Diocesan Catholic Schools

For more information, please call 585-328-3228, ext. 1294,
or e-mail .

(Posted 4/26/13) – Providence Housing and Mary’s Place Outreach is celebrating the re-development of the former Holy Rosary parish campus, 414 Lexington Avenue, Rochester. Now known as Holy Rosary Apartments, the former church has been converted into a vital community center for the neighborhood and the former school and convent now house beautiful apartments to help low-income families and individuals.

The redevelopment also includes the construction of 25 new single family rental homes throughout the Edgerton Neighborhood.

The former church also serves as a community center for Mary’s Place Outreach, a grassroots agency affiliated with the Cathedral Community that serves new Americans who have settled in the neighborhood. Visitors can also tour the former school and convent that have been converted into affordable apartments.  A near-by single family rental home will also be open for a visit.

Mayor Richards: “Campus will remain a cornerstone”

“Holy Rosary Apartments is a special project because it offered a unique opportunity to serve many interests of the community at the same time:  a $15 million capital investment further supports the City’s focused investment strategy in the Dewey/Driving Park area, 60 new high-quality, lead-free, apartment units will serve neighborhood residents for decades, three historic buildings were saved and preserved, and the legacy of community and social outreach left by the former Holy Rosary parishioners will live on through the new uses of the property,” said Monica McCullough, Executive Director of Providence Housing. “Holy Rosary has served the community for nearly 125 years and my hope is that the work we have done will allow it to serve the community for a hundred more.”

“Thanks to Providence Housing and Mary’s Place Outreach, the Holy Rosary campus will remain a cornerstone of Northwest Rochester for many decades to come,” said Rochester Mayor Thomas S. Richards. “These historic structures have been converted to high quality, affordable apartments and houses that residents can be proud to call home. This project demonstrates that the success of Rochester’s transformation begins in the kitchens and living rooms of its citizens, where families gather and communities are formed.”

The $15 million development was funded by New York State Homes and Community Renewal/Housing Trust Fund, the City of Rochester, Enterprise Community Partners, Federal Home Loan Bank through First Niagara, the Greater Rochester Housing Partnership, and the Martin Luther King Fund.

The apartments at Holy Rosary are targeted to low-income working families and individuals who earn no more than 50% of the area median income, which is equivalent to $24,050 for a family of one. Rents ranges from $425 for a studio apartment to $759 for a four-bedroom single-family home.

Occupancy and income requirements apply. Applications for the waitlist are available by calling Holy Rosary Apartments at 585.254.1656.

All apartments on the main campus and all scattered site rental houses are 100% smoke-free.  Six apartments are wheelchair accessible and three of the apartments are suited for the visually or hearing impaired.

The energy-efficient apartments have fully equipped Energy Star kitchens, individually controlled heat/air conditioning, access to laundry facilities, community space, a playground and off-street parking. The single-family homes have washer/dryer hook-ups, off-street parking and a full basement.

History of Holy Rosary

The history of Holy Rosary parish extends back to 1889, when Bishop McQuaid initiated a small Catholic Mission from St. Patrick’s Church to serve the Glenwood area of Rochester. The mission served the 89 Catholic families in this area who previously traveled to the cathedral in the middle of the city to worship.  In 1890, the construction of a small chapel at the corner of Row Lexington and Finch Streets began. In years to follow, the campus expanded to serve the growing and changing needs of the neighborhood. Holy Rosary continued to serve the Catholic community in the area until March 2008, when the last Mass was held in the church. Providence Housing obtained listing on the National Register of Historic Places for the former church, convent, and rectory and all rehabilitation of those buildings meets standards for historic preservation.

About Providence Housing

Providence Housing Development Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester. Providence Housing develops, finances and manages housing for individuals and families in the twelve counties of the Diocese of Rochester.

Providence Housing has secured $130 million in capital to develop more 800 units of affordable housing and manages 22 rental communities in Monroe, Ontario, and Chemung counties.

Providence Housing is also under construction on Son House Apartments, located at 539 Joseph Avenue. The 21-unit new construction apartment building will provide permanent homeless housing with support services provided by Catholic Family Center.  It is expected to open in October 2013.

Providence Housing and East House Corporation recently completed Paul Wolk Commons, a mixed-use community facility that combines affordable housing units with a mental health treatment apartment program located in the heart of Rochester on State Street.

