About St. Joseph · Camillus, New York
St. Joseph's Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Camillus, New York, part of the Diocese of Syracuse, serving the western Syracuse suburbs from its location at 5600 West Genesee Street. The parish was established in 1852 to minister to Irish Catholic immigrants in the area and today operates as a welcoming faith community with daily Mass, an Adoration Chapel, a parish Preschool, a full Faith Formation program (K-8), Confirmation and TeenFaith youth ministry, a CYO basketball program, and a Food Pantry that serves the surrounding zip codes. Under the pastoral leadership of Father Robert Hyde, assisted by two priests, two deacons, and a lay staff, the parish continues its 170-plus year tradition of prayer, liturgy, education, stewardship, and service to all.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Robert Hyde
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Joseph's is a grounded, multigenerational parish that combines traditional Catholic life with a deep outreach to its neighbors. Beyond its daily Mass schedule, the parish offers a perpetual Adoration Chapel open Monday through Friday, a Food Pantry serving zip codes 13031, 13112, and 13164, and a parish Preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds — making it a true community hub in western Onondaga County. Faith Formation (K-8), Confirmation, TeenFaith, and a CYO basketball program provide strong formation for young parishioners, while the parish welcomes new registrations and sacramental preparation for Baptism and Marriage.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM in the Confessional on the South (West Genesee Street) side of the Church
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel: Monday - Friday, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Welcome and Mission
St. Joseph's parish describes itself as a Roman Catholic faith community that 'welcomes everyone in the Spirit of the Good News of Jesus Christ through prayer, liturgy, education, stewardship and service to all under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.' The parish sees itself as a place 'where we all journey to the Kingdom of God and grow in our faith together.' New parishioners are always welcome and can register by speaking with a staff member after Liturgy or contacting the parish office.
- Mission: prayer, liturgy, education, stewardship, and service
- New parishioners welcomed; register after Mass or by calling the office
- Parish Trustees: Kathy Dunham and Tony D'Angelo
Parish History
Founded in 1852 to serve Irish Catholic immigrants in Camillus, St. Joseph's became the mother parish of the western Syracuse region. Its earliest mission congregations included St. Francis Xavier in Marcellus (organized 1854) and St. Mary's of the Lake in Skaneateles. A 1929 Diamond Jubilee anniversary book marked 75 years of parish life. The original register of baptisms and marriages (1852-1905) is preserved at Cornell University. Monsignor Joseph Champlin served as rector here before leading the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. In 2007, Bishop James Moynihan's diocesan reconfiguration entrusted the records and territory of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Warners (est. 1913) and St. John in Camillus to St. Joseph's — a responsibility it retains.
- Founded 1852 (per GCatholic)
- Cornell University Library holds the 1852-1905 baptism and marriage register on microfilm
- 1929 Diamond Jubilee anniversary book
- Past parishes entrusted: Our Lady of Good Counsel (Warners, est. 1913) and St. John (Camillus)
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Robert Hyde, assisted by Rev. James Fritzen and Rev. Bob Scully, S.J., with two permanent deacons and a full lay staff supporting faith formation, youth ministry, music, maintenance, and parish administration.
- Pastor: Rev. Robert Hyde
- Assisting Priests: Rev. James Fritzen, Rev. Bob Scully, S.J.
- Deacon Tom Grigson
- Deacon Nick Alvaro — Pastoral Associate of Administration
- Cindy Heath — Faith Formation / Youth Ministry / Confirmation
- Jodi Hunt — Youth Ministry / Confirmation Associate / Food Pantry Coordinator
- Kathy Picciott — Faith Formation Associate
- Tammy Abdou — Administrative Assistant
- Allison Palermo-Record — Receptionist
- Josh Corcoran — Music and Liturgy
- Dan Murray — Maintenance Supervisor
- Matt Timson — Maintenance Associate
- Patti Yeager — Preschool Director
Faith Formation
St. Joseph's Faith Formation program ministers to children from kindergarten through eighth grade. Classes meet Sunday mornings during the school year, with the younger grades gathering in the basement of the church and TeenFaith (grades 7-8) meeting in the Parish Center. The program includes preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion (typically in second grade) and an OCIA process for adults entering the Catholic Church.
