The Early Years
 The
Parish of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Irondequoit, New York (USA),
was officially created July 5, 1949, to serve the needs of the growing
number of Catholics in the city of Rochester's northeast area.
Under the
direction of our Reverend Bernard C. Newcomb, St. Cecilia's was founded
more than fifty years ago to serve the spiritual and social needs of our
neighbors on the southern shores of Lake Ontario.
 The
cornerstone for the church and school complex was laid on November 22,
1950 -- the feast of our patroness, St. Cecilia.
Shortly
thereafter a regular schedule of daily and Sunday Masses was
inaugurated.
The year 1951
witnessed such milestones as formal Lenten devotions, the preparation of
the premiere First Communion and First Confirmation classes, and the
exciting opening of St. Cecilia's school in September.
Our young,
vibrant faith community grew rapidly over the succeeding years resulting
in the appointment of the first assistant pastor and addition to the
school building in 1953.
The pattern
was set for the future. St. Cecilia's Parish would rise to each new
challenge with alacrity, aplomb and an alert sensitivity to the needs of
its members.
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The 1970s
 By 1972 the
buildings were in place (including the new rectory), the school was
flourishing and Father Newcomb gave strong direction to the parish.
The
Men’s Club and Ladies’ Guild were very active in assisting Father with
whatever projects he launched. The summer festival attracted people from
all over and raised thousands of dollars for the needs of the parish.
Bingo was a weekly event and also a valuable fund-raiser – and continues
to this date.
The
Home-School Association contributed to the needs of the school by
raising money through events and sales. Computer equipment, gym supplies
were some of the targeted needs.
Fund-raisers
included card parties, fashion shows, craft shows, casino nights and the
unforgettable – "Fantastic Journey"! In addition "fun" parties were held
such as Breakfast with Santa and the Easter Bunny Egg Hunt.
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St. Cecilia's School
 The first
graduation was in 1952 and the last one in 1992. Pictures of each class
are hung in the main corridor of the school building and are often
visited by former students walking "down memory lane."
The school
grew to over 700 students with two classes of every grade including a
kindergarten and Pre-school. It was staffed by Sisters of Mercy and lay
teachers. Enrollment declined in the 1980s and continued to do so in the
'90s.
By that time
all schools were part of a Diocesan re-organization plan. The Junior
High classes moved to Northeastern Catholic Junior High in 1990. All
grades closed in 1992. Children transferred to neighboring Catholic
schools.
In the
meantime, St. Cecilia's Religious Education Program expanded. It changed
from a program run by a volunteer to one directed by a full-time
professionally trained coordinator. Classes formally held after school
on a "release time" basis are now held on Monday evenings and/or Sunday
mornings.
Preparation
for First Communion, First Penance and Confirmation continue to be held
as parish-based programs. (For more information about St. Cecilia's
faith-based programs,
click here.)
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Father Cushing's
Pastorate
 Father
Walter Cushing was appointed pastor in 1979 and continued in that
position until June of 2000. Father had previously served as chaplain at
St. Agnes High School.
During Father
Cushing's administration the work of the Parish Pastoral Council and its
Committees grew in importance in the life of the parish. The Council
meets monthly from September to June. The five standing committees are:
-
Liturgy;
-
Christian
Formation;
-
Parish
Outreach;
-
Parish
Life; and
-
Social
Ministry.
In addition
there is a Finance Council which shares information about the fiscal
life of the parish with the Council. A high school student represents
the Youth of the parish. (For more information about the Parish Council,
click here.)
Over the
years the number of Assistant Priests was reduced from two to one. To
provide for the necessary pastoral needs of the growing parish, Sister
Marie Therese, SSND was hired as the first Pastoral Associate. She
served the parish from 1985 to 2000.
The staff
grew to include the Religious Education Coordinator and Administrator,
the Coordinator of Parish Life, a part-time Youth Minister, Parish Music
Director, part-time Office Manager and a maintenance staff.
 Father
Newcomb continued to reside at the rectory after his retirement in 1979.
He also continued to preside at the Masses and visit the sick at home
and in the hospitals. Parishioners were delighted to chat with him when
they dropped by the rectory.
In the early
1990’s his health began to fail. Everyone was saddened by his death on
December 5, 1993 at the age of 84.
St. Cecilia’s
participates in the diocesan planning process called the
Pastoral Planning for
the New Millennium. Our neighboring parishes – Christ the
King, St. Margaret Mary, St. Salome, St. Thomas the Apostle and the
Faith Community of St. Ann’s join us as the Irondequoit Planning Group.
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Father McKenna Comes
Aboard
In June of
2000, the parish welcomed Father Kevin McKenna as our new pastor. Father
continued to serve as Chancellor of the diocese on a part-time basis
until June of 2001.
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For an
Interactive Timeline version of St. Cecilia's history,
select here.
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