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PARISH PROFILE
 Blessed Sacrament, Norfolk: Older parish showing new growth
by Barbara Hughes
Special to The Catholic Virginian
Blessed Sacrament Church in Norfolk has a history of building, moving, and expanding. Over the years even its name has been changed.
What began in 1905 as St. Francis de Sales Mission located at Bluestone and 39th Street became Blessed Sacrament Church in 1921, located at the corner of 37th Street and Colley Avenue.
By 1952 the former mission of Sacred Heart expanded to include a convent and school which was staffed by the Daughters of Charity.
Continued growth resulted in the construction of a new church building at yet another address. In April of 1965 the church constructed at the corner of Newport Avenue and Painter Street was dedicated. However, in 2002, the worship space was enlarged and plans are currently under way to expand once again.
The plans include adding 4–5 classrooms for religious education, enlarging the worship space, the social hall and building a pavilion near the playground for outdoor gatherings. Currently, the parish uses three rooms at De Paul Hospital to house religious education students and there is standing room only at the weekend liturgies. Playground equipment was erected by parish volunteers but the vision for the outdoor space includes an athletic field, and a pavilion for parish picnics and gatherings. “We want a place for the children, the teens and adults,” says Father Joseph Metzger, pastor.
 “The church is too small, the great hall holds 100 people and is overflowing with parishioners after Mass and more parking spaces are needed,” he explained.
“It’s a great problem to have.
“We’re debt free. The 1.3 million dollars from the last building project is paid off so we’re ready to start another one.”
Parishioners are quick to attribute the recent, rapid growth to Father Metzger who was appointed pastor in the fall of 1999.
Longtime parishioner Linda Welsh recalled that,“The membership had dwindled to an all time low.
“The school was closed in 1988 and there were rumors that the parish would close, but all that changed when Father Joe came.”
“He’s a spark to our parish,” said Joan Griffey. “He runs on batteries that don’t stop.
“Father Joe acknowledges everyone and so people get involved and the kids love him.
“We know he’s a control freak and we tease him about it,” laughed Mrs.Griffey,“but since he came, people who had left the parish are back and the parish just keeps growing.”
Tom Griffey, who came into the Church last year during the Easter Vigil, said,“I’ve been coming to church with my wife and children for 44 years but I got motivated to join the church by Father Joe.
“Sister Regina was also in on it,” he continued.
“She did something sneaky and enrolled me in the prayers by the nuns in her order and I think they prayed me into the church,” he added, laughing.
 Sister Regina Stupak, a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary community, coordinates religious education for children and teens, implements the RCIA and is a visable presence in the parish.
“She and Fr. Joe are the reason I’m at Blessed Sacrament,” explained Karen Jackson.
“My 10-year-old daughter, Samantha, is autistic and non-verbal so when Fr. Joe and Sr. Regina included her in religious education, it made a big difference,” she said.
Samantha begins and ends the class period with her peers and Ms. Jackson said, “The kids are really great about including her and getting snacks for her at the end of class.”
After the opening prayer, Ms. Jackson takes Samantha to the daily Mass chapel for one on one instruction to prepare her to receive Eucharist.
“I’ll know when she’s ready,” explained Ms. Jackson. “Father Joe told me, ‘It’s not up to us. She’s a child of God and we have to include her.’”
(An in-depth story about what is being done in the parish for children with autism will appear in the next issue of The Catholic Virginian)
Linda Welsh, who serves as the volunteer minister of Justice and Peace at Blessed Sacrament, had just returned from delivering more than 450 toys donated as part of the angel tree project when The Catholic Virginian caught up with her.
The estimated $8,000 worth of toys was donated to “For Kids Inc” and St. Mary’s parish in Norfolk.
 “The generosity of parishioners goes on all year long,” noted Ms. Welsh.
Donations of diapers are provided for unwed mothers at Barrett House, the Coronado School for high school girls who are pregnant, and for Birthright through De Paul Hospital.
During the week of Thanksgiving, the parish donated non-perishable food items to the Food Bank and St. Mary’s and provided food and overnight shelter for 50 homeless people through the Norfolk Emergency Support Team, better known as NEST.
Parishioners also donate coats and blankets for the migrant workers on the Eastern Shore and this year have taken on a new project under the direction of Dr. Mary Beth Dixon.
Parishioners prepare and freeze casseroles that are distributed to St. Mary’s kitchen for the sick and homebound.
“People like to help with this because they can do it at home and cook at their leisure,” explained Ms. Welsh.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the parish provided housing and support for two families and is currently sponsoring three refugees from Myanmar and helping some of the lost boys from Sudan.
 Theresa McPhillips, who came to Blessed Sacrament in 1999 and heads up the flower ministry for the parish, finds the community life in the parish commendable. “The kitchen is always in motion with people cooking and preparing for receptions or parish meals,” she said. “There’s something for everyone from adult education to youth ministry and children’s programs. The parish is bursting at the seams and thriving.”
Parishioner Dr. Larry Dotolo, a professor at Old Dominion University, has been teaching adult education based on a book that participants read. The class of about 25 adults is reading and discussing “Triumph 2000 Years: The Power and the Glory.”
A concert series that runs in the fall and winter was started last year by Gregg Marino who serves as director of music ministries and administrative assistant for the parish. The current series includes eight concerts ranging from the Virginia Chorale performing sacred classics to the US Fleet Force Band; from “Bellisima” a 30-voice ensemble performing Gregorian Chant to the Bishop Sullivan Jazz Ensemble, to name a few.
 In addition to the liturgies, Sung Vespers is offered once a week during Lent and Advent.
During Lent evening prayer is preceded by a soup supper and during Advent by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.
“It’s a nice calming way to end the day” explained Mr. Marino. “You can’t help but feel good when you leave.”
As busy as he stays at Blessed Sacrament, Father Joe explained that celebrating liturgies at ODU and DePaul Hospital also fall under his pastoral responsibilities. He also presides at liturgies once a month at St. Patrick’s School.
 Parishioners at Blessed Sacrament are excited that two men studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Richmond claim Blessed Sacrament as their home parish. Sean Prince, a native of the parish is attending Theological Union in Washington, D.C. and Cole Kracke joined the parish after being involved in Campus Ministry at ODU.
Father Metzger is in his second assignment at Blessed Sacrament. As such a dynamic leader, some wonder what will happen when he is called to a new assignment.
When Linda Welsh was asked if she thought the parish would continue to thrive after Fr. Joe left, she responded without hesitation, “Absolutely.”
“We know he will leave at some point, as they all do, but the foundation has been laid and we will stay strong.”
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Copyright © 2007 The Catholic Virginian Press. Articles from Catholic News Services, including Fr. Dietzen’s column, may not be reproduced due to copyright considerations.
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