About Sacred Heart of Jesus.Holy Family Catholic Community. · Perkinsville, New York
Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of four worship sites that together make up Holy Family Catholic Community, a multi-site Catholic parish in rural Steuben and Livingston counties of western New York. The community unites Sacred Heart of Jesus in Perkinsville with St. Joseph in Wayland, St. Mary in Dansville, and St. Pius V in Cohocton under one pastoral team in the Diocese of Rochester. The parish serves Catholics across the small towns and farmland of the southern Finger Lakes region, offering weekend and weekday Masses at each of its churches along with faith formation for children, youth, and adults.
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. John G. Gathenya
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
Holy Family Catholic Community is a welcoming, multi-site parish where Catholics across the southern Finger Lakes can worship close to home. Members can attend Sunday Mass at any of four historic churches — Sacred Heart in Perkinsville, St. Joseph in Wayland, St. Mary in Dansville, or St. Pius V in Cohocton — and the parish livestreams services so the homebound stay connected. Children, teens and adults grow together through Faith Formation (Pre-K through 8th grade), sacramental preparation, RCIA, a Teenage Advisory Council, and fellowship groups like the Golden Agers, all rooted in the Diocese of Rochester.
Mass times at Sacred Heart of Jesus.Holy Family Catholic Community.
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — please call the parish office at (585) 728-2228
About Holy Family Catholic Community
Holy Family Catholic Community is a four-site Catholic parish in the Diocese of Rochester that serves the small towns of Perkinsville, Wayland, Dansville, and Cohocton in western New York's southern Finger Lakes region. The four worship sites are Sacred Heart of Jesus in Perkinsville, St. Joseph in Wayland, St. Mary in Dansville, and St. Pius V in Cohocton. Together they share one pastoral team, one combined schedule of Masses, and a single set of ministries and faith-formation programs. Mailing address and main offices are tied to 206 Fremont Street, Wayland, NY 14572.
- Four worship sites: Sacred Heart of Jesus (Perkinsville), St. Joseph (Wayland), St. Mary (Dansville), St. Pius V (Cohocton)
- Diocese of Rochester
- Main office: 206 Fremont Street, Wayland, NY 14572
- Pastor: Fr. John G. Gathenya (installed June 29, 2021)
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Michael Twardzik
Pastoral Team
The community is currently led by Fr. John Gathenya, who was installed as pastor on June 29, 2021. In his installation letter to the parish he thanked the community for welcoming him and acknowledged the 18 years of pastoral leadership given by his predecessor, Fr. Stephen Karani. He is assisted by Fr. Michael Twardzik, Parochial Vicar.
- Rev. John G. Gathenya — Pastor
- Rev. Michael Twardzik — Parochial Vicar
- Former pastor Fr. Stephen Karani served the community for 18 years
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms, weddings, Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders are all arranged through the parish office. Sacramental preparation for children follows Diocesan of Rochester guidelines recommended by Bishop Matano.
- Baptism — preparation offered through the parish office, (585) 728-2228
- Penance and Reconciliation — by appointment through the office
- Eucharist / First Communion — sacramental preparation classes
- Confirmation — preparation every other year; minimum age per diocesan norm
- Anointing of the Sick — call the rectory at (585) 335-2700
- Holy Orders — contact Fr. John Gathenya or the diocesan Vocations office
- Matrimony — couples meet with the pastor; marriage prep uses 'Fully Engaged'
- Committal services and memorial Masses — arranged through the parish office
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is offered to all youth ages 3–18 across the community. Following Diocese of Rochester policy, children should receive at least 30 hours of Faith Formation classes during the school year. The program combines classroom sessions, service projects and family activities, and families are encouraged to attend the parish 'Family Mass' on Faith Formation Sundays.
- Pre-K through 8th grade Faith Formation (2025–2026 registration available)
- Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation
- Family Masses with homilies tailored to children
- Activity Nights and Retreats
- Family Zone Newsletter
- Children and families encouraged to volunteer as greeters, lectors, altar servers and ushers
Ministries & Groups
The community organizes its lay ministry life under several umbrellas: Parish Leadership (Councils and Committees), Community Building and Evangelization, Liturgy and Worship, RCIA and Adult Faith Formation, Youth Care and Young Adults, the Teenage Advisory Council, and Social Events. All parishioners across the four worship sites are invited to take part.
- Parish Leadership: Councils and Committees
- Community Building and Evangelization
- Golden Agers — senior fellowship, first Friday monthly at Sacred Heart Community Center
- Liturgy and Worship
- RCIA / Adult Faith Formation
- Youth Care / Young Adults
- Teenage Advisory Council
- Social Events
RCIA and Adult Faith Formation
Adults seeking to become Catholic, complete their initiation, or simply grow in faith can take part in the parish's RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and ongoing Adult Faith Formation offerings.
Youth and Young Adults
Beyond grade-school Faith Formation, the parish supports middle- and high-school youth through the Teenage Advisory Council and offers ministry pathways for young adults as part of its Youth Care ministry.
Fellowship & Community Life
Social life is woven into the parish's ministry. The flagship gathering is the Golden Agers, which meets at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Community Center in Perkinsville on the first Friday of each month at 11:30 AM for Mass, social activities and a shared lunch. All are welcome to share faith, fellowship and food.
- Golden Agers — first Friday, 11:30 AM, Sacred Heart Community Center, Perkinsville
- Parish-wide social events listed under the Social Events ministry
Safe Environment
As part of the Diocese of Rochester, Holy Family Catholic Community follows diocesan Safe Environment policies to protect children and vulnerable adults. Information and training are coordinated through the parish office.
Resources, Giving & Registration
The parish website hosts a Resources section that links to the weekly bulletin, social media, online giving, parish registration forms, and other useful links. Livestreamed Masses are available via the parish Facebook group and YouTube channel.
- Weekly bulletin (online)
- Online Giving
- Parish Registration forms
- Livestream via Facebook and YouTube
- Calendar of parish events
Visiting Sacred Heart of Jesus, Perkinsville
Sacred Heart of Jesus sits on Chapel Street in the small hamlet of Perkinsville in Steuben County. Sunday Mass is celebrated here at 9:15 AM. Driving directions, parish-wide Mass times, and contact information are all published on the parish website and on the Diocese of Rochester's directory listing.
- Address: 11118 Chapel Street, Perkinsville, NY 14529
- Sunday Mass: 9:15 AM
- Phone: (585) 728-2228
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: hfccwny.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Stephen Karaniapprox. 18 years (ended before 2021)
Long-tenured pastor whose 18 years of ministry are described by the current pastor as having left lasting legacies of worship, community and Christian witness.
- Fr. John GathenyaJune 29, 2021 – present
Installed as pastor on June 29, 2021 at 6:00 PM, currently leads the four-site Holy Family Catholic Community with Fr. Michael Twardzik as parochial vicar.