Fr. McKnight and the Parish Council will conduct hour-long “town hall meetings” on Sunday afternoons for 15 weeks starting on July 6th. The meetings will provide an opportunity for parishioners to voice their hopes and fears to Fr. McKnight as he begins his role of Pastor at Blessed Sacrament.

The meetings should surface the things we like about our parish as well as the things we would like to see improved. Fr. McKnight requests that all adult members think about how they would answer the following:

1. What is the one thing about the parish that I like most and would not want changed?

2. What is the one thing that I would like to see improved?

Recording Answers to Questions
There are two ways to get your input to the recorders at each session. The first way is verbal - the recorder will make notes of your answers as you speak to Father and the other participants. The second way is to write your answers on notes cards (provided at the meetings) that will be turned in as you leave the meeting. This way everyone’s voice will be heard, and it will provide an efficient means of developing a summary of discussions.

All the information from the meetings will be collected and organized into a report so that Fr. McKnight and the Parish Council may use the information for their deliberations.

Parish Meeting Details
• When: Sunday afternoons at noon and 1:15 pm

• Where: Bishops Hall

• Who: Parish members 20 years and older

• Number of Anticipated Sessions: 30

Schedule
Each household will receive an invitation to a specific meeting by mail or email (if we have your email address on file). We ask that you attend the selected meeting if possible.

Invitation lists have already been developed that will: 1) provide a cross section of the parish at each meeting (We divided the 943 families in the parish based on their age, length of membership at the parish, ministry leader, stewardship form on file, and children in the Catholic school system.); and 2) manage the number of participants at the meetings.

If you are unable to attend a meeting at the specified time, you can request a different meeting coming up.

If you are a family whose children attend school somewhere other than Blessed Sacrament or are home-schooled, you should be receiving a letter in the next week from the new DRE, Kathleen Lewis, about the upcoming year for PSR. 

If you received a letter but your children are enrolled in Blessed Sacrament or should have received a letter but do not this week, please call Kathleen Lewis at 686.2004 or email kathleenzlewis@gmail.com. 

Please expect a phone call in the next few weeks from us to gather your input.

Looking for more PSR teachers: We are expecting an increase in enrollment this year, so if you have been a PSR catechist in the past or are interested in getting involved for the first time, we need your help! Please call Kathleen Lewis at 686.2004 or email kathleenzlewis@gmail.com

My dear Blessed Sacrament parishioners,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks for your kindness and generosity on the occasion of my recent ordination as Auxiliary Bishop of Denver. The outpouring of love, support and prayer was overwhelming. To those who were able to travel to Denver for the ordination on May 30, I am truly grateful. I was strengthened by the prayers of so many. As I mentioned at the end of the ordination Mass, during the distribution of Holy Communion I felt like I was back at Blessed Sacrament, I saw so many familiar faces. In those same remarks, I also said that during my tenure as pastor of Blessed Sacrament, I was taught how to be a pastor of souls and for this I will be forever grateful.

Additionally, I want to thank you for your very generous cash gift which came to a total of $6,080.00. I know that Bobbe acknowledged each one of you who contributed to the “ordination fund”, but I wanted to personally thank you again and assure you of my prayers.

I have now begun to settle into my new home in Denver, and the people here have been very warm and welcoming. Although I miss Blessed Sacrament very much, I find consolation in the fact that I know you have welcomed your new pastor, Fr. Shawn McKnight, with the same kindness and generous spirit with which you welcomed me. I have included my contact information and I want you to know that you are always welcome in Denver. Let us continue to keep each other in our prayers.

The Most Reverend James D. Conley, S.T.L. Auxiliary Bishop of Denver 1300 South Steele Street Denver, Colorado 80210-2599 Tel. 303.715.3100; Fax 303.715.2047 Email: bishop.conley@archden.org www.archden.org

Residence: Mother of God Catholic Church 475 Logan Street, Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. 303.744.1715; Email: msgrgiacomo@gmail.com

MASS & DINNER monthly gathering for Young Adults: The next Mass & Dinner with young adults will take place on Tuesday, July 22  beginning with 5:30 pm Mass at All Saints Catholic Church (3313 East Grand, 67218--near St. Joseph Hospital) and then head over to Torre's Pizzeria (131 N. Rock Island, 67202 in Old Town) for food and fun. Bring your friends and meet some new ones!

THEOLOGY OF THE BODY FOR TEENS TRAINING DAY: Brian Butler, co-author of this revolutionary curriculum for teens, will lead a training for adults on August 9 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at St. Francis of Assisi parish. Registration forms available through the Youth Office. Early bird registrations before July 28 are $40, and includes lunch and all materials. This training day would be great for parents, teachers, catechists and anyone who works with teens.

