Father Wilson's Bulletin Article
March 17, 2024
Eucharistic Congress
Isolation has been a continuing theme in our culture since the pandemic and has been a societal wound for decades. As difficult as it can be at times with all our human foibles, God made us to live in community.
In the Catholic Church, we “institutionalize” that need to be together with Jesus and each other in the Eucharist, celebrated and consumed every day and with the entire community on Sundays. Jesus is with us, and He feeds us, giving us both a vision and a taste of Heaven at the banquet we share with Him and each other.
This summer, from July 16-22, the Church in the United States will gather in Indianapolis for the tenth Eucharistic Congress in our country’s history. I am very grateful to be accompanying pilgrims from All Saints and other parishes on a bus to the Congress as part of our three-year Eucharistic Revival, chaired by our own Bishop Andrew Cozzens. It will be the best national gathering of the Church in over 75 years.
The Congress is a combination of conference, retreat, and rally that celebrates Jesus, especially in His gift of the Eucharist, that sustains us. It will include an abundance of talks, Mass, confessions, and social time with faithful people as well as the finest Catholic speakers in the country, including internationally revered Father Mike Schmitz and Bishop Barron of the Winona-Rochester Diocese. Scott Hahn, a former Protestant Minister who entered the Catholic Church through an understanding of the Eucharist, and Edward Sri, author of many books applying theology to everyday life, are also on the team along with Sister Miriam James Heidland, a holy and insightful speaker to youth and adults. Renowned Catholic musician Matt Maher will provide music for the Masses and perform a concert. We will also visit the museum of Blessed Fulton Sheen in Peoria, Illinois, and other sites along the way.
Indianapolis is a warm and hospitable city designed to accommodate visitors by the tens of thousands. The Congress will have its hub in Lucas Oil Stadium and the convention center next door. We are fortunate to have a hotel just a couple of miles from the site. It is a great place to gather!
One of the first reactions of people is concern about crowds. It will be crowded, but I think Heaven will be, too. Sadly, crowds often bring images of discomfort and disorder, but this will be a joyful crowd gathered to celebrate Jesus. It will be an experience you will never forget or regret and a chance to celebrate gathering as God’s people.
Maria Hultman will be offering an invitation at all Masses this weekend and provide more details. I strongly encourage you to attend this once-in-a-lifetime event to gather in Jesus with each other as God desires us to do!
I hope to see you on the bus to Indy in July for a vision of Heaven like no other!
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