About Sts. Joachim & Anne (St. Joseph) · Varysburg, New York
Saints Joachim and Anne Parish is a Roman Catholic community of the Diocese of Buffalo that serves worshippers at two historic sites in rural Wyoming County, New York: St. Joseph Church in Varysburg and St. Vincent Church in Attica. The parish was canonically established in 2008 through a merger, and is currently grouped into the diocesan "Fields of Grace Family of Parishes" alongside St. John Neumann (Strykersville/Sheldon) and St. Michael (Warsaw). Weekday and Sunday Masses are offered at both worship sites in English, with weekly opportunities for Reconciliation, First Friday Adoration, and a vibrant lay ministry of greeters, lectors, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, and choir.
- Established
- 2008
- Patron
- Sts. Joachim and Anne (with worship sites dedicated to St. Joseph in Varysburg and St. Vincent de Paul in Attica)
- Rector
- Rev. George Devanapalle (parochial vicar of the Fields of Grace Family of Parishes since September 1, 2023; pastor/administrator of Ss. Joachim & Anne since 2014)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
Ss. Joachim & Anne is a small, close-knit country parish where laypeople are visibly essential to every Mass — the parish website specifically invites parishioners to become greeters, altar servers, lectors, choir members, Eucharistic ministers, or ushers. The two worship sites in Varysburg and Attica keep the liturgies intimate and family-friendly, while the broader Fields of Grace Family of Parishes opens up regional fellowship, online giving, and a packed calendar of devotions including First Friday Adoration, the Altar & Rosary Society, Knights of Columbus events, and a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Joining this parish means joining generations of Wyoming County Catholic families in a community that takes seriously its call to "help grow the church, reach out to those in need, and deepen your own faith."
Mass times at Sts. Joachim & Anne (St. Joseph)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:30 AM in Varysburg (before 9:00 AM Mass)
- Sunday 7:30 AM in Attica (before 8:00 AM Mass)
- After Friday Mass at the Attica site on First Fridays
Adoration times
- First Fridays after the 8:30 AM Mass at St. Vincent Church, Attica
About Ss. Joachim & Anne Parish
Saints Joachim and Anne Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Buffalo serving worshippers at two Wyoming County sites: St. Joseph Church in the hamlet of Varysburg and St. Vincent Church in the village of Attica. The parish website describes it as 'a community where people come together to hear the Word of the Lord, pray for the world's needs, break bread together in Communion, and go forth in the Spirit as disciples of the Gospel.' All are welcome at its liturgies.
- Two worship sites: St. Joseph (Varysburg) and St. Vincent (Attica)
- Diocese of Buffalo
- Part of the Fields of Grace Family of Parishes
- Marian devotion to Mary, Undoer of Knots featured on homepage
History & Establishment
The parish was canonically established in 2008 through the merger of the existing worship communities of St. Joseph in Varysburg and St. Vincent de Paul in Attica. The Diocese of Buffalo's Official Catholic Directory records the founding date as 2008 and notes the merger with St. John Neumann of Sheldon. Since 2014 the parish has been shepherded by Rev. George Devanapalle, who was first administrator and then pastor, and who in September 2023 was incorporated into Family #13 of the diocese's Road to Renewal initiative.
- Founded 2008
- Merger of Varysburg and Attica worship communities
- Rev. George Devanapalle, pastor since 2014
- Incorporated into Fields of Grace Family in 2023
Pastor & Clergy
The parish is currently served by Rev. George Devanapalle, who has been associated with Ss. Joachim & Anne since 2014. Under the Diocese of Buffalo's 2023 Family of Parishes restructuring, Father Devanapalle was named parochial vicar of Family #13, which includes Ss. Joachim & Anne, St. John the Baptist (Alden), St. Maximilian Kolbe (Corfu/East Pembroke), St. John Neumann (Strykersville/Sheldon), and Immaculate Heart of Mary (Darien Center/Bennington Center).
- Rev. George Devanapalle, Pastor/Parochial Vicar
Lay Ministries & Service
The parish website highlights that 'our lay ministers are an essential part of our church' and invites parishioners to share their 'passion, skills, and experiences to help grow the church, reach out to those in need, and deepen your own faith.' Liturgical roles include greeter, altar server, lector, music minister, Eucharistic minister, and usher. The parish also benefits from an active Music Ministry directed by Jeff Fischer and a Religious Education program coordinated by Maureen Gardner and Marlene Lamparelli.
- Greeters
- Altar Servers
- Lectors
- Music Ministry (Jeff Fischer, Director)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers
- Religious Education (Maureen Gardner & Marlene Lamparelli)
Parish Societies & Outreach
Beyond liturgy, the parish community gathers around several long-standing societies and outreach efforts. The Altar & Rosary Society meets in Varysburg, the Knights of Columbus council holds regular meetings and hosts community events (including a chicken BBQ), and the St. Vincent de Paul Society operates a food pantry. These groups are visible on the Fields of Grace community calendar throughout the year.
- Altar & Rosary Society
- Knights of Columbus
- St. Vincent de Paul Society food pantry
- Online giving through the Fields of Grace portal
Fields of Grace Family of Parishes
Ss. Joachim & Anne is one of five parishes grouped into the Diocese of Buffalo's 'Fields of Grace' Family #13. The Fields of Grace Family of Parishes describes itself as 'two parishes with five worship sites, woven with love, compassion, and a shared commitment to grow in Christ.' The family unifies Ss. Joachim & Anne (Attica/Varysburg), St. John Neumann (Strykersville/Sheldon), St. Michael (Warsaw/Pavilion), St. John the Baptist (Alden), St. Maximilian Kolbe (Corfu/East Pembroke), and Immaculate Heart of Mary (Darien Center/Bennington Center) for shared faith formation, sacramental prep, youth ministry, and outreach.
- Family #13 of the Diocese of Buffalo
- Five worship sites coordinated across Wyoming and Genesee counties
- Shared Director of Discipleship position being recruited
- Joint calendar of devotions, fellowship, and charity
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Information about sacramental preparation is coordinated through the parish office at [email protected]. Reconciliation is offered weekly before Sunday Masses and on First Fridays, and Anointing of the Sick is offered at designated Masses during the year.
- Baptism
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to register as members, sign up for online giving, and join the many ministries listed on the parish website. The parish office can be reached by phone at (585) 591-1228 or by email at [email protected]. Mass times, news, and registration are available online at ssjoachimanne.org and through the Fields of Grace Family hub at fieldsofgrace.family.
- Phone: (585) 591-1228
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: ssjoachimanne.org
- Family hub: fieldsofgrace.family
- Mailing Address: 50 East Ave., Attica, NY 14011-1146
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George Devanapalle2014–present
Served as administrator and pastor of Ss. Joachim & Anne beginning in 2014; in September 2023 he was appointed parochial vicar of Family #13 (Fields of Grace Family of Parishes) under the Diocese of Buffalo's Road to Renewal restructuring.