At Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, we strive to build a welcoming environment in which the liturgy unites our diverse community. Christ continues his work of our redemption through the liturgy. We are all nourished by the Word and Sacrament, and are empowered to live our lives as a reflection of Christ’s love. Through the liturgy, we are motivated to work for peace and justice.
To our parishioners’ needs, we offer a full array of opportunities for preparation and reception of the church’s sacraments.
*Anointing of Sick and Sick Calls
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Notify a priest immediately in case of serious illness or sudden death.
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Please let the parish office know of hospitalized and homebound persons.
(703) 998-6100 or email: parish_office@bscva.org
*Baptism
Celebrations are on one Saturday a month. A parent and godparent preparation program is required, so we recommend to begin at least three months prior to the baby’s due date.
Please contact the parish office for details at (703) 998-6100 or email Kathleen Molloy at kmolloy@bscva.org. For Spanish, you can contact Maria Leiva at mleiva@bscva.org.
Is your child’s/godchild’s Baptism bringing you back to your Faith? Have you been away for awhile, and wondering how to jump back in? We are here to help you take the leap back in. Contact one of our fabulous priests or Susan Doyle at sdoyle@bscva.org or call 703.998.6100.
*Penance/Reconciliation (Confession)
Confessions are heard on Monday-Friday 7:00-8:00 a.m., Saturday 3:30-4:30 p.m. and Sunday 1:15-1:45 p.m. (Spanish) in the DAILY CHAPEL.
Confession 101 Video Part 1 – Check out this video about what confession is and how to do it! This video helps you to prepare for confession before you go!
Confession 101 Video Part 2 – A priest walks you through the actual process of confession.
*Confirmation
“Confirmation ensures that our lives be embodied in the image of His Son.” (~ Pope Francis)
ADULT CONFIRMATION If you are interested in being confirmed, please contact Susan Doyle at sdoyle@bscva.org or (703) 998-6100.
YOUTH CONFIRMATION Blessed Sacrament youth are confirmed in the fall of 8th grade, or older. (See YOUTH CONFIRMATION page for more information)
*Eucharist
“The Eucharist is Jesus who gives himself entirely to us. To nourish ourselves with him and abide in him through Holy Communion, if we do it with faith, transforms our life into a gift to God and to our brothers. To let ourselves be nourished by the “Bread of Life,” means to be in tune with the heart of Christ, to assimilate his choices, thoughts, and behaviors.It also means that we enter into “a dynamism of sacrificial love and become persons of peace, forgiveness, reconciliation and sharing in solidarity.” (~ Pope Francis, August 16, 2015)
Guidelines for the Reception of Holy Communion
If know someone who is homebound, please contact the office at (703)-998-6100 so that a priest or an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion can bring the Eucharist to the confined person.
*Funerals
“It is by the Eucharist thus celebrated that the community of the faithful, especially the family of the deceased, learn to live in communion with the one who “has fallen asleep in the Lord,” by communicating in the Body of Christ of which he is a living member and, then, by praying for him and with him.” (CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH)
If you have lost a loved one you should contact a funeral home first. The funeral home will coordinate with the church to plan the date and time of the service.
*Marriage
Marriage is a gift instituted by Christ that gives us His saving grace. Therefore this is a both a celebration for you, your families and friends; AND a celebration for the whole Church. The Church is involved with you in the preparation for marriage, in the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony, and in your living of the marriage covenant that you established before God and the community.
Arrangements must begin at least six months in advance of the date of the wedding. This is a diocesan requirement.
To begin the process, please call the parish office at (703) 998-6100 or send an email to Maria Leiva at mleiva@bscva.org.
- Below is a Marriage Guidelines Handout which will answer many questions.