About St. Jerome · East Rochester, New York
The Church of St. Jerome is a Catholic parish in the village of East Rochester, New York, founded in 1905 to serve Catholics in what was then the hamlet of Despatch. Established by Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid of the Diocese of Rochester, with Father Bernard J. Gefell as its first pastor, the parish celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005 and remains a cornerstone of faith life in East Rochester. Today the parish offers daily and Sunday Mass in English, Reconciliation on Saturdays, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays, and an active faith formation program, and works closely with its affiliated St. Jerome School and the local ecumenical food pantry.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- St. Jerome
- Rector
- Rev. William B. Leone
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
St. Jerome offers a close-knit Catholic community in the heart of East Rochester with multiple daily Mass options and English-language liturgies for working and retired parishioners alike. The parish combines traditional devotions — weekday Mass, Tuesday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary, and Compline — with a robust faith-formation program for children in kindergarten through Confirmation and a choir that welcomes new members. Its ministries reach beyond the parish through support of the Community Resource Center food pantry and an affiliated elementary school.
Mass times at St. Jerome
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Before or after any Mass (see priest)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; Rosary begins at 4:45 PM, Compline at 5:00 PM)
Our History
St. Jerome's was established in 1905 because Catholics in Despatch (now East Rochester) had been walking to neighboring Penfield for Sunday Mass. Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid of the Diocese of Rochester created the parish and named Father Bernard J. Gefell as its first pastor, with the new community's first Masses celebrated on the third floor of a Commercial Street building owned by Adolphus Branchaud. Bishop McQuaid laid the cornerstone at 207 Garfield Street on August 12, 1906, and the church was dedicated later that year. By 1927 the parish had grown enough that both the church and rectory needed to be enlarged.
- Parish founded 1905; cornerstone laid August 12, 1906
- Founding pastor: Father Bernard J. Gefell (served 1905–1950)
- Church and rectory enlarged in 1927
- Sudden death of Father Gefell in 1950 sparked $150,000+ remodeling campaign
- 100th anniversary celebrated in 2005
- Major renovations, including handicap accessibility, completed in 2014
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by a pastor with a priest in residence and is supported by two permanent deacons, a visiting deacon, and a religious sister serving as pastoral associate. Recent photo albums document the diaconal ordination of Deacon James Muscatella.
- Rev. William B. Leone — Pastor
- Rev. William Endres — In Residence
- Deacon Dermot Loughran
- Deacon Bruno Petrauskas — Visiting Deacon
- Sr. Clare Brown, SSJ — Pastoral Associate
- Deacon James Muscatella (ordained; serving the parish)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children from kindergarten through Confirmation preparation learn the Catholic faith in a classroom-based program that meets most Tuesdays from September through early May, using the Faith and Life series from Ignatius Press. Families who can't make every week can use the new Family Faith hybrid option, and sacramental preparation years require prior enrollment per diocesan policy. Sacramental retreats for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation give families extended time to practice Catholic devotions together.
- Grades K–6: Tuesdays 6:00–7:00 PM
- Grade 7: Tuesdays 7:15–8:15 PM
- Confirmation Prep (Grades 8–9+): Tuesdays 7:15–8:30 PM
- Primary text: Faith and Life series (Ignatius Press)
- Family Faith hybrid option (3 of 4 weeks at home, 1 Tuesday per month in class)
- Saturday Sacramental Retreats for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation
- Confessions offered during Faith Formation seven times a year
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
Adults and older children seeking Baptism or full communion with the Catholic Church are invited to a period of preparation and learning that typically culminates in reception of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil. The parish invites inquirers to contact the office for more information.
- Adult and older-child Baptism preparation
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Easter Vigil reception of the sacraments
Music Ministry & Choir
The parish choir lifts up the Sunday liturgy, especially the 10:00 AM Mass, and actively welcomes new members — no previous experience is required. Rehearsals on Wednesday evenings give singers an opportunity to build community as well as musical skill.
- Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM in the organ loft
- Sings at the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass
- Music Director: Alessio Giacobone ([email protected])
- All skill levels welcome
Sacraments
St. Jerome prepares families and individuals for the Church's sacraments, beginning with baptism and extending through marriage, reconciliation, and the Anointing of the Sick. Infant baptisms normally follow a Baptism Preparation class and are celebrated during or just after a weekend Mass, while adults are typically baptized at the Easter Vigil after a longer course of formation.
- Infant Baptism (after Baptismal Preparation class)
- Baptism of older children and adults (typically at the Easter Vigil)
- Baptismal certificates available from the parish office
- Marriage preparation
- Reconciliation (Saturdays 3:00–4:00 PM and by appointment)
- Anointing of the Sick
Community Outreach & Food Pantry
All of East Rochester's Christian churches cooperate to keep the Community Resource Center food pantry stocked, and St. Jerome takes responsibility for hygiene items and soups. Items may be dropped off in the front entrance of the church, to the left of the stairs.
- Laundry detergent
- Disposable razors
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Feminine hygiene products
- Men's and women's deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Clorox wipes
- Canned chunky, cream-of-chicken, cream-of-mushroom, chicken-noodle, and tomato soups
- Ramen noodle soup
St. Jerome School
St. Jerome School, the parish's affiliated elementary school, offers a faith-based education rooted in Catholic values and reports a 100% graduation rate. The school combines rigorous academics with arts, music, science, and after-school enrichment (sports, choir, cooking, track and field, and more), and opens each day with a student-led school-wide assembly and prayer.
- Parish-affiliated elementary school serving the East Rochester community
- Faith-based curriculum integrating Catholic values
- 100% graduation rate
- After-school enrichment in arts, sciences, sports, and technology
- Monthly school Masses and community events (Halloween Trunk & Treat, Carnival, etc.)
- More information: https://www.st-jeromeschool.org/
Giving & Parish Communications
The parish publishes weekly bulletins, accepts online giving, and live-streams Masses on its website. Mass intentions can be booked as far as two months in advance by contacting the parish office.
- Online giving available via the parish website
- Live streaming and Mass on Demand: stjeromerochester.org/live-streaming
- Weekly bulletins posted at stjeromerochester.org/bulletins
- Current capital or stewardship campaign progress posted on the parish site
- Scam alert: parishioners are warned about text/email impersonations of Fr. Leone or Fr. Endres asking for gift cards
Visiting & Contact
St. Jerome is located in the village of East Rochester at Garfield and Commercial Streets, and the building was made handicap-accessible during the 2014 renovations. The parish office can be reached by phone, email, or in person, and items for the food pantry can be dropped off in the front entrance.
- Address: 207 Garfield Street, East Rochester, NY 14445
- Phone: 585-586-3231
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://stjeromerochester.org/
- Live stream: stjeromerochester.org/live-streaming
- Diocese of Rochester — ps.dor.org/directory/st-jerome/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Bernard J. Gefell1905–1950
Founding pastor; died suddenly in 1950 after nearly 45 years leading the parish.