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Blessed Sacrament parish in Harrisonburg marks 100th

By Steve Neill
Of The Catholic Virginian

 “We Remember. We Celebrate. We Believe”

“Recordamos. Celebramos. Creemos.”

The bi-lingual emblem words in the Centennial logo for Blessed Sacrament parish in Harrisonburg were joyfully carried out in the parish’s 100th anniversary liturgy Oct. 21 at the Festival Conference and Student Center of James Madison University with an overflow crowd of more than 1,200 people.

Indeed, almost all aspects of the liturgy were celebrated in both English and Spanish. Blessed Sacrament now has approximately 1,600 families and slightly less than a third — some 500 families — are Hispanic. The welcome was given in both languages and the scripture readings and Gospel were presented in English and Spanish.

The choir, directed by Jean DePiro, coordinator of liturgy and music, combined the 8 and 11 a.m. choirs and Spanish choir. There was also a special presentation by the children’s choir.

Bishop Emeritus Walter F. Sullivan, who was the principal celebrant of the Mass, remarked in his homily that “54 years of my ministry in the diocese has been part of your 100-year history.” He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Richmond in 1953.

Father Thomas Mattingly, pastor since 2005, was among the concelebrating priests. Others included former pastors Father Kenneth Wood, currently pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Newport News, and Msgr. J. Kenneth Rush, pastor of Holy Cross, Lynchburg.

Also on the altar were Father Anthony Marques, parochial vicar; Father John Grace, who served as campus minister at JMU for 16 years and now has that role with the Newman Community of Virginia Tech, and Deacon Fred LaSpina.

Referring to the Blessed Sacrament Centennial logo, Bishop Sullivan said of the Harrisonburg parishioners, “You are people who not only believe, but who live out your faith on a daily basis.”

In addition to Catholic campus ministry at JMU and a strong presence in the Hispanic community, Blessed Sacrament has a strong commitment to its twin parish in Haiti. Claudia and Dave Pascarella, both active in the Haiti committee each carried symbols of Haiti in the offertory.

Other parish outreach comes through the food pantry and Justice and Peace.

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