St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Parish sits among the rolling hills of Vestal, a Southern Tier suburb just west of Binghamton, New York. From a colonial-and-modern brick church on Clubhouse Road, with the parish office next door on Clifton Boulevard, this Roman Catholic community gathers around the Eucharist and serves the wider Broome County region through faith formation, music, outreach, and fellowship. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Syracuse and lives out a mission that has been central since the day it was established: to grow in our love of God and one another through sacramental life by proclaiming and living the Gospel.
A Parish Formed in 1965 in Vestal
St. Vincent de Paul Parish was officially established on May 7, 1965, by the Most Reverend Walter A. Foery, Bishop of Syracuse. On the same day the Reverend Lawrence E. Giblin was appointed founding pastor. The parish took the name of St. Vincent de Paul in 1965 to mark the Pope Paul VI appeals on behalf of impoverished peoples; the French saint, declared patron before God of all charitable societies of the Catholic world by Pope Leo XIII, has stood as a reminder of the parish's obligation in charity toward its neighbors ever since.
Services began in a temporary chapel in the Eastern Shopping Plaza in Vestal, where a vacant store had been offered for worship. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was first offered there on June 6, 1965. Within months, parish meetings were held, trustees named, and an architect engaged to design a permanent church and social hall. A financial campaign in January 1966 drew an overwhelming response, construction began that July, and a catechetical program for children started alongside a variety of parish organizations. On May 27, 1967, Bishop Foery returned to bless and dedicate the new church building.
The architecture is described as a harmonious blend of colonial and modern. Brick and cedar shake shingles form the walls, roof, and ceiling areas. Above the entrance, three large arched beams reach toward the heavens to support a cross. Inside, wood beams frame the nave and provide the construction material for the altars, the pulpit, the sanctuary furniture, and the altar rails. Arched doors and windows lend a monastic appearance. The vestibule opens low and then bursts into the high nave, symbolic of the power, glory, and majesty of God. Stained pews arranged in a semicircle about the altar seat eight hundred people. Stained glass windows, colonial chandeliers, and carpeted floors complete the devotional atmosphere. Two sacristies sit adjacent to the sanctuary.
Two Communities Become One
The Church of the Blessed Sacrament, the other half of the present parish's name, has its roots in Johnson City. It was formed in September 1945 from parts of St. James Parish in Johnson City and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Binghamton, encompassing most of Johnson City's south side and the hamlets of Westover and Oakdale. The Reverend John J. Toomey was named founding pastor. Construction on the new church and rectory began in March 1946, and Bishop Foery led the dedication ceremony on November 24 of that year. A 1988 renovation committee led to a second dedication on February 23, 1992, officiated by Bishop Joseph O'Keefe.
The two parishes of St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Sacrament linked on July 1, 2010. After the final prayer service at Blessed Sacrament and the transfer of the Holy Eucharist on December 10, 2011, they formally merged on January 1, 2012, becoming St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Church. Items from Blessed Sacrament enrich the present church: its wood and granite lectern is used on the Altar of Sacrifice along with the Pastor's chair; a small granite altar sits at the Altar of Repose holding the tabernacle; the organ and choir chairs to the left of the altar came from Blessed Sacrament; the Sacramental Oils hang on the wall to the right; and a large wooden cross from Blessed Sacrament hangs prominently on the back wall of the church. Vestments, the Nativity set, altar cloths, and the processional cross are used in worship together with those of St. Vincent de Paul. Oak storage units and a chalice-shaped plaque listing contributors to the 1990s renovation are in the vestibule.
Improvements followed the merger. In 2012, cushions were installed on the pews, one main entrance door was fitted with a handicap opening device, and a new glass outside door was installed in Monsignor Giblin Social Hall. In 2013, a rosary garden and grotto were built, with a campfire area for young people before retreats; refinished outdoor stations of the cross were posted along a winding path, and a granite altar and statue of the Blessed Mother were placed in the grotto, all from Blessed Sacrament. The kitchen in Monsignor Giblin Social Hall was also fully renovated that year. In 2014, a new illuminated cross was placed on the roof of the church.
Mass Times and the Eucharist at the Center
The most important thing the parish does as a parish family is to gather for Sunday Eucharist. In this weekly meal, Jesus Christ becomes present in the midst of the assembly, and the community is strengthened to go forth and be his witnesses in the world.
Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday at 10:15 a.m., with both liturgies broadcast live on YouTube. Daily Mass is celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered in the church sacristy on Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. Baptisms are scheduled throughout the year after a preparation session for them and their godparents. Arrangements for Marriage should be made at least four months in advance; the parish requires Pre-Cana in keeping with the Diocese of Syracuse. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is available to anyone who is ill, suffering, or of advanced age; those in imminent danger of death can call the rectory at any time.
The sound system includes FM receivers that can be picked up in the sacristy and an induction loop for hearing-aid users with a T-coil. Wheelchair-accessible entrances serve the church, social hall, and education center, with reserved pews and fully accessible restrooms.
The Building and Its Symbols
At the front of the church, the Altar of Sacrifice stands predominant. To the right is the Altar of Repose, holding the tabernacle with the Body of Christ. The Baptismal Font, where new members are welcomed into the Church of Christ and the People of God, occupies a place of prominence to the left of the sanctuary.
Set in the sanctuary floor in front of the Altar of Sacrifice is a millstone brought from a farm in northern Pennsylvania, the region from which many of the first settlers of the area originated. Once used to grind wheat for the bread of the Eucharist, the stone reminds the faithful that they must grind out sinful tendencies if they are to communicate worthily with God.
Four hand-carved wooden statues stand in the church: Mary, Mother of God; Saint Joseph, foster-father of Christ; the Sacred Heart of Jesus; and, in the vestibule, the patron Saint Vincent de Paul. The wooden Stations of the Cross are mounted on the side walls and tell the story of Christ's passion and death.
The stained glass windows on the nave walls depict the seven sacraments drawing their spiritual power from the Sacrifice of Christ on Calvary. The cross in the left rear window sends streams of redemptive grace flowing into each successive window: waters of Baptism from a shell, the Holy Spirit descending upon man with the seven gifts in the Sacrament of Confirmation, grapes and wheat of the Eucharist, two keys of Penance, a vial of oil and candles for Anointing of the Sick, a Bible draped with a stole for Holy Orders, and entwined rings beneath a Greek monogram for the name of Jesus proclaiming Matrimony.
The sanctuary windows carry a three-in-one symbol of the Trinity with Alpha and Omega on the left, and the Chi Rho on the right. The sacristy windows hold an olive branch pleading for peace, the Hand of God offering readiness to help, a heart symbolizing Saint Vincent de Paul as the Apostle of Charity, and a monogram for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Outside the church, the rosary garden and grotto offer a path for prayer. The statue of Saint Vincent de Paul stands on the sidewalk flanked by figures of those he served, a young girl holding a small animal, a man with a crutch, and others clinging to his cloak. Two of his relics in gold sit on either side of the statue inside the church.
Faith Formation from Pre-K to Adulthood
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Faith Formation is a lifelong process of learning, loving, and living the faith, and the parish offers programs for every stage of life. Programs run for children from Pre-K through grade 9, mixing catechesis, the Word of God, sacraments, and out-of-the-classroom experiences, with students taking pride in community and parish service. Confirmation preparation is a two-year program that includes curriculum, service, retreats, and youth ministry.
Annual Vacation Bible School is offered in partnership with the Parish of Saints John and Andrew, and is open to children Pre-K through fifth grade, with role-model volunteers drawn from teens, young adults, and parents.
Youth Ministry for grades 7 through 12 provides weekly activities, service, and events. Members take part in parish, regional, diocesan, and national youth ministry events and conferences. Young Adult Ministry for ages 18 to 34 gathers at Theology on Tap, First Friday Masses, and other social and religious events in coordination with the Diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
Adult Faith Formation includes a weekly Bible Study, with other occasional programs throughout the year. Formation for Ministry is a diocesan program of education, training, field experience, and spiritual preparation lasting two and a half years, leading to certification in a specialized area and commissioning by the Bishop of Syracuse.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults welcomes non-baptized men and women as catechumens, those baptized in another Christian tradition preparing for full communion, and Catholics seeking to complete the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. Those interested in the parish program may contact Deacon Tony Miller.
Since 2015, the parish has welcomed students of Binghamton University, who make up part of the Young Adult community here.
Liturgical Ministries and the Music Ministry
Liturgical ministry is an opportunity to fulfill the baptismal call of service. The parish welcomes adults and youth who have made their First Communion to serve as Altar Servers; trained Eucharistic Ministers distribute the Body and Blood of Christ at weekend and other Masses on a rotating schedule; Lectors proclaim the Word of the Lord; Gift Bearers carry the offertory gifts; Sacristans set up vessels and linens; and Ushers and Greeters open doors, hand out bulletins, assist with collections, and help in emergencies. The Altar Society polishes and light-cleans the worship spaces. The Arts and Environment team transforms the worship space for the liturgical seasons. The Liturgy Committee brings all liturgical ministry representatives together to plan weekend and seasonal liturgies.
Music Ministry is volunteer-driven with a short private audition to gauge strengths. The Adult Choir is open to those 18 and older and provides music at the Sunday Liturgy in SAB and SATB formats. Cantors lead the Responsorial Psalm and assist with song leading when a music ensemble is not present. The Children's Choir is open to children in grades 1 through 6 and teaches the language of music within a Catholic Christian context. The Contemporary Ensemble is open to anyone grade 7 and up and incorporates Contemporary Christian music. Instrumentalists of any kind are invited to share their gifts at weekend liturgies; new accompanists on piano or organ are always needed.
Many parishioners participate in Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at the chapel of St. Patrick's Church on Leroy Street in Binghamton, spending a weekly Holy Hour there.
Outreach and Service Beyond the Walls
The parish's faith calls it to work for justice, serve those in need, pursue peace, and defend the life, dignity, and rights of all brothers and sisters. The Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, established jointly with the Parish of Saints John and Andrew on Binghamton's south side, serves Broome County residents over 18 with proof of residency and ID for family members. It serves eight thousand families in a year, opening four hours a week, and welcomes non-perishable food donations dropped in the social hall, monetary donations in weekend collections in envelopes marked "Loaves and Fishes," or donations through online giving.
Other outreach programs include College and Military Care Packages for students and service members; an annual CPR program with AED training; an Emergency Management Committee that meets monthly; a Grief Support Group meeting on the first Wednesday of each month, offering a topic, prayer, reflection, and sharing; parish partnership with a local Habitat for Humanity building group; the Holiday Giving Tree in partnership with Catholic Charities of Broome County; Home Visitations by deacons and Eucharistic Ministers bringing Communion to the homebound; Hospital, Nursing Home, and Rehabilitation Visitations; a Prayer Network that prays for intentions left in the Prayer Intention Book at the back of the church and called in to the coordinator; Catholic Social Justice teaching; Thanksgiving Baskets with Catholic Charities supplying hundreds of local families with the makings of a Thanksgiving dinner for a family of four; the Van Drivers ministry that transports those unable to attend weekend worship; and the Welcoming Committee that assists newly registered families through notes, calls, and welcoming portfolios.
Funeral Luncheons are provided by volunteer teams on a rotating basis, with food supplied by a contracted caterer and donations to offset the expense. Hospitality ministry provides receptions for sacramental rites and other celebrations throughout the year.
Fellowship: Building a Parish Family
Coffee Hours are typically held after all Masses on the first full weekend of the month from September to June, bringing the parish together for socialization.
The CYO program starts in Kindergarten and runs through High School. There is a skills-development program for K-2, with grades 3 through 4 and 5 through 6 in development and learning rules in games against other area CYO teams, and grades 7 through 12 part of the Broome County CYO program: 7-8 is the Grammar Division, 9-10 is Junior Varsity, and 11-12 is Varsity.
