About St. Charles - St. Ann · Syracuse, New York
St. Charles-St. Ann's Parish is a Roman Catholic parish on Syracuse's Westside that was born from the merging of two historic congregations — St. Charles (founded 1929) and St. Ann (founded 1955). It serves the Geddes and Onondaga neighborhoods surrounding Bishop Ludden High School and is now in a linked-parish collaboration with St. Patrick and St. Brigid, sharing clergy. The community offers weekend and daily Masses at its two worship sites — the Orchard Road campus (St. Charles) and the Onondaga Boulevard campus (St. Ann) — along with faith formation for children and adults, a parish food pantry, two prayer groups, Eucharistic adoration, Bible study, and outreach ministries to the homebound, the developmentally disabled, and those in local nursing homes.
- Established
- 1929 (St. Charles Parish); 1955 (St. Ann's Parish); merged into St. Charles-St. Ann's
- Patron
- St. Charles Borromeo (whose motto 'Humilitas' guided the parish) and St. Ann
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin Maloney
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Charles-St. Ann's welcomes worshippers across two campuses in Syracuse's west-side Geddes and Onondaga neighborhoods, with daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic adoration, and two active prayer groups (Our God Reigns on Tuesdays and Blessed and Broken on Thursdays). The parish is deeply invested in formation — K-10 faith formation, Confirmation and youth ministry, adult Bible study, RCIA, and a diocesan Formation For Ministry track — and reaches outward through a food pantry, homebound ministry, and parish visits to Bellevue Manor, Oxford Inn, Bishop Ludden Apartments, and St. Camillus. As one west-side family of faith drawn from two historic congregations, the parish offers an unusually full life of prayer, catechesis, and service.
Mass times at St. Charles - St. Ann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 3:00–3:30 PM at St. Charles Church
- Also by appointment
Adoration times
- Third Tuesday of each month, 4:00–5:00 PM at St. Charles Church (with Our God Reigns Prayer Group, recitation of the Rosary, silent meditation, and Benediction)
Welcome & Identity
St. Charles-St. Ann Parish was born from the coming together of two of Syracuse's Westside churches and now serves the Geddes and Onondaga areas surrounding Bishop Ludden High School and beyond. Drawing on the traditions and histories of both parent parishes, the community seeks to be a living witness to God's mercy and love. The parish openly welcomes visitors and invites all who seek a deeper relationship with the Lord to join in prayer and outreach.
- Two-campus parish: St. Charles (501 S. Orchard Rd.) and St. Ann's (4471 Onondaga Blvd.)
- Linked in cooperation with St. Patrick and St. Brigid, sharing clergy
- Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
History of St. Charles Parish (1929–present)
Founded in 1929 by Bishop Daniel Curley with Rev. Joseph F. Canfield as first pastor and only 70 families. A wooden-framed church rose on the corner of Orchard and Fay Roads, with all statuary, altar, and furnishings donated. The first Masses were offered September 8, 1929. Over the decades the parish built a rectory (1930), a convent staffed by the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (1942), a school (1952), and a gymnasium-auditorium (begun May 1966). The wooden church was replaced in 1961 — rather than razed, it was donated to the Solvay Veterans of Foreign Wars and relocated to Charles Avenue, where it still stands. Bishop Walter A. Foery presided at the Dedication Mass on May 28, 1961.
