About State University at Brockport · Brockport, New York
The Newman Oratory of SUNY Brockport was the official Catholic campus ministry serving students at the State University of New York at Brockport in Brockport, New York, located in the Diocese of Rochester. Originally housed at 101 Kenyon Street across from Copper Hall on campus, the oratory offered weekly Sunday Mass, faith discussions, retreats, and a Newman Club for students. The Newman Oratory was officially closed on December 9, 2018, when its building was sold; Catholic Campus Ministry for SUNY Brockport students has since been absorbed as an outreach of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Main Street in Brockport, where it continues to operate under the name Catholic Newman Community of SUNY Brockport.
- Rector
- Father Joseph Marcoux (Pastor of Nativity of the BVM, which now hosts the ministry)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
The Catholic Newman Community at SUNY Brockport exists to help college students continue and grow their Catholic faith while earning their degree. Students can join a student-led Newman Club that meets monthly for faith discussion, food, fellowship, and service/social activities; attend a special 8:00 PM Newman Mass held on campus during the semester; take part in Newman Adoration evenings at Nativity of the BVM Church; and apply for the annual College Campus Scholarship. The ministry is open to all — Catholic or not — and welcomes friends, reflecting the parish's wider welcome to SUNY Brockport students, the local Brockport community, and Spanish-speaking neighbors in the region.
Mass times at State University at Brockport
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM at Nativity of the BVM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Newman Adoration at Nativity of the BVM Church at 6:00 PM (scheduled evenings, e.g. November 21, 2025)
History of the Newman Oratory at SUNY Brockport
For many years the Newman Oratory served SUNY Brockport students as the official Catholic worship and community site in the Diocese of Rochester. Its mission, as published by the ministry, was to promote and encourage the spiritual growth of all members of the college through prayer, study, and service; nurture a community that respects diversity; support interfaith ministry on campus; and encourage generous service to those in need. By late 2018 the Diocese of Rochester decided to consolidate campus ministry with the nearby parish, and on Sunday, December 9, 2018, the oratory held a closing Mass at 11:30 AM. As of December 10, 2018 all liturgies and campus ministry moved to the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Main Street.
- Newman House/Oratory address: 101 Kenyon Street, across from Copper Hall, SUNY Brockport
- Closing Mass: Sunday, December 9, 2018, 11:30 AM
- Current location of ministry: Nativity of the BVM, 152 Main Street, Brockport, NY 14420
- Listed in GCatholic's directory as 'Newman Oratory of SUNY Brockport,' Brockport, New York, USA
Catholic Newman Community at SUNY Brockport (Current Ministry)
After the closure of the standalone oratory, the Catholic Newman Community at SUNY Brockport continues as an outreach of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The community is open to SUNY Brockport students as well as Brockport-area young adults attending local colleges. Although it is a Catholic ministry, attendees do not have to be Catholic to take part — friends are explicitly welcomed. The community gathers monthly for faith-sharing, fellowship food, and service/social activities chosen by the group.
- Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM (e.g. October 28, November 11, November 25, December 9, 2025)
- Hosted and supported by the Diocese of Rochester's campus ministry office
- Operates under the parish umbrella of Nativity of the BVM
Newman Club (Student Leadership)
The Newman Club is the student-led arm of the ministry, with elected officers who coordinate faith discussions, social activities, and service events. Students lead the club with pastoral support from the parish.
- President: Evelyn Hejaily ([email protected])
- Vice President: Sarah Enebuse ([email protected])
- Faculty/staff contact: Mary Ann Geonie, Newman Scholarship Chair ([email protected])
Clergy, Coordinators, and Staff
The ministry is served by clergy of the Diocese of Rochester and the host parish of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Brockport.
- Father Joseph Marcoux — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Vince Franco — Coordinator of Campus Ministry ([email protected])
- Deacon Paul Virgilio — Deacon at Nativity of the BVM
Mass and Sacramental Schedule
Because the oratory itself is closed, the sacramental life of the Catholic Newman Community at SUNY Brockport is now celebrated through the host parish, the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In addition, special 'Newman Masses' are scheduled on the SUNY Brockport campus during the academic year.
- Newman Mass on SUNY Brockport campus: Sundays at 8:00 PM (scheduled dates e.g. November 2 and November 9, 2025)
- Sunday Mass at Nativity of the BVM: 11:00 AM (English)
- Sunday Mass at Nativity of the BVM: 1:30 PM (Spanish / Español)
- Saturday Vigil at Nativity of the BVM: 5:00 PM
- Daily Mass at Nativity of the BVM: Monday & Friday at 8:00 AM; Holy Days — consult bulletin
- Confession at Nativity of the BVM: Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM, or by appointment
College Campus Scholarship
A College Campus Scholarship is awarded through the Catholic Newman Community at SUNY Brockport. Donations to the scholarship fund are accepted online; donors select 'Other' as the gift designation and type 'Newman Scholarship' in the description box.
- Administered via Nativity of the BVM parish and SUNY Brockport
- Online giving through givesmart.com (search SUNY Brockport)
- Information released in the fall for the following academic year
Parent Parish: Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Founded in 1848 — twenty years before the Diocese of Rochester itself was established — the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the host parish for the Catholic Newman Community at SUNY Brockport. Located at 152 Main Street, Brockport, NY 14420 (phone 585-637-4500), it serves an English- and Spanish-speaking community and has welcomed SUNY Brockport students for generations, especially since the sale of the Newman Oratory building. It celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2023 and runs a Spanish Mass each Sunday at 1:30 PM as part of a Hispanic ministry that began in the 1970s.
- Founded 1848; first church completed 1855 at Erie and Utica streets
- Current church constructed in the early 20th century; parish school closed in 2003
- Weekly schedule includes vigil, Sunday, Spanish, and weekday Masses; confessions Saturday afternoon
- Hosts all Newman Community activities, including Adoration and the monthly Newman Club meetings