About St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament · Vestal, New York
St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament is a Roman Catholic parish located in Vestal, New York, in the Southern Tier region of the Diocese of Syracuse. The parish was established on May 7, 1965 by Bishop Walter A. Foery, and grew out of its first Mass celebrated on June 6, 1965 in a converted storefront at the Vestal Plaza Shopping Center. On January 1, 2012 it formally merged with the former Blessed Sacrament Parish of Johnson City — which had been heavily damaged by the 2011 flooding — to become St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament. Today it serves parishioners at 465 Clubhouse Road, the parish office at 165 Clifton Boulevard, and welcomes students from nearby Binghamton University.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Rector
- Rev. James P. Serowik
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament is a welcoming parish family with deep roots in the Vestal community since 1965 and a renewed identity shaped by the 2012 merger with Blessed Sacrament of Johnson City. The parish offers a full sacramental life — daily and weekend Mass (livestreamed on YouTube), Saturday confessions, RCIA, First Communion, Confirmation, and marriage preparation — alongside robust faith formation from Pre-K through 12th grade, a youth ministry, an annual Vacation Bible School with neighboring Saints John and Andrew, and a young adult ministry that welcomes Binghamton University students. Its accessibility features (wheelchair accessible entrances, reserved pews, an audio induction loop, and FM receivers) and livestreamed Masses make it a parish where everyone can encounter Christ and one another.
Mass times at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 3:00 p.m. (in the church Sacristy)
About the Parish
St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament is a Roman Catholic parish in Vestal, NY, part of the Diocese of Syracuse. Founded in 1965 at its current site and reshaped by a 2012 merger with the former Blessed Sacrament Parish of Johnson City, the parish describes itself as 'a Parish Family that strives to make God's Kingdom come to fruition in our world.' Its mission statement is 'To grow in our love of God and one another through sacramental life by proclaiming and living the Gospel.'
- Pastor: Rev. James P. Serowik
- Diocese: Syracuse
- Founded: May 7, 1965
- Office: 165 Clifton Boulevard, Vestal, NY 13850
- Church, Education Center & Social Hall: 465 Clubhouse Road, Vestal, NY 13850
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.–noon
- Office phone: (607) 722-3988
- Email: [email protected]
History
The parish of St. Vincent de Paul was officially established on May 7, 1965 by Bishop Walter A. Foery, with Rev. Lawrence E. Giblin as founding pastor. Its first Mass was celebrated on June 6, 1965 in a vacant storefront in the Vestal shopping plaza, and the permanent church on Clubhouse Road was blessed by Bishop Foery on May 27, 1967. The Church of the Blessed Sacrament of Johnson City was linked with St. Vincent de Paul on July 1, 2010; following flood damage in 2011, the two formally merged on January 1, 2012.
- May 7, 1965 — Parish officially established by Bishop Walter A. Foery
- June 6, 1965 — First Mass offered in a converted Vestal Plaza storefront nicknamed 'St. Britts'
- May 27, 1967 — Bishop Foery blesses and dedicates the new church on Clubhouse Road
- July 1, 2010 — Blessed Sacrament (Johnson City) linked with St. Vincent de Paul
- December 10, 2011 — Final prayer service and transfer of the Holy Eucharist at Blessed Sacrament
- January 1, 2012 — Formal merger creates St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Church
- June 6, 2015 — 50th anniversary Mass celebrated
- Since 2015 — Binghamton University students welcomed through Young Adult Ministry
Patron Saint
The parish is named for St. Vincent de Paul, a French priest (1581–1660) whose dedication to the poor led Pope Leo XIII to proclaim him the special patron before God of all charitable societies of the Catholic world. The parish was named in his honor in 1965, the same year Pope Paul VI made appeals on behalf of impoverished peoples, as a reminder to parishioners of their obligations in charity to their fellow men.
- Feast day: September 27
- Patron of all Catholic charitable societies (per Pope Leo XIII)
- Founder of the Congregation of the Mission and co-founder of the Daughters of Charity
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Faith Formation is a lifelong process of learning, loving, and living our faith, and the parish offers programming for every stage of life. Classes run from Pre-K through 10th grade, with registration forms available in the vestibule of the Education Center.
- Pre-K through 9th grade Faith Formation classes
- Family involvement encouraged for events, classes, and sacraments
- Adult Faith Formation including a weekly Bible Study and other programs
- Formation for Ministry (FFM) — diocesan two-and-a-half year program leading to Lay Ecclesial Minister commissioning by the Bishop of Syracuse
Youth Ministry (Grades 7-12)
The Youth Ministry provides effective and vibrant ministry for young people in grades 7 through 12, helping them share their gifts, develop life skills, serve those in need, and develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The youth group meets weekly for activities, service, and events, and participates in Parish, Regional, Diocesan, and National Youth Ministry events and conferences.