UPSIDE DOWN LEADERSHIP CAMP FOR YOUT: High school age youth in parish leadership roles are encouraged to attend the next Upside Down Leadership Camp on Sunday, Aug 10 at Holy Cross parish in Hutchinson from 1-6 pm. Please RSVP to the Youth Office by August 1st. 

THEOLOGY ON TAP - continues theme of Summer Lovin': The next Theology on Tap summer series will feature Fr. Adam Keiter on "How To Inspire Love" on Tuesday, August 12, beginning at 8 pm at the Pump House in Old Town. Fun and "food for thought" guaranteed. For more information on any of these events, please contact the Youth & Young Adult Ministries Office at 269.3930 or email us at yyam@cdowk.org

JUNIOR CYO The newly formed “Junior CYO” is to be a youth organization for all 7th and 8th graders of Blessed Sacrament Parish that provides fun and unique social and service activities to facilitate their participation in the life of the Church. Mr. Austin Powers will serve as the coordinator of the program; Clare Vanderpool will assist with communications; Constance Crandall will coordinate food volunteers. The advisors of the Junior CYO have already met with student leaders to prepare for a kick-off event to be held sometime soon. See further details in upcoming bulletins.

CYO Adults (21 years of age or older) who are interested in learning more about serving as a CYO advisor for our parish are invited to an informal dessert meeting at the rectory with Fr. Shawn McKnight on Monday, August 4th at 7pm. We hope to have a team and a principal advisor in place before the start of the school year. Please contact the parish secretary to RSVP or if you have any further questions.

High School CYO/Youth Group: '08'09. High School CYO Advisors Needed – volunteers needed to help coordinate high school activities for the teens at Blessed Sacrament. Contact Fr. Shawn McKnight.

Jr. CYO for 7th-8th Grade:'08-'09. Adult Supervisors needed to moderate and plan Jr. CYO activities for the '08-'09 school year! Volunteers needed to coordinate activities, drive, and pick-up food for 7th-8th grade Jr. CYO events during the school year.

CYO NOTICE: Sunday Evening CYO events are discontinued until further notice.

Mark your calendars now for the 9th Annual Midwest Catholic Family Conference, August 1-3, 2008.

Hope for ourselves, for our families, for our communities and for our world is found in the teachings of Christ and preserved in the doctrines of the Church His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, said to the people of the United States during his spring visit. Learning to accept and follow those teachings is the challenge of being Catholic in a world filled with fear. This is the task of the Midwest Catholic Family Conference. The Conference theme is “Do whatever He tells you.”

Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, spiritual writer and popular EWTN television host, heads a distinguished program of international authors and educators, both clergy and lay persons, that includes Brian Barcaro, new technology wiz; Alice von Hildebrand, celebrated philosophy professor and author; Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life and frequent national news show guest; Tim Staples, Holy Scripture authority; and many others. Bishop Michael O. Jackels celebrates Mass on Sunday with full orchestra and chorus. An outdoor Eucharistic procession, daily Eucharistic Adoration, and an exhibit featuring the Eucharistic miracles of the world provide opportunities for devotion. The Vendors Mall brings you booths full of Catholic-inspired art and gifts, books, devotionals, music, CDs and DVDs. Some of the speakers will also have materials available for purchase in the Vendors Mall. A powerhouse of presenters headlines this year’s Midwest Catholic Family Conference, Aug. 1-3, at Century II in Wichita KS. Fr. Frank Pavone discusses Life Issues; Teresa Tomeo tells you how to steer your family away from the harmful effects of media overload; Andrew Pudewa addresses how music influences your life; Rebecca Dussault, Olympic skier, encourages you to keep godly priorities in your family life; Jim Stenson brings you the ins and outs of effective parent leadership.

Registration and additional information can be found online at www.catholicfamilyconference.org…by e-mail at midwconf@cox.net…and by calling 316.618.9787. Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards are accepted. There is a discount for registration by July 21st. On-site registration for the weekend or by the day is also available. This Conference requires hundreds of volunteers, many of them your fellow parishioners. The co-directors of the Conference are Barbara Kelly (who founded the event with her husband, Frank, in 1999) and Kevin Kegan; both from Blessed Sacrament.

K4J Teams are now forming for the 2008-2009 school year.

All parents with children between the ages of 3 years and 8th grade are invited to a K4J (Kids for Jesus) Information Meeting. The meeting will be held in the Bishop Gerber room on Monday evening, July 28, at 7:00pm. Childcare will be provided. Find out how simple it is to take a more active role in the spiritual formation of your children and gain a better understanding of the short and long-term benefits of doing so.