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5K Run for Adults and Youth
And 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
at
St. Lawrence Church
1000 N. Greece Road, Rochester, NY
Saturday, May 5, 2018

Please go to lightboxreg.com to register

For Catholic School participants, please register by filling out this form and sending it back to

Anthony S. Cook III is appointed
Catholic Schools Superintendent 

Anthony S. Cook III has been named Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Rochester, effective July 1, 2013. He will succeed Superintendent Anne Willkens Leach, who is retiring.

Cook, a Rochester native, is currently the Principal of Seton Catholic School in Brighton, a position he has held since January 2012. He will remain in that position until his appointment as Superintendent becomes effective.

“I am honored to be selected as Superintendent and I am excited to have the opportunity to lead our diocesan schools, which have such a proud tradition of faith combined with academic excellence. Catholic schools are a privileged place where the sacraments are celebrated, scriptures studied, and the name of Jesus spoken,” Cook says. “I look forward to working with all stakeholders of our local Catholic school community – including students, parents, pastors, principals, teachers, and staff. I deeply value the responsibility I have in shaping students spiritually, academically, and personally while contributing to the success of Catholic Education. It is a vocation to which I am wholeheartedly devoted.”

Cook holds an M.A. in Educational Administration from the University of Notre Dame’s Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program, which is part of the Alliance for Catholic Education. The program at Notre Dame networks hundreds of current and future school administrators nationally. After completing his degree at Notre Dame, Cook was selected as an Adjunct Professor for the summer of 2011.

In addition, Cook has earned a M.S. in Education and Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the State University of New York College at Geneseo.

He is scheduled to complete his Doctoral degree in Education at the University of Rochester in 2016.

Before his appointment as Seton Catholic School’s Principal, Cook was the Dean of Students at Aquinas Institute’s Junior High School and also taught American History. Additionally, he has served as Head Coach of Aquinas’ boys and girls varsity track and field teams, leading the school to several championships and honors.

Cook is certified by New York State as a School Building Leader and teacher, and will hold certification as a School District Leader upon start of the 2013-2014 school year.

For more information about our schools, click here

Pope Francis and Father Thomas Rosica, C.S.B.
Father Thomas Rosica, C.S.B.
Assistant Spokesperson for the Vatican
to speak at
Peace of Christ Parish’s St. Ambrose Church
25 Empire Boulevard at Culver Road
Saturday, April 13th at 2:00 P.M.

Father Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., native son of Peace of Christ Parish’s St.
Ambrose Church, will speak at St. Ambrose Church in Rochester on
Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. on his recent experience as Assistant
Spokesperson for the Vatican with particular responsibility for the English
and French language media during the transitional time from the retirement
of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI through the Inaugural Mass of Pope Francis.
During this time, he stayed at the Jesuit Generalate just down the block from
the Vatican—a fortunate coincidence since it was a Jesuit who was elected
to be pope. In the course of that month, he did some 160 interviews with the
major television networks, newspapers, and radio services of the world in
English, French, Italian, German and Spanish.

Fr. Rosica is currently the head of Canada’s Salt and Light Television
Network which serves Canada’s Catholic population much as EWTN serve’s
that in the United States. Though not on our American cable services it can
be watched on line at:

Easter Message 2013

Dear Friends in Christ,

The Gospels provide us with beautiful accounts of the Resurrection. Easter Sunday’s account tells us about Mary Magdalene’s visit to Jesus’ tomb and her anguish at finding it empty. We are told that Mary Magdalene “came to the tomb, early in the morning while it was still dark” (Jn 20:1).  She is “seeking the Lord.” What a fitting description for us and all committed disciples of the Lord during this Year of Faith. We seek the Lord because He has first found us and moved us to seek Him. We seek the Lord because we hunger and thirst for goodness, truth and beauty. We seek the Lord in order to rediscover the treasure of our faith. We seek the Lord to know Him more personally.

The good news of Easter assures us if we seek the Lord with a simple and sincere mind we too will find Him. He is alive!  He comes to meet us in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the Sacred Scriptures, the teachings of the Church and in our brothers and sisters. When we find Him we cannot keep the good news to ourselves. We proclaim this good news with enthusiasm and joy.

We are told that the beloved disciple John, on entering the empty tomb, “saw and believed” (Jn 20:8). He saw more than the empty tomb. He understood that death and suffering were not victorious.  During the Year of Faith, we are invited to see with the eyes of faith. Sometimes this will mean seeing beneath the surface, seeing what is hidden yet nonetheless an opportunity to encounter God’s presence. Sometimes this will mean seeing the face of Christ in others. Sometimes it will mean seeing God’s plan in unexpected events or in troubling situations. Sometimes it will mean seeing God in the good, beautiful and joyful moments of life.   The eyes of faith are attentive and alert. They “see,” meaning they “believe” in the Lord who is alive and present in their midst. Yes, “Christ my hope is arisen” (Easter Sequence). He is alive. He is with us.