- Founding pastor: Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Canfield (1929–1961+)
- First Mass: September 8, 1929
- First Confirmation: October 1929 (25 children, 14 adults)
- Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception arrived 1942
- St. Charles School built 1952; first 8th-grade class graduated 1955
- New church dedicated May 28, 1961
- Vatican II renovation completed November 8, 1986
- Golden Jubilee: November 4, 1979 (Fr. James D. Mathews, pastor)
- Diamond Jubilee: November 7, 2004 with Bishop James Moynihan (Fr. Louis Aiello, pastor)
- Fr. Brian Lang led the parish into the 21st century
History of St. Ann's Parish (1955–present)
Created in the 1950s as Syracuse sprawled westward, St. Ann's was established by Bishop Walter Foery on a 17-acre parcel on Onondaga Boulevard. Rev. Francis J. Sheedy, a Syracuse west-side native, celebrated the first Mass on March 6, 1955 at the House of Providence Chapel. Ground was broken January 21, 1956, and the new church was dedicated at an evening Mass on October 22, 1956 — less than nine months from groundbreaking. The parish grew from 200 original families to nearly 750 before merging into today's St. Charles-St. Ann's.
- Bishop Walter Foery purchased 17 acres on Onondaga Blvd.
- Founding pastor: Rev. Francis J. Sheedy
- First Mass: March 6, 1955 (House of Providence Chapel)
- Groundbreaking: January 21, 1956
- Dedication: October 22, 1956
- Original families: 200 — grew to ~750
Prayer Groups
Two lay-led prayer groups sustain the parish's contemplative life. Our God Reigns meets Tuesday afternoons at St. Charles; the Blessed and Broken Prayer Group meets Thursday evenings. Both groups accept prayer requests by email to Sr. Eileen McGrath, which are held in confidence.
- Our God Reigns Prayer Group — Tuesdays 4:00 PM in the Reading Room at St. Charles (contact Mike Strojnowski, 469-4900)
- Blessed and Broken Prayer Group — Thursdays 6:00 PM in the St. Charles sacristy (Sr. Eileen McGrath)
- Tuesday Prayer Group — Tuesdays 3:00 PM at St. Charles sacristy
- Prayer requests: [email protected]
Faith Formation
The parish is committed to a Religious Education Program that enables each member — child and adult — to grow in faith and relationship with Jesus. Mission is fulfilled by proclaiming and teaching God's Word, celebrating the Eucharistic Liturgy, and reaching out in service. Parental participation is strongly encouraged as the gift of faith is nurtured in family life.
- Grades K-6: Sundays 9:15–10:15 AM at Bishop Ludden (Maureen O'Sullivan, 315-468-1803)
- Grades 7-8 & Confirmation 1-2: Sundays 11:30 AM–12:30 PM at Bishop Ludden (Sharon Gugliemi, 315-487-6201)
- Registration forms downloadable from website; payment mailed to 501 S. Orchard Rd.
- Annual Trunk-or-Treat Fall Festival in the parish parking lot
Adult Faith Formation
Adults have three formation pathways. Bible Study meets twice monthly (2nd and 3rd Saturday) using the Liturgical Calendar. Basic Catechetical Certification provides catechists with theological and practical skills. Formation For Ministry is a two-year diocesan program leading to Bishop-commissioned lay ministry.
- Bible Study — 2nd & 3rd Saturday, 9:00–11:00 AM, Media Room at the Onondaga Blvd. Campus
- Basic Catechetical Certification — meets once every six weeks on Sunday morning for two hours
- Formation For Ministry — two-year program leading to diocesan certification and Bishop's commissioning
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and celebrates the seven sacraments in ordinary parish life: Baptism (typically the 2nd Sunday), First Communion (annual in spring), Confirmation (two-year youth program in grades 9-10), Marriage (requires three months of registered, contributing membership before a certificate is issued), Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral Liturgies. Adults seeking full communion enter the RCIA.
- Baptism — 2nd Sunday of each month, during or after the 10:30 AM Mass; parent class by appointment with Sue Putnam
- RCIA — Pat Hunt
- Confirmation — Sharon Gugliemi
- Marriage prep — begin by contacting the parish office
- Pastoral Care / Anointing — Sr. Eileen McGrath
Outreach & Charity
Beyond its worship and formation life, the parish is committed to mercy in action: a stocked food pantry, visits to those in nursing homes and senior apartments, Human Development / Catholic Charities support, Respect Life work, and a partnership with the Brady Faith Center — a Syracuse Diocese mission since 1946 serving one of the nation's highest childhood-poverty neighborhoods through Mass, Faith Formation, an urban farm, and youth programs.
