About Holy Spirit · Webster, New York
Holy Spirit is a Roman Catholic parish in Webster, New York, in Monroe County's eastern suburbs. It is partnered as a 'sister parish community' with nearby St. Joseph's in Penfield, sharing one pastoral staff that serves both faith communities. The parish sits in the Diocese of Rochester and offers daily Mass, weekend Masses in both churches, Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday Confession, and a wide range of parish ministries. Its identity is rooted in embracing unity between the two parishes while honoring the giftedness of each.
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Very Rev. James A. Schwartz (Pastor and Dean of the Monroe East Deanery)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
Holy Spirit welcomes visitors and newcomers into a genuine two-parish Catholic family that shares one pastoral staff, one bulletin, and one mission. Daily Mass is offered Monday through Friday, with weekend Masses on Saturday evening and twice on Sunday, alongside a robust schedule of Eucharistic Adoration and Saturday Confession. Parishioners can get involved through ongoing ministries such as Habitat for Humanity, faith formation, liturgical roles, and the parish's outreach, all advertised weekly in the bulletin.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM at Holy Spirit (in Parish Hall)
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM at St. Joseph's
Adoration times
- Monday 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Friday 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Parish Identity & Sister-Parish Community
Holy Spirit is paired in a 'sister parish community' with St. Joseph's in nearby Penfield, sharing one pastoral team and one mission. According to the official site, the two parishes 'have one staff that serves the needs of Holy Spirit and St. Joseph's' and 'celebrate the giftedness of each parish' while focusing on the shared mission of the Catholic Church. The cluster is part of the Monroe East Deanery and partners in the Synod process as 'a more listening and missionary Church.' Visitors are invited to find a spiritual home at either church and to join Sunday Mass.
Pastoral Staff & Leadership
Holy Spirit is led by Very Rev. James A. Schwartz, who also serves as Dean of the Monroe East Deanery and pastor of the sister St. Joseph's parish. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Mike Merritt, Pastoral Associate Deacon Ray Garbach, and Assigned Deacon Roger DeBell. Father Schwartz was featured in the Diocese of Rochester's 2023 'Called to Priesthood' video series in the Catholic Courier, reflecting on more than five decades of priestly ministry.
- Very Rev. James A. Schwartz — Pastor & Dean of Monroe East
- Rev. Mike Merritt — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Ray Garbach — Pastoral Associate
- Deacon Roger DeBell — Assigned Deacon
Parish Ministries & Outreach
The website highlights ongoing ministry and outreach opportunities, prominently featuring a parish partnership with Habitat for Humanity alongside liturgical and formation ministries shared with St. Joseph's. The parish also notes engagement with the Synod process ('a more listening and missionary Church') and invites parishioners to find ways to participate through the weekly bulletin. The most visible, named external commitment shown on the home page is Habitat for Humanity support.
- Habitat for Humanity
- Synod listening & missionary discipleship
- Liturgical ministries (shared with St. Joseph's)
- Weekly bulletin engagement opportunities
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. James A. Schwartz
Current pastor of the Holy Spirit–St. Joseph's cluster; also serves as Dean of the Monroe East Deanery. Father Schwartz was featured in the Catholic Courier's 2023 'Called to Priesthood' vocational series, reflecting on his 55 years of priesthood.