The Men's Club is inspired by the annual IGNITE conference in Syracuse each spring and offers a retreat, along with semi-regular community prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. The Women's Club Ministry is social, spiritual, and service-oriented, with a yearly calendar posted in the vestibule and a recent scholarship award of one thousand dollars to a graduating high school senior who is a member of the parish. The Young At Heart Seniors Club plans lunches every couple of months, one to two bus trips a year, and meets monthly after morning Mass with no age limit and no fees. The Parish Library, located in the corner of Monsignor Giblin Hall, is created and maintained by the Young At Heart Seniors Club.
The Picnic Committee organizes the annual parish picnic each year in summer or early fall, with an outdoor Mass, picnic buffet dinner, outdoor games for all ages, and basket raffles.
Parish Leadership and Staff
Rev. James P. Serowik is Pastor. Two deacons serve the parish: Thomas Picciano, Deacon and Pastoral Care Associate, and Greg Hrostowski. Erin Frye serves as Confirmation Coordinator, Tracy Caezza as Faith Formation Coordinator, and Heather Ingraham as Parish Music Director. Linda Kaczar is Parish Secretary. Debbie Grassi and Melissa Peters serve as Trustees, appointed by the Pastor to advise on care of the facility and grounds and the organizational life of the congregation. Cornelius is in formation for the diaconate, having received the Rite of Candidacy at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse.
Parish Council meets monthly from January to May and August to November, advising and assisting the pastor, evaluating the spiritual, educational, social, and administrative needs of the parish, setting priorities and goals, and promoting dialogue. The Finance Committee, authorized under Canon 537 of the Code of Canon Law, assists the pastor with fiscal and oversight responsibilities. Money Counters gather each Monday to count the weekly collections in accordance with diocesan guidelines. The Office Staff assist the Pastor and Deacon in business and sacramental record-keeping and serve as the central interface for parishioners.
The parish uses an automated online giving program called VANCO that allows parishioners to give by credit card or direct withdrawal from a bank account, with recurring or one-time payments, allocation across collections, and the ability to stop and restart at any time.
Becoming Catholic, Beliefs, and Deacon Tom's Blog
The parish's Being Catholic page offers a clear statement of faith in the words of the Apostles' Creed: belief in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, died, and buried; he descended to hell and on the third day rose again; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; he will come again to judge the living and the dead; belief in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Non-baptized men and women wishing to become Catholic go through the R.C.I.A. process of study, prayer, and rites at Mass, with initiation celebrated through Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Those baptized in another Christian tradition prepare to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church by celebrating Confirmation and Eucharist. Catholics who have not been fully catechized may also complete their initiation.
Deacon Tom Picciano writes a regular blog from the parish, drawing on Scripture, the saints, the liturgical year, his own ministry on the road between Vestal and other assignments, and his Benedictine oblate formation at Transfiguration Monastery in Windsor. Recent reflections have followed Pope Leo XIV's election, the life of Carlo Acutis, reflections on the Transfiguration, and the meaning of the Eucharist.
A Parish Linked to the Diocese of Syracuse
St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament is a parish of the Diocese of Syracuse, whose bishop is the Most Reverend Douglas J. Lucia. The parish supports vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, joining in a Year of Vocations declared by Bishop Lucia under the patronage of St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church. The Vocations page offers resources for discernment and a call to become a Prayer Advocate, offering a Holy Hour, Rosary, or sacrifice for an increase of vocations.
The parish uses the WeConnect Parish App, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play, with parishioners texting parishapp1 to 555888 on Apple devices or parishapp2 to 555888 on Android devices. Bulletins, the parish calendar, online giving, and a livestream of weekend Masses are all available. Parish news, Deacon Tom's blog, and event announcements are shared through the parish's Facebook page, Instagram, and YouTube channel.
The parish's annual calendar includes events such as the parish picnic with basket raffles, the Mardi Gras Bake Sale, the Women's Club Scholarship, and Synod Listening Sessions. Ongoing rhythms include monthly Coffee Hours, weekly Bible Study, the prayer and social activities of the Men's Club, Women's Club Ministry, and Young At Heart Seniors Club, and the many liturgical and outreach ministries that mark life here.