Youth Engagement

Engaging and supporting the youth is crucial at Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Parish. "Our school is very active and engaged," says Mary Ellen Ottenstein, the parish's Director of Communications. "We try to involve the youth in as many activities as possible." One of our most popular events is the Totus Tuus camp, held over the summer. This camp provides a dynamic environment for young parishioners to grow in their faith, with activities such as daily Mass, catechetical instruction, and outdoor games.

The parish's Youth Ministry is currently partnering with Habitat for Humanity in Louisville, Kentucky, to build a house, making a tangible difference in the lives of others. Additionally, the youth visit Victory Centre, formerly known as Alexian Village, twice a month to lead games and activities, bringing joy and companionship to the seniors. They help seniors with their smartphones, bridging the generation gap and forming meaningful friendships. The youth ministry also offers babysitting services during parish events and hosts a Kids Christmas Film Night annually, giving parents a much-needed break while the children enjoy a fun-filled holiday evening.

Community Outreach and Ministries

Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Parish is deeply involved in community outreach. The care ministry comprises twenty dedicated individuals who serve over sixty homebound and sick people, providing the Eucharist and visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and senior apartment complexes. The Prayer Shawl Ministry creates baby booties, bonnets, and prayer squares for various causes, including the Respect Life Ministry, which supports crisis pregnancy centers.

The parish's active Bereavement Ministry offers comfort to those grieving the loss of loved ones. "We always say nobody grieves alone," says Ottenstein. The Grief Share Ministry provides additional support through four sessions a year, fostering lasting friendships among participants and creating a safe space for healing.

The Good Samaritan Ministry, another vital part of the parish, reaches out to the hungry through Summer Suppers, serving meals every night from May through September. The parish hosts the first and fifth Thursdays. Fifty parish volunteers and students from Queen of the Rosary School and St. Viator High School actively participate in preparing and serving food. The parish's food donation box, fondly referred to as the 'magic box' because it always seems to be full, is a testament to the community's generosity. This box is regularly emptied, and the food is used to prepare meals for those in need.

Parish Events

The parish holds several special events throughout the year. The annual Corpus Christi procession has grown from a small gathering to an event with around 100 participants, followed by a luncheon and fellowship. Holy Week activities draw large crowds, particularly the Youth Ministry's Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.

The Marriage and Family Ministry organizes an annual World Marriage Sunday, celebrating married couples with a special breakfast or dinner. The parish's commitment to service is evident in its outreach programs, including partnering with a local Lutheran church for winter suppers and the Welcome the Stranger Ministry, which supports a migrant family with housing, healthcare, and other needs. The migrant family that Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament sponsored encountered significant health challenges with the birth of their second child, and the parish supported them by making sure they had a ride share account set up so they could travel easily to and from the hospital.

A Generous Community

Generosity characterizes Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Parish. The annual almsgiving project, a key part of Lenten observance, has seen overwhelming support. Last year, the parish raised $26,000 to provide three water wells in Cameroon, Africa. "We have embraced looking outward," notes Ottenstein, "it is a goal and a focus of ours." This spirit of generosity extends to the parish's support for affordable housing and homelessness initiatives in the area.

Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Parish exemplifies a community united in faith and service. The parish is a shining light in the community through its active ministries, generous outreach, and commitment to supporting one another.