Serving the St. Marianne Cope 

Parish Cluster and the Genesee Valley

Welcome to Our Lady of the Genesee Council 4812!  

We hope you and your family will have a warm and spirit-filled experience with us as we fellowship together at church functions, events, and ministries. 

Our Lady of the Genesee serves the Saint Marianne Cope parish cluster and surrounding community. The parish features the churches within Rush and Henrietta. We also take an active role throughout the Diocese of Rochester with volunteer activities, ministry support, and those members of our Council that participate in the Color Corps of the 4th Degree.

We hope you find our site useful and enlightening about us and what we do.

Many blessings to you.

REFUND SUPPORT VOCATIONS PROGRAM (RSVP) (FEATURED)

Knights of Columbus stand in solidarity with our priests and religious.

A Higher Purpose

Keep the faith alive by supporting our seminarians and postulants. As the strong right arm of the church, Knights of Columbus are committed to providing moral, financial and spiritual support to our future priests and religious at all stages of their formation. A featured program, RSVP counts for two credits toward the Columbian Award.

Overview

Knights of Columbus stand in solidarity with our priests and religious. Through this program, council and parish families will raise funds to support seminarians in their area. For every $500 given to an individual, the Supreme Council will refund the council or assembly $100. The maximum refund a council or assembly can receive is $400 per individual supported. Though financial support is vitally important, it is not the only aspect of the RSVP. Councils are also called to provide their “adopted” seminarian or religious aspirant with moral support and prayers for their success.

SPIRITUAL REFLECTION (REQUIRED)

Retreats are radically rejuvenating spiritual events.

A Higher Purpose

Create annual opportunities for prayer and reflection together as a fraternity. Under the guidance of their chaplain, councils can attend a retreat or day of reflection together or perhaps organize their own event for the men of their parish. Council participation in Spiritual Reflection is required to qualify for Columbian Award.

Overview

Many Catholic young people can attest that religious retreats are radically rejuvenating spiritual events that often leave a lasting impact on participants’ relationship to their faith. Yet, so often, retreats seem only to be open to students and youth. In conjunction with pastors, councils and jurisdictions can hold low-cost retreats of their own. These events might be open only to council members or men of the parish – or may be open to entire families. If councils are unable to organize these events themselves, they could go as a group and attend a retreat in their area to satisfy the requirement. Additionally, councils are strongly encouraged to consider visiting The Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C. as part of this program.

SACRAMENTAL GIFTS

The sacraments stand as the most significant events in the life of the domestic church.

A Higher Purpose

Support families during the most important events in the life of the domestic church: the sacraments. Councils will play an integral role in these momentous faith events and the lives of our families and parish community through prayer and the presentation of symbolic gifts.

Overview

The sacraments stand as the most significant events in the life of the domestic church. The Knights of Columbus will be there to support and embrace our parish families at these essential moments of encounter with Christ. As children and adult members become more integrated into the life of the church and their parish, they should know that members of the Knights of Columbus will always be present in a tangible and meaningful way.

ROSARY PROGRAM

Promote devotion to the rosary in our families and parishes.

A Higher Purpose

Build faithful families and communities through rosary prayer. The Knights of Columbus Rosary Program encourages councils to promote devotion to the rosary in our families and parishes by scheduling regular rosary prayer services. Kits with rosary rings, rosary prayer guides, and leader books are available for councils to order.

Overview

This program encourages devotion to Mary, the patroness of our Order, and emphasizes the importance of prayer in community and as a family. The Rosary Program encourages councils to schedule regular rosary prayer services on any day of the week, at any time of the year, with the guidance of their pastor. Councils should personally invite each family of the parish and offer attending families a copy of the Knights of Columbus Catholic Information Service’s A Scriptural Rosary for the Family (#319). Encourage families to read this booklet and learn how their faith can be strengthened through a devotion to Our Lady, while praying the rosary at home together regularly.

FOOD FOR FAMILIES (FEATURED)

The goal of Food for Families is to ensure that as few as possible go to bed hungry each night.

A Higher Purpose

Help end hunger in communities across North America. Many people in our communities are struggling through hardship and unable to provide food to their families. Food for Families ensures that as few as possible go to bed hungry each night. A featured program, Food for Families counts for two credits toward the Columbian Award.

Overview

Knights of Columbus are committed to helping end hunger through the Food for Families Program which has donated millions of dollars and millions of pounds of food toward this cause. Council and parish families will raise funds to support their local food pantries, food banks and soup kitchens. For every $500 or 1,000 pounds of food donated, the Supreme Council will refund $100 back to the council – up to a maximum of $500 per council per fraternal year. Though in-kind donation of food is valuable, leaders of hunger-relief organizations often comment that financial contributions can be stretched even further and allow nonprofits to procure the exact items needed by the organization and its clients.

CONSECRATION TO HOLY FAMILY

Help strengthen families and revitalize our parishes.

A Higher Purpose

Revitalize our parishes by urging our parish families to devote themselves to the ideal model of familial love set by Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Invite each family in your parish to consecrate themselves to the Holy Family.

