About St. Christopher · North Chili, New York
St. Christopher Church is a Roman Catholic parish in North Chili, Monroe County, New York, in the Diocese of Rochester. Founded in 1968 under Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, the parish community worships at 3350 Union Street and is currently led by Parochial Administrator Rev. Malachy (Eloo) Nwosu. With a mission centered on warm welcome, Christian formation for all ages, and Gospel-based outreach, St. Christopher's offers Saturday Vigil and Sunday Mass, weekday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, an active Human Services outreach, parish groups for men, women and youth, and a Faith Formation / Confirmation program.
- Established
- 1968
- Patron
- St. Christopher (Christ-bearer)
- Rector
- Rev. Malachy (Eloo) Nwosu, Parochial Administrator
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
St. Christopher's bills itself as a warm and nurturing community that embraces all in an atmosphere of God's love and care. Daily parish life centers on a prayerful atmosphere of worship — Saturday Vigil and Sunday Mass, weekday Masses, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, and Saturday Reconciliation — alongside Christian formation for all ages. Parishioners can get involved through Liturgical Ministries (lector, altar server, Eucharistic minister, hospitality, music), a Family Faith Formation and Confirmation program, the Human Services outreach (food drives, Advent collections, Lenten projects, and assistance for shut-ins, single moms, and aging parishioners), as well as a Men's Group, Women's Group, and Youth Ministry. A Flocknote subscription keeps families connected to weekly updates and events.
Mass times at St. Christopher
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Parish History
St. Christopher was established on June 22, 1968, when Bishop Fulton J. Sheen appointed Father Elmer J. McDonald to pastor a new community on 15 acres at the corner of King Road and Union Street in North Chili. While the church was under construction, Masses were celebrated in the nearby North Chili Medical Building. The patron, St. Christopher ('Christ-bearer'), was chosen on August 30, 1968, and more than 600 people attended the ground-breaking on October 26, 1969. The first Mass in the permanent church was celebrated January 30, 1971, and a parish center annex followed in 1976. The parish marked its golden jubilee in 2018 with a year of events culminating in a Mass with Bishop Salvatore R. Matano and the opening of the original 1968 time capsule.
- Founded June 22, 1968 by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
- Patron chosen August 30, 1968 — St. Christopher ('Christ-bearer')
- Ground-breaking October 26, 1969 (600+ attendees)
- First Mass in permanent church January 30, 1971
- Parish center annex completed 1976
- 50th anniversary (golden jubilee) celebrated 2018
Parish Staff & Leadership
St. Christopher's is currently led by Parochial Administrator Rev. Malachy (Eloo) Nwosu. The parish team includes a Music Director/Electronic Media coordinator, a Folk Group Director, a Parish Secretary, a Regional Finance Director & Bookkeeper, and a Faith Formation coordinator. The parish office can be reached at 585-594-1400 during office hours (Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM; Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM).
- Parochial Administrator — Fr. Eloo Nwosu
- Music Director / Electronic Media — Eric Traugott
- Folk Group Director — Pat McGill
- Parish Secretary — Mary Lionetti ([email protected])
- Regional Finance Director & Bookkeeper — Chris Frontale
- Faith Formation — Lori Murtaugh ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Confirmation
Family Faith Formation and Confirmation registration for the 2025–2026 year is available through the parish. The Confirmation process in the Diocese of Rochester is a two-year program that typically begins in eighth grade; families attend Sunday Mass together, participate in community service or outreach, and spend time in prayer and reflection. Children's Liturgy of the Word (LOW) is offered during most Masses throughout the Faith Formation year, allowing children to hear the Gospel in an age-appropriate setting and return to Mass after the homily — no registration required.
- Family Faith Formation (registration forms at both church entrances or via the parish office)
- Confirmation — two-year program, typically starting in 8th grade
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (LOW) at most Masses
- Contact: [email protected] or 585-594-1400
Liturgical Ministries
St. Christopher's maintains a team of liturgical ministers who serve the weekend and weekday Masses. An annual training is offered for certain ministries; new volunteers are welcome and can contact the parish office to sign up.
- Liturgy Committee
- Sacristan
- Lector
- Altar Server
- Eucharistic Minister
- Minister of Hospitality
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Music Ministry (choir and Folk Group)
Human Services & Outreach
The Human Services Ministries Team's mission is to educate and challenge parishioners to address the human, spiritual, and social justice needs of the community — reaching out to serve each other and those less fortunate. Current ministries include monthly food drives, Advent collections for families in need, partnership with community organizations, social justice seminars, public policy advocacy, outreach to shut-ins and those in special need, assisting with home projects for those aging at home and for single moms, and Lenten projects focusing on global needs.
- Monthly food drives
- Advent collections for families in need
- Lenten projects focused on global needs
- Outreach to shut-ins and those in special need
- Home projects for those aging at home and for single moms
- Social justice seminars and public policy advocacy
- Partnership with community organizations
Parish Groups & Community Life
Beyond Liturgical and Human Services ministries, the parish hosts regular gatherings for men, women, and youth. The Women's Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM, and the Men's Group and Youth Group are also active. Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to subscribe to the parish's Flocknote for weekly news and event updates.
- Women's Group — 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM
- Men's Group
- Youth Group / Youth Ministry
- Flocknote parish email updates
Devotions & Rosary
In addition to weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, the parish gathers each summer for a 9-week Rosary devotion. All are invited to recite the rosary on Tuesday evenings at 5:00 PM in St. Carol's Garden, located on the church property; in case of rain, the rosary moves into the chapel.
- Thursday Adoration — 5:00–6:00 PM
- 9-week Rosary — Tuesdays at 5:00 PM in St. Carol's Garden (chapel in case of rain)
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
St. Christopher's welcomes visitors and newcomers at 3350 Union Street in North Chili, NY. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and on Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Phone: 585-594-1400. Visitors are encouraged to attend a weekend Mass, stop in for Thursday Adoration, or sign up for the parish Flocknote to stay informed about events and ministries.
- Address — 3350 Union Street, North Chili, NY 14514
- Phone — 585-594-1400
- Office hours — Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM; Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Subscribe to Flocknote for weekly updates
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Elmer J. McDonald1968–
Founding pastor, appointed by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen; oversaw the 1969 ground-breaking and the first Mass in the permanent church on January 30, 1971.
- Rev. Robert Gaudio2004–2019
Long-tenured pastor; his tenure at St. Christopher dated back to 2004. Placed on administrative leave in February 2019 following a complaint alleging sexual misconduct with a minor in the 1970s, which he denied.
- Rev. Edward Palumbos2019–
Appointed Temporary Administrator of St. Christopher's following Fr. Gaudio's leave.
- Rev. Malachy (Eloo) Nwosu
Current Parochial Administrator per the Diocese of Rochester directory.