- Kindergarten through 8th grade Sunday classes
- First Reconciliation / First Communion (typically second grade)
- TeenFaith for grades 7-8 in the Parish Center
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for inquirers
Youth Ministry and Confirmation
The Youth Ministry and Confirmation program 'provides a dynamic program that guides our parish youth as they learn about their Catholic faith.' Confirmation preparation leads teens through the sacrament as instituted by Christ, with the chrism blessed by the bishop and the sacrament administered by him. TeenFaith combines interactive Bible study, topical speakers, and service projects.
- Confirmation preparation and sacrament
- TeenFaith (grades 7-8): Bible study, speakers, service projects
- CYO Basketball (Junior High, Junior Varsity, Varsity)
St. Joseph's Preschool
The parish runs St. Joseph's Pre-School, offering programs for 3- and 4-year-olds on 2-day, 3-day, and 5-day a week schedules. Both age groups meet from 9:15 AM to 11:45 AM. Children must be age 3 or 4 on or before December 1 of the enrolling year, should be toilet trained, and may enroll at any point during the school year. Tuition is paid quarterly (Sept 1, Nov 13, Jan 29, Apr 9).
- 3-year-old and 4-year-old programs
- Sessions run 9:15 AM - 11:45 AM
- 2-day (Tue/Thu), 3-day (Mon/Wed/Fri), and 5-day options
- Phone: 315-484-2153
- Director: Patti Yeager ([email protected])
Food Pantry and Outreach
St. Joseph's Food Pantry serves residents of zip codes 13031, 13112, and 13164. Sign-ups are taken at the Parish Office on Monday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30 PM and on Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Families need to bring a photo ID and printed proof of address for each household member (such as a phone or electric bill). For emergencies, the parish directs those in need to dial 211.
- Serves zip codes 13031, 13112, 13164
- Sign-up: Monday 5:30-6:30 PM, Wednesday 1:00-3:00 PM
- Bring photo ID and proof of address
- Coordinator: Jodi Hunt
- Emergency help: dial 211
Sacraments
St. Joseph's prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven sacraments. Baptism and Marriage require prior registration as an active parishioner. First Reconciliation/First Communion is typically celebrated in second grade. Confirmation is open to all baptized persons and is administered by the bishop with the chrism blessed by him. The OCIA process welcomes adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Baptism: call Parish Office to schedule
- First Reconciliation/First Communion: second-grade Religious Ed students
- Confirmation: bishop-administered, open to all baptized
- Matrimony: 6-8 month advance scheduling; must be registered parishioners
- OCIA for adult initiation
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Joseph's is coordinated by Music and Liturgy Director Josh Corcoran, who supports the parish's celebration of Sunday and weekday Masses as well as the seasons of the liturgical year.
- Music & Liturgy Director: Josh Corcoran (ext. 107)
- Email: [email protected]
Contact, Office Hours, and Getting Involved
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to noon and is closed on Fridays. The main phone line is (315) 488-8490. After-hours emergency calls are routed through an answering service that contacts Father Hyde at 315-266-1937. Newcomers are encouraged to contact the parish office to register.
- Parish Office: 5600 West Genesee St., Camillus, NY 13031
- Phone: 315-488-8490
- Office Hours: Mon-Thu 9:00 AM-12:00 PM (Friday closed)
- Emergency line: 315-266-1937
- Facebook referenced for parish updates
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William McCallion1852-1864
First Camillus pastor; founded the parish and its mission churches (per St. Francis Xavier parish history).
- Monsignor Joseph Champlin
Served as rector/pastor of St. Joseph's in the 1970s; later became rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse and priest in residence at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Warners.