Welcome
to St.Charles Borromeo
Welcome to St. Charles Borromeo
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Out
Ministries
reach
Visitation Ministry
When did we visit you when you were ill? The King will answer them: ‘I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.’
Matthew 25:39-40
Home and Hospital Visitation
Can you think of any greater privilege than ministering to the Lord?
This is the joy felt by the volunteers who are Ministers of Visitation. Currently there are 31 of us. We visit parishioners who are homebound, those who live in nursing homes or other care facilities, and parishioners who are in the hospital. At the present time we are visiting 123 people, not including those we visit in hospitals as that number changes daily. Our primary mission is to take the Eucharist to folks who are unable to get to Mass. Our second goal is to maintain contact between these parishioners and St. Charles. That lack of contact is keenly felt when a person is unable to be part of their church community, and we hope to help fill that void. One of the most gratifying aspects of visiting is the relationship that inevitably grows between the visitor and the person being visited. So many times a visitor has said to me, “I feel like I’m the one being blessed!” Father Pius will also visit homes and care facilities to bring the Sacrament of the Sick.
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If you would like to find out more about Visitation Ministry, or perhaps become a visitor, contact Lee Ventrella at (585) 663-3230 or e-mail: lee.ventrella@dor.org. She would be very happy to speak with you!
GrandVille Nursing Home
Every Sunday, one of our parishioners typically leads a Communion Service and gives Eucharist to the Catholic residents at GrandeVille Nursing Home. It is a wonderful opportunity to minister to those who cannot come to St. Charles, but still love to receive Eucharist on Sundays.
There is a team of people who rotate the responsibility of going to GrandeVille. If you are interested in being a part of this ministry, please contact Ed Holden at epholden@gmail.com, or by calling our offices at (585) 663-3230.
Knights of Columbus
The Knights were founded in 1882 when Fr. Michael J. McGivney and a small group of men founded a society designed to provide some security for widows and orphans of Catholic parishioners. Fr. McGivney’s idea grew into an order of Catholic men and their families. This order is dedicated to promoting the ideals of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Today there are over 1.9 million members throughout the world.
Contact Dick Dixon or Jerry Streb if you would like to join our K of C Council.
Meetings are held 3rd Wednesday of the month in the St. Charles parish hall at 7:30PM
SOCIAL
MINISTRY
The St. Charles Borromeo’s Social Ministry exists to fulfill Christ’s example to love one another. Therefore, we support, advocate, inform, and educate, to insure basic human needs and essential human rights whenever the need arises.
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We have a very active core committee of about 8 people, plus there are several other people that help with special events. The Social Ministry Committee meets about 5 times per year.
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Some activities include:
Christmas Giving Trees
Food Collections
Holiday Food Baskets
Diocesan Public Policy Information and petition signing
Blood Drives
Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl
Baby Showers
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If you’d like to help out, contact Kathy Termine at termine@juno.com or (585) 723–1236.
Stitches of Love/
Quilting Group
All are welcome!
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We, the quilters of St Charles Borromeo, take snips and pieces of donated materials and rearrange them “miraculously” into quilt patterns, that are easy on the eye, and warming to the heart and body. In the past, we have donated our “creations” to several veteran group programs, our homebound, expecting young teen mothers, social ministry baby showers, the villa youth, area group homes, GVA, raffles for our youth group, and city shelters.
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We came together at St Charles in September, 2010—-a former ministry group of Our Lady of Mercy. We were made up of 12
women who shared an interest in sewing, and wanted to learn to quilt. Most of us had never made a quilt in our life! In this short period of time at St Charles, we have donated over 300 lap-sized quilts to individuals in our community. Our current members include: Barb Gerardi, Christine McNally, Alice Styles, Kathy Muller, Sharon Lachima, Jean St John, Maria Kasper, Georgia Sadler, Gail Yarus and Mary Eggleston.
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We meet the first and third Wednesday of the month in the school building, from 6-7:30 PM. We start our gatherings in September, and they run through the end of April. A display of all of our donated quilts for that year are shown in the back of church after the Masses, one weekend in May. Why do we belong to this ministry? Each of us has a talent/interest in sewing. When we found others that had that interest and came together, we created a little community that sets goals and works together to outreach to others…….especially those we may not even know. Coming together each month over the years has formed a unique friendship among us. Some meetings we seem to “chat” more than we quilt!
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I would recommend to anyone that would like to try their skill at quilting, or even observe, to come join us at one of our gatherings. You don’t need to bring any tools or supplies…all of our machines and material have been graciously donated by members of our own parish community. God continues to provide what we need to keep our ministry going!
For more information contact Joan Bigham.
Prayer Shawl Group
All are welcome!
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Through the centuries, shawls have come to symbolize shelter, peace and spiritual sustenance. Since the 1998 inception of the Prayer Shawl Ministry in Hartford CT, members worldwide have lovingly given their time and talent by knitting and crocheting shawls, created with the power of prayer for those in need of comfort, care and healing, peace, hope and joy.
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Did you know that we at St. Charles have a group who makes shawls and lap blankets? The shawls are called Prayer Shawls. Our Prayer Shawl Ministry started with five ladies at Holy Name of Jesus Church, and has increased with our move to St. Charles. We currently have eight ladies. We meet monthly to knit, crochet, and sew. Prayers for each recipient are knit into their shawl throughout its creation. When completed, the shawl is prayed over by the group.
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Sometimes we know who the shawl will be going to as we are creating it, so we pray for that person specifically. Most times, we pray for the person to whom the Holy Spirit will guide the shawl. It comes as no surprise to us when someone tells us, “The shawl you gave me was my favorite color! How did you know?”
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Shawls are blessed as they are created, and often blessed in church during a Mass. You do not need to wait for one of these occasions to receive a shawl. You may request one any time. Shawls have been given to people who have suffered a loss, or an illness, or are just in need of a tangible sign and affirmation of God’s presence and healing in their lives. Each shawl comes with a prayer card, and directions for laundering, along with some information about the shawl ministry.
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We have given hundreds of shawls through our ministry over the years. When a prayer shawl is presented, it comes with a prayer gift card and a brochure explaining our ministry. Each person involved, from the knitters, to the people who present the shawls, to the recipient, senses the unconditional embrace of a sheltering, mothering God.
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If you know someone who would be blessed by a shawl made by our Prayer Shawl Ministry, please contact Lynda Pleckan at 585-663-0073, or Maureen Beattie. There is no fee for the shawls. They are made with love, and given freely as a blessing. Some people have asked about donating to the ministry. Though there is no charge for the shawls, we will gladly accept monetary donations to purchase yarn, and donations of yarn.
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We would love to have you join our ministry! It doesn’t matter if your knitting or crocheting skills are a little rusty, please just come. We are happy to help you get started or refresh your skills. We meet the second Tuesday of each month, from 9:30 to 11:00 AM.
Many hands make light work. Won’t you add yours?
Prayer Chain
A prayer chain is a powerful way to enlist God’s help when we become aware of a need for prayer. If you or someone that you know needs prayer, call Peggy Malvaso at 764-0463. Peggy is volunteering to coordinate this group. If you would like to be a member of the prayer chain, please call Peggy and she will contact you with the details.