About Blessed Sacrament · Grand Island, Nebraska
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Grand Island, Nebraska, established in 1948 on the north side of the city to relieve overcrowding at St. Mary's Cathedral. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Grand Island and is currently led by Rev. Robin Bashir as parish Administrator. Worship offerings include daily Mass (Monday 8:00 a.m.; Tuesday–Friday 12:05 p.m.), Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m., and two Sunday Masses at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., with weekly Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, a parish food pantry, a thrift store, a Preschool, a Religious Formation program for children and youth, and outreach to the homebound. The parish has a long history of resilience — most recently celebrating the blessing and rededication of its renovated church on June 22, 2024 — and lives out its identity through the patronage of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ.
- Established
- 1948
- Patron
- The Most Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ
- Rector
- Rev. Robin Bashir (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Grand Island
Why belong here
Blessed Sacrament is a mid-century parish with deep roots on the north side of Grand Island and a tight, multigenerational community life. Parishioners worship together through daily and Sunday Mass, weekly Confession, Saturday Eucharistic Adoration, First Friday Adoration and Benediction, and a Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena. They form their children through a Religious Formation program that meets Wednesday evenings, a Preschool, and sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, and they reach outward through a Parish Food Pantry, the Parish Thrift Store at 4th & Eddy Streets, Habitat for Humanity support, parish funeral dinners, and pastoral visits to the homebound, hospitalized, and those at the Nebraska Veterans' Home.
Mass times at Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Adoration times
- Saturdays 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
- First Fridays 11:00 a.m. – Adoration, 12:00 p.m. – Benediction, followed by 12:05 p.m. Mass
- Perpetual Adoration began at the parish in 1956
About Blessed Sacrament Parish
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Grand Island, Nebraska, in the Diocese of Grand Island. The parish is currently administered by Rev. Robin Bashir (ordained November 28, 1997), who previously served as Associate Pastor of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Grand Island. The parish office is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and can be reached at (308) 384-0532 or [email protected].
- Parish Administrator: Rev. Robin Bashir
- Diocese: Grand Island
- Address: 518 W. State Street, Grand Island, NE 68801
- Phone: (308) 384-0532
- Fax: (308) 384-0424
- Office email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Religious Formation contact: Sandra Bermudez – 308-395-8521
History of Blessed Sacrament
Established in 1948 by Bishop Edward J. Hunkeler and dedicated as a worship site on March 27, 1949, Blessed Sacrament has grown from a chapel in a converted air base building into a fully developed parish campus with a school (later closed in 1975), Central Catholic High School (jointly with St. Mary's), Egging Hall, the Jubilee Center, a Preschool, and a renovated church rededicated in 2024.
- 1948 – Parish established by direction of Bishop Edward J. Hunkeler.
- 1949 – Bishop Hunkeler dedicates the former air base chapel; Fr. (later Msgr.) Anthony Egging is first pastor.
- 1952 – School opens in September with 190 students in grades 1–8.
- 1953 – Convent for the Dominican Sisters completed.
- 1956 – Central Catholic High School opens (joint with St. Mary's); Perpetual Adoration begins.
- 1962 – First Mass in the new church on the present site (September 9).
- 1975 – Parish school closes.
- 1977 – Egging Hall created from five former classrooms.
- 1980 – Original 1949 church dismantled; memorial bell tower remains on site.
- 1984 – Fire destroys the church.
- 1985 – Rebuilt church dedicated December 1.
- 1999 – Jubilee Center dedicated in fall.
- 2000 – Blessed Sacrament Preschool opens in August.
- 2007–2008 – Church renovation; Mass held in Jubilee Center for six months.
- 2024 – First Mass in renovated church on March 8; blessing and rededication on June 22; Bishop Joseph G. Hanefeldt installed as Bishop of Grand Island.
Sacraments
Blessed Sacrament prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, and Holy Orders, and visits the sick and homebound.
- Baptism – Required Baptismal Preparation class for parents and godparents (308-384-0532).
- First Reconciliation – Children in 2nd grade receive the sacrament, with further preparation and a communal celebration in 4th grade.
- First Holy Communion – Received in the spring of 2nd grade; family preparation meetings begin in September.
- Confirmation – Preparation through the Religious Formation program.
- Matrimony – Couples meet with Father Robin and use the FOCCUS pre-marriage inventory.
- Holy Orders – Information from Father Robin Bashir (308-384-0532).
- Pastoral Care – Communion and visits to homebound, hospitalized and convalescent parishioners.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Formation is held weekly throughout the school year, with separate tracks for younger children, middle schoolers, and high schoolers, as well as adult enrichment and O.C.I.A./O.C.I.C. for those becoming Catholic.
