St. Rose of Lima

About St. Rose of Lima Parish

St. Rose of Lima is a Eucharistic-centered Catholic parish in North Syracuse, NY, within the Diocese of Syracuse. Its mission is summarized on the parish website: 'the parish family of St. Rose of Lima, in North Syracuse, NY, are a community nourished by the Eucharist, informed by Sacred Scripture and Tradition, who love and serve the Lord.' Founded in 1926, the parish takes St. Rose of Lima as its heavenly intercessor and serves North Syracuse and the surrounding area.

Parish History

The parish was founded in 1926 under Rev. George Oley and grew to require a permanent church home. The current building on South Main Street broke ground in June 1949 and was completed in 1962. As of 2021 the parish was led by Rev. Christopher Celentano, who was appointed in 2019, continuing nearly a century of pastoral succession. The parish family is currently engaged in a capital campaign to restore and renovate its church for the next generation.

• 1926: Parish founded by Rev. George Oley
• June 1949: Groundbreaking on South Main Street church
• 1962: Current church completed
• 2019: Rev. Christopher Celentano appointed pastor

Our Patron, St. Rose of Lima

The parish takes its name and patronage from St. Rose of Lima, the Dominican tertiary and ascetic from colonial Peru who was the first person born in the Americas to be canonized. Her feast day is August 23. The parish highlights her as the community's heavenly intercessor, modeled on a life of prayer, penance, and charity.

Parish Staff & Clergy

Rev. Christopher Celentano, ordained in 2008 and appointed pastor of St. Rose in 2019, leads the parish with a team of lay staff and a deacon. Deacon Bill Wilson serves in a unique combined role as Business Administrator. The staff coordinates liturgical, faith formation, school, and maintenance operations.

• Rev. Christopher Celentano – Pastor
• Deacon Bill Wilson – Business Administrator
• Betsy Amico – Director of Discipleship
• Christin Sommers – Office Manager
• Joanne Mackowsky – Assistant to the Pastor
• Ryan Hamilton – Coordinator of Youth Ministries
• Michael Stephan – Music Director
• Susan Duerr – Accountant
• Nick DiFulia – Maintenance
• Joe Patriarco – Maintenance

Parish Life & Ministries

Beyond the sacraments, parishioners are invited into many ministries that strengthen individuals and families — from whole-family catechesis and adult formation, to liturgical roles like choir, lector, altar server, and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, to community groups such as the Frassatti Fellowship (young adults 18–39), the Men's Group, St. Monica Moms, and a Bereavement Group. Service ministries like Meal Makers, Hospitality Team, Martha Ministry (cleaning), and the Grounds Crew let members put their gifts to work.

• Choir (rehearsals Mondays 6 PM in the Choir Loft)
• Frassatti Fellowship – young adults, Wednesdays 7–8 PM
• Men's Group – Wednesdays 7–8:30 PM
• St. Monica Moms – 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 6–7:30 PM in the youth room
• Bereavement Group
• Respect Life Ministry
• Hospitality Team
• Meal Makers
• Martha Ministry
• Grounds Crew

Becoming Catholic (OCIA) & Sacraments

The parish welcomes new and returning Catholics through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) and offers a full range of sacramental preparation. Baptism, Marriage (with at least six months' notice, coordinated by Deacon Bill), First Communion (through whole-family catechesis), Confirmation, and Sponsor Certificates for currently registered parishioners are all available. Sacramental records (Baptismal and Marriage certificates) can also be requested through the parish office.

• OCIA inquiry form on website
• Baptism request form on website
• Marriage request form (6+ months in advance)
• Sponsor Certificate form for registered parishioners
• Sacramental Records request form

St. Rose School

St. Rose operates a parish school serving Pre-K 3 through Grade 6, with classrooms staffed by dedicated teachers and aides across subjects including general education, music, art, library/STEM, AIS, and gym. The school uses its own phone line, (315) 458-6036, and email, [email protected], and publishes per-class supply lists for the 2026–2027 school year.

• Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, Kindergarten Prep, K, Grades 1–6
• Specials: Music, Art, Library/STEM, AIS, Gym
• School phone: (315) 458-6036
• School email: [email protected]

Joining the Parish

St. Rose invites newcomers, returning Catholics, and those interested in learning about the Catholic Church to register online via the 'Join the Church' page. Resources are provided for those wishing to register as new parishioners, return to the practice of the faith, or inquire about becoming Catholic through OCIA.

• New parishioner registration
• Returning Catholics
• Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
• Contact [email protected] or (315) 458-0283

Contact & Visiting

The parish office is located at 407 S Main Street, North Syracuse, NY 13212, and is open Monday–Thursday from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM (closed 12:30–1:30 PM for lunch). The office is closed on Fridays. For safety and security, all external doors to the church automatically lock one minute after Mass begins, though worshippers may still exit during Mass.

• Phone: (315) 458-0283
• Email: [email protected]
• Office: Mon–Thu 9:30 AM–3:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:30–1:30)
• Office closed Fridays