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Bishop Bonnar to Celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at Blessed Sacrament, Warren

PRESS RELEASE

April 14, 2022

MORE INFOJustin Huyck, Coordinator of Media Relations, (330) 744-8451, jhuyck@youngstowndiocese.org

Note: This notice has been updated to reflect the full Easter schedule at Blessed Sacrament.

Four months after a fire, Blessed Sacrament Parish in Warren will re-open its church for Mass for the Easter Vigil on April 16 at 8:30pm, and Easter Sunday, April 17 at 8:30am and 11am. The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown, will be principal celebrant and homilist for Easter Sunday Mass at 8:30 a.m. on April 17. In addition to Bishop Bonnar’s visit on Easter Sunday to celebrate the church’s re-opening, welcome-back festivities are planned for later in April.

Fire damaged the church at Blessed Sacrament Parish on December 12, 2021. While walking his dog early in the morning, a neighbor spotted the fire and reported it to the Warren Fire Department, which responded immediately. Fire damage was limited to the ambo (pulpit), Advent wreath, and surrounding area; however, smoke damage was extensive. The four-month restoration project included replacing the charred area, cleaning and painting the entire interior, including the 60 foot tower, cleaning the organ, replacing acoustical panels, and cleaning all contents. 

Father Christopher Cicero, pastor of Blessed Sacrament, says, “We are very grateful to God that no one was injured and that damage was not far worse thanks to the actions of a good Samaritan and the Warren Fire Department. Many thanks to those who lifted us in prayer and came to our assistance in our hour of need. Above all, we thank Warren St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish for taking us in for four months. We are proud to be your sisters and brothers in Christ. All are welcome to visit the restored church during parish office hours or for the celebration of Mass on Saturdays at 4:00 p.m., Sundays at 8:30 a.m., Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m., and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.”

Bishop Bonnar comments, “The light of Easter Sunday has a special significance for the spirit-filled faith community of Blessed Sacrament Parish this year. Since Advent their church has been dark as a result of the fire in the sanctuary. The silver lining in this cloud of darkness is that, under the leadership of their beloved pastor, Fr. Chris Cicero, the parishes of Blessed Sacrament and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton looked beyond themselves and worked in collaboration for the good of the Church. As we are faced with the reality of fewer priests to staff our churches, there is no other way than for us to work together in a spirit of sharing and communion. The Church is more than bricks and mortar. It is people uniting to proclaim the joy of the Gospel.”

Blessed Sacrament has over 600 registered households. The parish was established in 1959 and the current church building was dedicated in 1997. The campus is home to grades K to 5 of Warren John F. Kennedy Catholic School. Its website is warrencatholic.org/bsp/ and phone is (330) 372-2215.

The Diocese of Younstown was founded in 1943 and includes six counties in northeastern Ohio. Parishes throughout the diocese will be liturgically celebrating the Paschal Triduum this weekend, beginning with Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper tonight, April 14. For information about events at Saint Columba Cathedral, please see https://doy.org/holyweek-easter-2022/     

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