A Parish on Green Street Since 1847
St. James Roman Catholic Church has stood on the corner of Hurd and Green Streets in the village of Cazenovia since 1847, when the parish was founded and the first church building went up two years later. Generations of Madison County families have worshipped there, watched the parish outgrow its original home, and seen it replaced by the modern, multi-purpose building designed by longtime parishioner Jack Teitsch under the long pastorate of Father A. Robert Casey in the 1960s through the 1980s. The grand stained glass window salvaged from the earlier church still anchors the interior, a reminder of the legacy that preceded the present structure.
The parish's mission is summed up in the line that runs through its bulletins and announcements: "Together in Christ, serving the Gospel by means of the Word, Sacraments, and Charity." Everything at St. James - the Sunday Mass, the classrooms, the choir loft, the food pantry in Georgetown - flows from that three-part commitment.
Mass Times, Reconciliation, and the Saturday Livestream
The parish gathers for Mass three times each week in the usual pattern. On Sundays, the principal liturgy is celebrated at 9:00 AM. On Saturdays, the vigil Mass is offered at 5:30 PM and is livestreamed on YouTube, allowing the homebound and those travelling to keep up with the parish. A daily Mass is listed for 6:45 AM and again at 11:00 AM, giving parishioners a weekday option for the Eucharist.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 2:00 until 2:45 PM in the church, and by appointment through the parish office. Anyone wishing to receive Holy Communion but unable to attend Mass is encouraged to call the parish office so that a minister can bring the Eucharist to them.
The Sacramental Life of the Parish
St. James approaches the seven sacraments as the heart of Catholic life. Baptism is celebrated as a sacrament of initiation that joins a child to the Body of Christ and commits parents to raise their child in the faith. St. James and the diocese require parents to attend a Baptismal Preparation class before the ceremony; the parish offers this one-on-one session personally arranged with the Baptismal Coordinator. Baptisms are normally scheduled during one of the weekend Masses so that the wider community can welcome the newest member, with private ceremonies available at the pastor's discretion.
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are prepared through the second year of religious education. Children usually in second grade begin Reconciliation classes in September, meeting on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:00 PM. The First Reconciliation is celebrated on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in November. First Eucharist preparation begins the following January, also on Tuesday afternoons, with the children receiving the sacrament at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass on the first weekend of May. Both programs follow Diocesan guidelines requiring baptism, one completed year of religious education, and current weekly attendance.
Confirmation at St. James is a year-long process typically completed during a teen's sophomore year. Candidates begin with a parent-candidate meeting, take part in an enrollment ceremony during a weekend liturgy, attend six classes, join a retreat, and complete service requirements. They meet with the Confirmation team for an interview and submit a letter of readiness to the bishop. The program is coordinated by Father Kevin Corcoran, the pastor and Faith Formation Director.
Couples preparing for marriage are invited to call the parish office to begin the process, and anyone wishing to receive the Anointing of the Sick is encouraged to reach out to the parish office to arrange a visit.
Faith Formation from First Grade through Senior Year
The parish's Faith Formation program serves students in grades 1 through 12 with a curriculum built around lessons, service projects, and outreach to the poor and needy. The aim, in the words of the program's mission statement, is to prepare students "with knowledge and love of Christ" so they will continue to grow in their faith wherever life takes them.
Children in grades 1 through 6 take the bus from Burton Street to St. James after school dismissal and are met by two adult volunteers at the Middle School bus circle, who walk them over to the church. Class runs from arrival until 3:45 PM, with an after-program available until 5:00 PM for families that need a later pickup.
Older students in grades 7 through 12 meet Wednesday mornings from 7:15 until 7:45 AM at the church and are then dismissed to walk to the school. Each month, a designated grade level takes ownership of a weekend Mass, taking on roles as lectors, ushers, and gift bearers, and hosting the parish coffee that follows. Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation is woven into the program. Families can register online for the next academic year through a downloadable registration form.
Liturgical Ministry: Ways to Serve at Mass
Parishioners support the parish's worship through a wide range of liturgical ministries. Ushers - described as the oldest lay ministry in the Catholic Church - welcome parishioners, assist with seating and the collection, and help the liturgy flow smoothly. The Audio/Visual team runs the sound and slide presentations so that the congregation can participate fully in the prayers and hymns; no prior experience is required and training is provided.
Children in fourth grade and up are invited to serve at the altar, carrying the cross, preparing the altar, and assisting the priest in other small ways during Mass. Lectors are laypeople who proclaim the Word of God through prayerful preparation and calm, clear reading. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion distribute the Eucharist during Mass and bring it to those who cannot be present.
The Music Ministry draws on the saying that to sing is to pray twice. Its role is to be the facilitator of that prayer, guiding and encouraging the assembly's singing of each hymn and Mass part. Contact information for each ministry is posted on the parish information board by the Hurd Street entrance of the church.
Parish Life Beyond the Pews
Sunday coffee after Mass is a small but steady tradition at St. James, hosted by volunteers from the parish. The Funeral Reception committee offers brunch or lunch buffets after services so that families and friends can gather and remember the person who has died. The receptions are made possible through the generosity of parishioners who volunteer their time and talents; donations to offset costs are gratefully accepted.
The Ministry to the Homebound, coordinated by Deacon John Addante, makes sure that parishioners who cannot be present for Sunday Mass - because of short- or long-term illness, aging, or assisted living - remain connected to the parish. The ministers, along with Father Kevin, visit homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, bringing the Eucharist, prayers, and news from the parish community.
The Mustard Seed: Outreach Across Two Counties
The Mustard Seed is St. James's local outreach program, supporting the needs of the community across Madison and Northern Chenango Counties. The Mustard Seed Store, located on Route 80 in Georgetown, stocks clothing, shoes, small household goods, and books for all ages. It also incorporates an emergency food pantry for those in immediate need. The store works closely with Community Action Partnership of Madison County to help with monetary assistance when the need arises.
The Mustard Seed is open on Wednesdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and again from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Outreach Coordinator Ron Huftalen is available to meet with clients individually to help assess, evaluate, and meet their needs. The Mustard Seed is the primary sponsor of the parish's Thanksgiving and Christmas basket programs and the annual Christmas Giving Tree, which serve the families who use the food pantry.
Mass Cards and the Parish Cemetery
Mass Cards are available through St. James as a way to remember a loved one and let grieving families know that their person will be prayed for at the parish's Masses. Cards can be purchased in person at the parish office or by mail.
The parish also maintains a cemetery, with information available through the parish office. Genealogy requests must be made in writing; the parish responds to requests as soon as possible.
The People Who Keep the Parish Running
St. James is served by Father Kevin Corcoran as pastor, who also serves as Faith Formation Director and oversees the Confirmation program. Two deacons assist at the parish: Deacon John Addante, who coordinates the Ministry to the Homebound, and Deacon Nathan Gunn. Ron Huftalen is the Outreach Coordinator for the Mustard Seed program. Joan Stoker serves as Elementary School Faith Formation Coordinator, and Linda Hansen leads Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at 6 Green Street in Cazenovia, and can be reached at (315) 655-3441 or by email at stjamesc@stjamescaz.com. Electronic giving and online donations are available, and a weekly e-bulletin subscription can be requested by emailing the parish. The parish is also active on Facebook and Instagram, where it shares updates and information.