- Preschool–5th grade: Wednesday evenings at 5:45 p.m., using This Is Our Faith, Walking by Faith, and Blest Are We curricula.
- 6th grade: classroom study of Visions and What the Church Believes.
- 7th–8th grade: discussion of the upcoming Sunday scripture and Catholic tradition (Wednesday 7:00 p.m.).
- High school "Godparent Youth Group" (9th–11th): Wednesday 7:00 p.m., with sponsors leading weekly "practical Christian living" classes.
- O.C.I.A. (adults) and O.C.I.C. (children 3rd grade and older).
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 10:00 a.m. Mass on the 1st and 3rd Sundays.
- Adult Enrichment Sessions coordinated through the Pastoral Associate.
- Contact: Sandra Bermudez – 308-395-8521
Preschool
The Blessed Sacrament Preschool has been in operation since August 2000, providing faith-based early childhood education as part of the parish's family ministry.
- Blessed Sacrament Preschool
- Established August 2000
- Information through the parish office (308-384-0532)
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgy as Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Hospitality/Ushers, and Choir members. Anyone is welcome to join the choir; rehearsal begins 30 minutes before Mass.
- Altar Servers – contact Sandra at 308-384-0532
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Hospitality / Ushers
- Parish Choir (rehearsal 30 minutes before Mass)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (1st and 3rd Sundays at 10:00 a.m.)
Outreach & Hospitality
Blessed Sacrament maintains a strong outreach mission, with a food pantry, a thrift store, pastoral visits to the homebound and hospitalized, funeral dinners, and support for Habitat for Humanity.
- Parish Food Pantry – open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.; bring ID and proof of address; patrons may come every two months.
- Parish Thrift Store – 4th & Eddy Streets, Grand Island, NE 68801; Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; Monday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. for donations only.
- Visiting Homebound Parishioners – Communion and visits to those unable to attend Mass (contact Anne Coffey or Betty Aalborg, 308-398-3443).
- Prime Time Group (50+) – third Wednesday of the month: 12:05 p.m. Mass, then home-cooked dinner and program.
- Habitat for Humanity support – contact Ruth at 308-384-0532.
- Funeral dinners – parish provides a meal immediately following the funeral service.
- Second Sunday Food Collection – parishioners bring food items for the Food Pantry each month.
Devotions
Devotional life centers on the Blessed Sacrament, with regular Exposition, First Friday Adoration and Benediction, Perpetual Adoration dating to 1956, and an annual Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena.
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament – Saturdays 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
- First Fridays – Adoration 11:00 a.m., Benediction 12:00 p.m., Mass 12:05 p.m.
- Perpetual Adoration (since 1956)
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena – June 1–12 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish Chapel
Parish Staff and Clergy
Parish leadership is provided by Rev. Robin Bashir, parish Administrator, alongside parish office staff and ministry coordinators.
- Rev. Robin Bashir – Parish Administrator (ordained 11/28/1997)
- Sandra Bermudez – Director of Religious Formation (308-395-8521)
- Anne Coffey and Betty Aalborg – Pastoral Care / Visiting Homebound (308-398-3443)
- Parish Office – 308-384-0532 / [email protected]
Getting Involved & Annual Diocesan Appeal
Parishioners participate in the Annual Diocesan Appeal and support parish ministries through time, talent, and treasure.
- Annual Diocesan Appeal – 2025/2026 goal $69,389.00 (household goal 210).
- Volunteer opportunities: Food Pantry, Thrift Store, Choir, Lectors, Hospitality, Altar Servers, Children's Liturgy of the Word, Habitat for Humanity.
- Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation volunteers welcome.
- Contact the Parish Office at 308-384-0532.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Anthony Egging1949–1971
First pastor; founded and built up the parish and school
- Fr. Paul J. Button1971–1973
Second pastor
- Fr. Thomas E. Mullownney1973–1981
Third pastor
- Fr. Donald O'Brien1981–1989
Fourth pastor; led rebuilding after 1984 fire
- Fr. Stephen Deaver1989–1994
Fifth pastor
- Fr. Donald Larmore1994–2002
Sixth pastor; oversaw Jubilee Center project and 50th anniversary
- Fr. Francis Curran2002–2008
Seventh pastor
- Fr. Todd Philipsen2008–2016
Eighth pastor; oversaw 2007–2008 church renovation
- Fr. Martin (Marty) Egging2016–present (medical leave, limited ministry)
Ninth pastor; later placed on medical leave of absence for continued rehabilitation
- Rev. Robin Bashirafter Egging's medical leave–present
Tenth pastor; currently Administrator, previously Associate Pastor of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grand Island; ordained 11/28/1997