About St. Marianne Cope Parish at St. Joseph's Church · Rush, New York
St. Marianne Cope Roman Catholic Parish is a multi-site Catholic community in Monroe County, New York, formed in April 2012 from the merger of three historic worship sites: St. Joseph's Church in Rush (founded 1864), the Church of the Good Shepherd in Henrietta (founded 1911), and Guardian Angels Church in Rochester (founded 1960). The parish takes its name from Blessed Marianne Cope, a Sister of Mercy who was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012 — the same year the parish was established. Today, all weekend and weekday Masses are celebrated at the Guardian Angels worship site at 2061 E. Henrietta Road in Rochester, following the closures of the Good Shepherd campus in 2019 and St. Joseph's Church in Rush in 2024.
- Established
- 2012 (parish); 1864 (St. Joseph's original parish)
- Patron
- St. Marianne Cope (Blessed Marianne Cope, OSF — Sisters of Mercy)
- Rector
- Sr. Sheila Stevenson, RSM (Pastoral Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
St. Marianne Cope Parish welcomes you as a Christ-centered Roman Catholic community strengthened by the Eucharist and committed to nurturing faith through love and service. Members are invited into a vibrant family of ministries spanning outreach (Prayer Shawl, Angel Care, RHAFT food collection, Thanksgiving Baskets, Christmas Giving Tree), formation (Family Faith for K–6, Youth Ministry for grades 7–12, RCIA, Bible Study, Notre Dame retreats), and devotion (Rosary and Altar Society, Perpetual Adoration chapel, Children's Liturgy of the Word). All worship sites are handicap accessible and equipped with hearing loops, with a special effort made to be family-friendly.
Mass times at St. Marianne Cope Parish at St. Joseph's Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:00pm
- By appointment (call 585-334-3518)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel (at Guardian Angels Church, relocated from St. Joseph's)
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. Marianne Cope Parish describes itself as 'a community of believers in Jesus Christ, who are called to fulfill the message of the Gospel to love God, neighbor, and self.' Parishioners live their Catholic faith in imitation of the mission of Jesus through prayer, teaching, service, and healing. The parish seeks to provide opportunities for everyone to experience, know, love, and serve God rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Its vision statement is 'a welcoming, Christ-centered Roman Catholic community, strengthened by the Eucharist, nurturing the faith through love and service.'
Our Patroness — St. Marianne Cope
Blessed Marianne Cope was canonized on October 21, 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. Her feast day is January 23rd, her birthday. She was a Sister of Mercy whose mission of service to the marginalized — including leprosy patients in Hawaii — is honored in the parish's name and outreach ministries.
Parish History
St. Marianne Cope Roman Catholic Parish was formed in April 2012 from the Rush Henrietta Catholic Community, itself established in June 2011 from three worship sites with a long history of friendship, shared prayer, and outreach ministries. The parish inherited and continues the legacies of St. Joseph's Church in Rush (founded 1864), the Church of the Good Shepherd in Henrietta (founded 1911), and Guardian Angels Church in Rochester (founded 1960). Two of the three original sites have since been closed and consolidated onto the Guardian Angels campus.
- 2012 — Three worship sites merged to form St. Marianne Cope Roman Catholic Parish
- 1864 — First Mass celebrated in Rush by Fr. Joseph O'Donohoe in the Rice family home
- 1881 — Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid laid the cornerstone of St. Joseph's Church (July 17)
- 1902–1903 — St. Joseph's enlarged and remodeled
- 1911 — Good Shepherd cornerstone laid by Bishop Hickey (Oct 1)
- 1912 — Good Shepherd church dedicated by Bishop Hickey (Feb 12)
- 1936 — St. Joseph's became a mission of Good Shepherd
- 1958 — Good Shepherd School completed, staffed by Sisters of Mercy
- 1960 — Guardian Angels Church founded
- 1964 — Addition to Good Shepherd School with a larger chapel
- 1968 — Bishop Fulton Sheen raised St. Joseph's to full parochial status
- 2008 — Good Shepherd School closed
- 2019 — Good Shepherd campus sold to Rush-Henrietta Central School District; last Masses celebrated Oct 19–20, 2019
- 2021–2022 — Wide-ranging renovation of Guardian Angels Church
- Dec 18, 2022 — Bishop Matano dedicated the new altar and celebrated first Mass in renovated sanctuary
- Jan 17, 2024 — Bishop Matano issued decree of relegation for St. Joseph's
- Feb 1, 2024 — St. Joseph's Church permanently closed
- Apr 27, 2024 — Final Mass celebrated outdoors on St. Joseph's grounds
- Sep 29, 2024 — Good Shepherd reopened as Betty Miller Performing Arts Center
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastoral Administrator Sister Sheila Stevenson, RSM, with Parochial Vicar Father Michael Mayer assisting. Three deacons — Deacon Peter Dohr, Deacon Bob Lyons, and Deacon Mike Zuber — serve the parish community. Lay staff include Amanda Rayburn (Administrative Assistant, CASE Coordinator, RCIA and Baptism Preparation liaison), Sarah Prentice (Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Coordinator), Sandra Godwin (Director of Liturgical Music), Cris Wensel (Pastoral Minister), Lynne Stocum (Maintenance Director), and Marc DeSalvo (Custodian).
