About Blessed Sacrament · Midland, Michigan
Blessed Sacrament Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Midland, Michigan, part of the Diocese of Saginaw. The parish traces its roots to 1951 when the first Mass was celebrated in a local school gym; the present round, 1,000-seat church was dedicated by Bishop Stephen Woznicki on October 7, 1967. Today the parish is led by Pastor Rev. Robert J. Howe and Deacon Dan Corbat, and it sustains a wide-ranging program of faith formation for children, youth, and adults, along with music, prayer, and outreach ministries in the Midland area.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- The Blessed Sacrament
- Rector
- Rev. Robert J. Howe
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
Why belong here
Blessed Sacrament offers a full life of faith for every age — Sunday and weekday Mass with a livestreamed 8:30 AM Mass, a monthly Saturday reconciliation gathering, and daily devotional rhythm of Saturday morning Rosary and Wednesday Evening Prayer. Families can grow together through the whole-family Elementary Faith Formation program on Sunday mornings between Masses, Middle and High School Youth Ministry, and Adult Faith Formation offerings like OCIA, afternoon and morning Bible studies, CARE (Catholic Adult Religious Education), and small groups. Add a 1,000-seat sanctuary with Italian-marble altars, a 32-rank pipe organ, and a legacy of 65 years of Catholic schooling, and you have a parish that takes formation, beauty, and community seriously.
Mass times at Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Saturday of the month, 2:30–3:00 PM
- By appointment with Fr. Rob (call the Parish Office)
Our Story — A Parish Since 1951
Blessed Sacrament was born in the early 1940s when the Bishop of Saginaw purchased land at East Ashman and Swede for a future Catholic church. Fr. Camill Klos became pastor in 1951 and celebrated the first Mass in November of that year at Northeast Intermediate school's gym. A cornerstone was laid in 1955, and the parish grew into the complex that today still houses its social hall, offices, and the former school. The round, 1,000-seat church was dedicated by Bishop Stephen Woznicki on October 7, 1967. After a sanctuary fire in November 1993, the church was repaired and rededicated in 1994, and the parish has continued as a center of Catholic life in Midland ever since. The name 'Blessed Sacrament' was chosen by Monsignor Joseph Illeg.
- First Mass: November 1951 (Northeast Intermediate school gym)
- Cornerstone of first parish complex: July 18, 1955
- Current round church dedicated: October 7, 1967 by Bishop Stephen Woznicki
- Sanctuary fire: November 1993; rededicated 1994
- Catholic school sustained for 65 years
- Name chosen by Monsignor Joseph Illeg
Architecture & Sacred Art
The church's circular plan was a practical response to the site — the property wasn't suited to the originally planned cruciform design — but it has also become a symbol of parish unity: worshippers see one another as they gather for Mass. Parishioner Jim Hopfensperger designed the faceted colored-glass walls and several art pieces inside the church.
The Altars & Relics
The main altar, sculpted from Italian travertine marble, is 7 feet long and weighs 10,000 lbs. It represents Christ the cornerstone, Christ the rock, the gate where heaven and earth meet, and the supper table around which the faithful become the Body of Christ. The main altar contains the bodily relics of Sts. Timothy, Irenaeus, and Aurelia; the chapel altar holds relics of Sts. Eutropius, Lucretius, and Theophilus.
- Main Altar: 7-ft travertine marble, 10,000 lbs, relics of Sts. Timothy, Irenaeus, Aurelia
- Chapel Altar: relics of Sts. Eutropius, Lucretius, Theophilus
The Organ
The parish organ has 32 ranks of pipes ranging from 10 inches to 30 feet, forming the backdrop of the altar and the side walls of the chapel.
Mass & Prayer Schedule
Weekend Masses are never canceled. If Midland Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather, weekday Mass is canceled. The 8:30 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed. Confessions are heard on the first Saturday of each month from 2:30 to 3:00 PM, or by appointment with Fr. Rob through the Parish Office. The parish also keeps a steady devotional rhythm beyond Mass — Saturday morning Rosary and Wednesday Evening Prayer.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Mass: 8:30 AM (Livestream) and 11:00 AM
- Monday Mass: 8:30 AM
- Thursday Mass: 8:30 AM
- Saturday 8:30 AM — Rosary
- Wednesday 6:30 PM — Evening Prayer
- Confessions: First Saturday 2:30–3:00 PM, or by appointment with Fr. Rob
- Inclement weather: weekday Mass canceled if Midland Public Schools are closed; weekend Masses never canceled
Parish Staff & Leadership
Blessed Sacrament is pastored by Rev. Robert J. Howe and served by Deacon Dan Corbat. A team of lay staff and volunteer council leaders keep the parish's spiritual, musical, administrative, and formation ministries running.
- Rev. Robert J. Howe — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Dan Corbat ([email protected])
- Melisa Waskevich — Business Manager
- Pat Lautner — Resource Manager, Finance & HR
- Steven Schweinsberg — Director of Music and Coordinator of Liturgy
- Renee Larsen & Kathy Wazny — Office Professionals
- Corinne Cathcart — Faith Formation Team Leader / Elementary Faith Formation
- Christy Granda — Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation & OCIA; Middle School Youth Ministry
- Christine Sellnow — High School Youth Ministry
- Melissa Kato — staff
- Cathy Richard — Pastoral Council Chair
- Pam Gandy — Finance Council Chair
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Blessed Sacrament is built around the conviction that parents are the first and most important catechists of their children. Programs serve every age — Pre-K through adult — and emphasize learning, prayer, and service together as families and small groups.
Elementary Faith Formation
Weekly classes run Sundays 9:30–10:45 AM between the two Sunday Masses for Pre-K through 5th grade, and at least one adult family member is expected to attend and stay. Each session is a whole-family experience combining games, lessons, crafts, snacks, and same-age group time, plus family service projects and occasional Family Fun Nights with the middle and high school groups. The 2025–2026 theme is 'Treasured.'
- Sundays 9:30–10:45 AM between Masses
- Whole-family model — parent participation
- Service projects, prayer experiences, Family Fun Nights
- 2025–2026 theme: Treasured
Middle & High School Youth Ministry
Christy Granda coordinates the Middle School Youth Ministry, and Christine Sellnow coordinates the High School Youth Ministry. Youth also help lead Masses during the year, such as the Youth-Led Masses at the 11:00 AM liturgy on selected Sundays.
- Middle School Youth Ministry — Christy Granda
- High School Youth Ministry — Christine Sellnow
- Youth-Led Masses at 11:00 AM (selected Sundays)
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
Adult Faith Formation, led by Christy Granda, offers bible studies, prayer groups, book studies, discussions, and special events throughout the year — for anyone wanting to learn about the Catholic faith, grow as a disciple, or share those experiences in community. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) walks inquirers through full initiation into the Church.
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
- Afternoon Bible Break (bi-weekly)
- Wednesday Morning Scripture Study
- Bible in a Year Podcast group
- CARE — Catholic Adult Religious Education
- Faith in Action Team
- Midland Area Inter-Faith Friends
- Rosary on the Go
- The Mass with Bishop Ken Untener
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and celebrates the seven sacraments of the Church. Children prepare for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation through the parish's Sacramental Preparation program, and adults enter the Church through OCIA. The Reconciliation Room is available for the sacrament of Penance, and a small baptismal pool in the sanctuary was added during the 1994 rededication.
- Baptism (baptismal pool in sanctuary, added 1994)
- Sacramental Preparation for Children
- Reconciliation — First Saturday 2:30–3:00 PM or by appointment
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
Music & Liturgy
Steven Schweinsberg serves as Director of Music and Coordinator of Liturgy, working with the Music Ministry to support the parish's liturgical life. The parish's 32-rank pipe organ, with pipes from 10 inches to 30 feet, forms the backdrop of the altar and the side walls of the chapel.
- Director of Music and Coordinator of Liturgy: Steven Schweinsberg
- Music Ministry team
- 32-rank pipe organ
Mission, Vision & Core Beliefs
Blessed Sacrament's mission is 'To help everyone recognize and experience the presence of God.' The parish's vision is 'a community inspired to joyfully manifest Christ's loving compassion to all.' These commitments are lived out through a set of explicit core beliefs covering the sacramental life, the dignity of every person, hospitality and inclusiveness, stewardship, peace and justice, the power of God, and compassion and forgiveness.
- Mission: To help everyone recognize and experience the presence of God
- Vision: A community inspired to joyfully manifest Christ's loving compassion to all
- Core Beliefs: sacramental life, human dignity, hospitality, stewardship, peace & justice, the power of God, compassion & forgiveness
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Camill Klos1951–
Appointed pastor in 1951; celebrated the parish's first Mass that November in the Northeast Intermediate school gym.