The history of Pax Christi...

The history of Pax Christi is not long, as parishes go, but since 1973, the Pax Christi family has grown both in spirit and in size. We began in June 1973, by decree of Bishop Watters. Father James McCauley was sent to be the pastor developer, and was assigned the daunting task of establishing a new parish, to be called Pax Christi - the Peace of Christ.

The first two years of Pax Christi’s history were spent in planning, fund raising, construction, and bringing to reality the vision of a new parish. While the parish awaited its first church building, Father McCauley celebrated Mass at Skate Country, an indoor roller rink; a beginning that’s captured in one of our stained glass windows. On special feast days and Saturday evenings during the final six months of construction, we worshipped at Assisi Heights, and held weddings and prayer services in the Madonna Towers chapel.

Ground was broken in July 1974, just a year after the parish started. The rectory was completed by Christmas 1974 and in July 1975, Pax Christi Church was dedicated.

As the parish continued to grow rapidly from its original 250 families, so did the parish’s need for more classrooms and meeting space. Thus, in 1979, the Queen of Peace Hall was built and dedicated.

Throughout the first few years of Pax Christi’s history, the parish experienced explosive membership growth and, already in 1981, the parish reached its facility design capacity of 750 families. During that same year, Father McCauley, our first pastor, was called to Byron and Father Syl Brown became our second pastor.

The explosive membership growth continued, so that Pax Christi numbered 1,000 families in 1984. In the late 1980’s, growth in our northwest section of Rochester accounted for 40% of the growth in the entire city. By then the trend was becoming very clear; the parish simply needed more space. To that end, the Spiritual Center addition to the rectory was completed in 1988, giving us a chapel and much needed office, meeting, and work space.

Membership Information

In 1989, Father Brown was assigned to Immaculate Conception in St. Clair, Minnesota, and Father Vern Trocinski became Pax Christi’s third pastor. Father ‘T’ served Pax Christi for 11 years. Father Edward McGrath was Pax Christi's fourth pastor. The fifth and current pastor Fr. Joseph Keefe, began serving at Pax Christi in 2003.

Pax Christi has also been blessed with Parochial Vicars over the years who have added much to our spiritual growth as they served alongside the pastors. Fr. John Ozbun was at Pax from 1984-1986, Fr. Mark McNea from 1989-1992, Fr. Russell Scepaniak from 1992-1995, Fr. Tom Loomis from 1995-1997, Fr. James Callahan from 1997-1998, Fr. Kurt Farrell from 1998-2000, and Fr. Patrick Arens from 2000-2002. Fr. Caeser Dralega is our current Parochial Vicar.

Because the parish continued to face an acute shortage of space, the Activity Center addition to the church was constructed in 1993, giving Pax Christi a versatile building for faith formation classes as well as parish meetings and activities of all kinds.

In 1997, a capital campaign was launched to expand and enhance Pax Christi’s gathering and worship spaces. The renovation was completed and offers a beautiful environment in which to express our faith.

In April of 2005, Pax Christi began perpetual adoration in their small chapel. This ministry has provided a wonderful opportunity for individuals to reflect and pray while in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The chapel is open 24 hours a day from Sunday at noon through Friday at midnight.

Faith Enrichment Information

Also in the Spring of 2005, the new rectory was complete. After assessing the upgrade needs of the former rectory, it was determined that a new recotry would be a more logical solution, and at the same time, provide the necessary office space for a growing staff. The former rectory was converted to office space, staff kitchen, and a recreation area for Jr/Sr High Youth, as well as the gathering space for Youth Ministry, now known as the ROCK.

Pax Christi offers a variety of services and opportunities to parishioners. Everyone is heartily encouraged to participate, become enriched in faith, and reach out to those in need.

Pax Ministry Brochure (PDF)

Sunday Eucharistic Liturgy has always been the central event at Pax Christi. During Mass we gather around God’s Word to hear of God’s love for us in Christ. We gather around God’s meal and receive that love directly by Christ’s gift of himself in the Eucharist. Worshippers can take part in the liturgy through song and prayer, or by serving as Lectors, Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Music Ministers, or Ushers.

Mass and Event Schedules
Ministry Schedules
Choir/Music Information

Sacraments offered are Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick.

Sacrament Links

For those who wish to guide the parish, positions of leadership are found on our Finance Council, Parish Council, and on a variety of related committees, including the Facilities, Liturgy, Adult Enrichment, RCIA, Social Concerns, and Religious Education committees. For those interested in leadership in the broader expressions of the Catholic Church, opportunities are available on Diocesan committees and on local Catholic school boards.

Pastoral Council Information

Faith formation efforts start at the very beginning of life! First time expectant parents participate in our Pre-Jordan Baptism class before their baby is even born, in order to learn the important basics of the faith and prepare for their child’s Baptism. This program gives parents the tools to shape their child’s faith early on in life.

Youth Ministry Information
Children's Ministry Information

For our youngsters we offer preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.

Growing In Faith Together G.I.F.T. is our parish-wide faith formation. Please see the separate link for further information. Liturgy of the Word for Children is offered during Saturday 5:15 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. masses. Pax Christi also offers Good Shepherd Pre-School on Wednesday mornings, and supplemental faith formation for all students.

G.I.F.T. Links

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, is the process of welcoming new members into the Roman Catholic faith community. RCIA is designed for those seeking Baptism, but can also be adapted for those baptized in other Christian traditions and seeking membership in the Catholic Church. The RCIA program is a flexible process that respects the faith development of each individual while expressing the ideals and vision of the Catholic community. Contact the parish office for additional information.

Other adult enrichment and education activities are offered all throughout the year and are open to every adult parishioner.

Couples seeking the Sacrament of Marriage participate in our pre-marriage preparation process, which includes private counseling, a pre-marital inventory, participation in marriage education programs, and preparation of the Marriage Liturgy itself.

Parishioners are invited to participate in a variety of fellowship and social activities, such as the Welcoming Ministry, the Men’s Club, Adult Singles Groups, and the Pax Christi Bible study groups. Parishioners are also invited to many social events during the year, including the monthly Pancake breakfasts, Donut Sunday, the Beer and Brat Feed, and other special events.

Taken altogether, the ministries and activities of Pax Christi Parish make this a vital, welcoming place for families and individuals, young and old alike.