted with the location and time; a few pews will be designated where you can sit together.

Funeral Luncheons – We offer the basement of the Faith Formation Center as space if any family would like to use it after a funeral to gather and share a meal. They must bring their own food, but we are looking for people to host and people to provide dessert on a rotating basis.

Hospitality Minister – Can you provide a friendly face to greet people as they enter our buildings? Hospitality Ministers are used at Parish Missions, Dinners, special Masses/services, the Parish Mission, etc.

Bakers and Dessert Ministers – This goes along with Hospitality – if you cannot be there in person, would you bake or purchase desserts to serve to the attendees? This would be on a “call as needed” rotation.

Fund Raising – At present, the Parish Festival is the largest Fund Raiser we hold. In the future, we hope this continues and we can expand to more events at other times during the year. Extra funding is so important to the parish, but the cooperation and the getting to know parishioners is even greater.