Lay Preachers since 1970

In the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY, the lay ministry of preaching began with college chaplains in the 1970s.  The practice of lay preaching continued until 2013.

Lay preachers often were asked by their pastor to preach on a regular rotation with priests and deacons.  On-going preaching institutes were well attended by lay and ordained preachers whose collaboration evolved as norms for lay preaching were developed and official authorizations for lay preachers were made.  Diocesan officials, in consultation with canon lawyers, developed lay preaching norms, in conformity with the writings of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Below is a partial list of lay preachers who were active in the Rochester diocese between 1970 and 2013.  Not on this list are all those who preached to children in front of the entire congregation, and who were, of course, heard also by adults. Several others not on this list preach regularly in jails and prisons.  And some preach at wedding and funeral Masses outside of the Diocese of Rochester. Lay preachers by parish/faith community.   Lay preachers by last name.

In the summer of 2001, a lay preacher was asked by a person in leadership in the Diocese to preach at all weekend Masses in a parish where the people complained that they could not understand the foreign born priest.  Several of our lay preachers earned at their own expense Masters of Divinity and Masters degrees in Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology and more from St. Bernard’s Seminary on Lake Avenue and other seminaries and graduate schools; many have advanced degrees from several schools.

Every attempt has been made to confirm each preacher, parish and date, but, mistakes happen.  We are sorry if we overlooked anyone.  If you have an addition or a correction to make to this list, please seek confirmation from that preacher and pass the information to the contact link on our home page.