RELIGIOUS ED NEWS

Sarah and Scott Rae are our high school catechists. We listed the incorrect last name for them in the May 4^th bulletin.

High school and middle school youth will be meeting separately beginning May 18. Both groups will meet on the first and third Sundays at 6:30 p.m.

We need to nurture the faith life of our youth so that their relationship with Christ continues to grow as they will one day be the ones passing on the faith to future generations. There are many activities we can offer our children if we have enough adult assistance. Please consider helping with Children’s Liturgy of the Word, the youth groups, vacation bible school, and other activities that might be incorporated. Remember, faith is caught not taught!

BUS TRIP TO DC – Thanks to all those who participated in our bus trip to DC; a total of 38 participated with ages ranging from 11 to 80+. There are many activities for all ages at the John Paul II Cultural Center – from bell ringing to virtual stain glass window designing and, of course, many papal displays. Our visit to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was the first for many of us; the Shrine is Patronal Church of the United States and the sacred art is indescribable! We ended the day with Mass celebrated by Father Lee in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel.

MAY CROWN DONATION

The May crown this weekend was donated IN HONOR OF ESTHER SECKORA by her nieces, LINDA, DONNA, LORRAINE AND BECKY.

The crown on the statue of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament was given by REGINA GUARNIERI in loving memory of her daughter, MARY JO.

ALTAR FLOWERS

The flowers in the vases on either side of the altar this weekend were given by KATHY AND BILL WEBSTER in thanksgiving for the safe return of their grandson, NATHAN, from his third tour in Iraq.

If you wish to donate flowers, please fill in your name and the intention on the list which is posted on the back bulletin board. For further information, call Pat or Wini Barron at 843-2522.

SENIOR LUNCHEON – VDB HALL

TUESDAY– MAY 13^TH – FOLLOWING 11 AM MASS

LAST SENIOR LUNCHEON FOR THE SUMMER

JOIN US FOR GOOD FOOD & FELLOWSHIP!

FINANCE COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY – MAY 13^TH – 6:30 P.M. – MERCY CENTER

OLBS SCHOLARSHIP

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS IS MAY 26^TH.

LADIES OF THE K OF C SCHOLARSHIP

The Ladies of the Knights of Columbus will be awarding two $500 scholarships.

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS MAY 15^TH.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Testimony of Favors Granted:

Miraculous recovery of my brother from septic shock and recovery of his daughter from addiction.

God has answered many prayers for our young friend’s delivery of a healthy boy after 2 months of being in the hospital.

Heavenly Father, increase our faith in the Real Presence of Your Son, Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. We are obliged to adore Him, to give Him thanks and to make reparation for sins. We need Your peace in our hearts and among nations. The best way to do this is through Eucharistic Adoration in the Mercy Center Chapel. There are many graces that God gives to the parishes that have Eucharistic Adoration. We need those graces now more than ever. Come visit for an hour anytime; make the time to tell God that you love Him.

RECTORY AVAILABLE FOR RENT

PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES

The Minutes of the March 9, 2008 meeting, reviewed and approved by Parish Council, are posted on the back bulletin board of the Church.

CHOIR PRACTICE

Wednesday – May 21^st – 7 p.m.

BELL CHOIR PRACTICE

Sunday– 11:15 to 12:30

May 18^th

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Jacqueline Ballance Johnson, mother of Roberta Racioppi, who passed away recently.

HELP VICTIMS OF THE RECENT TORNADOES

Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia is accepting cash donations for victims of the recent tornadoes. To give, please visit their web site www.cceva.org and click donations. Checks and credit card contributions are gladly accepted. Thank you!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

To all the mothers in our parish (mothers, in-laws, grandmothers, step-mothers), thank you for all the sacrifices, good memories, loving care, and most importantly, the gift of life! May God Bless You All!

PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS

There are three openings on Parish Council. A parishioner in good standing may express his/her interest in running for one of the terms by submitting a letter to Fr. Lee, giving a brief biography, qualifications for the office, and what you feel you can offer to the parish by serving in this capacity. Elections will be held in early June. Please submit your letter by May 20, 2008.

OLBS STRATEGIC PLAN SURVEY

You all received your copy of the results of the survey taken the weekend of April 26/27. If anyone is interested in looking at the raw data collected, please call Gerrie at the office (843-3125) and make an appointment to come in during regular office hours (Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

HOW TO PUT OLBS IN YOUR WILL

After providing for families and loved ones, parishioners may want to put our parish in their wills, thus helping to assure the long-term future of the parish. Carl Rudolph and Angie Mann are good examples of how remembering the parish in their wills made a difference at a crucial time. Bequests like this are free of estate tax and can substantially reduce the amount of your assets claimed by the government. You can give needed support to OLBS by simply including the following words in your will: "I give, devise and bequeath to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 207 W. Euclid Boulevard, West Point, VA 23181, (insert the amount being given) to be used to support the ministry of OLBS.

A bequest can be a specific dollar amount, a piece of property, a percentage of an estate, or all or part of the residual of an estate. You can designate how the gift is to be used, conserved, or saved.

Also, think about giving shares of stock to our parish, to be either sold or placed in a stock account to grow in value.

HIGH SCHOOL GUYS

JOIN US FOR THE "1:17 RETREAT!"

During his recent visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI said, "Those who have hope must live different lives!" Here’s a retreat opportunity designed to help high school guys to deepen their faith and live a different kind of life – the Gospel Life! This weekend retreat will provide a chance to grow in faith, to listen in prayer, and to discern how God is calling each person to a vocation of service. The retreat team includes Fr. Gregory Kandt, Fr. Dan Beeman, Fr. Tony Marques, Fr. Rob Cole and Fr. Michael Renninger. Here are the details:

Date: June 13-15, 2008

Location: Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center

Cost: Only $20 per person

Open to high school guys from the Diocese of Richmond.

For additional information, contact the Office of Vocations: amcnulty@richmonddiocese.org. Reserve your place today, and then come and listen as Jesus says, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Mark 1:17)