Dear Parishioners,

   As you know I attended the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this past week with three of our parishioners: Shirley Baker, Matt and Diane Cobb. It was an awesome and powerful experience. I didn’t really know what to expect, but it far exceeded all I could have imagined. Our Lord was honored in his Eucharist presence by more than 50,000 Catholics from all across our country. 

  The Congress began in Lucas Oil Stadium, where the Indianapolis Colts play football. There we welcomed the pilgrims who had come in Eucharistic procession (starting in May) from the four corners of our country. Each of the four groups brought in a picture representing their particular route and placed it beneath a large altar erected in the center of the stadium. Then as it was building up to a climax, the message on the large screens with a loud voice proclaimed: 

“HE……IS……HERE……NOW” and Jesus was carried in a monstrance into the stadium. We fell to our knees to adore him. All 50,000 participants sang hymn of praise, worship and thanksgiving. It was a moving and awesome experience, something I will never forget.

   About 1,500 priests and 2,000 nuns were in attendance at the NEC. The morning mass each day had about 500 priests concelebrating and distributing communion. It was a sight to see. All the liturgies were well organized and the music was beautiful. Each night, after a day full of workshops that took place at the convention center, the stadium, and nearby hotels, we would all meet back in the stadium in the evening to listen to excellent keynote speakers like Bishop Robert Barron, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Scott Hahn, and Bishop Cozzens. The overall theme of course was Eucharistic Revival: How the Eucharist should play a central role in our lives personally and in the life of the Church. 

   A few main points emerged from the keynotes:  1) There will be no Eucharistic revival without repentance. A turning back by the grace of God to the Lord from sin.  2) The Eucharist transforms us to pour ourselves out for others like Christ who poured himself out for the life of the Church and the salvation of the world.  3) The gift and grace of the Eucharist must be received in us so it can be given as a gift to others. The Eucharist transforms us to be Christ for others. There must have an outward expression.

   Some more highlights from the Congress included: A Mass with Bishop Daly and all the pilgrims from the Diocese of Spokane. There were about 80 of us and Bishop Daly talked about how the Eucharist unites us as a diocese and a universal Church. On Saturday we went into the streets of Indianapolis where we had a Eucharistic Procession that went for about one mile. It was amazing to see 50,000 Bishops, Priests, nuns and laity walk in procession. We gathered in a large park near a war memorial for Benediction. 

   Personally, I was inspired and encouraged to see so some many people who love the Lord and are committed to our Catholic faith. I saw many people I knew from my past from Edmonds, Seattle and California. So many young people, families, children, priests and nuns in attendance all focused on our Lord in the Eucharist. We all felt that the Lord and his grace is moving in our Church. It gave me hope for the Church in this country and for our parish here. We all have a part and place in building the Kingdom of God here with the touchstone being the Eucharist. May we all be open to grace of the Eucharist as it moves to renew our local parish with the gift of his love and mercy. (Visit inlandcatholic.com/news/photos-from-the-national-eucharistic-congress for an article and photos by the Diocese).