Motherhouse Services
The Motherhouse is the heart of our Congregational life. It is a welcoming place of peace and serenity for all. It also serves as the hub from which we reach out to others in prayer and service.
In addition to being home to some of our own Sisters, our Motherhouse is also home to severeral of our retired brother priests.
You are welcome to consider our Motherhouse as a place for group retreats, gatherings and meetings.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph Motherhouse is handicapped accessible and smoke free.
Contact Information
Martha Mortensen-Kolkmann, LMSW
Director of SSJ Motherhouse Resident Services 150 French Road, Rochester, NY 14618
P: (585) 641-8415 F: (585)641-8594 E: mmortensen@ssjrochester.org
Volunteer Opportunities
-
Gift Shop Volunteer
Time: Subs needed to fill in for regular volunteers
Description: Open and close gift shop. Run register and handle sales.
-
Time: As Needed or Seasonal.
Description: There are a couple different ways to assist with the grounds:
Individual Volunteer Work: To fulfill community service hours, or to work consistently on a specific area i.e. weeding, mulching, etc.
Group Volunteer Work: To complete a community service project or day of service. Examples include but are not limited to weeding, mulching, raking, etc.
-
Volunteer Driver
Time: As Needed. Can be flexible with your schedule and availability.
Description: Assist sisters and priests in getting to doctor appointments and sometimes for running errands. Please be aware that if you wish to volunteer as a driver with us, we will provide you with additional training and supplemental insurance via Lifespan.
Activity Support
Time: Based on activities calendar. Preferably on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays.
Description: Assist recreation therapist with activities on Joseph’s Place (memory care unit). Examples include exercise groups, music, crafts, baking, trivia, etc.
Additional Information: Volunteer must feel comfortable pushing wheelchairs and working with residents with dementia. If a volunteer has a particular hobby/presentation that they would like to share with the residents, that could be explored as well.
Manicurist
Time: Based on volunteers availability.
Description: Certified manicurist to do the nails of sisters at the Motherhouse.
Requirements: Proof of certification.
Massage Therapy/ Hand Masseuse
Time: Based on volunteers availability.
Description: Provide hand massages to resident sisters and priests.
Requirements: Proof of certification. (Examples of relevant certifications include Manicurist, Massage Therapist, Reflexologist, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Cosmetologist, etc.)
Sister/Priest Visitor
This opportunity is more difficult to facilitate since COVID. We encourage you to consider a different opportunity, get to know the residents organically, and if you develop a relationship with a resident and you both wish to visit outside of your other volunteering, this could be facilitated with the assistance of the Director of Resident Services.
Project/Event Based Opportunities
Time: As needed by request of Director of Resident Services to volunteer (based on requests from residents).
Description: Do simple sewing tasks for residents. Examples include hemming, fixing tears, bringing in/taking out waistlines, etc.
Driver *MOST PRESSING NEED*
Time: As Needed. Flexible with volunteer’s availability.
Description: Transport residents to and from doctor appointments.
Additional Information: If you wish to volunteer as a driver with us, you will need to do a training through the Give a Lift Program at Lifespan.