PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
The major purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council is to collaborate with the Pastoral Administrator / Priest and Parish Staff in the spiritual and temporal development of the Faith Community. This includes the establishment and the monitoring of achieving goals and objectives for the faith community by establishing directives and policies to meet these expectations. The Council also serves as a medium of communication
where by any and all members of the Faith Community may express their views on matters, both spiritual and temporal, concerning the Faith Community. The Council consists of nine (9) selected members and two (2) appointed members of the Faith Community. Any registered member of the Faith Community, 18 years of age or older, is eligible for membership on the Council or any of its Committees.

FAITH FORMATION
Faith Formation is a part of life-long religious education. It is more than learning about religion; it involves sharing our faith experience.
Ongoing Faith Formation programs help parents:
• In sharing faith with youngsters in public school grades K - 12
• In sharing faith with classes for K-5th, Youth Group teens Grades 6, 7 & 8 -(Junior High) and Grades 9 through 12 - (Senior High)
• In their own ongoing Faith development as adults. Emphasis on adult-oriented offerings will continue to grow at Saint Agnes and in our strategic grouping of parishes.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION: Preparation for the Sacraments of Confirmation, First Eucharist, and First Reconciliation is handled through the Faith Formation office.
Our Faith Formation Advisory Board is looking for a few more volunteers. Over thirty (30) volunteers were involved in last year's programs.
Training is provided for our catechists (volunteer religious education teachers). Catechists are needed. If you would like to discuss opportunities, contact Mike Drexler.
For questions or more information on any of the above, please call (585)-226-3232.

COMMITTEES
• THE BUILDING & GROUNDS COMMITTEE
This committee assists in the maintenance, improvement, and development of parish buildings and property. It conducts meetings as the need arises to address pressing issues.

• THE CEMETERY COMMITTEE
Meeting periodically, this committee provides guidelines and rules for the management and care of the cemetery located on Linden Street. The Catholic Cemetery has been established to furnish the sacred religious function of the burial and care for the resting places of the deceased who, as people of God, even in death remain part of the whole Christian Community. Parishioners may purchase grave lots by contacting the Parish Office.

• THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
This is a group composed of parishioners who advise the Pastoral Administrator / Priest in financial planning. They are responsible for preparing, implementing, and evaluating the annual budget. It is also charged to carefully study parish receipts and expenditures, along with the Parish Trustees and Auditors. Through its monthly meetings, the committee monitors and prepares the annual financial Report to the parish. While following Diocesan fiscal guidelines, it analyses and recommends financial feasibility for parish investments, purchase of land, new buildings, sale of land, etc.

• THE LITURGY COMMITTEE
The purpose of this committee is to assist the parish community in its worship by nourishing and giving expression to the unity of the community. At its monthly meetings, the committee oversees the various related ministries connected with liturgies of the parish, including Altar Servers, Cantors, Eucharistic Ministers, Greeters, Lectors, Music Ministers, and Ushers. Through its sub-committee on Environment, it provides creative expressions and art to enhance the environment of the Church pertaining to specific celebrations or seasons.

• LITURGICAL COMMITTEE
The purpose of this committee is to assist the parish community in its worship by nourishing and giving expression to the unity of the community. At its monthly meetings, the committee oversees the various related ministries connected with liturgies of the parish, including Altar Servers, Cantors, Ministers of Communion, Greeters/Ushers, Lectors, and Music Ministers. Through its sub-committee on Environment, it provides creative expressions and art to enhance the environment of the Church pertaining to specific celebrations or seasons.

LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
• ALTAR SERVERS •
Boys and girls from the 3rd grade up serve the Lord and Saint Agnes Faith Community at weekend and holy day Liturgies. A training class is held periodically for those interested in becoming servers. Please call the Office for information.
• CANTORS •
Cantors serve our community by leading the Congregation in singing from the sanctuary at the liturgies on weekends or holy days. Anyone interested in serving in this ministry should contact the Office.
• MINISTERS OF COMMUNION•
These ministers distribute the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ under both forms to the Congregation at our weekend and weekday Liturgies. Some of these ministers regularly bring the Eucharist to the sick and shut-ins at home and at the Avon Nursing Home.
• GREETERS •
This ministry provides a welcoming atmosphere to all who enter our Church for the celebration of the Eucharist.
• LECTORS •
These men and women are assigned on a regular
Schedule to proclaim the Word of God at our weekend and holy day Liturgies. Some also serve at our weekday Liturgies. Please call the Office if you are interested in joining this ministry.
• MUSIC MINISTERS •
The Traditional Choir and Contemporary Music Ministry provide music and atmosphere on alternate Sundays and special occasions.
• SACRISTANS •
These people care for the Church by dusting, cleaning, and tending to the laundering of our altar linens.
• USHERS •
This group of men and women are responsible for the orderly seating of those attending the Liturgy, the collection procedure, and the distribution of the weekly bulletin at the end of Mass.

ADDITIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS

• "MARTHA'S MINISTRY" •
(DINNERS FOR BEREAVED)
In an effort to reach out to those families who are experiencing the loss of a loved one, our parish has teams who will provide a meal for the family and friends. This meal will be at the discretion and convenience of the family (usually following the funeral service).

• PRAYER NETWORK •
The Prayer Network provides, through a prayer hotline, an opportunity for parishioners to solicit confidential prayers for any intention. This service is especially applicable in a crisis situation, whether in this community or elsewhere. Intentions are called out to our network of about sixty (60) parishioners within twenty-four (24) hours. To place a prayer request, please call the rectory and they will give you a contact person to call.

THE FOLLOWING ARE ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES SHARED WITH THE OTHER CHURCHES IN THE AVON COMMUNITY AND THEREFORE, NOT EXCLUSIVE TO OUR FAITH COMMUNITY …

• AVON FOOD PANTRY •
This community service provides food for any hungry family in Avon. Saint Agnes Parishioners are asked to contribute regularly to this Food Pantry by leaving their donations in the box provided in the rear of the Church.
• AVON INTERFAITH COUNCIL •
The Avon Interfaith Council is a group consisting of clergy and lay representatives of the Churches of the Avon area. The goals of the Council are: to celebrate our uniqueness to rejoice in our unity in Christ to help others to demonstrate our Christian values Some activities are: the Avon Food Pantry; Sojourners' Fund; Senior Nutrition Center; Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets for the Needy; and the AVON Walk for Hunger.

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The HANDIWORK MINISTRY : Celebrating 10 years of Service providing handmade items of care and comfort for people in need. They teach basic knitting, sewing and crocheting to members who use donated supplies to make projects for local and national distribution. Volunteers needed - No church affiliation required.
Meetings hosted monthly at (St. Agnes) Avon, and locations in Cohocton, Dansville, Henrietta, and Rochester. See more info on their web-site.

Click here for LINK to The Handiwork Ministry web-site.

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• JOSEPH'S HAMMER MINISTRY•
Neighbors Helping Neighbors with home repairs in Livingston County---
Contact us if....
1) You cannot afford home repairs.
2) You cannot get help through other agencies.
3) You need home repairs and cannot get a contractor to do the work.

We offer home repairs: plumbing, electric, carpentry, painting, drywall, repair porches / and stairs, wheelchair ramps, replace windows etc.. We do not do total roof replacements *. We are a volunteer not-for-profit organization.

How does it Work? Once Joseph's Hammer Ministry is contacted, someone will visit your home to assess your needs and determine if you qualify for our services. A small amount of paperwork is needed. Then they will schedule the work typically in teams of two between 8:30am and 4:00pm.
What to Expect? They may provide all labor and materials at no charge, require you to pay for some or all of the materials, If you are financially able , they will do the work for you at an hourly rate plus the cost of materials. This money would help fund the Joseph's Hammer Ministry.
Why do they do this?
"We are followers of Jesus, the carpenter's son who came not to be served, but to serve. We listen to the voice of the One who invites us to reach out to others as we answer the age-old question. "Who is my neighbor?" "

What have they done ?
Repaired broken water pipes, remodeled bathrooms, insulated drafty doors, repaired leaky roofs*, repaired skirting around mobile homes, replced broken windows, built wheelchair ramps, patched broken drywall and more...

How to contact Joseph's Hammer Ministry
Call Deacon Ed Mathis at 585-330-6250 or if he is not available contact Larry Beman at 585-704-5899