St. André Bessette spent over forty years as a porter, stationed at the door of Collège Notre-Dame. He opened and closed doors, welcomed the forgotten, listened to the sick, and guarded the threshold between the ordinary and the sacred. Many of the faithful after talking with him noticed that their pains, worries, and problems were resolved. St. Andre would say "When God wants a work to be done, obstacles cannot stop it."
WHY ARE WE CALLED
PORTERS OF THE HEART?
Who is a porter?
A Porter of the Heart, following the example of Brother André, accompanies others with humility and care—standing at life’s thresholds and upholding each person in their God-given dignity, where Christ desires to dwell.
How we serve
At Cor Team, our service is shaped by the Corporal Works of Mercy, drawn directly from Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35–40: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, and burying the dead. Because when we do these things for the least of these, we do them for Christ Himself. This is how we serve, this is how we love, this is who we are.
Kitchen Manager
You'll earn your food handler's certification and lead kitchen operations once a week, assigning roles to 30+ volunteers and working alongside our head chef to prepare and serve over 500 meals each night with efficiency and care.
Laundry
You'll provide laundry services for our guests by washing, drying, and folding up to 16 loads each day, then returning their clean clothes with an inspiring note to restore dignity and hope.
Committals
Once a month, you'll join an early-morning team invited by Maricopa County to bury unclaimed remains, offering prayers and a dignified farewell as we commit each person to the Lord.
Showers
You'll manage our four shower rooms by signing in guests, keeping everyone on schedule within their 10-minute window, serving about 40 people per shift, and sanitizing after each use to maintain a safe and welcoming space.
Clothing Closet
You'll sign in guests, help them choose well-fitting clothing with dignity, restock shelves, and serve about 40 people per shift, making sure each person leaves feeling seen and valued.
Street Ministry
Twice a week you'll hit the streets in the morning with a small team to encounter our guests where they are, listening, praying with them, building relationships, and inviting them to dinner that evening.
Hygiene Office
You'll staff the hygiene office, distributing essentials like deodorant, toothpaste, soap, and other items while offering kind conversation and encouragement to everyone who stops by.
Porter
You'll be the welcoming presence outside our building and in the respite area, answering questions, greeting volunteers and guests, offering directions, and simply being a steady beacon of hope and hospitality.
Food bank Logistics
You'll team up with another Cor member to drive our 25-foot refrigerated van to pick up donated food from partner locations, ensuring we have everything needed to prepare that evening's dinner for hundreds of guests.
Daily service powered by prayer and reflection
How we pray,
Daily.
Prayer is essential to our lives and how we serve, our daily rhythm of prayer is an invitation to grow a deeper relationship with Christ while discovering who we are.
How We Live.
Communal Life
Nightly reflections
Each weekday evening, following Night Prayer, we gather to reflect on the day's highs and lows, fostering vulnerability and gratitude while addressing community matters essential for our shared thriving.
Friday Day of Recollection and Formation
Our half-day Formation Fridays build community through Holy Mass, Faith centered Lectures, Stations of the Cross, hikes or outings, and a Holy Hour, leaving the afternoon free for personal relaxation and solitude.
Pilgrimage and Excursions
Throughout the year, we embark on rejuvenating pilgrimages and adventures, such as to St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal or hiking the Grand Canyon, drawing closer to God through nature and sacred sites.
Communal Meals
Gathering around the table for shared brunches or dinners creates sacred moments of fellowship, where stories are exchanged and bonds deepened in true community.
Days of Rest
Sundays serve as our dedicated day of rest, inviting us to recharge spiritually and physically through leisure, nature, or quiet time at home.
