About Blessed Sacrament · Syracuse, New York
Blessed Sacrament is a Roman Catholic parish in the Eastwood neighborhood of Syracuse, New York, part of the Diocese of Syracuse. The parish was established in 1921 to serve the growing Catholic community of Eastwood, with the first Mass celebrated by its founding pastor, Father Richard Shanahan, in a former Town Hall on South Midler Avenue. The parish is now linked with St. Vincent de Paul Church under the pastoral care of Fr. Severine P. Yagaza, AJ, and is known for its English Gothic church, its century-old parish school, and its active food pantry serving the 13206 zip code community.
- Established
- 1921
- Patron
- Blessed Sacrament (the Most Holy Eucharist)
- Rector
- Rev. Severine P. Yagaza, AJ (parochial vicar serving the linked parishes of Blessed Sacrament and St. Vincent de Paul)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse (Bishop Douglas J. Lucia, 11th Bishop, appointed 2019)
Why belong here
Blessed Sacrament is a century-old Eastwood parish where the Eucharist is truly the center of parish life — with daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and a parish school that has formed generations of children in Catholic faith and academics (Pre-K through 6th grade). Belonging here means joining a community that feeds hundreds of local families through the Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry, welcomes new Catholics through OCIA (RCIA), and lives out Catholic social teaching through a Social Justice Committee. Whether you want to serve as a lector or Eucharistic minister, help stock the food pantry, or simply pray before the Blessed Sacrament in the new Eucharistic Alcove, there's a place for you.
Mass times at Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm (before the 5:15 pm Vigil Mass)
- By appointment with the parish priest
- 'The Light Is On For You' — Tuesdays 4:00–7:00 pm during Lent and Advent (Diocesan-wide campaign)
Adoration times
- Thursdays 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm — 'An hour with Jesus,' Eucharistic Adoration at Blessed Sacrament Church (no Holy Hour on 8/14/25)
About Blessed Sacrament Parish
Blessed Sacrament is a vibrant and historic Roman Catholic parish in the heart of the Eastwood neighborhood of Syracuse, New York. For over a century the parish has been a spiritual home dedicated to bringing people closer to Jesus Christ through worship, education, service, and community. Life here revolves around the Eucharist — the 'source and summit' of Catholic faith — with daily and weekend Masses, regular opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and weekly Eucharistic Adoration.
Parish History (Founded 1921)
The parish was established in 1921 when Bishop Daniel Curley appointed Father Richard Shanahan as founding pastor. Fr. Shanahan celebrated the first Mass on September 18, 1921 in a former Town Hall on S. Midler Avenue, soon after purchasing six acres on James Street and converting a barn into a worship space for 125 founding families. He also built the parish school and convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The current English Gothic church cornerstone was laid in 1951 under Father William Moore.
- First Mass: September 18, 1921 (former Town Hall, 401 S. Midler Ave.)
- Founding pastor: Father Richard Shanahan (1921–1937)
- Land purchased: 6 acres on James Street for $22,000
- Current church cornerstone laid: 1951, under Father William Moore
- 100th anniversary celebrated: September 19, 2021, with Bishop Lucia blessing a new Eucharistic Alcove
Our Leadership
Blessed Sacrament is currently led as a linked parish with St. Vincent de Paul Church. The parish website lists the pastoral team and diocesan bishop who oversees the community.
- Fr. Severine P. Yagaza, AJ — Parochial Vicar; member of the Apostles of Jesus missionary order
- Rev. Msgr. Richard (Dick) Kopp — Pastor, a veteran diocesan priest of five decades
- Deacon Daniel Stevens — brings faith, business, and arts background to ministry
- Deacon Michael Colabufo — lifelong educator and dedicated deacon
- Bishop Douglas J. Lucia — 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse, appointed by Pope Francis June 4, 2019
Mass & Worship Schedule
Blessed Sacrament offers daily and weekend Masses in English, with Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses. The Blessed Sacrament is adored in a special weekly Holy Hour on Thursdays, and a new Eucharistic Alcove was blessed by Bishop Lucia during the parish's 100th anniversary celebration in 2021.
