Downtown Community Forum

Since 1985, the Downtown Community Forum (DCF) has contributed to the development of a better-informed citizenry by showcasing the diversity of opinion within the Rochester community. DCF gatherings provide an opportunity to explore important issues and exchange ideas in an ecumenical, nonpartisan, democratic, and value-centered setting.

St. Mary’s decided to mark its 150th anniversary in 1984 by holding a series of highly relevant, non-partisan lectures and panel discussions in conjunction with the sesquicentennial of the City of Rochester. After the year-long program ended, a number of enthusiastic individuals approached the church about extending its informal lunchtime discussions throughout the year. The grassroots interest in the lectures helped St. Mary’s Church leaders answer a question that had been plaguing them for many years: How do we best serve the needs of our community while maintaining a strong connection with our own parishioners? They commissioned Sister Joan Sobala, then a senior pastoral associate at the Church, to meet with other urban ministries to learn how they were organizing their outreach efforts. By the Fall of 1985, Sister Sobala recommended that the ongoing lectures and panel discussions be formalized into the St. Mary’s Community Forum. The community-wide response was extremely positive and the Forum quickly became an important Rochester resource. In 1986, the parish decided to change the name of the program to the Downtown Community Forum.

The Downtown Community Forum maintains its own web site: http://www.dcfrochester.org. On this site you can find current information on the programs and resources of the DCF. Monica Mattioli currently serves as Executive Director.