Overview

To help families live out the joy of Christ, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori has composed a prayer through which families will come together to consecrate themselves under the protection of the Holy Family. In this prayer, we ask for the aid or intercession of the perfect son Jesus Christ, Mary the perfect mother, and Joseph who is a model for every father. Councils will guide their parishes and community to understand and offer this prayer. Preparing for the Consecration to the Holy Family is not a single event. It is choosing a way of life for your family. Through this consecration, each participant is consciously choosing to be a beacon of God’s love through His Church.

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

Knights of Columbus councils evangelize society through their faithful acts, celebrations and a variety of activities.

A Higher Purpose

Promote the true spirit of Christmas in homes, schools, parishes and communities. Councils will evangelize society through their faithful acts, celebrations and a variety of activities.

Overview

The Knights of Columbus offers multiple activities that promote Christmas and the season of Advent in their proper context: Journey to the Inn, Spread the Light of Christ, Crèche or Advent Wreath Blessing, and the Christmas Poster Contest. These programs are centered on the example of the Holy Family and the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The new Keep Christ in Christmas (KCIC) Program brings all KCIC activities together under one umbrella. It encourages councils to prompt their neighbors to shift from a preoccupation with materialism to the light of Christ and the spirit of giving. KCIC activities include whatever efforts best suit the parish and community of a particular council and do not need to originate from the Supreme Council.

GOOD FRIDAY FAMILY PROMOTION

Knights of Columbus councils conduct a promotional campaign to educate their parishes on the vital importance of Good Friday.

A Higher Purpose

Bring families into a more robust practice and better understanding of our Catholic faith and the Triduum. In an effort to increase parish attendance and involvement, councils conduct a promotional campaign to educate their parishes on the vital importance of Good Friday.

Overview

Despite Good Friday’s central role in the heart of Christianity, attendance at services remains low. In an effort to change this, councils will encourage participation in Good Friday services through a promotional campaign. Setting an example for their community, Knights will attend Good Friday services with their families and work with their pastors to encourage increased parishioner involvement at these liturgies. In conjunction with these efforts, councils will also work to educate their parishes about the plight of Christians in the Holy Land.

MARCH FOR LIFE (FEATURED)

The Knights of Columbus encourages others to choose life through public support of the pro-life cause.

A Higher Purpose

Show public support for the right to life. Knights of Columbus councils are encouraged to participate in or sponsor local, state/province, regional or national Marches for Life. Councils that coordinate at least 25 participants or who organize a local March for Life will receive credit for this program.

Overview

The Knights of Columbus encourages others to choose life through public support of the pro-life cause. Knights can organize and participate in local/state/province/regional Marches for Life and/or organize participation of Knights/parishioners/students/etc., in bus trips to the national Marches in Washington, D.C., Ottawa, Mexico City, throughout the Philippines, or in other countries.

 NOVENA FOR LIFE

The protection of life is a sustained prayer intention of the Church, and in particular of the Knights of Columbus.

A Higher Purpose

Lead your community in the spiritual fight to establish a culture of life. Knights and their families will come together in both public and private acts of prayer to promote the protection of life.

Overview

The protection of life is a sustained prayer intention of the Church, and in particular of the Knights of Columbus. Knights remain firmly committed to defending the right to life of every human being – from the moment of conception to natural death. To commemorate and bolster this important cause, councils will promote a novena, nine days of sustained prayer, to build up a culture of life in our parishes, homes and wider community.

MASS FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Celebrating a Mass for People with Special Needs can be the first of many steps toward integrating the disabled into regular weekly or even daily Mass – and more deeply into all of the sacraments and other aspects of parish life.

A Higher Purpose

Welcome individuals and families who might not  feel comfortable participating in a regularly scheduled Mass. Councils will sponsor a distinct Mass, conducted annually, for people with special needs.

Overview

People with special needs resulting from physical, emotional, mental or cognitive conditions are all around us in society, at school, at work, and in our families. It can be challenging for these important members of our society to participate in Mass due to physical and social barriers – or even family member anxiety. Celebrating a Mass for People with Special Needs can be the first of many steps toward integrating them into regular weekly or even daily Mass – and more deeply into all of the sacraments and other aspects of parish life. Holding this Mass sends the message that all of God’s children are welcome under the parish roof and that every person is an integral part of the parish family.

PREGNANCY CENTER SUPPORT (FEATURED)

With aid from the Knights, pregnancy centers can offer support to help women choose life.

A Higher Purpose

Change hearts and minds about abortion by showing that the Knights of Columbus loves both mother and child before and after birth. Councils can provide material, financial, labor and other support to pro-life pregnancy centers that help women during pregnancy and following the birth of their newborn children.

Overview

More than 3,000 pro-life pregnancy centers now operate throughout territories of the Knights of Columbus. By the very nature of its founding, the Knights of Columbus is called to care for the widow and orphan. Abortion-vulnerable unborn children and mothers experiencing unexpected pregnancies certainly fall within that mandate. With aid from the Knights, pregnancy centers can offer support to help women choose life. Councils can “adopt” a pregnancy center and provide material, labor, and spiritual support throughout the year.

