Mass and Homily Video

Blessed Sacrament Church is experimenting with posting video of events from our Parish. Our first thoughts are to post a Mass from weekends in two forms: the entire Mass, and the Homily. We would like to know if you would use this resource. Would you like the entire Mass? Would you like only the Homily? Would you like special events? Click here to view recent recordings.

Enroll Now for 2013-2014

Calendars: Life Teen, Religious Education, Confirmation - Required Forms

Changes In Confirmation

As you may have read in the July West River Catholic (page 12), the Confirmation age is changing in the Diocese of Rapid City. When Bishop Gruss came to Rapid City, one year ago, we asked if the age of Confirmation was going down to 3rd grade (studied under Bishop Cupich). Bishop Gruss formed a study group and they researched various options. In the end they recommended lowering the age of Confirmation from High School. As the article states; “Lowering the age of confirmation is an opportunity to offer these graces sooner in the lives of our youth, so that, with God’s help they grow in charity and in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we may all live out this sacrament and the call to holiness as called by God and his church”.

The schedule for the whole Diocese is to confirm:

• 10th and 11th graders in 2013-2014 (this year)
• 9th and 10th graders in 2014-2015
• 8th and 9th graders in 2015-2016
• 7th and 8th graders in 2016-2017
• Confirmation for 6th through 8th graders 2017 and beyond

As you might imagine, that will be a bit of a challenge for us at Blessed Sacrament, because of the large numbers of kids. We have upward of 55 kids in our Junior class with even more in most lower grades, so this year’s group of 10th and 11th graders could be over 120 students! Hill City’s group would be a more manageable group of 5-10 students.

In the midst of that numbers challenge, we are blessed with a very fine Life Teen program for High School students at Blessed Sacrament. One of our concerns is not hurting Life Teen to serve Confirmation. As I understand it, Bishop expects sacramental preparation to take place outside of and in addition to the normal religious education classes. Time to give to our faith formation is precious in the culture we live in today.

So at this point, we are trying to find a creative and productive way to confirm and form our Sophomores and Juniors this year. I have received some great feedback from our Parish Youth Commission, and we are trying to mine the wisdom of our High Schoolers. Pray for us in this time of planning that we may succeed in lifting up the precious gift of faith to our amazing Youth.

Summer Stretch 2013

Vacation Bible School 2013

Steubenville of the Rockies 2013

Youth Ministry

The youth of Blessed Sacrament are very active. Interested? Click on the Youth menu above and join us.

Photo Gallery

Check out the latest images from recent events in our Gallery.