About St. Monica · Rochester, New York
St. Monica Church is a vibrant Roman Catholic parish in the heart of Rochester, NY's 19th Ward, sharing its campus and ministry with Emmanuel Church of the Deaf under the pastoral care of Father Raymond Fleming. Founded in 1898 to serve Irish Catholic families in southwest Rochester and now marking the centennial of its current Genesee Street church building, St. Monica describes itself as a Resurrection people that 'dares to live the life of Jesus Christ, transforming discouragement into hope, fear into love, isolation into community.' The parish offers weekend and weekday Masses, a children's Liturgy of the Word at Sunday Mass, family faith formation, multiple choirs (including Gospel Choir and Community Voices), youth ministry, VBS, outreach, and a live-streamed Mass. St. Monica is also a diocesan hub for sacramental and sacramental-preparation programs, and its church is equipped with a T-Loop for those with hearing devices.
- Established
- 1898
- Patron
- St. Monica
- Rector
- Rev. Raymond (Ray) Fleming
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
St. Monica welcomes everyone into a diverse, Resurrection-rooted Catholic community in Rochester's 19th Ward, where heritage and a strong deaf and Black Catholic presence shape daily life. Parishioners can pray with a live-streamed Sunday Mass, worship alongside the Gospel Choir and Community Voices Choir, drop children into the Children's Liturgy of the Word and Family Faith Formation at the 10:15 AM Mass, serve through ministries for all ages, and join the parish's mission to transform discouragement into hope, fear into love, and isolation into community.
Mass times at St. Monica
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Reconciliation offered throughout the year — please check the bulletin or call 585-235-1812 to schedule an appointment
Welcome & Identity
St. Monica describes itself as 'a vibrant and welcoming parish in the heart of the 19th Ward in Rochester, NY,' and in 2025 the parish is celebrating the centennial of the current church building at Genesee and Monica Streets. Its vision is to be 'a Resurrection people, rooted in our rich Catholic heritage,' growing in the Spirit and answering the call to live out our Baptismal vocation in daily life. Its mission is to 'dare to live the life of Jesus Christ, transforming discouragement into hope, fear into love, isolation into community.' The parish insists 'All are welcome, especially you,' and the church is equipped with a T-Loop for those with hearing devices.
- Vision: a Resurrection people, rooted in Catholic heritage, growing in the Spirit
- Mission: dare to live the life of Jesus Christ — transforming discouragement into hope, fear into love, isolation into community
- 100th building anniversary, 2025
- T-Loop installed for hearing devices
A Message from Father Ray
Father Raymond Fleming extends a personal invitation on behalf of the parish: 'As pastor of this beautiful faith community, I personally extend an invitation to you on behalf of the entire parish. Join us as we continue to grow as a community rooted in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.' He welcomes newcomers into a place to belong and into the mutual discernment of gifts and ministries. His pastoral charge today includes St. Monica Church, Emmanuel Church of the Deaf, and the Immaculate Conception / St. Bridget's Cluster.
- Pastor: Fr. Raymond 'Ray' Fleming
- Welcomes new parishioners and returning Catholics
- Cluster: Immaculate Conception / St. Bridget's
Parish History
St. Monica was founded in 1898 when Bishop Bernard McQuaid split a portion of Immaculate Conception (with part of Ss. Peter and Paul) off into a new southwest Rochester parish. Father John P. Brophy, just 30 years old, opened the parish in June 1898; the Sisters of St. Joseph staffed the school from the start, and the present Italianate church at Genesee and Monica Streets was designed by John T. Comes, built 1913–1915, and enriched over the next decade with stencils, paintings of the saints, statuary, and paintings. The 1930s saw a recreation center (with gym, auditorium, and kitchen) added under Brophy, who died in 1939; a new school opened in 1949 designed in part by African American architect Thomas Boyde. By the 1950s the parish drew roughly 5,000 people at Sunday Mass. After Vatican II the communion rail was removed and Mass was celebrated in the vernacular; in 1992 the parish formed the FIRST Cluster (later RCC19) with St. Augustine and Our Lady of Good Counsel, and later absorbed those parishes as well as Emmanuel Church of the Deaf. The parish marked its centennial in 1998 with Bishop Matthew Clark presiding.
- Founded 1898 by Bishop Bernard McQuaid
- First pastor: Father (later Monsignor) John P. Brophy (1898–1939)
- Current church built 1913–1915; Italianate, designed by John T. Comes
- New school 1949, designed in part by Thomas Boyde
- St. Monica School: 1898–2008
- Centennial Mass 1998 led by Bishop Matthew Clark
- Joined RCC19 cluster in 1992
Sacraments
St. Monica prepares parishioners for and administers the Catholic sacraments through specific parish contacts. Reconciliation is offered throughout the year; Anointing of the Sick is coordinated by Mary Ellen Fischer; Sacramental Preparation for First Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation is run through Jessica Tette and the parish's Youth Faith Formation program; and Baptisms and Marriages are scheduled directly with Father Ray.
