Note from the Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

Here are some announcements of staff changes at Blessed Sacrament Church. It is rather coincidentalthat so many changes are being announced at once, but some of these have been in the works for months.
Farewells can be sad, but welcomes can be exciting. I choose to be very excited for our parish and its
mission. 

Fr Gary

Ginny Curtin is retiring!
Our beloved Ginny is retiring after some 35 years of providing contemporary music at our church
liturgies. She writes, “I am retiring to enjoy some travel, spend more time with family and find new
hobbies! It has been an honor and a privilege to work with all our wonderful musicians and to sing with
Blessed Sacrament parishioners for all these years. The Gym Mass and 5:30 Sunday have been a joy for
me and I will miss the spirit of community that we have always shared. Best regards to all and I hope to
see you and sing with you in the congregation in the future!”

Welcome James Sparks
James will join our music team in February to take over from Ginny. James has extensive experience as
a Director of Music in churches, and also as a Music Teacher and a Choir Director. He will be an
excellent fit for our parish. He writes, “Hello, my name is James Sparks, and I’m honored to serve as the
new Director of Contemporary Music at Blessed Sacrament. I’m originally from eastern Kentucky but
have spent the past several years living and working in Philadelphia. I look forward to getting to know all
of you and building on the strong foundation of music ministry here.” You will see James as the piano
accompanist at 9:00, 10:30 (Gym), and 5:30 Masses on Sunday. Look for him on February 16.

Welcome John Williams
We have suffered over the past few months with the lack of stability in our head of maintenance position.
No longer! Formerly an electrician, John Williams comes to us after seven successful years at St. Peter’s
on Capitol Hill as the maintenance manager. John says, “I am so happy to be here at Blessed Sacrament
and I plan on being here a long time taking care of my new second home.”

Jessica Walsh Moving On
Jessica Walsh has been coordinating our social outreach ministry since COVID. She is now moving on to
concentrate on other endeavors but will remain connected and supportive of our new ministers. We thank
Jessica for her faithful service that was extending the hand of Christ to many neighbors.

Two part-time staff members will take on the neighbor outreach ministry:

Karen Morrissey was born and raised in Massachusetts, and graduated from Harvard College
and Columbia University. The daughter of a social worker and a registered nurse, she has been a lifelong
volunteer and strongly believes in joyful service to others. She has been a parishioner at Blessed
Sacrament for more than 20 years. After a 30 year career as a Foreign Service Officer at the US State
Department, she now looks forward to devoting more time to serving the community and helping others
to do so. Karen is the mother of 2 adult children, Moira Sims and Liam Sims.

Susan Murray (Parent, BSS '20, '22; Smyth Fund Advisor, MUOK Sodalist) has been involved in social
services as a volunteer, founder of a nonprofit and a long-time (recently retired) employee of the
American Red Cross where she managed their national corporate, foundation and individual financial
donor relationships. Susan is looking forward to hearing how people want to serve their community with
their time and talent - and make lasting friendships in the process.