About St. Leo the Great · Hilton, New York
St. Leo the Great is a Roman Catholic parish in the village of Hilton, New York, in Monroe County, belonging to the Diocese of Rochester. It currently serves more than 1,200 registered families in the Hilton–Parma area with a full weekend Mass schedule, daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, a robust faith-formation program, and a strong music ministry. The parish is led by Father Joseph R. Catanise, with a part-time parochial vicar and deacons assisting in ministry. A vibrant stewardship parish, St. Leo's is known for its ecumenical involvement in the Hilton community and its many active lay ministries.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- St. Leo the Great (Pope Leo I)
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph R. Catanise
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
St. Leo the Great is a stewardship parish where more than 1,200 families freely share their time, talent, and treasure. A full daily and weekend Mass schedule, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a strong Confession schedule support a vibrant sacramental life, while a deep bench of ministries — RCIA, School of Religion, Bible Study, Marriage Enrichment, Cursillo, the Christ Life Experience, multiple choirs, Knights of Columbus Council 9461, Columbiettes, and a busy Social Justice outreach — give every age and interest a place to belong. The parish is widely known in the village of Hilton for its warm ecumenical spirit and its willingness to welcome newcomers.
Mass times at St. Leo the Great
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
Parish History
Catholic life in the Hilton–Parma area began in 1881 with Masses said in Tennison's Hall, and grew into St. Leo the Great as a mission of St. John's in Spencerport. After 64 years of being served by visiting priests, Bishop James E. Kearney formally established St. Leo the Great as a parish on June 11, 1946, appointing Fr. John L. Maxwell as its first full-time pastor. The parish built its present church and Parish Center in 1964–66 and has grown to more than 1,200 registered families serving the Hilton–Parma community.
- First Catholic service in North Parma: August 1881, Tennison's Hall (Rev. James Hartley)
- Cornerstone of the original 1882 church laid by Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid on Nov. 1, 1882
- Established as a parish by Bishop James E. Kearney on June 11, 1946
- First full-time pastor: Rev. John L. Maxwell, former U.S. Navy chaplain
- Ground broken for new complex Aug. 8, 1965; first Mass in the new building July 3, 1966
- Parish Center dedicated by Bishop Kearney on Dec. 3, 1966
- Modern rectory/office complex completed 1978
- Marian grotto and garden dedicated 1986; Stations of the Cross added 2004
Pastorate Succession
Since becoming a parish in 1946, St. Leo the Great has been shepherded by five pastors, including its present pastor, Father Joseph R. Catanise, who was appointed by Bishop Matthew Clark effective June 28, 2005. Father Catanise previously served as an attorney and elementary school teacher before entering St. Bernard's Seminary, and is widely known in the Diocese of Rochester for his ministry and his public witness regarding prostate cancer awareness.
- Rev. John L. Maxwell (1946–1954)
- Rev. Jacob R. Rauber (1954–1968)
- Rev. Chester M. Klocek (1968–1993)
- Rev. John J. Glogowski (1993–2005)
- Rev. Joseph R. Catanise (2005–present)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Leo's spans cradle to grave, beginning with a School of Religion for children and a two-year Confirmation program for 8th- and 9th-graders, and continuing with Bible Study, Marriage Enrichment, RCIA, Cursillo, and the parish's signature Christ Life Experience for adults.
- School of Religion for children
- Confirmation preparation (Diocese of Rochester two-year program, grades 8–9) — contact Danielle Hubbel, [email protected]
- RCIA for adults seeking to become Catholic
- Cursillo
- Christ Life Experience
- Adult Bible Study
- Marriage Enrichment
Music & Liturgy
St. Leo's is known for a particularly rich music ministry, offering seven distinct choral and instrumental ensembles that support weekend Masses, holy days, funerals, and special liturgies throughout the year.
- Adult Choir
- Resurrection Choir
- Youth Choir
- Children's Choir
- Bell Choir
- Children's Bell Choir
- Hearts Ablaze Band
Parish Organizations & Service
Lay-led organizations play a major role in the life of the parish and the wider Hilton community. The Knights of Columbus Council 9461, with more than 85 members, is one of the most active councils in the Finger Lakes Region, and the parish's Social Justice ministry, Rosary Society, Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Columbiettes, and CYO all extend the parish's reach beyond its walls.
- Knights of Columbus — St. Leo Council 9461 (meets 4th Tuesday, 6:30 PM Rosary, 7:00 PM business meeting)
- Columbiettes
- Rosary Society
- Confraternity of Christian Mothers
- Social Justice Ministry (food shelf, coat & sock drives, local charities)
- CYO (Catholic Youth Organization)
- Bereavement ministry
Sacraments
St. Leo's prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation, healing, and vocation. The parish follows the Diocese of Rochester's two-year Confirmation program beginning in 8th grade, and welcomes inquiries about Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick through the parish office.
- Baptism — preparation required, contact parish office
- First Communion — via School of Religion
- Confirmation — two-year program, grades 8–9 (Diocese of Rochester)
- Marriage — contact parish office for preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish
- Confession — Saturdays 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Facilities & Grounds
The St. Leo campus at 110 Old Hojack Lane includes the present sanctuary and Parish Center (built 1964–66), classrooms, the rectory and office complex (1978), and a beautifully landscaped Marian grotto with Stations of the Cross. The original 1882 white-clapboard church on Lake Avenue still stands on the property and is used as a parish and community meeting hall.
- Current sanctuary and Parish Center (first Mass July 3, 1966)
- Parish Center dedicated by Bishop Kearney, Dec. 3, 1966
- Rectory and office complex (1978)
- Original 1882 Old Church Hall on Lake Avenue (now a community/parish meeting center)
- Marian grotto and garden (dedicated 1986); Stations of the Cross (2004)
- Classrooms used for School of Religion and faith formation
Getting Involved & Visiting
St. Leo's describes itself as a Stewardship parish, inviting parishioners and visitors to share their time, talent, and treasure. Newcomers are warmly welcomed at weekend Masses, and there are ministries and groups for men, women, youth, families, and retirees. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, and Sunday Mass is livestreamed on the parish's Facebook page for those who cannot attend in person.
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Phone: (585) 392-2710
- Email: [email protected]
- Livestream Sunday Mass via Facebook
- Vacation Bible School (summer)
- Active ecumenical presence in the Hilton–Parma community
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John L. Maxwell1946 – June 30, 1954
First full-time pastor; former U.S. Navy chaplain, appointed by Bishop James E. Kearney when St. Leo was established as a parish on June 11, 1946.
- Rev. Jacob R. RauberJune 30, 1954 – 1968
Succeeded Father Maxwell; led the parish through the major building campaign that produced the 1966 church and parish center.
- Rev. Chester M. Klocek1968 – June 1993
Built a modern rectory/office complex in 1978; had a deep Marian devotion and personally funded a grotto and garden dedicated to Our Lady in 1986. Died unexpectedly just three weeks after his retirement.
- Rev. John J. GlogowskiJune 1993 – June 2005
Strengthened ecumenical activity with other Hilton–Parma Christian communities during his pastorate.
- Rev. Joseph R. CataniseJune 2005 – present
Appointed by Bishop Matthew Clark effective June 28, 2005; came to St. Leo's after serving St. Rita in Webster. Former attorney and elementary school teacher before entering St. Bernard's Seminary; has championed stewardship and men's health awareness.