- Anointing of the Sick — contact Mary Ellen Fischer, 585-235-3340 ext. 119
- Reconciliation — check bulletin or call 585-235-1812
- First Eucharist, Reconciliation & Confirmation prep — Jessica Tette, 585-235-3340 ext. 124
- Baptism & Marriage — Father Ray Fleming, 585-235-1812, [email protected]
Faith Formation & Youth
Faith formation at St. Monica spans early childhood through high school. The parish runs a Youth Faith Formation program plus sacramental preparation for First Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation, a youth group, and an annual Vacation Bible School (the 2026 VBS is titled 'Light of the World'). The 10:15 AM Sunday Mass includes Children's Liturgy of the Word in the Chapel and Family Faith Formation after Mass in the Rectory.
- Youth Faith Formation (ages 4–18)
- Sacramental Preparation (First Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation)
- Youth Group
- Vacation Bible School — 2026 'Light of the World'
- Children's Liturgy of the Word during 10:15 AM Sunday Mass
- Family Faith Formation after the 10:15 AM Sunday Mass
Music & Liturgy
Weekend Masses at St. Monica feature a variety of musical worship styles, led by the parish's choirs and musicians. The parish directory lists Angela Nkugwa as Music Director, and the choirs include the Gospel Choir and Community Voices Choir, both of which minister to the community through music.
- Music Director: Angela Nkugwa
- Gospel Choir
- Community Voices Choir
- Variety of weekend musical styles
Ministries & Getting Involved
'At St. Monica, there are many opportunities for everyone to serve.' The parish frames its ministries under the scriptural refrain 'We are many parts, but we are all one body in Christ,' offering pathways for worship, formation, service, and stewardship.
- Liturgical and Music Ministry
- Pastoral Ministry
- Youth Faith Formation and VBS
- Outreach and community service
- Bulletin and communications
- Stewardship / Giving (Text-2-Give, online giving)
- Black Catholics / Black Lives Matter resources
Outreach
St. Monica maintains an outreach program that channels parish support to those in need, including a community-help hub and special collections such as adoptions and missionary 'seals' historically organized through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. The parish has long partnered with neighborhood ministries — its old convent is now Sojourner House, which serves single mothers and children in transition.
- Community Outreach / Resources
- Historical link to Society for the Propagation of the Faith
- Former convent now Sojourner House (single mothers in transition)
- Black Lives Matter resources and Black Catholics ministries
Emmanuel Church of the Deaf
Emmanuel Church of the Deaf shares St. Monica's campus and pastoral leadership. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:30 AM in ASL with English voice interpretation, and Mass is live-streamed weekly on YouTube in American Sign Language with English voicing. Father Raymond Fleming, himself a Deaf priest, has pastored Emmanuel since 1985 and guided its relocation to Rochester's west side in 1992.
- Sunday Mass: 11:30 AM, ASL with English voice interpretation
- Live-streamed on YouTube in ASL with English voicing
- Office line: 585-235-1812
- Pastor: Rev. Raymond Fleming (pastor of Emmanuel since 1985)
Parish Staff & Directory
St. Monica's directory lists a pastor, three deacons, and a lay staff that together keep the parish running day to day.
- Pastor: Rev. Raymond Fleming
- Deacon Patrick Graybill
- Deacon Brian McNulty
- Deacon Matthew (Matt) Dudek
- Director of Finance and Administration: Emanuel Colon
- Pastoral Minister: Mary Ellen Fischer
- Youth Faith Formation / Sacramental Prep / Bulletin Editor: Jessica Tette
- Music Director: Angela Nkugwa
- Regional Business Manager: Jeanne Englebrecht
- Parish Secretary: Tracy Jordan
- Maintenance: Kevin David
Giving & Stewardship
The parish supports itself through Text-2-Give and secure online giving, framed as a stewardship response to God's gifts. Visitors and parishioners can also register through the parish office to become registered members.
- Text-2-Give
- Secure online giving
- Parish registration via the rectory office
Visit, Register & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly encouraged to register as members of the parish, schedule Mass intentions (weekend and weekday), and call the rectory for general inquiries. The parish office is open at 34 Monica Street, with the church building located at 831 Genesee Street.
- Parish Office: 34 Monica St., Rochester, NY 14619
- Parish Secretary: Tracy Jordan, [email protected]
- Phone: 585-235-3340; Fax: 585-235-8315
- Church: 831 Genesee Street, Rochester, NY 14611
- Emmanuel Church of the Deaf office: 585-235-1812
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor John P. Brophy1898–1939
Founded the parish at age 30 at Bishop McQuaid's direction; oversaw the school, the 1913–1915 Italianate church, the 1935 recreation center, and a 1939 redecoration. Died 1939.
- Rev. William Bergan1939–1948
Succeeded Brophy; oversaw the new school that opened in 1949.
- Monsignor Gerald Lambert1948–1970
Previously directed Catholic Charities for the diocese; co-founded Camp Stella Maris at Conesus Lake.
- Father Edward A. Zimmer1970–
Succeeded Lambert after Vatican II changes had been introduced at the parish.
- Father Bob Werth
Directed the 1992 formation of the FIRST Cluster with St. Augustine and Our Lady of Good Counsel, later renamed RCC19.
- Rev. Raymond Fleming2005–present
Deaf priest, longtime pastor of Emmanuel Church of the Deaf; appointed pastor of St. Monica (and clustered parishes) while continuing to pastor Emmanuel. Currently pastors St. Monica / Emmanuel Church of the Deaf under the Monroe County Cluster (Immaculate Conception / St. Bridget's).