About St. Edmond · Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church is a Catholic parish of approximately 3,500 members in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, located within sight of the Atlantic Ocean in the Diocese of Wilmington. The parish was established as a church in 1940 (named for Bishop Edmond Fitzmaurice of Wilmington) and was raised from mission to parish status in 1952 under its first pastor, Monsignor Francis J. Desmond. Today the parish is led by its 12th pastor, Rev. William T. Cocco, supported by an associate pastor, assisting priests, and a team of deacons and lay staff, with a vibrant faith-formation program, active liturgical ministries, and a strong outreach to the less fortunate in Sussex County.
- Established
- 1940
- Patron
- St. Edmund (of Abingdon), namesake of Bishop Edmond Fitzmaurice, fourth Bishop of Wilmington
- Rector
- Rev. William T. Cocco, OFS (12th pastor, appointed June 24, 2015)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wilmington
Why belong here
St. Edmond is a warm, year-round seaside Catholic community of about 3,500 households that welcomes newcomers and visitors with the words, "No matter who you are, or where you are in life's journey, you are welcome here." The parish runs a very active faith formation program for children and adults (including OCIA/RCIA for those seeking full initiation), and its liturgical life is supported by choirs, altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, an Environment Ministry and a Bereavement Ministry. A strong outreach ministry—including the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Community Resource Center, Respect Life, Knights of Columbus, Family Life, and an annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.—extends the parish's care to the wider Sussex County community. Worship is offered daily, with extra Masses added each summer to accommodate the influx of visitors to Rehoboth Beach.
Mass times at St. Edmond
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. in the Sacristy (year-round)
- Parish Reconciliation Services held during Advent and Lent
- Additional times by appointment through the parish office (302-227-4550)
Welcome & Mission
Saint Edmond Parish describes itself as a Catholic community of approximately 3,500 people located within sight of the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and opens with the words, "No matter who you are, or where you are in life's journey, you are welcome here." Its stated mission is "ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM" and to be the center of spiritual life and growth for all of God's people. The parish practices Christian stewardship, viewing time, talent and treasure as gifts to be used for the spiritual, educational and social needs of the community, diocese and the wider world. New parishioners can register online via the Parish Registration Form, and OCIA (formerly RCIA) is offered for those preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Catholic community of ~3,500 members
- Located within sight of the Atlantic Ocean, Rehoboth Beach, DE
- Open to all, regardless of where they are in life's journey
- Parish Registration Form available online and in the church vestibule
- OCIA program for unbaptized adults and Catholics seeking First Eucharist or Confirmation
Parish History
Catholic life in Rehoboth Beach began in 1905 when Bishop John J. Monaghan purchased oceanfront property between Laurel Street and Brooklyn Avenue and built a small chapel, a rectory and two cottages for the Sisters of St. Francis. The first Mass in the new frame church, St. Agnes-by-the-Sea, was celebrated July 7, 1906. Growth led to construction of the present church in 1939–1940; Bishop Edmond Fitzmaurice dedicated St. Edmond's on September 1, 1940. In 1952 the community was raised from mission status to a full parish under its first pastor, Monsignor Francis J. Desmond. The parish operated an elementary school staffed by Benedictine nuns from 1954 to 1969, and has grown steadily since.
