Blessed Sacrament Church is a Catholic parish at 1626 West 26th Street in Erie, Pennsylvania, rooted on the shores of Lake Erie. It is known for a welcoming identity where the love of Jesus Christ is made visible through generous service, neighborly care, a strong sense of belonging and joyful living of the Gospel. The parish's visual identity includes memorial stained-glass windows honoring a succession of saints and a chapel window devoted to the 15 mysteries of the rosary.
A Welcoming Parish on Lake Erie
Everyone is welcome to join the parish family at its liturgies. Blessed Sacrament's mission pairs the call to welcome people who seek a spiritual home with attention to the needs of others, sharing faith, trust in God's promise and formation through the Holy Eucharist as the Body of Christ.
The parish prayer also asks members to be generous with their gifts of time, talents and treasure, to become stewards and to gather resources for the work of building up God's kingdom. Its stated hallmarks are joyful Gospel living, neighborly care and a sense of belonging.
Mass and Morning Worship on a Steady Rhythm
Mass is celebrated at three times on Sunday and once on Saturday evening, with a separate 8:00 a.m. weekday Mass. The weekend and weekday schedule is:
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass
- Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass in the chapel at 2420 Greengarden
Confession is offered weekly on Saturday from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m., and appointments can be arranged with a priest for another time. The church's services are also livestreamed on Facebook Live.
Worship aids in each pew provide the order of Mass, the postures and the words to each prayer. Visitors can follow the lead of parishioners and ask an usher for an aid if one is not in the pew.
Parking, Dress and Joining the Liturgy
Two Parking Lots
There are two parking lots. The lot on the east side, at 26th Street and Greengarden Boulevard, is primarily for accessible parking. A larger lot sits at the west end of the church.
Come as You Are
Blessed Sacrament asks visitors to feel comfortable rather than dressed to a formal standard. Sandals, shorts and a shirt are common in summer, and Sunday best is equally welcome. Shorts should have a conservative length, and clothing in general should be respectable and conservative.
Taking Part in the Mass
No one needs to be self-conscious about when to sit, stand or kneel. The parish's worship aids explain the order of the Mass, postures and prayers, while visitors may follow parishioners' lead.
Blessed Sacrament teaches that the Eucharist is the most intimate expression of Catholic faith and that the host is literally the Body of Christ, transformed from bread by the priest. Non-Catholic visitors are asked not to receive Communion. Those who do not receive the Body and Blood of Christ are invited to come forward with their hands crossed over their chests for a special blessing.
The Offering
Visitors are not expected to contribute to the offering and may simply let it pass. The parish accepts checks and cash during services, and online giving is another option for those who support the parish.
A Cry Room, Hearing Assistance and Child Protection
The parish has a cry room in the balcony, reached by the western steps, for families with young children. Hearing assistance devices are kept in the sacristy, and an usher can help a visitor obtain and use one.
Child protection policies and information about reporting child abuse are provided through the Diocese of Erie.
Sacraments for the Whole Parish Family
Blessed Sacrament makes the sacraments a central part of parish life, with preparation for families and adults as well as rites for children and youth.
Baptism
Infant Baptism is normally celebrated within the first few weeks after birth and can take place during any weekend liturgy or after the 11:00 a.m. Mass. Baptisms are normally not held during Lent. A baptism class is required for a first child, for families new to the parish, or when five years have passed since the last child's birth. Godparents must be practicing Catholics and obtain a sponsor certificate from their own parish if they do not belong to Blessed Sacrament. Families returning from out of town provide a letter of permission from the parish where they currently live.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation is offered weekly on Saturday afternoons from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m., with an appointment possible at another time. Communal Penance Services are offered twice a year, during Advent and Lent.
Confirmation
Confirmation is one of the Church's three initiation sacraments. Baptism makes a person a new creation spiritually, the Eucharist feeds that person spiritually, and Confirmation strengthens the spiritual journey through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and reverence. Preparation normally begins in a student's freshman year of high school under the Parish Religious Education Leader.
Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is arranged through the Parish Office for anyone who wishes to receive it.
Marriage
Marriage preparation follows the parish's understanding that spouses model Christ's love and self-gift by serving one another, their family and the community. Couples begin with an initial meeting at least six months before the intended wedding date, followed by preparation for the wedding and reception of the Sacrament of Marriage.
Holy Orders
For those discerning a call to the priesthood, Blessed Sacrament encourages daily prayer, reception of the sacraments and conversation with a priest.
Windows That Tell the Christian Story
The stained glass at Blessed Sacrament tells the Christian story through depictions of beloved saints, biblical scenes and abstract images of faith. The memorial windows were placed in the parish church, and each was designed to emphasize a particular devotion associated with its saint.
Among those honored are Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. John the Evangelist, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Paschal Baylon, St. Jerome Emiliani, St. Tarcisius, St. Bonaventure, St. Pius X, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Gertrude and St. Alphonsus Liguori. The chapel is enhanced by a stained-glass window measuring 10 feet high by 19 feet long and depicting the 15 mysteries of the rosary.
FORMED, Bible Study and Religious Education
Blessed Sacrament offers a free FORMED subscription to parishioners. It includes movies and documentaries for adults and children, inspirational talks, Bible studies, audiobooks and dramas, providing Catholic material for family viewing, study and listening. Parishioners can sign up online by selecting the parish option and entering Blessed Sacrament Erie or ZIP code 16508.
Religious education is directed by Jennifer Durney and includes children's formation, Confirmation preparation and a preschool. The parish also provides a handbook, calendar, registration and online payment options for its broader religious education program.
A women's Bible study meets on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Office. Women of all ages are invited to spend time in Scripture, prayer and conversation; participants can bring their own Bible or use one provided by the parish.
Food Bank, Prayer Shawls and Parish Fellowship
The parish's organizations include the Food Bank and Prayer Shawl Ministry. Ushers, the Knights of Columbus and parish committees for finance, pastoral affairs and vocations also support the life of the community.
Special-interest connections include Cursillo, the Fellowship for Divorced and Separated and Marriage Encounter. An athletic director and gym scheduling add another dimension to parish activity, and volunteers help make parish events succeed.
Clergy and Ministry Leadership
Fr. Philip Pinczewski serves as pastor, and Jerry Sobrowski serves as deacon. Jennifer Durney is Director of Religious Education, and Kathy Golden is Director of Music. The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament's identity comes through in the combination of Catholic worship, sacramental care, formation for multiple generations, practical service and a setting of memorial stained glass. From the 8:00 a.m. weekday Mass at the Greengarden chapel to the Saturday and Sunday liturgies, the parish continues its mission to make the love of Jesus Christ visible through neighborly care, generous sharing and joyful living of the Gospel.