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"She withstood a lot of persecution because she wanted to live her faith," said Donna Walker, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Pastoral Minister.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish was named after the first Native American Saint, when several Irondequoit churches merged into one parish more than two years ago.

"Yep, we have a new Saint and it's our patroness of our parish in Irondequoit," said Rev. Walter Cushing, St. Kateri Pastor.

"She lives today. And not only does she lives through her Sainthood and this beautiful story of this heroic woman's faith-filled life, but she lives in our church," said Walker.

Some of the church leaders went to Rome, other members took bus trips to Kateri's shrine in Fonda, NY. The churches St. Cecilia site however, celebrated the monumental moment by hosting a watch party of her ceremony to Sainthood.

"I think our parish in the last few years has gone through so much change and turmoil," said Elizabeth Leavy, parishioner. "To celebrate something is really exciting for us."

Elizabeth and Brian Leavy watched with other church members.

"Because Elizabeth is eight months pregnant, we were originally considering going to Rome to be present for the canonization, but we couldn't do that," said Brian.

The couple named their 14-month old twin girls after the church's Saints.

"This is Cecilia, she was actually born second and this is Kateri she was born first," said Elizabeth.

"And Kateri and Cecilia just felt like the right names," said Brian.

The Leavy's hope this day will bring inspiration to their daughters years to come.

"We can tell her, yeah you saw it on tv with the rest of the parish and you were part of this as a little girl and we were so excited," said Leavy.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha