Father Robert J. Kennedy, pastor, is from Waterloo, New York. He was ordained a priest on March 1, 1974, and has served as pastor of Blessed Sacrament since June 2000. Father Bob has overall pastoral and administrative responsibility for the parish. He is also adjunct assistant professor of liturgical studies at Saint Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry. Father Bob has a M.Div. from Saint Bernard's Seminary and a M.A. in liturgy the University of Notre Dame. Before he became pastor of Blessed Sacrament he served as diocesan director of liturgy and of continuing education, and taught full time at Saint Bernard's.Email:
Contact Father Kennedy if:
- you have desire to grow in your faith, and want to know what opportunities are available.
- you have questions about the administration of the parish.
- you become engaged to be married and wish to schedule a wedding.
- you or a family member are in need of celebrating the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
- you are looking for basic counseling about an issue or want to celebrate the sacrament of Penance.
Beverly LaBelle, pastoral associateBeverly is a Rochester native, long-time parishioner and graduate of the original Blessed Sacrament School. She serves as Coordinator of Liturgy and is also the staff liaison for the Children's Liturgy of the Word program, the Parish Life Committee, the Contemplative Prayer Group and ACTS, our parish social group for older parishioners. She holds a Masters of Arts degree in Theology from St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Rochester, New York. E-Mail:
Contact Beverly if:
- You wish to serve as a lector, communion minister, or in other lay liturgical ministries.
- You would like to assist with the Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 10:00am Mass.
- You would enjoy helping with parish social events.
- You desire information on parish events/outings for the 50+ community.
- You wish to learn more about our parish Contemplative Prayer Group.
- You are interested in participating in the JustFaith process
Sue Howard, Pastoral AssociateSue received her Masters in Divinity from St. Bernard’s in 2003 after a 19 year career as Director of Recreation, Volunteers and Spiritual Services at The Wesley Community (Long Term Care) . She has also worked at St. Andrew and Annunciation Churches as Liturgy Coordinator, RCIA and in Faith Formation.
Sue coordinates ministry with Young Adults ages 20-40 including young singles, couples, newly engaged or married couples and parents with young children. College students and grad students are also part of this ministry. We focus on nurturing our spiritual growth through prayer, service and social events. If you would like your new home or apartment blessed give Sue a call. You can also receive our e-news letters that highlight many events for Young Adults and Parents with Young Children at .
Sue also coordinates care for the sick, home bound and those in nursing homes and to caregivers of family members. She will arrange for visitation and/or communion visits by one of our trained pastoral visitors.
We provide a weekly Communion Service at Blossom South Nursing Home and we have a team of Communion Ministers who take Holy Communion to the patients at Highland Hospital on Sunday mornings.
**NEW** We provide simple receptions after funerals.
Contact Sue if:
·You would like a visit while you’re in the hospital
·You know someone from the parish who is home bound
·You or a loved one move to a nursing home.
·You would like to be part of our Nursing Home or Hospital Ministry
·You would like to deliver Poinsettias to the home bound at Christmas time
·You would like to be part of our Funeral Reception Team
·Blessing of your new apartment, home, or nursing home room
·E-newsletters for Young Adults or Parents with Young Children
·Introductions into the Community if you are new in town or to our parish
·You have a talent or passion in any of the following areas: Arts and Crafts, ·Leading Small Groups, Cooking, Nature and the Great Outdoors, Sports and Games.
Sister Kathleen Wayne, RSM, coordinator of faith formation -- Director of Faith Formation for the Monroe Clinton Planning Group. A native of Elmira, Sr. Kathleen has been a member of the Sisters of Mercy for twenty five years. Sr. Kathleen lives at McAuley House. McAuley House is a joint ministry between the Sisters of Mercy and Blessed Sacrament parish and is a community of women sharing a simple life-style with one another serving the Blessed Sacrament and Monroe Avenue community. Sr. Kathleen serves as the coordinator of religious education and sacramental programs. Contact Sr. Kathleen if:
· You are interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith and our RCIA process.
· You would like information about celebrating the baptism of a child.
· You have a child ready for first Eucharist/Confirmation or first Penance.
· You would like to enroll your children in religious education.
· You would like to assist in our religious education programs.
· You want to know more about becoming trained to be a catechist.
· You have thoughts about adult faith formation, or family learning programs.
· You area young adult woman who is interested in living in an intentional community.
MaryJo Lightholder, Supper Program Director. MaryJo became the first full time director of the Supper Program in 1999 after working with the Red Cross. She oversees the complete operation of the program, including scheduling and recruiting volunteers, grant writing, food ordering and all the many many other tasks that come with the operation of a soup kitchen. The Supper Program has been serving wholesome and healthy dinners since 1992. Currently, Monday - Friday at 6:30pm. Mary Jo and her husband Nils (the Tuesday evening cook) live in Rochester.
E-mail:
Supper Program Phone Number: 442-5279
Contact MaryJo if:
· You would like to volunteer as a cook or server at the Supper Program
· Would like to contribute to the Supper program through the United Way payroll deduction program.
· You have grant writing experience or experience working in food service.
Margy Handel, business manager, has been a member of Blessed Sacrament parish since 1982 and has served as business manager since 2001. She serves as the financial and operational officer for Blessed Sacrament. Margy is responsible for managing our finances, the support staff, buildings and properties, volunteer recruitment, and the safety program. She serves as the Blessed Sacrament Safety Officer and as staff liaison to the Finance Council, the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the Safety Committee, and the Next to New Sale. She sees her Business Manager position as a ministry position. Margy has an MBA from RIT. E-Mail: Contact Margy if:
· You have any questions concerning the financial activities of Blessed Sacrament.
· You would like to assist your parish community by serving on a committee or serve as a volunteer.
· You would like to discuss donating to a special fund (such as Liturgy, Handicapped Accessibility, etc) long term giving, or bequests.
· You have ideas regarding fund-raising or other ways to increase giving within our parish.
. You are interested in Stewardship.
. You have safety issues regarding the parish.
. You would like to be a Volunteer for the Next to New Sale.
. You would like to volunteer your grant writing or fund-raising skills.
Diane Pawlik, parish secretary, has been a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament since moving to the neighborhood in 1991. She joined the staff in 2001 after leaving a career in the museum field, and she enjoys meeting and working with the parishioners she sees each Sunday. She is captain of one of the Supper Program serving teams. Married at Blessed Sacrament in 2003, Diane and her husband Tom live in Rochester. E-mail: Contact Diane if:
• You need a baptismal, sponsor, or other certificate.
• You would like to register in the parish.
You wish to schedule a Mass at Blessed Sacrament.
• You have routine office business with Blessed Sacrament.