Author Archives: Office of Communications

Statement regarding Saint Michael’s Church

Recently, some media has reported that Saint Michael’s Church “is slated to close.”  This is incomplete.

Saint Michael’s Church is one worship site together with two other churches, namely Our Lady of the Americas (formerly Corpus Christi Church) and Annunciation, which comprise Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish.  For years, the parish as a whole has been experiencing declining attendance, serious financial difficulties, accompanied by major structural and required safety repairs needed, most significantly at Saint Michael’s Church.

In view of the above, a Parish Strategic Planning Committee was formed earlier this year to assess the parish’s spiritual, pastoral, sacramental and physical needs and to determine the best path forward to maintain a vibrant Catholic presence in this community.  The Committee is composed of the pastor and parochial vicar, parish staff and parish leadership, as well as parishioners from each of the three worship sites comprising Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish.  Our Diocesan offices were and are available to assist the parish in this process.

The Parish Strategic Planning Committee upon completion of this study will submit its recommendation to the Bishop.  In accordance with the canonical process set forth in the Code of Canon Law, the Bishop will then review the recommendation of the Parish Strategic Planning Committee before a final decision is made.

It should be noted that the Parish Strategic Planning Committee’s recommendation will come from the parish, after the Committee’s work and consultations. In sum, this matter is still in process.

Statement of U.S. Bishops’ President on George Floyd and the Protests in American Cities

Bishop Matano joins his brother Bishops in prayer and attaches his support to the following statement of Archbishop Gomez, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

WASHINGTON, May 31 – Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued a statement on George Floyd and the protests in American cities that have taken place over the last several days. This follows the Friday statement from seven U.S. bishop chairmen of committees within the USCCB.

Archbishop Gomez’s full statement follows:

The killing of George Floyd was senseless and brutal, a sin that cries out to heaven for justice. How is it possible that in America, a black man’s life can be taken from him while calls for help are not answered, and his killing is recorded as it happens?

I am praying for George Floyd and his loved ones, and on behalf of my brother bishops, I share the outrage of the black community and those who stand with them in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and across the country. The cruelty and violence he suffered does not reflect on the majority of good men and women in law enforcement, who carry out their duties with honor. We know that. And we trust that civil authorities will investigate his killing carefully and make sure those responsible are held accountable.

We should all understand that the protests we are seeing in our cities reflect the justified frustration and anger of millions of our brothers and sisters who even today experience humiliation, indignity, and unequal opportunity only because of their race or the color of their skin. It should not be this way in America. Racism has been tolerated for far too long in our way of life.

It is true what Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, that riots are the language of the unheard. We should be doing a lot of listening right now. This time, we should not fail to hear what people are saying through their pain. We need to finally root out the racial injustice that still infects too many areas of American society.

But the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost. Let us keep our eyes on the prize of true and lasting change.

Legitimate protests should not be exploited by persons who have different values and agendas. Burning and looting communities, ruining the livelihoods of our neighbors, does not advance the cause of racial equality and human dignity.

We should not let it be said that George Floyd died for no reason. We should honor the sacrifice of his life by removing racism and hate from our hearts and renewing our commitment to fulfill our nation’s sacred promise — to be a beloved community of life, liberty, and equality for all.

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Statement regarding Governor’s announcement

We are grateful to learn through the Governor’s press conference today, May 20, 2020, that the topic of religious practice was addressed in the New York Forward plan. We are awaiting more information from the state which will help us determine how best we can resume Masses with the faithful present, albeit in some limited manner. Our parishes have begun implementing general protocols for how they will ensure social distancing, regulate the number of faithful who can be in attendance, and achieve the necessary cleaning regimens and safety standards for the well-being of all.

We continue to work with the other Dioceses in the New York province and the New York State Catholic Conference in obtaining the necessary information from the state. As noted in the Statement on behalf of the New York State Catholic Conference: “Our Catholic people are hungry for the Mass and are anxious to gather together again in prayer and worship. At the same time, we have a moral obligation to protect our congregations and our clergy from COVID-19, so we will proceed slowly and responsibly and collaboratively.”

Siena Catholic Academy to Close

Siena Catholic Academy in Brighton, which served students from throughout the Rochester region since it opened in 1993 as a diocesan middle school, will close permanently at the conclusion of the current academic year. The school has experienced years of declining enrollment. From nearly 300 students a decade ago, enrollment has dropped to approximately 130 registered students, an insufficient number to cover costs of operating the school going forward.

“Please know that this decision, made in consultation with our diocesan School Board, Presbyteral Council and diocesan Stewardship Council, is most difficult and made only after very careful and prolonged study and a careful review of available funding,” Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Rochester, and Mr. James Tauzel, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, wrote in a May 1, 2020 letter to parents.

The Aquinas Institute, Bishop Kearney, Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women, and McQuaid Jesuit schools, each of which offers sixth through eighth grade middle school programs, have agreed to honor the same net tuition for Siena families who wish to enroll this fall. Additionally, Holy Cross School in Charlotte, Saint Joseph School in Penfield and Seton Catholic School in Brighton offer a sixth grade and would welcome families of sixth graders. It is hoped that the families “will make the decision to select one of these schools, knowing so well, through their experience at Siena, the spiritual and academic treasure that is a Catholic school education.”

The Diocese of Rochester extended its “gratitude to the families, Mr. David Carapella (Principal) and the dedicated teachers and staff who strived daily to make Siena Catholic Academy a nurturing environment for every student.”