Blessed Sacrament

Parish History

Blessed Sacrament was founded in 1959 when approximately 300 Catholic families in the Seminole area responded to a census taken by Father John Scully of Sacred Heart, Pinellas Park. Father Scully organized the new mission and celebrated the first Mass on May 17, 1959, in the auditorium of Madeira Beach Junior High School. Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley established the mission as a parish on June 29, 1959, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and entrusted it to the priests of the Institute of Charity (Rosminians).

• Ground broken June 7, 1959 on a 12-acre former citrus grove at 66th Avenue North
• Temporary wooden church occupied January 1960
• Present fan-shaped church dedicated April 11, 1978 by Bishop Charles McLaughlin
• Parish school opened September 1962 under Father Michael Cottrell
• More than 1,800 registered families today

Our School

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School is a K-8 Catholic school located on parish property at 11501 66th Avenue North, Seminole. Grounded in the Rosminian tradition, the school partners with the parish to form students academically and spiritually. The school serves roughly 250 students and has grown steadily since its opening in September 1962, when it initially served grades one through four.

• Opened September 1962 with grades 1–4
• Expanded to grades 5–8 and later added kindergarten (about 22 years ago)
• Staffed by the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception beginning August 1969
• Improvements include a larger library, computer room, hot lunch program, and elevator
• Annual fundraisers, sports program expansion, and classroom support run by parent volunteers
• Website: https://www.bscschool.com/

Sacraments

Information about Baptism and Marriage is published directly by the parish, with advance notice required for both sacraments.

• Baptism – six months advance notice; contact the parish office for application and scheduling
• Marriage – contact the parish office for preparation and scheduling

Parish Leadership Team (PLT)

The Parish Leadership Team grew out of a 'core team' established in 2012 by Father Rick Pilger after he attended the Catholic Leadership Institute's 'Good Leaders, Good Shepherds' program. The PLT discerns parish needs and God's will for addressing them, and it produced the parish's current Purpose and Vision statements.

• Formed in 2012
• Originates from Father Rick Pilger's CLI capstone project
• Adopted the parish Purpose and Vision statements
• Contact email: [email protected]

Mission, Purpose & Vision

Blessed Sacrament states that the parish family 'trusts in God's Divine Love under the guidance of the Rosminian Tradition of Universal Charity.' The parish's mission is to spread Jesus' Eucharistic Love throughout the greater Seminole area by bringing lifelong disciples into his church through acts of charity, fellowship, and prayer. The vision is to be witnesses of Jesus' love in the world by increasing in personal holiness and by spreading God's message of salvation through word and action.

Ministries & Faith Formation

Faith formation at Blessed Sacrament includes formation for children, youth, and adults, with music and religious education under a single director. OCIA welcomes anyone seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, including whole families, couples married to Catholics, and individuals who have attended Mass for years and decided to join.

• OCIA (RCIA) – Order of Christian Initiation for Adults; classes meet after the 11:30 am Sunday Mass; no cost or obligation; contact Brent Sowards
• Youth & Young Adult Ministry
• Music Ministry / Director of Religious Education: Fred Eschenfelder
• Open to individuals, couples, and families seeking the Catholic faith

Pastoral & Parish Staff

The pastoral team is led by Rosminian priests of the Institute of Charity, supported by lay staff who manage the parish office, music program, religious education, and grounds.

• Pastor: Rev. Joseph (Joe) O'Reilly, I.C.
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Bibin Mathew, I.C.
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Richard (Rick) Pilger, I.C.
• Parish Manager: Chuck Warich
• Secretary: Donna Valenty
• Music Director & Director of Religious Education: Fred Eschenfelder
• Groundskeeper: George Hummer
• OCIA contact: Brent Sowards

Visit & Contact

The parish office is open Monday 1:00 – 4:30 pm and Tuesday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Inquiries and messages can be sent to [email protected], and the parish's Facebook page provides additional updates and community news.

• Address: 11565 66th Avenue North, Seminole, FL 33772
• Phone: (727) 391-4661
• Fax: (727) 391-5638
• Office email: [email protected] (diocesan listing also references [email protected])
• Office hours: Monday 1:00 – 4:30 pm; Tuesday–Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bscsem/