Blessed Sacrament Parish

Fr. John J. Bucchino, ofm

When I was a chaplain, I always remember how important it was to tell an elderly patient whose children were gathered together around their sick bed, how wonderful to see them all together! Knowing that their children were unified gave the sick person great comfort and actually healed their spiritual and sometimes physical pain too. Family unity is so important for all of us, whether we are at the sickbed or in the best of health! Our Lord Jesus prayed to His Father for this unity among us in the last days of his earthly life: Father, that they all may be one as we are one! Today we are celebrating that great feast of the church: Pentecost!   God has sent His gift of the Spirit to each of us, to remind us that when we strive to be unified in spite of our differences, we are living the life of God’s Holy Spirit! So let’s all examine those parts of our life where we feel “dis-united.” Are there family members, friends, community relations, anybody, with whom the Spirit is calling us to seek out? When we follow the Spirit’s lead, Pentecost will be a living reality for each of us!  

                                                                             ~ Fr. John

The Parish Office and St. Anne’s closet receive weekly requests for help with diapers. Diapers are not covered under Food Stamps/WIC programs. It is a big expense for struggling families and single parents. We have already used many of the gift cards donated at Christmas to purchase diapers. There are no agencies in the city that assist with this need. In fact, many agencies refer their clients to us for help.  

If you would like to help, please drop off disposable diapers in sizes 3, 4, 5 (most requested sizes) either in the back of the Church or the Parish Office. Boxes will be broken down in smaller packages so as to assist more families.   

Also, the Closet is now accepting Spring/Summer CHILDREN’S clothing. Please feel free to drop the gently used clothing (newborn-teen) at the Parish Office or in the back of the Church. Only spring/summer clothes - No Adult clothing, NO TOYS, please!   

Thank you for your support in this ministry. It does make a difference in a child’s life.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to help in the Food Pantry for specific tasks:

1.  Strong volunteers, able to lift 40 pounds, are needed to help unload food supplies.  The hours would be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings around 9 a.m. (If you can only do one morning, that would be helpful).