- 1905 – Diocese of Wilmington buys Rehoboth Beach oceanfront property
- 1906 – First Mass in St. Agnes-by-the-Sea chapel, July 7
- 1939 – Construction of the present St. Edmond's church begins
- 1940 – First Mass May 12; dedicated September 1 by Bishop Edmond Fitzmaurice
- 1952 – St. Edmond's raised from mission to parish status; Monsignor Francis J. Desmond first pastor
- 1954 – Parish elementary school opens (staffed by Benedictine Nuns from Ridgely, MD)
- 1969 – Elementary school closes as Benedictine sisters withdraw
- 2007–2009 – Major interior and exterior renovations
- 2015 – 75th Diamond Jubilee Mass celebrated by Bishop Maloney; Fr. William Cocco appointed 12th pastor
St. Edmond, Our Patron Saint
The spelling of the parish's patron's name ("Edmond") reflects the Christian name of Bishop Edmond FitzMaurice of Wilmington (1925–1960), during whose episcopate the parish was founded and the present church was built. The patron saint commemorated in the church's devotional life is St. Edmund of Abingdon, whose feast day is November 20. St. Edmund was a 13th-century English scholar, teacher and Archbishop of Canterbury; he was canonized only six years after his death. The blue-and-white coat of arms displayed above the Stations of the Cross in the church is taken from the Archbishop of Canterbury's heraldry (a blue shield of loyalty, a white cross of serenity and loyalty), with motifs also reminiscent of Crusader heraldry. A statue of St. Edmund is located above the door on the Divine Mercy side of the church.
- Patron: St. Edmund of Abingdon
- Feast Day: November 20
- Named for Bishop Edmond FitzMaurice, fourth Bishop of Wilmington (1925–1960)
- Canterbury-style blue-and-white coat of arms over the Stations of the Cross
- Statue of St. Edmund above the Divine Mercy-side door
Our Staff & Clergy
The parish staff includes ordained clergy, permanent deacons, and lay administrators. Fr. William T. Cocco is supported by an associate pastor, two assisting priests, and four deacons. Business Manager Yvonne Bailey is a parishioner who, since the pandemic, has filmed many of the parish's Masses, funerals and weddings for live-stream participation by the homebound. The Religious Education team is led by Director Marie Kopf with Administrative Assistant Gretchen Randazzo.
- Pastor: Rev. William T. Cocco, OFS (ordained May 29, 2004; appointed to St. Edmond June 24, 2015)
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Emmanuel Dolphyne
- Assisting Priests: Fr. William Gore, OSFS; Rev. Alphonse Pushparaj
- Deacons: Jim Walls, Jim Cadigan, Robert Sprouse, Matthew Raymond
- Business Manager (Office Manager): Yvonne Bailey
- Director of Religious Education: Marie Kopf ([email protected], 302-227-4553)
- Religious Ed. Admin. Assistant: Gretchen Randazzo
- Administrative Assistant: Sally Jozwiak (also serves as wedding coordinator)
- Communications Coordinator: Cathy Gomez-Paulish (bulletin & website)
Sacraments
St. Edmond prepares parishioners for all the usual sacraments. Reconciliation is offered weekly on Saturday mornings and at Advent and Lent communal services. Infant baptisms are generally celebrated on Sundays after the 10:30 a.m. Mass, with parents required to attend a Baptism Preparation Session and to contact the parish at least three months in advance. Couples must begin marriage preparation at least twelve months ahead of the desired wedding date and participate in Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter. The parish also offers OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those seeking Baptism, First Eucharist, or Confirmation, and arranges visits from priests to the sick and homebound upon request.
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Infant Baptism (with preparation session)
- First Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage (12-month preparation, Pre-Cana/Engaged Encounter required)
- Anointing and Care of the Sick (call parish office)
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish describes its faith formation program as 'very active' for both children and adults. The Religious Education Office, led by Director Marie Kopf, organizes sacramental preparation, ongoing catechesis and the OCIA process for adults. Marie Kopf joined the parish in 2016, bringing more than fifteen years of experience and a stated goal of continuing to make 'new disciples for the Lord.'
- Director of Religious Education: Marie Kopf
- Religious Ed. Admin. Assistant: Gretchen Randazzo
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program
- Children's faith formation and sacramental preparation
- Adult faith formation
Liturgical Ministries
St. Edmond's worship is supported by a broad range of lay liturgical ministries coordinated through the Liturgy Committee. Boys and girls who have celebrated First Eucharist are welcomed as altar servers, alongside adults. The Environment Ministry (with decorating, sacristan and sewing sub-groups) prepares the church's physical worship space, while the St. Edmond Adult Choir welcomes new singers and instrumentalists. Ushers serve as Ministers of Hospitality, welcoming worshipers, facilitating collections and Communion lines, and seating visitors.
