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Volunteer with us!
There are many opportunities to volunteer at Immaculate Conception Parish in Ithaca, NY. We have seven parish committees, and many Liturgy roles to fill each day, including three unique Masses on the weekend. In addition, there are multiple ministries, community partnerships, and small Catholic communities where you can bring your gifts and talents to serve our parish community and surrounding areas. Explore all the volunteer opportunities below.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.
Help with the Liturgy
The Liturgy (Mass) is the “source and summit” of our Catholic worship and calls each of us to active participation in it. Many individuals help make the liturgy possible through the use of their gifts and talents as readers, altar servers, cantors, instrumentalists, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, etc. Do you feel called to serve the parish in any of the ways mentioned? If so, we welcome you to share those gifts with us.
Ways to Volunteer
Click or tap a title below to learn more.
Extend your hospitality by greeting those entering our church and answering any questions they may have.
Ushers greet people and assist them to find open seats, assist with the collection and presentation of the gifts, and serve as sources of information for visitors.
Altar Servers assist the Priest and Deacon in the Sanctuary area during the Mass.
Lectors read the First and Second Readings, the Prayers of the Faithful and any announcements at the end of Mass. Lectors sit in the Sanctuary area during Mass.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the Priest and Deacon to distribute the Precious Body and Blood of our Lord during Communion.
The purpose of music ministry is to lead and coordinate the sung praise of the liturgical assembly, enabling it to speak as the voice of the Church, the Body of Christ. The harmony of music and the ritual action of singing together are icons of the Church’s mystical communion in Christ. “We, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another” (Romans 12:5–6). While the spiritual refreshment of individuals is frequently a fruit of liturgical song, the primary purpose of music in the liturgy is to enable the Church to worship as a community. The ministry and participation of each individual is subordinate to and directed toward that communal goal. Visit our Music Ministry page to learn more.
Sacristans launder the altar cloths and server robes and prepare the altar.
Serve on a Committee
There are several Parish Committees that serve Father Chumo and the parish community in various roles. Consider joining one!
Ways to Volunteer
Click or tap a title below to learn more.
The Building and Grounds Committee provides expertise and input on maintenance issues, upkeep, and renovations. Members of the committee include Tom Robinson, Anne Adesso, Marie Terlizzi, Matthew Hall, Margaret Carney and Fr. Chumo. These individuals have played an instrumental role in the renovations project. View more about the project on our Church Renewal page.
The parish is still looking for volunteers to join our cemetery committee. The parish owns two cemeteries: Calvary and Mt. Olivet. These cemeteries are very important entities of our parish. If you would like to learn more, visit Our Cemeteries page.
The US Catholic Church has entered a three-year movement focused on Eucharistic Revival that began in June on the Feast of Corpus Christi. Chartered by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the movement is designed to restore Catholic’s belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Visit our Eucharistic Revival page to learn more.
The Finance Council meets on a monthly basis and periodically reviews parish financial reports, such as budgets, balance sheets, and income statements. It also provides advice on management of parish finances and reviews parish investments. Visit our Financial Stewardship page to learn more.
The Hospitality Ministry at Immaculate Conception is designed to support the various “events” in the Parish. Our aim is to provide refreshments to assist in making the event a welcoming experience and to build community. Individuals, families or groups can help with baking, cooking, purchasing beverages or other items and set-up or clean-up for events.
Coffee (Social) Hours are generally scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month, September through June, after the 8:30 and 10:30am Masses. Groups sign up for these, but are assisted by the Hospitality Team.
Funeral Receptions after Funeral Masses are offered, when requested by the family. Operating as “The Martha Ministry’, we provide these receptions (paid for by the family).
Other special events supported often include receptions after the Easter Vigil; Luncheon or supper on certain feast days such as Immaculate Conception. Light Refreshments are made available before and after presentations made by various staff and other speakers. Refreshments are offered when dignitaries such as Bishop Matano visit.
Everyone is invited to assist in the “events” in whatever capacity that best fits their time and talents. This Ministry is an easy way to meet people in the Parish, provides and opportunity to keep in touch with friends and the time commitments is very flexible to fit individual schedules.
Coordinators:
Mary Edsall-Golway: megolway143@gmail.com 607-564-0673
Chris Wells: cwells14850@yahoo.com, 607-227-9156
The Immaculate Conception Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) serves as an advisory body to the pastor on matters concerning the life and pastoral ministry of our parish.
PPC focuses on the development and implementation of the mission, vision, proprieties and direction of our parish. PPC members represent a demographic cross-section of our parish, actively engaged in multiple ministries and representative of the interests and perspectives of our parish members. PPC meets regularly throughout September to June. Parish members are always welcome to sit in on our meetings, to contact our PPC representatives to share your ideas or concerns.
- 12 members serve for a 3 year term
- 2 members serve as alternates
- 1 teen serves for a 1-2 year term
The mission and work of the Service Team is to help those who are less fortunate. Each year we try to reach out to as many people as possible and, with the help of our parishioners, we have managed to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Our efforts are centered on the holidays. Visit our Community Outreach page to learn more.
Parish Ministries
Join a Ministry
There are many ministries that serve members of our parish and are involved in community outreach. Learn more about the work of each ministry below.
The Hospitality Team
Coordinator: Mary Edsall-Golway
Thank you Mary! Thank you volunteers!
Would you like to help the Hospitality Committee?
Other Parish Volunteer Opportunities
Join the Cayuga Ridge Ministry
A group of volunteer Eucharistic Ministers visit Cayuga Ridge and participate in services. This group is coordinated by Dante Iozzo. If you are interested in learning more about how you can participate, click to send us a note.
Join the Website Team
Help us find creative ways to provide updated information, resources, and catechesis to our parishioners and broader community during COVID and beyond. If you are interested in learning more, click to send us a note.
Join the Youth Ministry Team
There are several different programs available to help our youth grow closer to God while learning the precepts of our Catholic faith including the Family Based program and youth ministry for high schoolers. If you would like to learn more about how you can help, please click to email Rich Rasmussen.
Join or Volunteer at our Local Partnering Organizations
Birthright, Catholic Charities, Knights of Columbus, Mercy Associates. If you are interested in learning more, click to send us a note.
Visit the Homebound
A group of volunteer Eucharistic Ministers bring Communion to the homebound. If you are interested, please click to send us a note.
Help with Church Decorating
Extra hands are always needed to help prepare the church for liturgical changes during the year. This group is coordinated by Lyn Mazza. If you are interested in helping, please click to send us a note.
Pray: Join a small Catholic Community
Divine Mercy Cenacle, Endow, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Seven Sisters Apostolate, St Joseph Prayer Group, St Paul Street Evangelization. If you are interested in joining a small Catholic Community, please click to send us a note.
Assist with the Food Pantry
For 20 years, Immaculate Conception Parish has been helping the community through the Food Pantry. 120 families are served each week. Visit our Community Outreach page to learn more. Click to learn more.
Marian Shrine Floral Ministry
These volunteers keep an eye on the flowers at the Marian Shrine inside the church, to replace them or exchange them as the need arises. Use your own creativity! This is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with flowers or has a flair for creativity. Contact the office or click to send us a note of interest.