About St. Michael.Good Shepherd Catholic Community. · Union Springs, New York
St. Michael's Church in Union Springs, New York is one of four worship sites that together form Good Shepherd Catholic Community (GSCC), a unified Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Rochester serving the southern Finger Lakes region of Cayuga County. The parish was officially established in 2006 (with the four sites first clustering together in 2002) as part of a diocesan-wide effort to sustain vibrant Catholic life in rural areas, and it continues that mission today under the pastoral care of Father Joseph Maurici, who succeeded long-time pastor Father William A. Moorby. St. Michael's itself is described by the parish as a cornerstone of the Union Springs community, offering regular Mass and spiritual guidance from its location at 162 Cayuga Street, where Sunday Mass is celebrated at 4:00 PM and Thursday Mass at 4:00 PM.
- Established
- 2006
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Maurici
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
Good Shepherd Catholic Community welcomes Catholics across four historic worship sites in the Finger Lakes, and St. Michael's in Union Springs is the cornerstone of that community. Parishioners can attend Sunday Mass at 4:00 PM or Thursday Mass at 4:00 PM, receive First Saturday confessions on-site, and join in vibrant ministries including a monthly food-pantry Fish Bowl drive, Vacation Bible School, the Bl. Solanus Casey Doorway Ministry for spiritual and practical guidance, a monthly Bereavement Group, and parish-level Faith Formation directed by Jon Robson. With one family in faith across Union Springs, Aurora, Moravia, and King Ferry, GSCC offers a warm rural community grounded in shared mission and centuries of local Catholic tradition.
Mass times at St. Michael.Good Shepherd Catholic Community.
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Saturday, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM at St. Michael's, Union Springs
- First Friday, 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM at Our Lady of the Lake, King Ferry (before First Friday Mass & Benediction)
- Sunday, beginning at 8:00 AM at St. Patrick's, Moravia (before 8:30 AM Mass)
Adoration times
- First Friday, 9:00 AM Mass at Our Lady of the Lake followed by Benediction
About Good Shepherd Catholic Community
The Good Shepherd Catholic Community (GSCC) is a unified Catholic parish of the Diocese of Rochester that brings together four historic worship sites in the Finger Lakes region of New York: St. Michael's in Union Springs, St. Patrick's in Aurora, St. Patrick's in Moravia, and Our Lady of the Lake in King Ferry. The parish was officially established as one community in 2006 as part of a diocesan-wide effort to sustain vibrant Catholic life in rural areas. Each worship site retains its unique character and history, while together they share one pastoral team, mission, and family in faith.
- St. Michael's, Union Springs — 162 Cayuga Street
- St. Patrick's, Aurora — 299 Main Street (303 Main per Mass schedule)
- St. Patrick's, Moravia — 51 Grove Street
- Our Lady of the Lake, King Ferry — 8695 NY State Route 90
St. Michael's Church, Union Springs
St. Michael's Catholic Church at 162 Cayuga Street has been a cornerstone of the Union Springs community, offering a place of worship and fellowship for generations. As part of the Good Shepherd Catholic Community, it continues to serve the faithful with regular Mass and spiritual guidance. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 4:00 PM and Thursday Mass at 4:00 PM. The church also hosts First Saturday confessions from 4:00–4:45 PM.
- Patron: St. Michael the Archangel (Feast Day September 29)
- Address: 162 Cayuga St., Union Springs, NY 13160
- Sunday Mass: 4:00 PM
- Thursday Mass: 4:00 PM
- Confession: First Saturday, 4:00–4:45 PM
Our Parish Team
Good Shepherd Catholic Community is currently led by Father Joseph Maurici, who introduced himself to parishioners upon his arrival, noting he grew up outside Rochester, studied English at Mercyhurst University, entered seminary in 2014, and was ordained June 5, 2021 by the Diocese of Rochester after studies at St. John's Seminary in Boston. He previously served as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary's in Auburn, SS. Mary and Martha in Auburn, Our Lady of the Snow in Weedsport, and St. Louis in Pittsford. Father William A. Moorby, who served as pastor for twelve years, retired in June 2025 and remains active as a senior priest. Father Brendan Buckley assists on Sundays as a celebrant. Deacon Dennis Donahue coordinates the Bl. Solanus Casey Doorway Ministry.
- Pastor: Rev. Joseph Maurici
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. William A. Moorby (2014–2025)
- Sunday Celebrant: Rev. Brendan Buckley
- Deacon: Dennis Donahue (Doorway Ministry coordinator)
- Parish Office Administrator: Robin Driskel (retiring; succeeded by Julie Orman)
Office Staff and Parish Contacts
The parish office is located at 299 Main Street, Aurora, NY 13026 and is open Monday–Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (and by appointment). Office staff and key parish contacts include the pastor and the parish administrator, with the regional Finance Office and Faith Formation Office supporting the multi-site community from nearby Auburn.
