Blessed Sacrament Parish sits on South Paulina Street in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood, a few blocks south of the neighborhood's namesake green space. The parish is pastored by a member of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, a religious order whose charism centers on the Eucharist, and that focus shapes nearly everything the parish offers. From its perpetual adoration chapel to its Mass and devotional schedule, Blessed Sacrament orients its life around time spent in the presence of Christ.
A Pastor Shaped by Two Vocations
The parish's founding pastor, Rev. Thomas J. Smithson, SSS (known to the parish simply as Father Tom), brings a deeply unusual background to the priesthood. Ordained on April 13, 2002, he grew up in Albuquerque, attended Catholic and public schools, and after high school joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served in hospital administration. His tour of duty took him to Travis Air Force Base in California, Yokota Air Base outside Tokyo, and briefly to Suwon, Korea. While stationed in Japan he also worked as a bartender and tutored Japanese businessmen in conversational English.
After leaving the military, Father Tom spent years in the publishing industry in Albuquerque, working his way up to the board level and ultimately serving as president of a company. Even then, he felt drawn toward something else. In 1993 he resigned to join the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, the religious community whose name the parish carries, and was eventually ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Twenty-Four Hours Before the Blessed Sacrament
The most distinctive feature of Blessed Sacrament Parish is its Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, located near 38th Street and Paulina Street, just down the block from the parish office at 3745 S. Paulina St. The chapel is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, offering a quiet place for prayer, reflection, thanksgiving, or simply sitting in silence before the Blessed Sacrament. The parish describes the space as an invitation to step away from the busyness of everyday life and encounter Christ.
For safety, the chapel requires an access code. Anyone wishing to use it can register at the parish office during regular office hours by bringing a valid state-issued ID. The chapel is closed during weekend Masses so that the whole community can gather for the Sunday celebration, and visitors are welcome to come for a few minutes or to stay for a full hour.
Mass, Reconciliation, and the Sacraments
The parish publishes its full Mass and devotional schedule on its dedicated schedule page, along with information about the daily rhythm of prayer. Confessions are heard every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and every Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Other sacraments are arranged through the parish office at (773) 523-3917. Baptisms are celebrated in English on the second Sunday of the month at 11:00 a.m., except during Lent, with preparation classes for parents held at 7:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month (also except during Lent). Couples preparing for marriage are asked to register at least six months in advance. The parish also prepares children for First Communion and Confirmation, hosts quinceañeras and anniversaries, and coordinates presentations of children. For anyone facing illness or hospitalization, priests are available to bring the Sacrament of the Sick.
Religious Education for Children and Adults
The Religious Education Program (REP) operates out of the parish's Pastoral Center at 1638 W. 38th Street and is directed by Sister Jane Frances Nabakaawa, DM. The program follows a two-year curriculum open to students from second through twelfth grade. The first year is taught in English; the second year offers Spanish instruction for returning students. Adult formation is offered through OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), with a separate registration fee.
Catechists and volunteers are at the heart of the program, and Sister Jane regularly invites parishioners to help. Beyond classroom instruction, the parish offers younger students who have already made their First Communion a chance to grow through biblical studies, drama, choir, and liturgical dance at no extra cost. Tuition is set on a sliding scale per family, with a discount for multiple siblings.
The David Brady Memorial Food Pantry
Twice each month the parish opens the David Brady Memorial Food Pantry to neighbors in need. The pantry is open from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the first and third Monday of every month and is staffed by parishioners at the parish campus on South Paulina. It is one of the most visible ways Blessed Sacrament extends the Eucharist outward into the surrounding community.
Groups for Every Stage of Life
Parish life at Blessed Sacrament is built around small groups that meet regularly on the campus. The Book Club gathers on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Paul Room, with a parallel Spanish-speaking Grupo de Literatura meeting at the same time. The Knights of Columbus and the Legion of Mary anchor the traditional Catholic apostolates. A Friendship Club offers fellowship, while the Domestic Violence Group and the St. Toribio Immigration Group provide support for parishioners navigating difficult personal circumstances. An Evangelization Group rounds out the parish's outreach efforts.
Mission and Identity
Blessed Sacrament Parish describes itself as a Roman Catholic church rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its stated mission is to welcome and nourish all people through the celebration of the Eucharist, uniting them with Christ and with one another, and to proclaim God's presence through worship, prayer, and the sacraments. The parish traces its identity to the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, the same order to which Father Tom belongs, and to the conviction that spending time in the presence of the Eucharist draws a community together in faith.
Visiting and Staying Connected
The parish office is open during posted hours at 3745 S. Paulina St., Chicago, IL 60609. Weekly bulletins are published online, and the parish maintains a presence on Facebook. Online giving is available through GiveCentral, allowing parishioners and friends to support the parish's work remotely. Visitors are warmly invited to stop by the adoration chapel, join a Mass, or call the office to learn more about any of the parish's ministries.