About Church of the Transfiguration · Pittsford, New York
Church of the Transfiguration is a Roman Catholic parish in Pittsford, New York, part of the Diocese of Rochester. Founded in 1983 in response to the rapid growth of south Pittsford, the parish takes as its motto the words of Matthew 17, 'Lord, how good it is for us to be here.' Today it shares a clustered ministry with neighboring St. Catherine of Siena in Mendon under Pastor Fr. Robert S. Bourcy, offering weekend and weekday Mass, faith formation for children and adults, and a wide range of outreach ministries serving Pittsford, the broader Rochester community, and Central America.
- Established
- 1983
- Patron
- The Transfiguration of the Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Robert S. Bourcy
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
Transfiguration welcomes newcomers, visitors, and long-time parishioners alike, with the motto 'Lord, how good it is for us to be here' (Matthew 17). The parish is fully wheelchair- and walker-accessible, has a hearing loop and headsets, a chapel with windows into the sanctuary, a nursery, and a Children's Liturgy of the Word for young children. Robust formation is offered at every age — Children's Formation and Sacramental Prep, Youth Ministry, Alpha, OCIA for adults and children, and Men's and Women's Fellowship — alongside an extensive outreach network including the monthly food collection, the Don Cushing Memorial Gift Garden, Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, Christmas Basket Program, Clothing Drives, the Global Solidarity mission to Central America, and Communion ministry to residents of The Highlands and Renaissance.
Mass times at Church of the Transfiguration
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 3:00 PM at the Church of the Transfiguration
- Anytime by appointment at St. Catherine of Siena or Transfiguration
Parish History
In 1983 the Diocese of Rochester created a new parish to serve the rapid growth in south Pittsford, naming Rev. Gerald Appelby as pastor in May of that year. With no meeting space, the community celebrated its first Mass in an empty barn at the corner of Stone Road and Clover Street on the Feast of the Transfiguration, August 6, 1983. The barn hosted Christmas Mass — farm animals and all — before cold weather forced moves to the Jo-Mor movie theater and Christ Clarion church. The land at 50 West Bloomfield Road was purchased in 1984, the parish moved into the Education Center, and the official dedication occurred in 1985. The current church was dedicated in 1992, designed to be 'bright' and to keep the congregation 'close to the presider,' and the campus was completed in 1999 with the Parish Life Center.
Our Building & Campus
Parishioners asked that the new church be 'bright' and that the congregation be close to the presider. The 1992 design uses abundant windows, an altar raised only one small step, and a slanted floor and seating that places no worshipper more than 45 feet from the presider. The altar table holds the ashes of St. Lawrence — in reverence to Rochester Bishop Larry Casey — and a relic of St. Maria Goretti, honoring the role of women in the church. The campus includes the 1985 Education Center and the 1999 Parish Life Center with a gym, kitchen, and meeting rooms.
Mass & Sacraments Schedule
Weekend Mass at Transfiguration is celebrated Saturday at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 8:45 AM (livestreamed on YouTube). Weekday Mass is offered Monday and Wednesday at 6:45 AM. The parish shares a clustered ministry with St. Catherine of Siena in Mendon, where additional Masses are offered Saturday at 5:30 PM, Sunday at 10:45 AM, Tuesday at 9:00 AM, and Thursday at 9:00 AM. Confessions are heard Saturday at 3:00 PM at Transfiguration, or anytime by appointment.
Accessibility & Visiting
The church and its facilities are wheelchair and walker accessible. A hearing loop is installed for individuals using hearing aids, with additional headsets available. Communion can be brought to anyone unable to come forward. A chapel with windows into the main sanctuary allows families with small children to participate while giving little ones room to move. There is a nursery with a changing table and rocking chair, changing tables in the rest rooms, and a Gathering Area frequented by toddlers.
- Wheelchair and walker accessible
- Hearing loop and headsets
- Chapel with windows into sanctuary
- Nursery with changing table and rocking chair
- Children's Liturgy of the Word for ages 4–6
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Robert S. Bourcy, with Rev. Michael J. Bausch serving as retired pastor and senior priest. The diaconate includes Deacon Eric Bessette, Deacon Patrick DiLaura, and Deacon Michael J. Piehler (Senior Status), with Dr. Damian Zynda assisting with Spiritual Exercises. Parish staff serving both Transfiguration and St. Catherine of Siena includes Margie Benza (Pastoral Associate), Anne Gallagher (Director of Disciple Formation / Youth), Karen Luke (Director of Family Life and Sacraments), Vicky Wejko (Associate Director of Formation), Sue Wallace (Music Director), Rose Volker (Office Manager), Meg Kastner, Maureen O'Connor (Finance Director), Laura Cutter, Nancy Wahl (Communications), and Chris Washington (Maintenance).
Children's Ministries
Programs are designed to help children and teens learn about Jesus in age-appropriate, engaging ways. Twice-monthly classes are offered for Pre-K (during 10:45 Mass at St. Catherine's) and K–5 (9:30–10:30 AM at St. Catherine's) using the Pflaum Gospel Weekly Program. A family-based option provides weekly at-home lessons with monthly Journey of Faith Festival gatherings. Sacramental Preparation begins in 2nd grade for First Reconciliation and First Communion, with Confirmation a two-year diocesan program for grades 8–9. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during Sunday Mass for ages 4–6, and Vacation Bible School runs one week each summer for Pre-K through 8th grade.
