News & Events (updated weekly)
Click HERE to see the parish calendar at the bottom of page.
NEW! Click HERE to see the latest schedule for altar servers, lectors, ushers and Eucharistic ministers.
Click HERE for the schedule of soup kitchen volunteers.
Click HERE to read minutes from the pastoral council meetings.
NEW: Make prayer requests HERE.
Follow us now on facebook, SaintAmbrose Parish, and on Twitter, twitter.com/StAmbroseParish. Send tweets to @StAmbroseParish.
Letter from Bishop Cunningham: Last weekend, a letter from the bishop on the decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (that will force Catholic employers to offer health coverage for sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs and contraception) was read at all of the Masses. If you would like to read that letter, click HERE. For information on how you can voice your concerns and urge members of Congress to pass the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, click HERE or HERE.
Feast of St. Blaise: Throats will be blessed after the 7:45 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. Masses on Friday, Feb. 3 in honor of the Feast of St. Blaise.
Catholic Schools Week: Are you interested in a faith-based education for your child with traditionally high academic standards and strong moral values? Please visit Seton Catholic at All Saints's Open House on Friday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. - noon followed by Mass at 1 p.m. The school is just down the street from St. Ambrose on Broad Street. For further information and other activities planned for the week, call 748-7423.
Souper Bowl of Caring: After all the Masses this weekend, youth from the parish will take up a collection to benefit Mother Teresa's Cupboard. Please be generous.
First Penance: Please keep our children making their First Penance this weekend in your prayers: Erica Cioci, Morgan Folli, Carly Kirtland, Nicole Limer, Monica Link, Julius Marchuska, Ethan Morales, Luke Rinkavage, Ashely Szwalla, Emma Taylor, and Ashleigh Turnbull.
Catholicism series: On Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m. in Msgr. Carey Hall the Legion of Mary is presenting the critically acclaimed 10-part series "Catholicism" produced by Father Robert Barron. All are invited.
Valentine's Day flowers: After the Masses on the weekend of Feb. 11-12, parish youth will be selling carnations. Buy some for your valentine. Proceeds benefit the youth group.
Annual Blood Drive: On Monday, Feb. 13, the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive in Msgr. Carey Hall from 12:30-6:30 p.m. The drive is held annually in memory of former parishioner Rob Austin.
Pre-Lenten Pie & Bake Sale: Bakers, workers and buyers needed the weekend of February 18-19 for the annual Altar & Rosary Society's pre-Lenten pie and bake sale. The event will be held after Masses in Msgr. Carey Hall.
Lenten Retreat for Women: Our lady of Good Counsel Church will host a one-day retreat for women on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Fr. Michael Galuppi and Lisa Lickona will present "Forgiveness & Mercy." Registration is $10 at the door. The event is sponsored by the Women's Commission of the Diocese of Syracuse.
Now on YouTube: We have created a YouTube Channel where you can view videos related to St. Ambrose Church. Currently posted are two videos from the Basically Bach Ensemble's Fall Concert. You can view the videos HERE.
Website Updates: Now that CYO basketball season has started, be sure to visit our CYO page for game schedules and results. Congrats to the St. Ambrose Kings, both varsity and grammar squads, for winning their first games. Also, read the minutes from the November Pastoral Council Meeting here.
Project Renew Tropical Storm Lee Support: This is a free crisis counseling service available for all those affected by the flooding from the Sept. 7 tropical storm. Project Renew staff are available to assist individuals, families, community groups, businesses and service organizations at no charge. Their goal is to assist our community in recovering from the challenges created by the flooding. For more information. call the Mental health Association of the Southern Tier—Project Renew, 607-595-9376.
Free clothing available to flood victims: The Ladies of Charity and the Nearly New Shop are offering free clothing to those who have been affected by the flooding. The store is located at 100 Main St. in Binghamton and is open Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and on Friday from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Community Flood Discussion Groups: Join us at casual gatherings where you can share your experiences, concerns and thoughts about the recent flood. Everyone is welcome to the sessions: Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria and Fridays at 1 p.m. in Msgr. Carey Hall.
Flood Relief needs at Mother Teresa's Cupboard: The flood increased the number of people needing food. Please continue to drop off non-perishable foods such as peanut butter, canned pasta, ramen noodles, boxes of macaroni & cheese and tuna, personal care items such as soap, toothpaste and diapers (especially size 3 and up). The hours at the pantry are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Join us for Coffee Hour: Every Sunday after the 10:15 a.m. Mass we have a coffee hour in Msgr. Carey Hall featuring light refreshments and fellowship.
Scripture Study Sessions continue through the fall: The Tuesday morning group meets from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in Msgr. Carey Hall. Our focus is on the weekly Sunday readings. You do not need to register—join the sessions at ANY time.
