About Immaculate Conception · Greene, New York
Immaculate Conception Church (ICC) is a small Roman Catholic parish located at 1180 State Highway 206 in Greene, New York, serving the village of Greene and surrounding rural communities in Chenango County. It belongs to the Diocese of Syracuse and is a member of the Saints John & Andrew Pastoral Care Area along with neighboring parishes in the Binghamton region. ICC is somewhat unique within the diocese: it has no resident priest and is led day-to-day by Parish Life Director Mary Wentlent, with sacramental ministry provided by Father Paul Machira of Kenya, who travels from St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Binghamton. Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 10:00 AM, and the parish family is described as actively involved in faith formation, community outreach, and evangelization.
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Machira (Sacramental Priest)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
ICC welcomes those seeking an intimate, family-sized Catholic community in rural upstate New York where members truly know one another and support one another in faith and in times of need. Though small, the parish is active — with weekday Communion services and Rosary devotion, a Knights of Columbus council meeting monthly, a Prayer Chain, a Parish Council of lay leaders, and outreach and evangelization efforts. Father Paul Machira celebrates Mass and the sacraments on weekends, and the parish is linked with St. Joseph's in Oxford, sharing its priest and rotating certain feast-day celebrations. Visitors are warmly invited to join the parish family and participate in parish life, faith formation, and community outreach.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM–3:50 PM (also by appointment with Father Paul before Saturday Mass or after Sunday Mass — call parish office 607-656-9546)
About the Parish
Immaculate Conception Church is a small Roman Catholic parish in the village of Greene, in upstate New York's Chenango County, belonging to the Diocese of Syracuse. Its parish mission statement reads: 'As a church family, we will use the wisdom of the past to shape our thoughts, words and actions, to bring the love of Christ to the world.' The parish is a member of the Saints John & Andrew Pastoral Care Area.
- Diocese of Syracuse
- Member of the Saints John & Andrew Pastoral Care Area
- Mission: 'we will use the wisdom of the past to shape our thoughts, words and actions, to bring the love of Christ to the world.'
- Address: 1180 State Highway 206, Greene, NY 13778
- Parish Office: 607-656-9546
Parish Leadership and Staff
ICC is unusual within the diocese in being served by a Parish Life Director rather than a resident pastor. Mary Wentlent leads the day-to-day parish life from Greene; sacramental ministry is provided by Rev. Paul Machira, who travels from his residence at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Binghamton. Rev. James Serowik, residing at St. Vincent de Paul / Blessed Sacrament in Binghamton, serves as Parish Administrator.
- Mary Wentlent — Parish Life Director (cell 607-644-3883)
- Rev. Paul Machira — Sacramental Priest (from Kenya; resides at St. Thomas Aquinas, Binghamton)
- Rev. James Serowik — Parish Administrator (resides at St. Vincent de Paul / Blessed Sacrament, Binghamton)
Lay Leadership
The parish is supported by a council of lay leaders, two trustees, and a Prayer Chain coordinator. They encourage parishioners to reach out with any questions or concerns.
- Trustees: Joseph Henninge & Donna Heisler
- Parish Council: Deb Rice, Bunny Delaney, Kara Dopp, Peggy Stanton, Joe Weiss, Joanne Kasmarcik, Nate Erickson
- Prayer Chain: Ruth Coppola and the parish office
Devotions
The parish maintains the traditional Catholic devotion of the Holy Rosary twice a week, preceding weekday Communion services.
- Tuesday: Holy Rosary at 8:00 AM followed by Communion Service
- Thursday: Holy Rosary at 8:00 AM followed by Communion Service
Sacraments
ICC celebrates the standard sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. Parents seeking Baptism and adults inquiring about full initiation (RCIA) should contact the parish office. Couples are asked to begin marriage preparation at least six months in advance and to complete required Pre-Cana sessions.
- Baptism — call ICC Parish Office (607-656-9546)
- Marriage — six months preparation suggested; Pre-Cana required
- RCIA — call ICC Parish Office (607-656-9546)
- Anointing / pastoral visits for the sick and homebound — notify the Parish Office
Parish Ministries and Groups
Despite its small size, Immaculate Conception maintains an active program of parish organizations and outreach ministries. The Knights of Columbus council meets monthly, the Prayer Chain supports parishioners in need, and a Parish Council guides the life of the parish. The bulletin, hand-edited each week, anchors parish communications.
- Knights of Columbus — first Thursday of every month, 7:00 PM at ICC
- Prayer Chain — Ruth Coppola / parish office
- Parish Bulletin — submissions due Tuesday at 12 Noon for that weekend's publication
- ICC Trustees — Joseph Henninge & Donna Heisler
- Parish Council — Deb Rice, Bunny Delaney, Kara Dopp, Peggy Stanton, Joe Weiss, Joanne Kasmarcik, Nate Erickson
- Web team — Mary Wentlent and Karen Montgomery
Faith Formation and RCIA
Faith formation is identified by the parish as one of its central ministries, including RCIA for adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church. Those interested should call the parish office.
- Faith Formation programs
- RCIA — call ICC Parish Office (607-656-9546)
Community Outreach and Evangelization
The parish describes itself as 'very involved in parish life, community outreach, evangelization and faith formation,' supporting members 'in times of need and on our individual faith journeys.'
- Community outreach to local Greene-area needs
- Evangelization efforts
- Prayer Chain support for parishioners in need
Linked Parish: St. Joseph's, Oxford
Immaculate Conception is linked with St. Joseph's Church in Oxford, NY. The same priest (Father Paul Machira) serves both communities, and the parishes rotate certain feast-day celebrations and penance services. St. Joseph's ordinary-time schedule is Saturday Vigil 5:45 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. (as published on the ICC Mass Times page from 11/15/2020).
- Same sacramental priest serves both parishes
- Rotation of feast-day and penance services
- St. Joseph's Saturday Vigil: 5:45 p.m. (Ordinary Time)
- St. Joseph's Sunday: 8:30 a.m. (Ordinary Time)
Practical Information
All parish business — from scheduling the sacraments to reserving parish facilities — is handled through the parish office during the week. The bulletin, published weekly, carries the most up-to-date parish announcements.
- Parish office: 607-656-9546
- Parish Life Director cell: 607-644-3883
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1180 State Highway 206, Greene, NY 13778
- Facility scheduling: contact the parish office
- Bulletin deadline: Tuesday at 12 Noon
Visiting Immaculate Conception
Located on State Highway 206 on the edge of the village of Greene (with Rte. 12 and Rte. 206 running through town), the church is identified by signage along the road. From Rte. 12 and Rte. 206, go one mile through town; the church sign is visible from the road.
- Directions: Rte. 12 and Rte. 206, go 1 mile through town
- Church signage visible roadside on State Highway 206