Mission and History

Who we are...

St. Peter’s Parish is a faithful community in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY. We seek to love God and neighbor, first, through a reverent celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Then receiving the graces God has given us, we serve our families, our neighbors, and our wider community. The Most Holy Eucharist is the core of our identity, the Source and Summit of our Faith, and we invite all to worship with us! 

Our Parish shield also speaks to who we are as a Catholic Community. First, notice the upside down cross. It is a reference to the martyrdom of St. Peter. Tradition tells us that when St. Peter was facing his execution in Rome, knowing he was going to be crucified, he considered himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Our Lord. And so, he was crucified upside down, joining his blood with the many martyrs who died in profession of the Faith. 

Second, the golden keys refer to the words spoken by Christ to St. Peter in Matthew 16:19: “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” You may also see such keys in regards to the Sacrament of Confession. The reference is not only to the authority given to St. Peter, the other Apostles, and their successors to govern the Church with the authority of Christ, but also to the authority to absolve penitents from their sins. The Church’s ministers have the power, given by Christ, to “loosen” one from his sins and so be reconciled to God. 

Third, the blue color is a reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In art, she is often depicted with such a color and we are reminded of her royal queenship over heaven and earth. She is the Mother of God and our Mother as well. We turn to her, asking her to cover us in her mantle, and to lead us to her Divine Son.  

History of our churches

Coming soon...