About St. Pius the Tenth · Rochester, New York
St. Pius Tenth Church (commonly called St. Pius X) is a Roman Catholic parish in the Chili neighborhood of Rochester, New York, within the Diocese of Rochester. The parish traces its roots to 1854 as St. Fechan's Church and is led today by Parochial Administrator Rev. Paul Bonacci alongside Deacons James Briars and Johan Engström. St. Pius Tenth offers Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses (one interpreted in American Sign Language), weekday Masses, a monthly Healing Mass, Saturday confessions, First Friday adoration, a parish school, faith formation for youth and adults (including OCIA), and a broad social-ministry program serving the wider Rochester community. The parish's motto, 'Every day we reach to restore all things in Jesus Christ,' captures its blend of worship, formation, and outreach.
- Established
- 1854
- Patron
- Pope St. Pius X
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Bonacci (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
St. Pius Tenth is a welcoming Chili parish whose identity is built around three pillars: worship, lifelong faith formation, and hands-on service. Sunday Masses include a 9:30am liturgy with American Sign Language interpretation, a monthly Healing Mass is offered on the first Monday, and First Friday Eucharistic Adoration is available. A parish school, K-12 youth ministry (with Confirmation preparation beginning in 8th grade), and adult OCIA/Sacramental Preparation accompany a robust Social Ministry program — weekly food collections, Stephen Ministry, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, the August Flea Market, St. Joseph's Table, Christmas Food Baskets, and partnerships with Catholic Charities, the Margaret Home, St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center, Bethany House, and local homeless and hospice outreach — making it easy for newcomers to put faith into action.
Mass times at St. Pius the Tenth
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30–3:15pm
- or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: 8:00–8:30am (per Discover Mass)
History of St. Pius Tenth Parish
The Catholic community that became St. Pius Tenth was organized in 1854 as St. Fechan's Church, originally built next to what is now St. Pius X Cemetery on Chestnut Ridge Road in Chili. The parish's name was standardized to St. Feehan's Church in 1954. Three years later, in 1957, a new church was constructed at 3010 Chili Avenue and the parish was renamed St. Pius Tenth Church. The original wooden structure was dismantled and reassembled at the Genesee Country Museum, where it remains a tangible link to the parish's 19th-century origins. More than 170 years after its founding, the parish continues its mission of worship, formation, and outreach from its Chili Avenue home and is currently working on a church rebuilding effort.
- 1854 — parish organized as St. Fechan's Church
- 1954 — name changed to St. Feehan's Church
- 1957 — new church built at 3010 Chili Ave. and renamed St. Pius Tenth
- Original church reassembled at Genesee Country Museum
- Ongoing 'church rebuilding effort' overseen by Parish Finance Council
Mission, Vision, and Pastoral Identity
St. Pius Tenth states its identity plainly: 'We the members of St. Pius Tenth Parish are united by baptism into the Catholic Church. We fulfill our lives through Christian service to our diverse community. We promote a welcoming environment and encourage others to join us.' The parish's motto — 'Every day we reach to restore all things in Jesus Christ' — frames a vision built on seven commitments: worshiping God through prayer, sacraments, and Eucharistic celebration; compassionately meeting the spiritual and emotional needs of others; promoting the dignity of all human life; assisting the material needs of the less fortunate; encouraging and utilizing the individual talents of all ages; deepening our relationship with God through life-long faith formation; and fostering cooperative involvement with other Christian faith communities.
- Parish motto: 'Every day we reach to restore all things in Jesus Christ'
- Vision rooted in baptism, service, and welcoming
Parish Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently led by Rev. Paul Bonacci in the role of Parochial Administrator, working alongside two permanent deacons: Deacon James (Jim) Briars (Pastoral Associate) and Deacon Johan Engström (who coordinates adult sacramental preparation/OCIA). The lay staff supports faith formation, music, youth ministry, parish operations, finance, and maintenance.
- Rev. Paul Bonacci — Parochial Administrator
- Deacon James (Jim) Briars — Pastoral Associate
- Deacon Johan Engström — coordinates Adult Sacramental Preparation (OCIA)
- Christopher Frontale — Music Director
- John Falk — Director of Youth Ministry
- Marie Little — Director of Faith Formation
- Barb Legere — Finance Director
- Marita Midwick — Secretary
- Robert Schrader — Maintenance Supervisor
- Maria Cahill — St. Pius Tenth School Principal
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, organized on the website under Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick), and Sacraments of Vocation (Holy Orders, Matrimony). Adults who were not baptized, were baptized in another Christian tradition, or are Catholic but have not yet received Confirmation and Communion are invited to prepare through the parish's Sacramental Preparation for Adults process (formerly RCIA, now OCIA).
- Baptism
- Confirmation (including preparation beginning in 8th grade)
- Eucharist
- Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Matrimony
- Sacramental Preparation for Adults (OCIA)
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical ministries invite parishioners to participate directly in the celebration of the Mass and other prayer services. Training is provided for each ministry, and most are coordinated through Deacon Jim Briars.