- Pastoral Administrator: Sr. Sheila Stevenson, RSM
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Michael Mayer
- Deacon Peter Dohr
- Deacon Bob Lyons
- Deacon Mike Zuber
- Administrative Assistant / CASE Coordinator: Amanda Rayburn
- Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Coordinator: Sarah Prentice
- Director of Liturgical Music: Sandra Godwin
- Pastoral Minister: Cris Wensel
- Maintenance Director: Lynne Stocum
- Custodian: Marc DeSalvo
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments and offers preparation programs for each. Baptisms are scheduled three to six months in advance and require a preparation class held the first Saturday of every month at 11:00am at Guardian Angels. Marriage preparation begins at least six months before the wedding. The parish also runs the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) for those seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Baptism — contact Amanda Rayburn, 585-334-3518
- First Penance / First Communion — contact Sarah Prentice
- Confirmation preparation — contact Gina Jennion
- Marriage — contact Fr. Mike Mayer ([email protected]), 585-334-3518 x1117
- RCIA — contact Amanda Rayburn
- Children's Sacramental Preparation — contact Gina Jennion
Baptism
Baptism initiates the recipient into the grace of Jesus Christ, expresses unity with the Church, and expresses the desire to be a disciple of Christ. Parents are asked to contact Amanda Rayburn three to six months in advance. After meeting with her, families attend a baptismal preparation session the first Saturday of each month at 11:00am at Guardian Angels. Godparents must be at least 16 years old, fully initiated Catholics (baptized, confirmed, and receiving the Eucharist), and ready to commit time to nurture the child and parents.
Marriage
Couples interested in scheduling a wedding are asked to call the parish office at least six months prior. Preparation includes a Pre-Cana program, a Fully Engaged Inventory, a pre-nuptial investigation, and additional meetings. The Church does not charge for the sacraments themselves, but a $500 fee covers the organist, cantor, use of the church, planning meetings, wedding coordinator, and janitorial services. A gift for the presider is at the couple's discretion.
Faith Enrichment & Formation
The parish offers lifelong formation opportunities for children, youth, and adults. Children's Faith Formation uses a family-centered model for grades K–6 centered on Mass and the Eucharist, with rotating diocesan curriculum topics. The Youth Ministry (grades 7–12) meets Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30pm and offers retreats, conferences (such as Kingdom Bound), service opportunities, and the SMC Youth Ministry Music Ensemble. Adult formation includes Bible Study, a Spiritual Friends small-group faith-sharing series, Notre Dame Retreat House weekends (men's in September, women's in spring), and ongoing faith formation through RCIA.
- Children's Faith Formation (grades K–6) — $65 per family
- Sacrament Preparation — $30
- Youth Ministry (grades 7–12) — meets Sundays 6:30–8:30pm
- Family Based Home Study for grades 7–12 unable to attend Sunday meetings
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at 10:30 Sunday Mass
- Bible Study led by parishioner Rick Halsted (morning, evening, and Zoom sessions)
- Spiritual Friends Group
- Notre Dame men's retreat (September) and women's retreat (spring)
- Contact for all formation programs: Sarah Prentice, 585-334-3518
Outreach Ministries
Outreach is at the heart of St. Marianne Cope Parish's mission. Volunteers collect non-perishable food items at each Mass and deliver them to St. Peter's Soup Kitchen and the Rush Henrietta Area Food Terminal (RHAFT). The Angel Care Ministry provides diapers, blankets, layettes, and Pack-n-Plays to mothers of newborns, while the Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and crochets shawls for the ill, bereaved, and lonely. Seasonal outreach includes Thanksgiving Baskets for families in need and the Christmas Giving Tree for local families and charitable organizations. The People In Need committee provides direct assistance to parishioners in crisis.
- People In Need — contact Sr. Sheila Stevenson, [email protected], 585-334-3815
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — contact Barb Dera, [email protected], 585-359-0795
- RHAFT — Rush Henrietta Food Terminal Ministry — contact Amanda at 334-3518
- Angel Care Ministry — contact Noreen Mancini, [email protected], 585-334-3518 x1107
- Thanksgiving Baskets — contact Cathy Daub, [email protected], 585-727-4093
- Christmas Giving Tree — volunteer needed to lead
- Staff liaison for outreach: Cris Wensel, [email protected], 585-334-3815
Rosary and Altar Society
The Rosary and Altar Society fosters a sense of community among parishioners through devotion to Mary in the recitation of the Holy Rosary. Members support parish functions, provide financial aid for parish projects, and offer programs for spiritual growth and camaraderie. Contact: Michele Pelleschi, 585-403-4543.
Worship Sites
Guardian Angels Church (2061 E. Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14623) is the parish's sole remaining worship site and location of the parish office, having been extensively renovated in 2021–2022. The former St. Joseph's Church at 6105 Rush Lima Rd., Rush, NY 14543 was decommissioned in 2024 and the property listed for sale. The former Church of the Good Shepherd at 3318 E. Henrietta Rd., Henrietta, NY 14467 was sold in 2019 to the Rush-Henrietta Central School District and reopened in 2024 as the Betty Miller Performing Arts Center.
- Guardian Angels Church — 2061 E. Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14623 (current sole worship site and parish office)
- St. Joseph's Church — 6105 Rush Lima Rd., Rush, NY 14543 (closed Feb 1, 2024)
- Church of the Good Shepherd — 3318 E. Henrietta Rd., Henrietta, NY 14467 (closed 2019; now Betty Miller Performing Arts Center)
Contact & Visiting
The parish office is located at Guardian Angels Church, 2061 E. Henrietta Rd., Rochester, NY 14623, and is open Monday–Thursday from 9:00am–5:00pm. Phone: 585-334-3518; Fax: 585-334-6015; Email: [email protected]. Weekend Mass is live streamed Saturdays at 4:30pm and posted to the website. All worship sites are handicap accessible and equipped with a hearing loop.
Safe Environment
The CASE (Creating A Safe Environment) Coordinator for St. Marianne Cope is Amanda Rayburn. Volunteers and employees access training through the Diocese of Rochester website.