COATS FOR KIDS (FEATURED)

Provide warmth for deserving children during cold winter months.

A Higher Purpose

Councils across North America can purchase new winter coats at a discount to be distributed to the children in need in their local communities. A featured program, Coats for Kids counts for two credits toward the Columbian Award.

Overview

Provide warmth for children in need during cold winter months. The goal of the Coats for Kids program is to ensure that no child in North America goes without a coat during the winter season. Through the dedication of councils across the United States and Canada, hundreds of thousands of new winter coats have been distributed to children since program inception.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY (FEATURED)

Knights of Columbus councils work closely with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit Christian organization, to build homes for families in need at substantially reduced costs.

A Higher Purpose

Build homes with families in need. Councils are asked to donate a minimum of $1,000 or 200 service hours to Habitat for Humanity projects in their community. A featured program, Habitat for Humanity counts for two credits toward the Columbian Award.

Overview

Knights of Columbus councils work closely with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit Christian organization, to build homes with families in need at substantially reduced costs. Each year, councils throughout the Order donate a considerable number of volunteer hours and dollars to this worthy cause. To satisfy program requirements, councils are asked to donate a minimum of $1,000 or 200 service hours to Habitat for Humanity projects in their community.

HELPING HANDS (REQUIRED)

The Helping Hands Program is designed to recognize the important work many councils already do to care for the most disadvantaged members of our communities – the homeless, the addicted, the elderly who may feel isolated and abandoned, and many others.

A Higher Purpose

Put your faith into action and help people who are less fortunate in your community. In the spirit of our founder, Venerable Michael J. McGivney, councils lead efforts to assist those most in need. Guidelines for this program are broad and can include forming partnerships with local aid organizations or independently planning unique activities. Council participation in Helping Hands is required to qualify for the Columbian Award.

Overview

The Helping Hands Program is designed to recognize the important work many councils already do to care for the most disadvantaged members of our communities – the homeless, people who suffer from addiction, the elderly who may feel isolated and abandoned, and many others. Through this program, councils will aid the needy through the activities they feel best suit their community, such as serving at or running a soup kitchen, repairing the facilities of a local service organization or something entirely unique. The requirements for this program are very broad in order to allow councils to serve their community in whatever way is most needed.

CATHOLIC CITIZENSHIP ESSAY CONTEST

2020 - 2021 ESSAY TOPIC

This contest encourages today’s youth to be more connected to their community and their faith.

In an essay of 500-750 words, discuss how trusting in God during a difficult time has helped you or someone you know find the strength and hope to endure it. Consider especially those times when it was a challenge to understand why something was happening. Consider also sharing any lessons about faith and hope you or someone you know may have learned from this experience.

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8).

A Higher Purpose

Encourage youth to become citizens grounded in their faith through creative writing. Open to all qualifying Catholic students.

Overview

This contest encourages today’s youth to be more connected to their community and their faith. The goal of this program is to involve young Catholics in grades 8 to 12 (public, private, parochial or home schools during the current school year) in civic discourse and instill in them religious and life-affirming values. The essay should be 500-750 words on a specific topic, changing every other year. Entrants will be judged on grammar, style, and how clearly they present the theme in a way that showcases creativity, imagination and overall development of the topic.

GOOD FRIDAY FAMILY PROMOTION

Knights of Columbus councils conduct a promotional campaign to educate their parishes on the vital importance of Good Friday.

A Higher Purpose

Bring families into a more robust practice and better understanding of our Catholic faith and the Triduum. In an effort to increase parish attendance and involvement, councils conduct a promotional campaign to educate their parishes on the vital importance of Good Friday.

Overview

Despite Good Friday’s central role in the heart of Christianity, attendance at services remains low. In an effort to change this, councils will encourage participation in Good Friday services through a promotional campaign. Setting an example for their community, Knights will attend Good Friday services with their families and work with their pastors to encourage increased parishioner involvement at these liturgies. In conjunction with these efforts, councils will also work to educate their parishes about the plight of Christians in the Holy Land.

MARIAN PRAYER PROGRAM

Raise awareness of the plight of persecuted Christians.

A Higher Purpose

Spread devotion to Our Lady and pray for our brothers and sisters of faith who are at risk around the world through the Marian Prayer Program. As the Marian image is brought on pilgrimage through the jurisdiction, councils host the Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians icon for a prayer service at their parish.

Overview

The current Marian Prayer Program presents the 18th Marian image sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, this time of Our Lady Help of Persecuted Christians. Each Knights of Columbus jurisdiction receives several Marian images, which serve as the centerpieces for prayer services conducted in churches and council meeting places throughout the Order for the duration of the initiative. Since its inception in 1979, the Knights of Columbus’ Marian Prayer Program has held more than 166,900 local council and parish prayer services with some 20 million participants. The current prayer service is intended to raise awareness of the plight of Christians persecuted for their faith and to stand in prayerful solidarity with them.