- Weekday Mass: Monday–Friday at 8:00 am
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:15 pm
- Sunday Masses: 7:30 am and 9:15 am
- Eucharistic Adoration: Thursdays 6:00–7:00 pm ('An hour with Jesus')
- Sunday Mass livestream available on the parish website
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
Blessed Sacrament welcomes those exploring Catholicism through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), formerly known as RCIA. The parish describes it as 'not a class, but a warm and welcoming space to explore your questions and deepen your relationship with God.' The journey has four stages — Inquiry, Learning, Lenten preparation, and Reception at the Easter Vigil — when candidates receive Baptism (if needed), Confirmation, and First Eucharist.
- Stage 1 — Inquiry Period: 'Just Looking,' no pressure, no commitment
- Stage 2 — Learning and Growing: group study of Catholic beliefs, Mass, Sacraments, prayer
- Stage 3 — Lenten preparation: prayer and reflection
- Stage 4 — Easter Vigil: full reception into the Church
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
The parish offers comprehensive religious education for children, a dynamic youth ministry for teens, and sacramental preparation (including First Reconciliation). Lifelong faith formation for all ages is one of the four pillars of the parish's mission: Worship God, Form Disciples, Serve Others, and Build Community.
- Religious Education programs for children
- Youth Ministry for teens
- First Reconciliation preparation (children)
- OCIA for adults (Becoming Catholic)
Blessed Sacrament School (Pre-K through 6th Grade)
Blessed Sacrament School is a vital part of the parish's ministry, providing a Christ-centered, academically excellent education rooted in Catholic values. According to the school's own website, it has partnered with families since 1931 to build 'a foundation of moral courage.' The school is dedicated to forming the whole child — spiritually, intellectually, and socially — in a nurturing, faith-filled environment where 'faith and knowledge meet.'
- Grades served: Pre-K through 6th grade
- Mission: forming 'moral evaluators' with a spiritual compass to navigate a complex world
- Emphasis on service, leadership, and Catholic values
- A ministry of Blessed Sacrament Parish
Outreach & Social Justice
Blessed Sacrament's most prominent outreach is its Food Pantry, which provides essential groceries to hundreds of local families each month. The parish also has a Social Justice Committee that puts Catholic social teaching into action in the Eastwood community.
- Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry — 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm
- Eligibility: residents of the 13206 zip code; one visit per household per month
- Proof of residency required (recent mail, school, or doctor paperwork)
- Volunteer coordinator: Sue Colunio
- Social Justice Committee
Parish Life & Fellowship
Blessed Sacrament fosters fellowship through a variety of parish groups, liturgical ministries, and events that build strong, lasting relationships among parishioners. The Annual Linked Parishes Picnic — held jointly with St. Vincent de Paul on parish grounds — is one of the highlights of the year, alongside the Syracuse Catholic Women's Conference.
- Liturgical Ministries: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers
- Music Ministry
- Homebound Ministry
- Annual Linked Parishes Picnic (joint with St. Vincent de Paul)
- Parish Groups & fellowship events
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach Blessed Sacrament Parish by phone, email, or in person at the rectory on James Street in Eastwood. Mass times, the Sunday bulletin, Mass livestream, events calendar, Mass intentions, and prayer requests are all accessible through the parish website.
- Address: 3127 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13206-3001
- Phone: (315) 437-3394
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.bscstvsyr.org/
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Richard Shanahan1921–1937
Founding pastor; celebrated first Mass on Sept. 18, 1921; built the parish school and the convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
- Father William Moore1937–1956
Under his leadership the cornerstone of the current English Gothic church was laid in 1951.
- Msgr. Robert Dillon1956–1978
Third pastor of Blessed Sacrament.
- Father Joseph Segrue1978–1995
Fourth pastor.
- Msgr. James O'Brien1995–2007
Fifth pastor.
- Father Peter Reddick2007–2017
Sixth pastor.
- Msgr. Timothy Elmer2017–2019
Served as parish administrator.
- Father Severine Yagaza, AJ2019–present
Current pastor; member of the Apostles of Jesus missionary order; oversees Blessed Sacrament as a linked parish with St. Vincent de Paul.