About Us

LITURGICAL PARTICIPATION

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Men and women from our parish community who come forward to receive special training through the Diocesan Office of Worship, so that they may reverently assist our parish priests in the distribution of Holy Communion during our parish Masses. They are scheduled to minister at each of the weekend Masses, Holydays, and some Special Liturgies.

LECTORS
Men and women from our parish community who come forward to train and prepare so that they may proclaim the Word of God fluently and prayerfully to the congregation during Masses. They also lead parishioners in the Responsorial Psalms, General Intercessions (Petitions), and in all prayer responses. They give the announcements for the week and announce hymn numbers. They too are scheduled to serve at each weekend Mass, Holydays, and Special Liturgies.

USHERS
Ministers of Hospitality comprised of men amid women who volunteer to serve their fellow parishioners before, during, and after each weekend Mass, Holydays, and at all other major liturgical functions throughout the year. They assist in promoting good order, proper decorum, and reasonable comfort. They facilitate the seating arrangements; they collect and present the monetary offerings of the congregation; and they assign families to carry up the gifts of bread and wine during the Presentation of the Gifts.

ALTAR SERVERS
Youth who assist the priest closely in the celebration of the Mass and most other liturgical services. Boys and girls of fourth grade and older who attend parochial or public school are eligible. Training is offered by the parish staff.

ADULT ALTAR SERVERS
Men who assist and serve the priest during the celebration of the 11:00 Mass each Sunday. These dedicated men are members of the St. John Berchman Society.

About Blessed Sacrament Parish

Christ's continuing presence in the consecrated elements of bread and wine is referred to as “the Blessed Sacrament.” Jesus Christ is truly present under the sacramental sign of the Eucharistic Bread. What a wonderful truth! Christ Risen and Present with us. And our parish has the name BLESSED SACRAMENT so that we can be a living reminder of that Presence here in the Town of Tonawanda , in our Diocese , and on the Internet . We live the name of our parish by being the BODY OF CHRIST to each other, enabling one another, healing one another, caring for one another.

We experience how central Jesus Christ is in our pursuit of holiness and we realize His primary in every form of private devotion.

The Blessed Sacrament feast is the feast of the hope of Christians that through all the encounters, struggles, joys and pains, conflicts and forgiveness of existence, the kingdom of God, of sharing love and communion, will arise.

We have quite a modern parish both in liturgy and in lay participation, with an active parish council. The religious education of your children is handled either through our fine parochial school or through a very extensive and well planned Religious Education program for children attending public schools.

OUR COMMUNITY OF WORSHIP
The celebration of the liturgy, as an action of Christ and the people of God is the center of the whole Christian life for the universal Church and each and every one of the faithful.

THE EUCHARIST
The celebration of the Eucharist is the true center of the whole Christian life. It is through the Eucharist that the Church continually lives and grows. Our parish Mass schedule gives ample opportunity for all parishioners to chose a convenient time to attend. All Masses are well-planned arid prayerful. Folk Mass is available for those who wish; Choir Mass is also available.

RECONCILIATION
Besides the regularly scheduled Saturday confessions, the priests are happy to accommodate anyone who would like to meet at a private time for spiritual guidance and direction. Communal Penance Services are held in Advent and Lent for our parish youth and families.

BAPTISM
The parish community warmly welcomes and rejoices in its youngest members. Before a child is baptized into our community, the parents of the child are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation Class to update them with the Sacrament and to remind them of their responsibility to this child. Please call the Rectory (834-4282) to register for the Baptismal Class and to arrange a date for the celebration of Baptism.

MATRIMONY
Arrangements for weddings are made directly with one of the priests. An appointment is necessary at least four months before the wedding. At the first meeting, the priest will discuss with the couple the steps to be taken in planning the wedding, and in preparing for their married life. A second meeting to finalize plans takes place after the couple completes Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter. Weddings are held on Friday evenings and on Saturdays.

CARE OF THE SICK
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated in a communal Mass once a year. Apart from this, arrangements for individual anointing can be made by phoning the rectory. In the event of accident or sudden illness, please call anytime, day or night. All Buffalo area hospitals are served by Catholic chaplains appointed by the Bishop. When admitted to the hospital, please make sure they know you are Catholic and a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish.

A member of our parish staff and our parish outreach staff attempts to visit parishioners who have been hospitalized. The patient's family should notify the rectory so that we are aware of the hospitalization. Parishioners who are sick at home, can arrange to receive Communion regularly by calling the rectory.

FAST AND ABSTINENCE
The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence for Catholics 14 yrs. of age or over. Abstinence means that no meat is consumed. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. To fast means to consume one full meal, and two lighter meals. The law of fast holds for Catholics from their 21st to 59th birthday.

MINISTRY OF MUSIC
• Choir
The purpose of the choir is to enhance the beauty and dignity of the Mass and to encourage the congregation to sing, as we all gather to give thanks and praise to God. No better thanks can be given to God than to use the talents and gifts He gave you to serve Him. If singing is your talent, do join the choir. No audition required; open to adults of all ages. Practice takes place on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Church; Sundays at 11:00 Mass, the choir sings accompanied by the organ and piano.
• Contemporary Choir
Teenagers, young adults, and adults who sing with guitar accompaniment Sunday mornings at the 9:00 Mass. They lead the congregation in song and add a special beauty and dignity the celebration. Singers and instrumentalists are welcome; rehearsal takes place on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Choir Room of the Church.

EMMAUS PROGRAM
Eucharistic Ministers who take Communion from the Table of the Lord to our parishioners who are confined to their homes by illness, age or a handicapping condition. They are Eucharistic Ministers who receive special additional training to serve our Lord by serving our brothers and sisters in need. They also attend periodic meetings for prayer and support.

GROWTH AND EDUCATION

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The Religious Education of our parish children who attend public school is a high priority at Blessed Sacrament. Dedicated and well-trained volunteers from our parish community share faith and provide a balanced curriculum for all grades. Staffed by a qualified Director of Religious Education and a competent clerical staff, the Religious Education Department aims to foster and deepen the faith life of our parish youth. Doctrine and content is complemented by prayer and reflection on the Christian lifestyle. Regular attendance and parental support are basic to the entire program.

The sacrament programs for First Penance (Grade 2), First Eucharist (Grade 3), and Confirmation (Grade 10), are family centered. These involve parent meetings, retreats, celebration planning sessions, comrnissionings and rehearsals.

SPECIAL EDUCATION provides religious education for those persons with any handicapping condition(s). Only one or two students meet with a teacher in a class. The material taught is tailored to meet specific individual needs. There is a yearly Mass at which students actively participate.

Recruitment for teachers/aides/helpers in the program as well as registration of new students take place in Spring and in Fall. All are welcome. The Religious Education Department phone no. is 832-6161.

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION is offered seasonally and periodically to help parents and other adults grow in their faith. Prayer Experiences. Updating, Video Presentations, Guest Speakers are part of the make-up of this important aspect of parish life. Information on Adult Ed is found in the Weekly Bulletin as well as through posters, flyers, and mailings.

R.C.I.A. (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS) is a process through which persons who are not baptized or who are not members of the Catholic Church are prepared to enter into full communion with our parish community. Instruction, participation, service, witness, and support are some of the aspects of the RCIA. This process is offered each year beginning in the Fall.