Respect Life, Marian events planned in Diocese of Rochester

October brings a special focus on respecting life as well as Marian devotion in the Catholic Church, and those priorities are being lived out in the Rochester Diocese through a variety of initiatives.

Here are events taking place across the diocese, based on information from parish bulletins. Check bulletins and websites for further details.

Oct. 4 — Life Chain, part of a nationwide effort to end abortion, will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. at Wisner Park, Elmira. Participants will wear face masks and social distance, silently praying. This event is sponsored by Chemung Valley 4 Life.

Oct. 4 — The young-adult group at Immaculate Conception Parish in Ithaca will gather for rosary recitation at 4 p.m., followed by a brief meeting to plan future activities.

Oct. 4-12 — A Novena for Life will take place at 7 p.m. each evening at St. James Church, Rochester.

Oct. 7 —Living Rosary events will take place at 7 p.m. at St. James Church, Waverly; and St. John the Evangelist Church, Spencerport; on the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Oct. 10 — The Public Square Rosary Rally — a national effort organized by America Needs Fatima and organized in conjunction with the annual remembrance of the Miracle of Fatima Oct. 13 — will take place at noon at the following locales: Ss. Peter & Paul Church, Elmira; the Newark Valley village gazebo; Church of the Epiphany, Sodus; St. Pius Tenth Church, Chili; Newark’s Central Park; St. Leo Church, Hilton; St. John the Evangelist Church, Spencerport; and the southwest corner of Latta and Long Pond roads in Greece; and at 1 p.m. at St. Boniface Church, Rochester.

Oct. 10 — St. John the Evangelist Parish, Greece, will celebrate the Filipino feast day of Our Lady of Manaoag beginning with an outdoor rosary procession at 10 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 a.m.

Oct. 11 — At St. Mary Church in Corning, the America Needs Fatima effort is being combined with the 54-day Novena for Our Nation Rosary Rally, beginning at 3 p.m. with silent eucharistic adoration followed by the rosary rally in the parking lot. Also that day, Rosary Coast to Coast — another national rosary initiative — will take place at 3:45 p.m. at the grotto of Holy Cross Church, Rochester/Charlotte; and at 4 p.m. at Hamlin Beach State Park, Area 1.

Oct. 24 — A monthly prayer vigil is being held from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. near the Planned Parenthood building at 114 University Ave., Rochester. Email lorraine@lovewillendabortion.com for details about ongoing prayer efforts to protest abortion at that facility as well as Greece Planned Parenthood, 2824 Ridge Road West, Greece, and the office of Dr. Morris Wortman, 2020 Clinton Ave. South, Rochester. For information regarding virtual advanced sidewalk training, email ellen@lovewillendabortion.com.

The 40 Days for Life fall campaign in Ithaca and Rochester, which began Sept. 23, will run through Nov. 1 as part of an international prayer effort to end abortion. It is taking place in this diocese with constant, peaceful prayer from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. by groups and individuals near Planned Parenthood facilities at 620 W. Seneca St. in Ithaca and 114 University Ave. in Rochester.

At Ithaca’s Immaculate Conception Church, communal rosary is being prayed before Masses on Monday, Thursdays and Saturdays in October, with prayer intentions of ending the coronavirus pandemic and bringing unity to our country.

At St. John Vianney Parish in Bath and Hammondsport, the rosary is being prayed throughout October prior to the start of all Masses.

All churches of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Livingston County will offer rosary recitation 30 minutes before Masses in October.

At St. Ann Church in Hornell, rosary recitation is held every Sunday at 3 p.m. for the conversion of people who believe in abortion.

At Parish of the Holy Family (St. Jude Church) in Gates, the rosary is being prayed at 4:15 p.m. on Saturdays.

At Church of the Nativity in Brockport, the Joy of Praying the Rosary group is planning to meet Oct. 5 and 19 at 2 p.m. All are welcome.

At St. Pius Tenth Parish in Chili, Rosary for Life is being offered online every Thursday during October at 6:30 p.m. Visit kofc17086.square.site and look for the link to the Rosary for Life.


At St. Louis Parish in Pittsford, a weekly rosary is held via Zoom on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

At St. Patrick Church in Mount Morris, a Monday-night prayer group including rosary recitation meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. In addition, a Holy Hour including the rosary is set for Oct. 15 from 2 to 3 p.m.