If you are interested in learning more about K4J but are unable to attend this meeting, please contact Christina Weber, 682.8916 or email. Click here to go to our K4J section and get more details.

Scrip is simply a word that means “substitute money”-in other words, scrip is gift certificates from national and local retailers. 

It's the fundraising program that works while you shop.

They are the same gift certificates that you buy at the store.  Many popular retailers participate in our scrip program including Applebees, Sears, Blockbuster, Kohl's, Best Buy, Walgreens and many, many others. To read more about our Scrip program, click here.

To see our complete list, please click here.

Office Assistance  -The Church office is extending the office hours to be open Monday through Friday evenings between 7 to 9 pm.  Father McKnight is looking for several volunteers to help staff (on a rotating basis) these hours to answer phones and take messages. Please call the church office at 682.4557 to volunteer.

Recording Secretary - Parish and Finance Councils are looking for individual to record and issue minutes for monthly meetings.
Please call the church office at 682.4557 to volunteer.

The Lord's Diner - For the past 5 1/2 years the citizens of Wichita have been feeding dinner everyday to approximately 400 people who need a meal. Please respond to Christ’s call to feed the hungry by considering how you can help. Call our Parish Liaisons:  Kelly & Robert Johnson – 264.2236

CYO Advisors - Father McKnight is looking for several volunteers to lead the CYO program at Blessed Sacrament.  The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) is a diocesan-sponsored organization open to all high school-age youth.  Is primary purpose is to assist, strengthen and encourage spiritual growth of our young people. Please call the church office at 682.4557 to volunteer.

Landscape Maintenance - The landscape maintenance team is looking for new members who love the outdoors to help in routine trimming and refresh of the beds around the facility. Please call Steve Freach at 683.4159  to volunteer.

 

Adoration will resume in September.

We encourage all of you to join us Friday, September 5th, from 2:35 to 3:05 pm.

 

 

The first day of school is Monday, August 18, 2008. We are now accepting Pre-School and School applications for the 2008-09 school year.

Regarding preschool registrations for our 3yr. and 4yr. old programs, three year olds must be 3 and four year olds must be 4 by September 1, 2008. This year, Blessed Sacrament was able to offer a morning 3 year old program on Tuesday/Thursday from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. and a morning and afternoon 4 year old program on Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 12:15 – 3:15 p.m. The number of students that sign-up will determine whether we have enough 3 year old students to offer a second session in the afternoon. Only 15 slots are reserved for each session. Registration will be processed on a first come, first serve basis (with returning students holding overall priority until Jan. 31, 2008). $50.00 non-refundable deposit is due with the registration form to hold your place. 

You may pick-up an application form in the school office during school hours, 7:45 – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  You can also download the forms, by clicking the links below. If you have any questions, please click here to contact the school.

Download Kindergarten Application for 2008-2009

Download Pre-School Application for 2008-2009

The Adoration Chapel is in dire need of Adorers, especially for the wee morning hours on Friday. Please give this special Ministry serious consideration, thought, and prayer. If you can find a way to spend one hour with Our Lord, even as a part-time Prayer Partner, please call one of the Coordinators listed below. You will find it truly fulfilling!
Sunday: Dwyer, 685.1942; Hammans, 684.8384	URGENT: 2 persons 5-6 am; Partner 8-9 am; 2-3 pm; 5-6 pm
Monday: Janet Johnson, 687.5397	Partner 8-9 am; 4-5 pm
Tuesday: Deanna Bedard, 686.1665	Partner 2-3 am; 11am-12 pm
Wednesday: Mary Sue Wright, 684.8467	Partner 5-6 am; 8-9 am; 3-4 pm; 10-11 pm
Thursday: Rose Kuhlman, 689.0126	Partner 1-2 am; 3-4 am; 8-9 pm
Friday: Peggy or Richard Suniga, 686.4920	URGENT: Partner 12-1 am; 2-3 am; 3-4 am; 4-5 am; 1-2 pm; 3-4 pm; 8-9 pm
Saturday: Pat Harter, 683.6610	Partner 1-2 am; 5-6 pm

What kind of a person would wait in line for up to an hour, on a hot, humid day, for one sack and one box of food? Obviously, it must be someone desperate for food.

And at every food distribution at God’s Food Pantry, there are hundreds who show up, and stand in the heat, waiting for a handout. Many of these people are elderly or physically disabled.

Your donations of food and money to God’s Food Pantry make sure that the hungry don’t go away empty-handed. [Note: Donations during the summer are typically smaller than in other months, so the need is great.]