Are you registered? If you are new to the parish or a longtime attendee but not officially registered, please take a few moments to stop by or call the rectory (754-2330) to register.
Is life a challenge right now? Is there an issue you need to resolve? Did you know that no-cost individual, youth and family counseling services are available to members of our parish? The services are provided by Catholic Charities of Broome County sponsored by St. Ambrose and the McDevitt bequest to the Diocese of Syracuse. For more information, contact Father Currie at 754-2330 or Catholic Charities at 729-9166.
NOTICE regarding solicitations: It has been brought to our attention that individuals have been approaching parishioners to ask for money during and after Mass. We know who these individuals are—their needs are provided for through our outreach ministry. Please, DO NOT GIVE ANYONE MONEY.
Recent News
Diocesan honor: Congratulations to longtime parish volunteers Reggie & Joe Yurko who were presented the Immaculata Medallion for outstanding volunteer service by Bishop Cunningham on Dec. 4 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. We thank them for their many years of dedicated service to our parish.
Help Needed
NEW! Volunteers needed for Sunday morning Coffee Hour: Our coffee hour is held each Sunday after the 10:15 a.m. Mass. It's a good time (especially for new parishioners) to meet and greet. If you are interested and able to help, please call Ginny Madden at 237-4645.
Volunteers needed for Mother Teresa's Cupboard: If you can help out at the food pantry, call Mary Roma at 741-0011.
Cleanup Help for the Soup Kitchen: If you are interested in volunteering, contact Barbara Kane at the rectory (754-2330) so you can be worked into the schedule.
Bereavement Ministry volunteers needed: Are you available to help occasionally during the day with our funeral luncheons? If so, please call Barbara Kane at the rectory, 754-2330.
Of Interest to Our Parishioners
Catholic Schools of Broome County need substitute teachers: Kelly Services is hiring substitute teachers for the coming school year. If you would like to apply, send an email to 431z@kellyservices.com or call 729-1253.
Military Prayer List: We are praying continuously for our parishioners who are serving in active military duty. Please contact the rectory to have your family member added to the list on our new web page.
Do you have a child with a mental health issue? If so, contact Catholic Charities to learn more about their wide range of programs for children with serious emotional issues. Call 584-7800 for more information.
Insurance assistance available: There are more than 20,000 uninsured people in Broome County. Catholic Charities is partnering with Fidelis Care to promote access to insurance programs such as Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid Managed Care. Please call 283-9160 or 283-6928 to see if you are eligible.
Get financial assistance for obtaining hearing aids: Hear Now is a national program of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which provides assistance to those in need of hearing aids but who are unable to afford them. Verification of the applicant’s financial status and proof of the need for a hearing aid are part of the application procedure. The applicant is responsible for the evaluation, a small program fee and the cost of batteries and repairs. Once qualified, an applicant will receive a hearing aid without any other costs. Since the program’s inception in 1999, the foundation has provided 70,620 hearing aids. For an application call 1-(800) 328-8602
Upcoming Events
Feb.4-5, Souper Bowl of Caring, collection to benefit Mother Teresa's Cupboard taken in all the church vestibules.
Feb.11-12, Valentine's Day Carnation Sale, after all Masses, to benefit the youth group.
Feb.13, American Red Cross Blood Drive, 12:30-6:30 p.m., Msgr. Carey Hall.
Feb. 18-19, Altar & Rosary Pre-Lenten Pie & Bake Sale, after all the Masses in Msgr. Carey Hall.
Across Broome County's Catholic Community
Every 1st. & 3rd Thursday of the Month, Support Group for Divorced & Separated, 6-8 p.m. Holy Family church.
Feb. 5, K of C 3rd Annual Super Bowl Sunday Chicken BBQ, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. pickup at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Tickets in advance are $7.50 each. Limit 200 tickets.
Feb. 8, Doug's Fish Fry to benefit Holy Trinity Church, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Toys R Us paza, Harry L Drive.
Feb. 12, World Marriage Day Celebration, 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse. Bishop Cunningham will celebrate Mass and honor couples celebrating silver, golden and beyond 50 years anniversaries.
Feb 16, Widow & Widowers Group: Preparing Meals for One, 1 p.m., Room 2, Holy Family Church, Endwell. Bring a recipe to share.
Feb. 17-18, Winter Clothing Sale from Fabulous Finds, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m. - noon, Sat., Holy Family Church.
Feb. 25, Lenten Retreat for Women, 8 a.m. - noon, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Registration is $10 at the door.
Feb. 29, St. Joseph discussion with Sr. Lois Barton, CSJ, 7-9 p.m. in St. Joseph's Church. Donation $10, register by calling the Faith Formation Office at 786-9649 or send an email to sroffrsc@stny.rr.com.
Centennial information can now be found HERE.