High School Youth Ministry Coordinator

Blessed Sacrament Parish is hiring for the full-time High School Youth Ministry Coordinator position.  

Are you passionate about your faith with a strong desire to inspire and guide high school youth? If you have a deep commitment to your faith, excellent leadership skills, and a heart for youth, we encourage you to consider joining our vibrant community.

Position: High School Youth Ministry Coordinator
Location: Blessed Sacrament Parish, Midland, MI
Application Deadline: Until filled.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead the design, implementation, and assessment of our high school youth ministry programs.
  • Foster engaging and meaningful interactions with students, parents, and volunteers.
  • Provide essential pastoral support within the youth ministry programs.
  • Collaborate actively with the Faith Formation team, contributing to annual programming plans and departmental budgets.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to your own professional development through continuous learning opportunities.

Requirements:

  • Practicing member of the Roman Catholic Church.
  • Holds a degree or higher in Theology, Religious Studies, or an equivalent field.
  • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
  • Competence in writing, speaking, communication, and technology.

More Information:

  • Salary – $38,000 – $43,000
  • Benefits – Health, Dental, Vision, 403b

How to Apply: If you are excited about this opportunity and meet our requirements, we would love to hear from you. Please send your letter of interest and resume to Patrick Regier, Business Manager via email or mail:

Email: admin@blessed-midland.org

Mail:
Blessed Sacrament Parish
Attn: Patrick Regier, Business Manager
3109 Swede Avenue Midland, MI 48642

For a detailed overview of the position, please click here to review the full job description.

At Blessed Sacrament Parish, we are dedicated to creating a nurturing and impactful environment for our high school youth. If you share our vision and are ready to make a difference, we look forward to receiving your application. Join us in this rewarding journey of guiding and inspiring the next generation in their faith.

Joint Pastoral and Finance Councils Meeting Minutes | June 7, 2023

Blessed Sacrament Parish Joint Pastoral and Finance Councils Meeting Minutes | June 7, 2023 

Attendees: Annette Clark, Dick Dolinski, Joe Dostal, Kathy Fothergill, Pam Gandy, Fr. Rob Howe, Jim Marinek, Lyn Pajk, Jeff Paulus, Patrick Regier, Cathy Richard, Dennis Thiel, Barb Warczinsky 

Excused: Judy Gross, Dan Kozakiewicz, Jim Mahoney, Andy Pasztor, Kevin Spencer 

Minutes 

  • Meeting began at 6:34pm 
  • Jeff Paulus moved and Annette Clark seconded the approval of the minutes of the April 19, 2023 Pastoral Council meeting. The motion carried. 

Opening Comments—Fr. Rob and Patrick  

  • An agreement in principle has been reached with the city of Midland to accept the Blessed Sacrament playground as city property. The city will be responsible for all maintenance, liability, and any other obligations as sole owner. The current equipment has deteriorated, cannot be repaired, and must be replaced to meet current standards and mitigate potential future injury-related liability claims. In turn, the parish will provide funds not to exceed $200,000 to purchase new playground equipment to meet existing standards including Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements. Funds will come from COVID-related federal funds that have been received from the government by the parish. This is a “win-win” situation; the city (and the neighborhood) gets the playground as part of Wallen Park and the parish no longer has maintenance, insurance, and liability risk-exposure costs. 

Faith Formation—Lyn 

  • Lyn updated the Council on the various Faith Formation programs  including the following: 
  • Cedar Point Trip—45 youth are registered to date for the trip. 
  • Outreach—Justin is leading the trip leaving on June 11 with about 17 youth who will be working on four projects including a soup kitchen and fire damage repairs. 
  •  Planetarium Trip—visit to the Delta Planetarium in Bay City is scheduled for middle school students on June 14. Faith and science will be part of the discussion.  
  • Baptisms—Baptisms are up—described as “blocks of babies!” 
  • Vacation Bible School (VBS)—VBS is coming soon. About 70 youth are already registered. The program is in partnership with St. Brigid and Our Lady of Grace.  
  • Adult Faith Formations—The program is proceeding well. 12 new small faith groups have been formed. A current project is making prayer beads. Another session of Theology By The Glass is scheduled for June 14.  
  • Corpus Christi Bike Ride—The annual “procession” will be the bike ride from the Tridge to the Cottage Creamery on June 8.  
  • Garden Stroll—Four parishioners’ houses will be open for a stroll through their gardens at the end of this month. 
  • Emily Janoch Presentation—Greg and Nancy Janoch’s daughter, Emily, is employed by CARE working on various projects assisting the poor. She has just returned from a project in Ethiopia and will be speaking about her experiences there at the Parish Center on June 27 at 1:00-2:30pm. 
  • “Kingdom Builders” will be the theme for next year’s programs 
  • Organization Changes—With Lyn’s retirement, Justin Rose will become the Director of Youth Programs and Christy Granda has been hired to be the Director for Adult Programs. She will begin on June 22. 