- Weekly youth group meetings
- Parish, Regional, Diocesan, and National events and conferences
- Christian service and fundraising
- Youth leadership teams and trained adult volunteers
Young Adult Ministry (Ages 18-34)
Young adults in the Southern Tier are invited to attend gatherings including Theology on Tap, First Friday Masses, and other social and religious events. The parish has welcomed Binghamton University students in this ministry since 2015.
- Theology on Tap
- First Friday Masses
- Other social and religious events
- Coordinated with the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Sacramental Preparation Programs
The parish coordinates preparation for the Sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Matrimony in accordance with diocesan and parish policies. Marriage arrangements should be made at least four to six months in advance.
- Baptism — Call the parish office to make arrangements
- Reconciliation & First Eucharist — for children entering at least 2nd grade; enrolled in Faith Formation
- Confirmation — two-year parish program with dynamic curriculum, retreats, service, and youth ministry; Adult Confirmation also available
- R.C.I.A. — for unbaptized adults, those baptized in another faith, or catechized Catholics seeking Eucharist and Confirmation
- Marriage — at least four to six months' notice; required Pre-Cana program in the Diocese of Syracuse
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Heather Ingraham serves as Parish Music Director. The parish invites participation in its Liturgical Ministries and Worship Environment team as part of its broader ministry life.
- Parish Music Director: Heather Ingraham (Ext. 203)
- Liturgical Ministries and Worship Environment teams
Outreach & Charity
In keeping with the parish's patron, St. Vincent de Paul, the parish maintains an Outreach ministry. All volunteers must complete Safe Environment Training through the Diocese of Syracuse.
- Outreach ministry (charitable works)
- Safe Environment Training required for all volunteers (Diocese of Syracuse)
Vacation Bible School
Every summer the parish teams up with the Parish of Saints John and Andrew for an annual Vacation Bible School. Pre-K through 5th grade can participate, supported by an amazing group of teen, young adult, and parent volunteers who enroll friends and neighbors.
- Annual VBS every summer
- In partnership with Saints John and Andrew Parish
- Open to Pre-K through 5th grade
- Volunteers include teens, young adults, and parents
Staff & Parish Office
The parish is led by Rev. James P. Serowik and supported by two deacons, a Faith Formation Coordinator, a Confirmation Coordinator, a Music Director, and a Parish Secretary. The parish office can be reached at (607) 722-3988, with extensions for each staff member.
- Rev. James P. Serowik — Pastor (Ext. 102, [email protected])
- Deacon Thomas Picciano — Pastoral Care Associate (Ext. 204, [email protected])
- Deacon Greg Hrostowski ([email protected])
- Tracy Caezza — Faith Formation Coordinator (Ext. 202)
- Erin Frye — Confirmation Coordinator (Ext. 205)
- Heather Ingraham — Parish Music Director (Ext. 203)
- Linda Kacmar — Parish Secretary (Ext. 100, [email protected])
Accessibility & Facilities
The parish places a strong emphasis on accessibility for all. The church, social hall (named the Monsignor Giblin Social Hall), and education center have wheelchair accessible entrances, reserved pews, and fully accessible restrooms. The sound system includes both FM receivers (available from the sacristy) and an induction loop for hearing aid wearers with a T-coil.
- Wheelchair accessible entrances to the church, social hall, and education center
- Reserved pews and fully accessible restrooms
- FM receivers available in the sacristy
- Audio induction loop for hearing aid T-coil users
- Livestreamed weekend Masses on YouTube
Getting Involved
The parish invites parishioners to get involved in any of its many ministries — from Faith Formation and Youth Ministry to Music, Outreach, Facilities Management, Fellowship, Evangelization, and Parish Administration. A Volunteer Signup Form is available on the Ministries page.
- Volunteer Signup Form available on the Ministries page
- Safe Environment Training through the Diocese of Syracuse required for all volunteers
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Lawrence E. Giblin (later Monsignor)1965 (founding) – c. early 1990s
Founding pastor; appointed by Bishop Foery on May 7, 1965. Led the building campaign and oversaw construction of the Clubhouse Road church dedicated May 27, 1967. The social hall at the parish is named in his honor as the Monsignor Giblin Social Hall.
- Rev. Edward ZandyCelebrated the 50th anniversary Mass on June 6, 2015
Was the pastor during the 2012 merger with Blessed Sacrament and the 50th anniversary in 2015; described as having led the merger and remodeling of the church and grounds.
- Rev. James P. SerowikCurrent pastor
Listed as pastor on the parish's About and Staff pages.