Fr. Severine P. Yagaza

Pastor

Fr. Severine P. Yagaza, AJ, is a parochial vicar who serves the linked parishes of Blessed Sacrament Church and St.1 Vincent de Paul Church in Syracuse, NY.2 A member of the missionary order the Apostles of Jesus, he brings an international perspective and a deep commitment to service to his ministry.

Fr. Severine is originally from Tanzania.3 He was ordained to the priesthood on August 15, 2009, in Nairobi, Kenya. His early missionary work was spent in service to the people of Ethiopia. He came to the Diocese of Syracuse in 2017, first serving as a parochial vicar at St. Joseph's Church in Camillus before being appointed to Blessed Sacrament and St. Vincent de Paul in 2018.

Additional Ministries

In addition to his duties at the parishes, Fr. Severine's ministry extends into the wider community in several important ways:

• Hospital Chaplain: He serves as a Catholic Chaplain at St. Joseph's Health Hospital, where he provides crucial spiritual care, comfort, and sacraments to patients, their families, and hospital staff.
• Chaplain to the Tanzanian Community: He is the spiritual guide for the Tanzanian Catholic Community of Syracuse. In this role, he celebrates Mass in Swahili and provides pastoral care, helping the community maintain its spiritual and cultural heritage.