Finance Update—Patrick 

  • Patrick reported on Parish finances through the period ending May 31, 2023. The balance sheet increased by $652K to a total of $2.84 million largely due to a $333K payment from the federal COVID program, the $187K bequest from the Glenn Waters Estate, and higher weekend collections. 
  • The Christian Service Commission outreach balance was reduced reflecting the payment of $125K made to 50 different recipient non-profit organizations. 
  • Weekend collections through the end of May are up $75K over budget. Overall expenses are higher than the budget by $23K driven primarily by increased utility costs and a CMA deficit of between $30-45K.  
  • The 2023-24 budget was approved by the Finance Council at their last meeting in May. It calls for Revenues of $1.7 million and an “Operating” surplus (excluding Major Expenditures) of $136K. This is an increase of $11K from last year. Wages are projected to increase 6% and Benefits by 4% while other expenses are expected to remain flat. An overall budget Revenue less Expenses shortfall of $64K is planned after anticipated expenses of $136K for Major Expenditures.  

Roundtable Updates 

  • Annette—reported that “One Week, One Street” program is underway. 
  • Jim and Barb—expressed heartfelt appreciation to Lyn for all of her contributions to the parish with her many skills, competencies, and enthusiasm along with her unique joy-filled personality. They wished her well and Godspeed in her future endeavors. 
  • Barb—reported on the CRHP 17 celebration at Richard’s home and their desire to keep the effort moving forward. An 85-year-old woman is interested in participating next year. 
  • Lyn—had the last word (as usual?) 😀 She thanked the Council members for the gift of their time and for being the first line of parish support. She urged the Council to continue doing what St. Mother Teresa always advocated, viz., “do small things with great love!” 
  • The next meeting of the Pastoral Council will be held on September 6.  

The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 pm followed by refreshments in honor of Lyn. 

Wednesday Morning Scripture Study

You are invited to join us from 9:30-11:00 on Wednesday mornings.

On Wednesdays beginning September 13th from 9:30-11:00 am, we will be diving into Little Rock’s Scripture Study’s The Gospel According to John Part One.  This covers the magnificent prologue of John’s Gospel and a portion of Jesus’ ministry filled with the signs of his divine nature.

The cost of the book is $12, and you may drop by the Faith Formation office to sign up and pick up your book.   

About The Gospel According to John Part One

The Gospel of John is a testament to the divine nature of Jesus, the Word made flesh, the Light of the World. Part One of our study (John 1-10) covers the magnificent prologue of John’s Gospel and a significant portion of Jesus’ ministry. This ministry is highlighted by miraculous “signs” that reveal Jesus’ true nature and his relationship with the Father.

The Sharing Plate

Hey parish family! Did you know that there’s a Sharing Plate with yummy treats being passed around the parish? Sign up to join in the fun! Enjoy the treats that you receive and then fill up the plate with your family favorites and pass it on to another parish family!

The plate has already started to pass around and will continue through May. Want to join in the fun?

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Sign up below!

Step 2: You’ll be contacted by a parish family to set up your plate delivery. This would be a good time to make sure the family is aware of any food allergies that you or a member of your family has.

Step 3: Receive the plate and enjoy the treats on it. This is also a great time to take pictures to share with us on Facebook and to add your name and story to the blessing book that came with the plate.

Step 4: Contact the next person on the list that came with the plate to set up your drop-off. Please try to set up a delivery for the next family within 5 days of receiving the plate.

Step 5: Fill up the plate with your family’s favorite treats and pass it on!

Have questions? Please call the Faith Formation office at 835-6777 (extension 236).

Sign-up:

Building Community Partnerships

Blessed Sacrament Welcomes Arnold Center & Midland County ESA

Blessed Sacrament Parish is excited to announce two new partnerships with local community organizations! In late 2021, a team of parishioners was tasked to review the leasing options of the south wing of the parish center, formerly the school wing. The group provided a list of organizations that aligned with the parish’s mission and served the greater Midland community.  

In early January, two non-profits began their leases with us. The Arnold Center will use two rooms to conduct their adult community living training and art class. The Midland County ESA will use a room for temporary office space for program coordinators as their main building on Jefferson Ave undergoes a multi-year renovation. 

We are excited to welcome the Arnold Center and the Midland County ESA to the space and look forward to helping them continue their mission of serving our Midland Community. 

