Ministries & Volunteer Opportunities
St. Ambrose offers a wide variety of parish ministries and volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in knowing more about any one of the ministries or volunteer opportunities, please contact the parish office.
Liturgical
All parish liturgies are coordinated through the parish liturgy committee. Numerous volunteer ministry opportunities are available as lectors, ushers, Eucharistic ministers, greeters and altar servers. The Altar & Rosary Society coordinates the cleaning and upkeep of the sanctuary. A decorating team decorates the church and sanctuary for the liturgical seasons and special events.
Music
There are several music ministries at St. Ambrose featuring The Choir, Contemporary Ensemble and a performance group entitled "The Basically Bach Ensemble." For special liturgies and at various other times The Choir and Contemporary Ensembles may combine their members. New members are always welcome. The "Basically Bach Ensemble" is a performance group, open by audition, to all interested persons. The group presents two concerts each year. For more information, visit our Music page.
Outreach
John Paul II Outreach Center: Together with St. Joseph, St. Casimir and Church of the Holy Family parishes, St. Ambrose participates in a cooperative effort known as John Paul II Outreach Center.
Located in the former St. Ambrose School, the center includes an expanded food pantry/emergency assistance center called Mother Teresa's Cupboard and will include other services in the future.
The hours for Mother Teresa's Cupboard are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 741-0011 for more information.
If you would like to donate food to the pantry, there is always a need for tuna fish, peanut butter, ramen noodles, etc. All goods must be non-perishables in cans or boxes. There is always a need for paper bags, too. Donations can be left in baskets at the church exits or in the bin in the rectory atrium.
Soup Kitchen: The parish operates a soup kitchen weekly on Wednesday nights at 5:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria on Garfield Avenue. Volunteers are welcome at the soup kitchen, but we ask you to call the parish office first so we know when to expect you. We also would like to provide you with a basic orientation to the soup kitchen.
Religious Education & Formation
Working from the premise that religious education/formation is lifelong and ongoing, the parish Religious Education Program provides programs for people of all ages beginning with preschool children at the Children's Liturgy of the Word at the Sunday 10:15 a.m. Mass through adult education opportunities and RCIA. The heart of the religious education program for children and youth meets on Sundays throughout the academic year. Occasional Whole Community Catechesis Parish Events are spaced throughout the year. Our summer program is centered on Vacation Bible School. Preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation takes place through the parish religious education programs.
Pastoral
The parish pastoral ministry program seeks to serve the needs of our sick and elderly parishioners. Pastoral visits, greeting cards and notes, over 50 dinners and special occasion celebrations are part of the pastoral ministry program.
If you or a family member are homebound and would like to receive the Eucharist, please call Dc. Tom Picciano at 754-2330.
NOTE: If a family member is in the hospital, please call our office to let us know. Under the current Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, hospitals are not allowed to notify us when parishioners are patients.
Bereavement
Parish volunteers provide a luncheon for the bereaved after a funeral held in our church. Call 754-2330 for information. Parishioners involved in this ministry also attend wakes and funerals of parishioners.
CYO
St. Ambrose participates in the Broome County Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). The CYO teams are combined teams with members from St. Ambrose and Most Holy Rosary Parish in Maine, N.Y. CYO teams include basketball, co-ed volleyball and cheerleading.
The Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary, an apostolic organization of lay Catholics, meets on Wednesday afternoons from 1-2 p.m. in Msgr. Carey Hall. The goal of the organization is to foster spirituality through a practical combination of spirituality and good works.
Altar & Rosary Society
The Altar & Rosary Society cares for the altar and fosters devotion to Our Lady and the rosary. Meetings are held each quarter and annual sponsored events include the Christmas Tea and a Mother/Daughter Communion Breakfast.
Youth Ministry
The youth ministry program provides social and service programs for teens in middle and high school. They also participate in regional and diocesan youth events, the National Catholic Youth Conference and World Youth Day.
Sunday Morning Coffee Hour
The parish coffee hour in Msgr. Carey Hall follows the 10:15 a.m. Mass on Sundays from Sept. -- June. It is a wonderful time to relax, have coffee and catch up with friends.