- Pre-K Twice Monthly Classes (Pflum Seeds)
- K–5 Twice Monthly Classes (Pflaum Gospel Weekly)
- Family-Based Formation with monthly Journey of Faith Festival
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (ages 4–6, Sunday Mass)
- Sacramental Preparation: Reconciliation (Advent), Communion (Easter Season)
- Confirmation: two-year, diocesan, grades 8–9, celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Vacation Bible School (summer, Pre-K–8)
Adult Formation
The two parishes share a menu of adult formation opportunities for wherever one is on the journey. Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) begins in the fall and culminates at the Easter Vigil — for the unbaptized, baptized Christians of another denomination, or Catholics who have not received First Eucharist or Confirmation. Alpha offers dinner, video, and small-group conversation exploring the Christian faith. Fully initiated Catholics wishing to explore Catholic beliefs more deeply alongside OCIA candidates are also welcome.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) — inquiry through Easter Vigil, contact Deacon Eric Bessette
- Alpha — dinner, video, small groups, contact Anne Gallagher
- Adult formation opportunities serving both Transfiguration and St. Catherine of Siena
Outreach & Charity
Transfiguration's outreach flows from Catholic Social Teaching and Matthew 25. Each first full weekend of the month a food collection supports a local organization or pantry, delivered by a small team of volunteers. The Don Cushing Memorial Gift Garden, tilled and tended by volunteers behind the back parking lot, supplies up to a ton of organically grown vegetables each year to the Pittsford Food Cupboard, Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph's House of Hospitality and others. The Christmas Basket Program in 2026 prepared over 160 baskets — 120+ going to local families and 40 to agencies including La Madonna della Strada, St. Andrews Food Cupboard, Sr. Regis Food Cupboard, and Jordan Health Center. Thanksgiving brings in 150+ turkeys with all the fixings for local cupboards, soup kitchens and agencies.
- Monthly Food Collection
- Don Cushing Memorial Gift Garden (organic vegetables)
- Thanksgiving Turkey Drive (150+ turkeys annually)
- Christmas Basket Program (160+ baskets in 2026)
- Summer Clothing Drive (July)
- Winter Clothing Drive (November)
- PBJ (Peanut Butter and Jelly) Ministry
- Open Door Mission Collaborative
- Rochester Hope
- Communion Ministry at The Highlands and Renaissance
Global Solidarity Ministry
For over 11 years the Global Solidarity Ministry (GSM) has partnered with Food for the Poor, supporting economic development projects in Central America — El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras — and moving between countries as the political environment allows. The parish has begun a 3–5 year relationship with the community of El Quebrado, El Salvador (290 families), focusing on integrated interventions in housing, education, food security, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and social/economic empowerment. Annual service-learning mission trips are generally held in February.
- 11+ year partnership with Food for the Poor
- Projects in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras
- El Quebrado, El Salvador — 290 families, 3–5 year commitment
- Annual service-learning mission trips in February
- Contact: Lauren Burruto, [email protected]
Fellowship & Other Ministries
Beyond formation and outreach, the parish sustains a strong fellowship and service life. The Work of Our Hands (WOOH) knitting and crocheting group meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month to create hats, scarves, mittens and shawls for local charities and the homeless — yarn and needles are provided for newcomers. Men's Fellowship includes an annual week-long retreat in Boonville, Kentucky (usually in September) working with the poorest of the poor. Communion Ministry volunteers visit residents at The Highlands of Pittsford and Renaissance twice a month, with teams scheduled quarterly.
- Work of Our Hands — knitting/crocheting, 2nd & 4th Thursdays
- Men's Fellowship / Kentucky Men's Retreat (September)
- Communion Ministry at Renaissance and The Highlands of Pittsford (twice monthly, quarterly volunteer rotation)
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and can be reached at (585) 248-2427. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at any Mass, and Sunday 8:45 AM Mass is livestreamed on YouTube for those who wish to worship from home. The parish shares its website and staff with St. Catherine of Siena in Mendon, where additional Mass times and programs are offered.
- Address: 50 West Bloomfield Road, Pittsford, NY 14534-9733
- Phone: (585) 248-2427
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Clustered parish: St. Catherine of Siena, 26 Mendon-Ionia Road, Mendon, NY 14506 — (585) 624-4990
- Sunday 8:45 AM Mass livestreamed on YouTube
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Gerald (Jerry) Appelby1983–
Announced as founding pastor in May 1983; celebrated the first Mass in a cleaned-out barn on the Feast of the Transfiguration, August 6, 1983.
- Rev. Michael J. Bausch
Succeeded Fr. Jerry; now retired pastor of the parish.
- Rev. Robert S. Bourcy
Current pastor; leads the parish in a clustered Monroe County ministry with St. Catherine of Siena, Mendon.