St. Catherine of Siena

Parish History

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church was incorporated in 1960 to serve the growing Catholic community in the Ithaca area. During its first two years, the parish celebrated Mass at Cornell University while developing plans for a permanent home. A church and original parish center were constructed in 1961 and 1963 respectively in the Cayuga Heights / northeast Ithaca area. In recent decades, the parish has grown into a community of more than 90 ministries, prompting construction of a new Parish Center that was dedicated on April 29, 2017, the parish's 58th anniversary year.

• Incorporated 1960
• Masses at Cornell University 1960–1962
• Permanent church opened in Cayuga Heights, 1962
• Original parish center built 1963
• New Parish Center dedicated April 29, 2017
• 2017 building: one-story, 8,878 sq ft, connected to church by ~40 feet

Clergy & Staff

St. Catherine of Siena is currently led by Father John Orege Omboga, who was appointed Parochial Administrator of the parish on June 27, 2023, by Bishop Salvatore R. Matano of the Diocese of Rochester. Father Omboga previously served as temporary Parochial Administrator of All Saints, Corning. The parish is also served by permanent deacons, including Deacon Rick Burgess (a Navy veteran who served as Vice President for Facilities and Campus Services at Cornell before discerning his call to the diaconate and being ordained by Bishop Matano) and Deacon Rick March, who has offered a 'Life and Faith Talk' on his faith journey. The parish also benefits from a strong team of lay staff and volunteer leaders, coordinated through the Parish Office at 607-257-2493.

Pastoral Council & Committees

Parishioners collaborate in the life and governance of St. Catherine's through several councils and committees that advise the pastor and coordinate parish activity. Membership in these groups follows a selection process; interested parishioners may contact the Parish Office at 607-257-2493 or [email protected].

• Pastoral Council — works in consultation with the pastor to set parish goals and objectives; members elected by the parish.
• Finance Council — advises the pastor on financial matters, including the annual budget and hiring.
• Liturgy Committee — coordinates with the pastor and director of liturgical music on seasonal themes and liturgical celebrations.
• Youth Ministry Advisory Board — sets the direction for youth ministry with the Coordinator of Faith Formation; includes youth and adult members.
• Buildings and Grounds Committee — works with the pastor, director of finance, and maintenance technician on facility needs.
• Facilities Project Steering Committee — oversaw plans, construction, and maintenance of the new Parish Center.

Worship & Liturgical Schedule

The parish offers a full weekly Mass schedule in English, with both weekend and daily options, plus Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration and Saturday confessions. Every Mass is livestreamed and archived online so that homebound parishioners and visitors can participate remotely.

• Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 PM (English)
• Sunday Masses: 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM (English)
• Weekday Masses: Mon 5:30 PM; Tue–Fri 9:00 AM (English)
• Confessions: Saturday 4:00–4:50 PM
• Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesday 9:30 AM–8:00 PM (sign up for an hour)
• Wednesday Exposition: 7:30 PM (added Jan 28)

Liturgical Ministries

Liturgical ministers play a vital role in each celebration of the Mass at St. Catherine's. Schedules are prepared in advance so volunteers can choose the Mass times they serve and indicate times they are unavailable. The parish provides training for each ministry and welcomes parishioners of all ages — including families doing ministry together.

• Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist — distribute Communion at weekend/holy day Masses; all confirmed parishioners welcome.
• Altar Servers — anyone who has received First Communion; all ages welcome.
• Hospitality Ministers — greet arrivals, distribute bulletins, assist newcomers.
• Lectors — proclaim Scripture at weekend and holy day Masses; all ages welcome.
• Sacristans — set up for Mass and assist with cleanup.
• Cleaners — sanitize bathrooms after each Mass (great for families).

Faith Formation & Sacraments

St. Catherine of Siena offers a comprehensive faith formation program for children and youth, alongside sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation are combined with neighboring Immaculate Conception parish, using the Loyola Press 'God's Gift' textbooks; First Reconciliation is generally celebrated in 2nd grade, First Eucharist in 3rd grade (or parents may opt to defer First Eucharist until 3rd grade). Confirmation is a two-year process beginning in 8th-grade Middle School Youth Ministry, with Confirmation celebrated in 9th grade. Adults seeking full initiation are invited into the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

• Faith Formation program (children)
• First Reconciliation preparation — 2nd grade
• First Eucharist preparation — 3rd grade (with Immaculate Conception, Loyola Press 'God's Gift')
• Confirmation — two-year Middle School Youth Ministry (8th–9th grade)
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
• Middle School Youth Ministry

Life and Faith — Adult Faith Formation

St. Catherine's hosts a Life and Faith talk series for adult parishioners, featuring presentations by clergy and lay people on their faith journeys. Recent examples include Deacon Rick Burgess's 'From the Navy to the Nave,' sharing how his career at Cornell led to his discernment and ordination as a permanent deacon, and Deacon Rick March's faith-journey reflection.

• Life and Faith Talk series (Sunday afternoons)
• Deacon Rick Burgess: 'From the Navy to the Nave'
• Deacon Rick March: faith journey presentation

Parish Center (2017)

The new Parish Center, dedicated on April 29, 2017, is a one-story, 8,878-square-foot building (downsized from a previously approved 10,811 sq ft design due to construction costs) physically connected to the west side of the church by about 40 feet. It was built by Edger Enterprises of Elmira and houses classrooms, conference rooms, a reception room, and the pastor's office. The $3–$3.5 million project was funded entirely without debt — unusual, because the Diocese of Rochester does not permit parishes to incur debt for new construction — through a bequest from former pastor Rev. Michael Mahler, leftover funds from a 2003 campaign, repairs-budget surplus, the sale of a Blackstone Drive land parcel, and parishioner donations. After the new center opened, the old parish center was demolished and its footprint converted to additional parking.

• Dedicated April 29, 2017
• 8,878 sq ft one-story building
• Classrooms, conference rooms, reception room, pastor's office
• Physically connected to the west side of the church
• Funded by parishioner donations (no debt allowed under diocesan policy)

Get Involved & Contact

The parish welcomes new and returning Catholics, and those with no current church affiliation, to join its worship, formation, and service life. Whether you want to become a liturgical minister, join a council, sign up for an hour of Wednesday Adoration, register a child for faith formation, or simply attend Mass, the Parish Office is the starting point. Masses are available both in person and via livestream.

• Parish Office: 607-257-2493
• Contact for faith formation: [email protected]
• Contact for councils/ministries: [email protected]
• Livestream: http://www.tinyurl.com/StCatLivestream
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stcatherinesithaca/
• Welcome statement: 'no matter what your personal history… YOU are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved, and respected.'