- Eucharistic Ministry (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, incl. homebound/hospitalized)
- Music Ministry (traditional and contemporary; 90-min combined rehearsal Wednesdays at 6:30pm)
- Resurrection Choir (parish funerals; no long-term commitment)
- Hospitality Ministry (greeters, ushers, bulletins, emergencies)
- Lectors (training provided for confirmed parishioners)
- Altar Servers (3rd grade and up, after First Eucharist)
- Monthly Healing Mass music ensemble (1st Monday, contemporary repertoire)
- Monthly Holy Hour
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith formation at St. Pius Tenth spans childhood through adulthood. Marie Little serves as Director of Faith Formation, and John Falk serves as Director of Youth Ministry. Sunday Youth Group gathers weekly and welcomes young people in grades 6–12 in age-appropriate groups, integrating faith and life and providing preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation beginning in 8th grade. Sacramental preparation programs also cover Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Marriage. Adults seeking to become Catholic or to complete their Sacraments of Initiation are welcomed through the parish's OCIA process.
- Sunday Youth Group (grades 6–12)
- Confirmation preparation (begins 8th grade)
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation
- Marriage preparation
- Sacramental Preparation for Adults (OCIA) — contact Deacon Johan Engström
Social Ministry and Outreach
Charitable service is a defining mark of parish life at St. Pius Tenth. The Social Ministry Committee, chaired by Joan Nowak, coordinates a broad portfolio of local and diocesan outreach including weekly food collections for homeless shelters and community cupboards, the World Need Fund, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Stephen Ministry (trained parishioners walking with those experiencing distress or sadness), the National March for Life, Showers of Love each May for moms and infants in crisis, the Focus Pregnancy Center outreach, the Red Cross Blood Drive, Christmas Food Baskets, the Christmas Giving Tree, and clothing and winter coat drives. The parish also partners with Catholic Charities Community Services, the Migrant Worker community, St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center/House of Hospitality, Bethany House, local Hospice Homes, Saint's Place, and local homeless outreach programs.
- Weekly food collection for homeless shelters and community cupboards
- World Need Fund (weekly monetary donations for local/worldwide needs)
- Funeral and luncheon ministry
- Ministers of Holy Communion to the homebound and hospitalized
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Stephen Ministry
- Showers of Love (May) and support for The Margaret Home
- Focus Pregnancy Center outreach
- National March for Life and local prayer vigils
- Christmas Food Baskets and Giving Tree
- Red Cross Blood Drive
- Donations to Saint's Place, Catholic Charities, Bethany House, St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center, local hospice and homeless outreach
Parish Events and Annual Traditions
St. Pius Tenth maintains a rich calendar of annual events that bind the parish community together and support its mission. The August Flea Market is highlighted by the parish as 'one of the largest among Catholic churches in the diocese,' while St. Joseph's Table is an annual pre-Easter feast that brings parishioners together in thanksgiving. Other recurring events include Christmas Food Baskets, the Christmas Giving Tree, Showers of Love in May, Red Cross Blood Drives, and Sunday Youth Group gatherings.
- August Flea Market (largest in the diocese)
- St. Joseph's Table (annual pre-Easter feast)
- Showers of Love (May)
- Christmas Food Baskets and Giving Tree
- Red Cross Blood Drive
- Sunday Youth Group weekly meetings
Parish Governance: Parish Council and Finance Council
The Parish Council is chaired by Mike Dobbertin and works with the pastor and deacons to discern and direct the parish's mission. The Parish Finance Council establishes the annual budget, studies and approves capital improvements, oversees internal financial controls, manages the Catholic Ministries Appeal, and oversees financial resources for the current church rebuilding effort.
- Parish Council chair: Mike Dobbertin
- Council members: Fr. Paul Bonacci, Deacon James Briars, Jack Reifsteck, Steve Legere, Mike Lucas, Emily Yates, Amanda Varrone, Phil Levey, Claire Yates, Todd Esposito, Kyleigh Penner
- Parish Finance Council oversees budget, capital improvements, CMA, and rebuilding effort
Parish School
St. Pius Tenth School is an integral part of parish life, offering Catholic elementary education in the Chili area. The school is led by Principal Maria Cahill and partners with the parish in faith formation, sacramental preparation, and service initiatives such as clothing and winter coat drives.
- St. Pius Tenth School
- Principal: Maria Cahill
Getting Involved (Volunteer)
St. Pius Tenth makes it easy to get involved, whether through liturgical ministries, the Social Ministry Committee, sacramental preparation, funeral ministry, Stephen Ministry, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, youth ministry, or the annual August Flea Market. Volunteers are encouraged to reach out through the Parish Office at (585) 247-2566 or by emailing [email protected].
- Contact Parish Office: (585) 247-2566
- Email: [email protected]
- Liturgical, social, formation, and youth ministries all welcome new volunteers
Visit, Contact, and Office Hours
St. Pius Tenth Church is located at 3010 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY 14624, in the Chili area of southern Monroe County. The Parish Office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00am to 1:00pm and on Friday from 9:00am to 11:00am. The main parish phone is (585) 247-2566 (fax: 585-247-8848), and the parish email is [email protected].
- Address: 3010 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY 14624
- Phone: (585) 247-2566
- Fax: (585) 247-8848
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9am–1pm; Fri 9am–11am