- Parish Office: 299 Main Street, Aurora — 315-364-7197
- Faith Formation Office: 299 Clark Street, Auburn, NY 13021 — 315-252-7593
- Director of Faith Formation: Jon Robson
- Regional Finance Office: 90 Melrose Road, Auburn — 315-252-7111
- Finance Director: Shawn Gillen-Caryl ([email protected])
- Pastoral Council Chair contacts (Paul Nelson, Jim Orman, Frank Sciortino, John Miller, Kelly Ford, Marcia Slocum, Tom Powers)
Sacraments
Good Shepherd Catholic Community celebrates all the usual sacraments across its sites. Couples are asked to contact the parish office at least six months before a wedding, and parents seeking baptism should call for an appointment. The parish also welcomes non-Catholics interested in learning about the Catholic faith through RCIA and brings Holy Communion to the homebound upon request.
- Baptism — by appointment through the Parish Office
- Marriage — six months' notice required
- Reconciliation — see scheduled times
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion for the Sick and Housebound — call the Parish Office
- RCIA — speak to any staff member or call the Parish Office
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation for Good Shepherd Catholic Community is coordinated by Director of Faith Formation Jon Robson from the Auburn office at 299 Clark Street, Auburn, NY 13021 (315-252-7593). The parish continues the legacy of former Faith Formation Director Marilyn Paradise through its annual Vacation Bible School (VBS), a week-long summer program with games, storytelling, skits, music, art, crafts, scripture, devotions, virtues, and saint stories. VBS True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World is scheduled for July 20–24, 9:00 AM–12:00 noon.
- Faith Formation Office: 299 Clark Street, Auburn, NY 13021 — 315-252-7593
- Director of Faith Formation: Jon Robson
- Vacation Bible School (VBS) — annual one-week summer program
Outreach and Charity
Good Shepherd Catholic Community runs several outreach ministries that put faith into action across Cayuga County. The Fish Bowl food drive on the First Sunday of each month supports local food pantries in Union Springs, Moravia, and the King Ferry Food Pantry (KFFP) at SCCS. The parish also operates the GSCC – King Ferry Food Pantry itself on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 9:00 AM to noon (and by appointment). The Bl. Solanus Casey Doorway Ministry, coordinated by Deacon Dennis Donahue, offers free confidential guidance, information, and referral for spiritual, emotional, and practical concerns.
- Fish Bowl Food Drive (First Sunday) — supplies Union Springs, Moravia, and KFFP
- GSCC – King Ferry Food Pantry — 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Bl. Solanus Casey Doorway Ministry — Deacon Dennis Donahue, 315-406-1538
- Social Ministry / Emergency Assistance — coordinated through the parish office
Pastoral Care and Fellowship
Beyond the sacraments and outreach, Good Shepherd Catholic Community fosters fellowship and pastoral care through a variety of ongoing gatherings. A Bereavement Group meets the third Wednesday of each month from 1:30–3:00 PM in Schrader Hall (beginning January 15, 2025) for sharing, video, and discussion on topics like forgiveness. Volunteer collection counters are also needed on Monday mornings once a month.
- Bereavement Group — 3rd Wednesday, 1:30–3:00 PM, Schrader Hall
- Contact: Bernie Tomasso — 315-246-3440 / [email protected]
- Collection Counters — Monday mornings, monthly
Lenten and Seasonal Devotions
During Lent, Stations of the Cross are prayed on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM. On First Fridays, the community gathers at Our Lady of the Lake in King Ferry for 9:00 AM Mass followed by Benediction. These devotions complement the regular Mass and confession schedule across the four worship sites.
- Stations of the Cross — Tuesdays 9:30 AM during Lent
- First Friday Mass & Benediction — Our Lady of the Lake, King Ferry
Joining the Parish
Good Shepherd Catholic Community welcomes new parishioners at any of its four worship sites. The parish asks every family to register, and registration forms are available at each worship site or by contacting the parish office. The community's welcome message is simple: 'No matter where you come from, who you are, or where you find yourself on life's journey, you are welcome here.'
- Register at any worship site or contact the Parish Office (315-364-7197)
- Update address or family changes by notifying the office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William A. Moorby2014–2025
Pastor of Good Shepherd Catholic Community for 12 years; ordained April 30, 1982; retired June 2025 to Newark Valley, NY, remaining active as a senior priest in the Diocese of Rochester.
- Rev. Joseph Maurici2025–present
Current pastor; ordained June 5, 2021 by the Diocese of Rochester; previously Parochial Vicar at St. Mary's Auburn, SS. Mary and Martha Auburn, Our Lady of the Snow Weedsport, and St. Louis Pittsford.