About Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament · Westfield, Massachusetts
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Westfield, Massachusetts, established in 1910 to serve the growing Catholic population of the city's northern section. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts and currently worships in a church built in 2009 on Holyoke Road after the loss of its historic Gothic-style church (built 1911 and moved to North Elm and Union Streets in 1920) to the Great River Bridge Project. Today the parish offers weekend Masses on Saturday evening and three times on Sunday, a daily Mass and Communion Service schedule, Eucharistic Adoration on the first Thursday of each month, and a robust array of faith-formation programs for children, youth, and adults along with parish outreach through St. Joseph's Workers, the Soup Kitchen/Take & Eat program, and a 40 Days for Life campaign.
- Established
- 1910
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel S. Pacholec
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament offers a warm, mid-sized Catholic community in northern Westfield where parishioners can worship through three Sunday Masses, a daily Mass schedule, monthly Eucharistic Adoration on the first Thursday, and the Saturday Miraculous Medal Novena. Faith formation is well supported by three coordinators serving children in grades K–1, 2–5, and 6–11, along with an active RCIA (OCIA) program led by Deacon Paul and Deacon Andrew, a TMIY men's group, the JPII Crew youth ministry, and a music program that includes both a traditional Adult & Youth Choir and the contemporary group Psalm 33. Outreach flows through St. Joseph's Workers, the Soup Kitchen/Take & Eat program, Prayer Line ministry, and a 40 Days for Life campaign, giving newcomers plenty of ways to put faith into action.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM in the Reconciliation Room off the chapel (wait in the Chapel)
- Tuesday 6:00–7:00 PM during Lent (in the church)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- First Thursday of the month, 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Twilight Vigil and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with overnight Adoration (special historic events, e.g. dedication weekend of the new church)
Church History
The parish's story begins in 1910, when it was established to serve northern Westfield's growing Catholic population. The first Mass was celebrated May 29, 1910, above what is now a True Value Hardware Store on North Elm Street; seven months later, on Passion Sunday 1911, founding pastor Rev. Michael J. Ahearn celebrated the first Mass in a Gothic-style church built for $22,000 at North Elm and Princeton Streets, dedicated July 2, 1911 by Bishop Thomas R. Beaven. In 1920 the church was physically moved a quarter-mile to North Elm and Union Streets, and Dr. James B. Atwater's marble-trimmed home became the rectory.
- 1910 — parish established, first Mass above O.B. Parks store (55 North Elm St.) on May 29, 1910
- 1911 — Gothic-style church built at North Elm & Princeton; dedicated July 2, 1911 by Bishop Thomas R. Beaven
- 1920 — church moved to North Elm & Union Streets on land purchased from Dr. James B. Atwater
- 1953 — Rev. Timothy O'Connor becomes pastor
- 1961 — groundbreaking for the Parish Center
- 1962 — Parish Center dedicated June 18 by Bishop Christopher J. Weldon
- 1992 — interior renovation coordinated by Rev. Francis X. Sullivan (new pulpit, altar, kneelers, bells, chimes)
- 1996 — Allen Digital Organ installed (Macungie, PA)
- 1997 — Pastor Sullivan learns of eminent-domain plans
- 2000 — Rev. Hugh F. Crean announces demolition for the Great River Bridge Project
- 2005 — former church closed in June
- 2007 — former church demolished in July; groundbreaking Mass for the new church celebrated August 12 by Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell under the theme 'Standing on Holy Ground'
- 2009 — new church on Holyoke Road dedicated October 11 after a vigil of overnight Adoration
The New Church & Parish Center
Since the 2009 dedication, the parish has worshipped from its present site at 127 Holyoke Road. The Parish Center, dedicated in 1962 by Bishop Weldon, sits on nine acres acquired in 1960 from four local families and continues to host faith formation, youth ministry, retreats, parish breakfasts, and parish-wide Masses when needed — as it did for the August 12, 2007 groundbreaking weekend, when more than 750 people attended the sole Mass of that weekend in the Center.
- Location: 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 489, Westfield, MA 01085-0489
- Parish Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Drop-box for envelopes and current bulletin outside the Parish Office doors
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at OLBS is staffed by three coordinators covering grades K–1, 2–5, and 6–11, supported by the Director of Faith Formation, Deacon Paul Federici. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during Mass, and Sacramental Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is built into the curriculum. The parish also has an active OCIA/RCIA process for adults, typically running from the first week of Advent through Pentecost.
- Sheila Conroy — Coordinator, Grades K–1 ([email protected], ext 101)
- Marie Gilberti — Coordinator, Grades 2–5 ([email protected], ext 101)
- Lisa Laferriere — Coordinator, Grades 6–11 ([email protected], ext 102)
- Deacon Paul Federici — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected], ext 105)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — Sue Fratini
- OCIA / RCIA team — Peggy Bradford, Deacon Paul, Deacon Andrew, JoAnn Hogan
OCIA / RCIA (Becoming Catholic)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) — referred to on the parish bulletin as OCIA — is the parish's process for adults seeking to become Catholic or to complete initiation sacraments. Sessions meet Sunday mornings after the 8:30 AM Mass, and typically run from the first week of Advent through Pentecost. The team introduces candidates to devotions such as the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Eucharistic Adoration alongside formal catechesis using the 'Invitation' curriculum.
- Average of 2–4 catechumens/candidates per year
- Meets Sundays 9:30–10:45 AM after the 8:30 Mass
- Contact Deacon Paul Federici at [email protected] or (413) 562-3450 ext 105
Music & Liturgy
OLBS offers both traditional and contemporary liturgical music, drawing on the parish's long organ history — the original Westfield Pipe Organ, a temporary Thomas Organ, and the Allen Digital Organ installed in 1996 — to support a full choir program led by Melanie Peetz and a contemporary ensemble called Psalm 33.
