Rekindle the Spirit of Eucharistic Amazement: The Eucharistic Revival at the Church of Saint Mary
Rekindling our Eucharistic Amazement
by Dr. Michael Tanner
In 2019 many of our United States Catholic Bishops were alarmed by the results of the Pew Forum survey of Catholics. This survey revealed that only one-third of those questioned subscribed to the Church’s official teaching that Jesus is really, truly, and substantially present under the signs or appearances of bread and wine. The majority believed that the Eucharistic elements are merely symbolic of Jesus’ presence. Thus, many Catholic people did not understand our faith and crucial teachings.
Following that, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) determined that there needed to be a concerted effort to restore a vibrant belief in the Eucharist. This national effort is now called the National Eucharistic Revival, and we are entering the year of parish revival, and the USCCB has issued a “Playbook” that outlines four facets of the National Eucharistic Revival. The goals are to
- Reinvigorate Worship,
- Encourage Personal Encounter,
- Provide robust Faith Formation, and
- Stimulate Missionary Sending.
Our parish programs of Eucharistic Renewal will mirror the National initiative.
Our Parish will emphasize teaching and preaching of the meaning of the Blessed Sacrament, and we will draw attention to the liturgical and devotional practices that surround the Eucharist. Nourished by the power of the Holy Eucharist, our parish program will continue and expand our commitment to the poor and dispossessed.
At the Church of Saint Mary, our teaching and devotional practices will center around twice weekly sessions on Sunday, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., and Tuesday, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Each of these sessions will begin with 15 to 30 minutes of Eucharistic Adoration followed by a 30 to 45 minute teaching and discussion period. The topics will change each week, and there are a total of twenty weeks of sessions. The sessions will run from Sept. 10 & 12, 2023 to Apr. 7 & 9, 2024, and will follow the school schedule. Each week there will be a teaching on various aspects of the Holy Liturgy and complete catechesis of the meaning of the Holy Eucharist.
We will also have sessions describing the Saints who had a strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist, AND our parish will have exhibits of the Eucharistic Miracles as a key teaching tool.
Eucharistic Adoration and Catechetical Sessions:
Sept 10/12 ,2023 – Introduction, Why we have a revival, Institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, Reflection on the Last Supper. Fr. Stuart Crevcoure
Sept. 17/19 – Introduction to Eucharistic Adoration – Our Holy Hour Fr. Vince Fernandez
Sept. 24/26 – Fruits of the Holy Eucharist Sr. Mary Veronica RSM
Oct. 1/3 – The Holy Eucharist is a Feast Fr. Stuart Crevcoure
Oct. 22/24 – The Holy Eucharist is a Sacrifice, The Paschal Mystery in Our Lives Dcn. Rich Bender
Oct. 25 – 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Come & See Adoration
Oct. 29/31 – The Real Presence and the Eucharistic Worship Dcn. Kevin Maloney
Oct. 31 – all day – Fall in Love bus trip to Subiaco, Arkansas
Nov. 5/7 – The Holy Eucharist and the Call to Holiness Fr. Stuart Crevcoure
Nov. 12/14 – The Holy Eucharist and the Call to Evangelize and Serve Fr. Vince Fernandez
Dec. 3/5 – Saints Who Promoted Devotion to the Holy Eucharist I Dcn. Rich Bender
Dec. 5 – 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Come & See Adoration
Dec. 10/12 – Saints … II Fr. Stuart Crevcoure
Dec. 17/19 – Saints … III Ellen Doyle
Jan. 7/9, 2024 – Liturgy of the Eucharist I Fr. Vince Fernandez
Jan. 14/16 – Liturgy of the Eucharist II Fr. Vince Fernandez
Jan. 21/23 – Liturgy of the Eucharist, The Four Eucharistic Prayers III Fr. Stuart Crevcoure
Feb. 4/6 Ecclesia de Eucharistia I Dcn. Kevin Maloney
Feb. 18/20- Ecclesia de Eucharistia II Michael Tanner
Feb. 25/27- Ecclesia de Eucharistia III Michael Tanner
Feb. 29 – 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Come & See Adoration
Mar. 3/5 – EdE IV Michael Tanner
Mar. 10/12- Saints Erin Dailey
Apr. 7 – Come and See: Family adoration from 2-4 p.m. in the chapel
Apr. 7/9- Summary of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist Michael Tanner
