After years of declining enrollment and accompanying financial difficulties, St. Joseph School in Auburn will close its doors at the end of the school year in June 2020.

The request to close the school was jointly made “with sadness and regret” by the pastors and parochial vicars of the Auburn parishes in a letter to The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Rochester. Bishop Matano accepted the recommendation after consultation in early November with the Presbyteral Council, a council of priests from throughout the Diocese who advise the Bishop. Also consulting was the College of Consultors and the diocesan School Board.

In the current academic year, enrollment at the school is at a historical low of 93 students in grades preK-8^th grade, with projected further enrollment declines. In making their recommendation, the pastors and parochial vicars cited “severe financial difficulty” in continuing to use the Auburn parishes’ resources to subsidize operation of the school. Enrollment has declined by about 25 students each year for the past several years.

“I remain firm in my commitment to Catholic schools,” Bishop Matano said, “with the hope that parents will choose a Catholic school education for their children so that increased enrollments will strengthen our Catholic schools.  I truly empathize with the St.  Joseph School community who desired a Catholic school education, but the low enrollment, the financial burden on the parishes and the depleted resources do not make this possible.  I pray for their understanding and cooperation at this difficult time.”

“We know that news of the closure effective at the end of the school year in June 2020 will cause considerable sorrow and pain, not only for those families who are currently enrolled at St. Joseph’s School, but also for the countless others who have benefited from Catholic education in its long and remarkable history in Auburn. We, too, share in your sadness. Let us come together as a community of faith to not only mourn the loss of this beloved institution, but also to find ways to celebrate all the precious memories,” said the priests of the Auburn parishes, Father Frank Lioi, Father John Gathenya, Father Michael Brown and Father Justin Miller, in a public letter to the Auburn Catholic Community.

James Tauzel, interim diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools, said, “I am very grateful for the commitment to our children shown by Principal Mary Jo Keba and the teachers, staff and school families. All those involved at St. Joseph School through these many years have been tremendously dedicated to our students. The school may close, but wonderful memories will endure for those who passed through its doors and left well-prepared spiritually and academically to make a difference in their community.”

Enjoy the beauty (and the challenge!) of 18 holes on The Links at Greystone’s rolling greens. Play fun lawn games including Kan Jam, ladder golf, life-size Jenga, island green, corn
hole, bocce ball, and more!

The Diocese of Rochester Catholic School’s Golf & Games: Benefitting Education Hardship is held to raise funds for students at any of our 18 schools in need of financial assistance during times of exceptional hardship. We hope that you and a group of friends or associates will join us by participating in golfing or games, becoming a sponsor or contributor, or attending our annual Awards Dinner.

To register, please visit www.dorschools.org/golf.

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The Reverend Robert Gaudio, pastor of St. Christopher Church in North Chili, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into a recently received complaint of sexual misconduct with a minor, which is alleged to have occurred in the 1970s.

Fr. Gaudio vehemently denies the allegation, indicating “I never did this.” No other previous allegations of sexual abuse of a minor have ever been received against Father Gaudio.

During the administrative leave, Father Gaudio cannot engage in any public ministry.

Father Gaudio was ordained in 1974. Before serving at St. Christopher’s, he previously served at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Brockport, St. Alphonsus Church in Auburn, St. Andrew Church in Rochester, Holy Name of Jesus Church in Greece, St. Monica Church in Rochester, and St. Ann Church in Palmyra concurrent with ministry at St. Gregory Church in Marion.

Father Edward Palumbos has been appointed temporary administrator of St. Christopher’s.

HELP FOR VICTIMS
Victims of abuse should always report to the civil authorities. To report a case of possible sexual abuse and to receive help and guidance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, victims are encouraged to contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator, Deborah A. Housel, at (585) 328-3228, ext. 1555 (toll-free 1-800-388-7177, ext. 1555) or by e-mail to .

Diocese of Rochester Safe Environment Initiatives

Following is a statement of the New York State Catholic Conference on the passage and signing of the Reproductive Health Act:

“Today, New York State has added a sad chapter to this already solemn date of January 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. With the legislature’s passage, and Governor Cuomo’s signing of the Reproductive Health Act, our beloved state has become a more dangerous one for women and their unborn babies.

“Many of the state Senators and Assembly Members who voted for this abortion expansion are mothers themselves, who felt their child toss, turn and kick in their womb, and delighted in the progress of their pregnancy. Many others, as well as our governor, are fathers, who held their partner’s hand as they viewed the ultrasound videos, watched their child squirm and rejoiced at the first sound of a heartbeat. Many of these same officials were themselves born into less-than-perfect conditions – poverty, health problems, disabilities, broken families. All overcame these issues to rise to leadership in our state, because their parents chose life for them.

“We thank all of our partners in the 12-year-long fight to stop this horrendous policy, and all pro-life New Yorkers who made their voices heard in an effort to stop it. Let us all pray for the conversion of heart for those who celebrate this tragic moment in the history of our state. And we pray in a special way for the lives that will be lost, and for the women of our state who are made less safe under this law.”

The Catholic Conference represents the Bishops of New York State in public policy matters.

Registration is now open for our 2018 conference!

Our 4th annual conference will be on Saturday, 13 October 2018.

People of faith are committed to serving others in God’s love in healthcare, child welfare, migration and refugee resettlement, education, and more.
Religious freedom protects the space in which we can continue to serve.
Religious Freedom Week begins June 22, the Feast of Sts. Thomas More & John Fisher. Join Catholics across the country to pray and act for the freedom to serve faithfully and with integrity.

Bivona Child Advocacy Center helps children heal after abuse
When a child is a victim of sexual or physical abuse, having to re-tell to multiple adults what happened may just exacerbate the trauma. The goal of Bivona Child Advocacy Center is to reduce the trauma that victims experience and provide services to the child and family by coordinating activities of various agencies.

The 2017 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, produced by the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection (SCYP) in 2018, describes the progress of Catholic dioceses/eparchies in implementing victim assistance and child protection policies and programs in the United States, particularly those found within the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The report is based on an annual audit process, carried out between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017, by StoneBridge Business Partners.

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON THE CALL TO HOLINESS IN TODAY’S WORLD