Easter is the feast of feasts. It picks us up and fortifies our hope. God lives and we live in Him. The Lord is risen, alleluia! He is our hope. He is our joy. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. May profound gratitude for our faith and a new found hope and joy fill your hearts and minds this Easter Sunday and throughout the Easter Season.

Devotedly yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Robert J. Cunningham

Apostolic Administrator of Rochester

Jack Balinsky to receive Bishop Mugavero Award from NYS Council of Catholic Charities Directors

Most Rev. Robert Cunningham, Apostolic Administrator, on the election of Pope Francis:

Bishop Matthew Clark will preside at a Wedding Jubilee Mass to honor couples who have been married 25 years or more on Sunday, May 5, 2013, at 2:00 PM at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester.

A reception will follow the Mass to honor the attendees.

Please send your name and address to Sylvia Mancuso at  or call 800-388-7177 x1295, or 585-328-3228 x1295.

Fordham presents President’s Medal to Bishop Clark

Statement of Bp. Cunningham regarding Pope’s resignation

“I join with those around the world in being surprised by Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement of his resignation.  His decision is clearly one of great courage and one of deep love for the Church.  He has publicly recognized that he no longer has the strength to carry out the duties of his papacy which is a further sign of his great humility.

Pope Benedict XVI will be remembered as a great theologian, a consummate teacher and a warm, caring spiritual leader.  The Universal Church is grateful for his eight years as its Holy Father.  May God grant him the peace he so richly deserves.

We will keep the College of Cardinals in our prayers as they choose a successor who will continue to strengthen the Church while meeting the challenges of today.”

“Our Legacy, Our Future, Our Hope” Campaign launched

“Our Legacy, Our Future, Our Hope’

 campaign seeks $14 million to support the Priesthood

ROCHESTER, New York, Jan. 30, 2013 – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester today launched the public phase of a major fundraising initiative called Our Legacy, Our Future, Our Hope, a $14 million capital campaign aimed at supporting the Priesthood now and in the future.

More than 110,000 Catholic households in the 12-county Diocese will be asked to contribute to the campaign, which seeks:

•  $7 million to ensure the Diocese has sufficient funds to properly educate an ever-increasing number of men seeking ordination to the priesthood. From but one or two candidates a few years ago, the Diocese now has 25 seminarians and pre-seminarians, with even more expected. At a cost of $40,000 per seminarian per year over six years of required preparation at seminaries, an increase in the seminarian education fund is greatly needed. The Diocese, like many others, shoulders this cost, believing that financial impediments should not stand in the way of a man’s call to serve God as a priest.
• $7 million to ensure the Diocese’s senior priests, after serving faithfully for decades, will have an adequate stipend to support them in their retirement. Due to shifting market and demographic trends, the Priests Pension Trust is underfunded. Funds are needed to meet current and projected needs.

Before he retired in September 2012, Bishop Emeritus Matthew H. Clark began the leadership-giving phase of the campaign. Over the course of many months, Bishop Clark traveled throughout the Diocese, meeting privately with donors.

As a result of his efforts, more than 300 families and individuals have contributed $10.7 million towards the $14 million goal.

Now, the public phase of the campaign offers an opportunity for all Catholics to take part in this important cause and help raise the additional funds needed.

Besides responding to pledge materials mailed to their households, families can give securely online at www.dor.org. All donors, regardless of the amount pledged, will have up to three years to fulfill their pledge.

“I ask that all Catholics in our Diocese read this information upon receiving it. I ask that they pray on it. And I ask that, as best as they can, they give generously to these two important causes,” said Most Rev. Robert Cunningham, Bishop of Syracuse, who was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese until Bishop Clark’s successor is named by the Vatican at a later date.

Bishop Cunningham added, “I know the good and gracious people of God share my pride at our priests, who serve them at every stage of their lives, in good times and the sad times. I know they would wish for their aging priests a secure retirement, priests I might add who continue to help out as much as they can well into their 70s, 80s and even 90s. And I know all Catholics, as well, have prayed hard for more priests to come our way. Those prayers are being answered with this infusion of new seminarians. We must support these men as much as we can.”