- Food Pantry — Marie Cullen (most-needed items: shampoo, tissues, instant coffee, crackers, mac and cheese)
- Pastoral Care/Homebound Ministry — Mary Morley / Sr. Eileen McGrath
- Bellevue Manor — Mary Morley
- Oxford Inn — Karen Sparkes
- Bishop Ludden Apartments — Joan Brown
- St. Camillus Ministry — Deacon Tony
- Respect Life — Joan Brown
- Human Development — Georgia Grady
- Brady Faith Center — diocesan mission supported by the parish
Liturgical Ministries
Lay faithful serve the parish as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, sacristans, musicians, and in altar care and funeral ministry. The Music Ministry team — Nick Godzak, Joanne Balduzzi, and Dave and Ann Rice — supports Masses and the annual Music Mass at 10:30 AM.
- Lectors — Mary Lou Paratore
- Eucharistic Ministers — Mary Lou Paratore
- Altar Servers — Deacon Tony and Katie Boyea
- Music Ministry — Nick Godzak (Coordinator), Joanne Balduzzi, Dave & Ann Rice
- Sacristans — Sr. Eileen McGrath, Phil Toya, Michelle Jewett
- Altar Care and Linens — Mike and Mary Jo Gehm, Lisa Smith
- Flowers — MaryBeth Roach
- Funeral Ushers and Luncheons — coordinated by parish volunteers
Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by a pastor, two deacons, a trustee board, and a team of lay staff and ministry coordinators. Pastoral Care is anchored by the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception tradition that has served the parish since 1942.
- Pastor: Rev. Kevin Maloney
- Deacons: Anthony Paratore, Robert Connelly
- Trustees: Joseph Dwyer, David Prowak
- Parish Office Manager: Maureen O'Sullivan
- Confirmation & Youth Minister: Sharon Gugliemi
- Finance Chairman: Jack Burke
- Maintenance & Grounds Supervisor: Ken Eckert
- Pastoral Care Coordinator: Sr. Eileen McGrath
Contact & Visiting
Parish Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Visitors are warmly welcomed at both worship campuses; the easiest route to St. Ann's is via I-690 Exit 11 / West Street, then south to Onondaga St. and west onto Onondaga Blvd.
- Parish Office: 501 South Orchard Road, Syracuse, NY 13219
- Phone: (315) 468-1803
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stcharlesandstanns.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/p/St-Charles-St-Anns-Parish-100080430438710/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Canfield1929–1961
Founding pastor; built original wooden church (1929), rectory (1930), convent (1942), and school (1952); oversaw construction and 1961 dedication of the new church before retiring as chaplain at that Mass.
- Rev. John J. Quigley1961–
Succeeded Msgr. Canfield as pastor; offered the Mass at the 1961 dedication of the new St. Charles church.
- Rev. Msgr. Richard A. Clark1963–
Appointed pastor in 1963 and served for sixteen years.
- Rev. James D. Mathews
Pastor at the time of the Golden Jubilee on November 4, 1979.
- Rev. James Carey
Fostered Vatican II vision and the Borromean motto 'Humilitas'; oversaw continued growth.
- Rev. Louis Aiello
Pastor at the Diamond Jubilee celebration on November 7, 2004 with Bishop James Moynihan.
- Rev. Brian Lang
Led St. Charles into the 21st century as pastor.
- Rev. Francis J. Sheedy1955–
Founding pastor of St. Ann's Parish; celebrated first Mass on March 6, 1955 at the House of Providence Chapel and dedicated the new church on October 22, 1956.
- Rev. Kevin Maloneypresent
Current pastor; leads the linked parishes of St. Charles-St. Ann and St. Patrick and St. Brigid.