- Liturgy Committee (monthly, September–June)
- Altar Servers (youth after First Eucharist and adults)
- Bereavement Ministry — sympathy cards, visits, funeral Mass assistance; coordinator Yvonne Bailey
- Environment Ministry — decorating, sacristans, sewing
- Music Ministry / St. Edmond Adult Choir (contact: Cheryl)
- Ushers / Hospitality — Cathy Paulish, Usher Liaison ([email protected])
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
Outreach, Charity & Non-Liturgical Ministries
Outside of the sanctuary, the parish operates a strong network of outreach and community-building ministries. The Parish Family Life Committee plans the annual parish picnic, Sunday coffee times and parish dinners. The Respect Life Ministry leads the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. under the banner 'Life What a Beautiful Choice.' The St. Vincent de Paul Society (302-260-4074) and the Community Resource Center serve the local needy, and the Knights of Columbus works alongside the parish. Building and Maintenance, Finance Council, Pastoral Council, and Salt & Light round out the parish's organizational ministries.
- Parish Family Life Committee — chair Susan Ondish ([email protected])
- Respect Life Ministry — Annual March for Life, Washington, D.C.; chair Barbara Riggs (302-226-4947, [email protected])
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — president Michael Renner (302-260-4074)
- Knights of Columbus (affiliated)
- Community Resource Center (affiliated)
- Building and Maintenance — chair Joe Fuller
- Finance Council — Executive Officer Jim Falk
- Pastoral Council — President Rose Marie Patin
- Salt & Light — Chairman Robert Wolhar
- Parish Prayer Line
- Youth Leadership Council (formed in the early 2010s)
Affiliated Organizations
In addition to its own ministries, St. Edmond Parish is blessed with affiliated organizations that work together in ministry with the church. These include the Knights of Columbus, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and the Community Resource Center, all of which have dedicated sub-pages linked from the parish website.
- Knights of Columbus
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Community Resource Center
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at all Masses; new parishioners may register online or pick up a form in the main vestibule of the church or in the parish office. The parish office at 409 King Charles Avenue is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and is closed on Fridays from June 5 through September 4 during the summer season. Mass Intentions, the weekly bulletin, and an events calendar are all available online, and live-streamed Masses continue to make worship accessible to those unable to attend in person.
- Office: 409 King Charles Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
- Mailing: PO Box 646, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
- Phone: 302-227-4550; Fax: 302-227-4557
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (closed Fridays June 5–Sept 4)
- Online parish registration
- Parish bulletin (PDF) and events calendar online
- Live-stream Mass on YouTube
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rt. Rev. Francis J. Desmond1952 – 1961
First pastor when St. Edmond's was raised from mission to parish status in 1952; established three new missions during his pastorate.
- Rev. Francis J. McDonough1961 – 1967
- Rev. Henry L. Whalen1967 – 1969
- Rev. John Kavanaugh1969 – 1971
- Rt. Rev. John J. McGee1971 – 1974
- Rev. Francis P. Cornely1974 – 1975
- Rev. Joseph Woods, OSFS (temporary)1975 – 1976
- Rev. Bruce Byrolly1976 – 1988
- Rev. Philip P. Sheekey1988 – 2000
- Rev. Raymond L. Forester2000 – 2013
Led the major interior and exterior renovation campaign (2007–2009). Retired June 2013.
- Rev. Joseph J. Piekarski2013 – 2015
11th pastor; reassigned June 2015.
- Rev. William T. Cocco2015 – present
12th pastor; appointed June 24, 2015. Previously served at St. John the Beloved (Wilmington), Christ Our King (Wilmington), and as Chaplain of St. Mark's High School.