- Adult & Youth Choir — Melanie Peetz
- Contemporary Group 'Psalm 33' — Tom Fucci, Tom Layman, Sara Miller
- Organ: Allen Digital Organ (installed November 1996; built by Allen Organ Company, Macungie, PA)
- Extraordinary Ministers / Readers scheduling — Beth Modlish
- Altar Server scheduling — Melissa Trzasko; training — Deacon Paul Federici
Parish Staff, Deacons & Lay Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Daniel S. Pacholec with the help of Retired priest Rev. Thomas Shea, two deacons, a Pastoral Minister, three Faith Formation coordinators, a Secretary, and a Facilities Manager. Lay leadership is provided through the Finance and Pastoral Councils, with a Safe Environment Coordinator and a Parish Safety Advisory Committee overseeing compliance and safety.
- Rev. Daniel S. Pacholec, Pastor — [email protected], ext 104
- Rev. Thomas Shea (Retired)
- Deacon Paul Federici, Director of Faith Formation — ext 105
- Deacon Andrew Hogan — ext 106
- Mary L. Federici, Pastoral Minister — ext 103
- Sue Fratini, Secretary — ext 100
- Kevin Richardson, Facilities Manager
- Finance Council Chair — Kevin Bordage
- Pastoral Council Chair — Kathleen Harrington
- Safe Environment Coordinator — Sheila Conroy
- Parish Safety Advisory Committee — Deacon Paul
Parish Organizations & Outreach
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament is supported by an active network of parish organizations, affiliated Catholic movements, and outreach ministries. The parish takes part in the diocesan 40 Days for Life campaign, runs a Soup Kitchen/Take & Eat program through Cheryl Wood, supports a Homebound/Pastoral Care ministry under Mary Federici, and is affiliated with the Cursillo Movement, Schoenstatt Movement, Knights of Columbus, and Girl Scouts.
- Parish Outreach — Mary Federici
- St. Joseph's Workers — Fr. Dan Pacholec
- Soup Kitchen / Take & Eat — Cheryl Wood
- 40 Days for Life Campaign (parish participates in prayer/witness outside Springfield clinic)
- Cursillo Movement — Suzanne Malloy
- Schoenstatt Movement — Linda Burl
- Knights of Columbus — David Luna
- Girl Scouts — Pat O'Connor
- Prayer Line — Diane Wright, (413) 568-9754
TMIY Men's Group (That Man Is You)
TMIY is a Saturday-morning men's fellowship led by Deacon Andrew Hogan that combines fellowship, breakfast, a video presentation, and small-group discussion. The program has long been a fixture of parish men's ministry and follows a set weekly rhythm running from 8:00 to about 10:30 AM.
- 8:00–8:30 AM — Fellowship
- 8:30–9:00 AM — Breakfast
- 9:00–9:30 AM — Video
- 9:30–10:00 AM — Small group
- 10:00–10:15/10:30 AM — Clean up and finish
JPII Crew (Youth Ministry)
The parish's youth ministry, named the JPII Crew, is coordinated by Lisa Laferriere (Faith Formation Coordinator for Grades 6–11). It serves middle-school and high-school youth of the parish and complements the formal Grades 6–11 faith formation program.
- Coordinator: Lisa Laferriere ([email protected], ext 102)
- Open to youth in grades 6–11
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick, and brings adults into full communion through the OCIA/RCIA process. Homebound visits and pastoral care for the sick and elderly are coordinated through the Pastoral Minister.
- Baptismal Preparation — Deacon Andrew Hogan
- First Communion & Confirmation — Faith Formation program (Grades 2–11)
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM (and Tuesday 6:00–7:00 PM in Lent)
- Matrimony — Wedding rehearsals coordinated by Kathy Harrington
- Anointing of the Sick / Pastoral Care — Mary Federici, Pastoral Minister
- OCIA / RCIA for adult initiation
Becoming a Parishioner
The parish warmly welcomes new members. Registration cards are available on tables in the church; completed cards can be returned in the collection box. Active registration is required for Religious Education and for letters of eligibility for Godparents and Sacramental sponsors, as well as for the Catholic School Parish Subsidy.
- Pick up a registration card from the tables in the church
- Return completed cards in the collection box
- Active registration is required for Religious Education, godparent/sponsor letters, and Catholic School Parish Subsidy
Visiting & Contact Information
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and is reachable by phone, by individual staff email, or by mail. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to confirm staff availability; a mailbox and a box with the current bulletin and other materials are available outside the Parish Office doors at any time.
- Phone: (413) 562-3450
- Parish Office email: [email protected]
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 489, Westfield, MA 01085-0489
- Physical address: 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA 01085
- Parish Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM (subject to change; call ahead)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael J. Ahearn1910–
Founding pastor; celebrated first Mass in the church on Passion Sunday, April 2, 1911.
- Rev. Timothy O'Connor1953–
Led planning and construction of the Parish Center; groundbreaking August 1961, dedicated June 18, 1962.
- Rev. Edward Kroyak
Former pastor whose bequest helped fund bells, chimes, and other interior improvements.
- Rev. Francis X. Sullivan
Coordinated the February 1992 interior renovation; in October 1997 informed parishioners of the state's eminent-domain plans for the church property.
- Rev. Hugh F. Crean–2005
In August 2000 informed parishioners that the historic church would be demolished for the Great River Bridge Project; the former church closed in June 2005.
- Rev. Daniel S. Pacholec2005–present
Current pastor; received word nine months into his pastorate that the parish would have to vacate the church by June 1, and has led the parish through the loss of the old church, the 2007 groundbreaking at Holyoke Road, and the 2009 dedication of the new church.