Logos for Arnold Center Inc and Midland County ESA

Fr. Rob’s Message

Small Faith Groups

Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own. The question, therefore, is not ‘How can we make community?’ but, ‘How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?’”
~ Henri Nouwen

Blessed Sacrament Parish Community is excited to continue our small faith groups initiative! Keep reading to learn more about the small group initiative and why you should be a part of it! It is our hope that our parish community will continue to grow in faith, discipleship, and fellowship through these small faith groups!

If you are part of an existing group, please check with your leader for meeting times and dates because some have changed.  If you are interested in joining or starting a small faith group, please contact Christy Granda. 

WHAT IS A SMALL FAITH GROUP

Generally, it is a group of 5-10 people who gather weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly for 60-90 minutes for fellowship, prayer, and discussion. These groups can meet at any place where community, conversation, confidentiality, and connection can happen. Though the composition and topic can be different for each group, the goals are the same for ALL groups; to make friends and make a difference while growing as disciples of Jesus.

WHY SMALL FAITH GROUPS

Jesus didn’t journey through this life alone. In fact, he called a group of twelve to follow him and companion with him. The group ate, prayed, and celebrated together. When times were difficult, they supported one other and strengthened each other’s faith. We were created from a community of love to be a community of love, and Jesus modeled that for us.

Small communities are powerful vehicles for adult faith formation, providing opportunities for learning, prayer, mutual support, and the shared experience of Christian living and service to Church and society.

Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, USCCB, 106

WHY SMALL FAITH GROUPS AT BLESSED SACRAMENT

At a parish as large as Blessed Sacrament, it’s easy to feel like you are just a number, just another person sitting in a pew. We realize that it’s often difficult to take the first step necessary to engage in all of the available ministry and faith formation opportunities. Small Faith Groups provide that first step and offer an immediate sense of belonging and a connection point to the larger parish.

WHO ARE SMALL FAITH GROUPS FOR

EVERYONE and ANYONE! Small Faith Groups are built around what people already have in common:

  1. Life Ages and Stages: young professionals, young families, empty nesters, singles, retired folks, married couples…
  2. Demographics: just men or women, mixed groups of men and women
  3. Areas of Interest: Scripture Study, Book Club, Papal Letters, Theology, God in Nature, Ministry Groups, Christian Music, Service, and Video Series on a whole range of topics

State of the Parish 2022

In response to the synod listening sessions, Blessed Sacrament has produced its first-ever State of the Parish 2022 video. In this video, you will hear from members of staff as they explain where their departments and programs are heading for this year.

If you have questions about anything in the State of the Parish video, please feel free to reach out to any of the staff members. You may also learn more about these programs on the website.

Parish Community Weekend Success

The Blessed Sacrament Outdoor Mass and Parish Picnic was a huge success!!  Thank you to everyone who came and enjoyed the festivities.  A lot of hard work and dedication went into planning this wonderful event.  We could not have a Picnic like this with the help and support of many people.

A BIG thank you to…

  • The Knights of Columbus for all your hard work and help with setting up, grilling the meat, serving drinks, and clean up.
  • The Ladies of Blessed Sacrament for taking care of all the food – set up, serving, clean up.
  • Cottage Creamery, Dave & Patti Kepler, for the Ice Cream.
  • the Ladies of parish that made and donated cookies for the picnic.
  • Pam Gandy for ordering and delivering the Adult Beverages.
  • Tim Pajk for the music and singing.

Our golf outing on Sunday had 27 teams compete to take first place at Currie West. We could not have asked for better weather or a better group of people!

Congratulations to our top 3 teams!

  1. Gregg Franjione, Kurt Silvis, Jesse Franjione, and Joe Kreusch
  2. Dan Toland, Hugh Taylor, Rob Rhead, Leonard Kowalski
  3. Wayne Turmell, Denise Turmell, Brett Turmell, Seth Guigar

Our winners on the hole contests:

  • Joe Kreusch (Men’s Closest to the Pin)
  • Annette Clark (Women’s Closest to the Pin)
  • Seth Guigar (Men’s Longest Drive)
  • Madison Hert (Women’s Longest Drive

We are already looking forward to next year! Thank you to everyone who came out to worship, play, and spend time together!

Parish K of C featured in Documentary and article

Blessed Sacrament’s Knights of Columbus Council’s award winning “Wood for Warmth” project is being featured in an organization-wide publicity campaign. This includes a 3 minute video, an article in the monthly magazine, and the weekly message to all members.

The video was produced by an Academy Award winning production company from Chicago. Check out the links below.