From Our Pastor: Reflecting on the Bread of Life and Recent Eucharistic Congress
What perfect timing....We finished the 10th National Eucharistic Congress last week, and now we pause our readings from Mark’s Gospel to begin the Bread of Life Discourse from John’s Gospel. This is one of the most important passages in scripture. Our Protestant brothers and sisters often skip over it or are told it’s non consequential. Jesus gives us a discourse on the Eucharist. He most specifically tells us WHO the Eucharist is. He gives us a long exhortation on Him being the bread of life. Every time they question Him or challenge Him about this, He doesn’t back down or say it’s just a symbol. Instead Jesus continues over and over in this discourse to step up His bluntness. May we take these next few weeks to ponder the Eucharist.
In Indianapolis last week over 52,000 people gathered for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, which I attended. I must say...WOW!! It was absolutely remarkable. This is the first National Eucharistic Congress we have had in the USA since 1941. That is 83 years! We hosted the International Eucharistic Congress back in the 70s but even that has been forever ago. How powerful an event this was. I can only explain it as what I imagine Heaven to be. All these same people here to worship the Lord Jesus Christ and how joy filled and excited everyone was. Truly a powerful event.
The most powerful part was the Eucharistic Procession in downtown Indianapolis. The crowds lined the streets in numbers that blow your mind. People were hanging out of parking garages and buildings to see the procession and cheer. I’ve never felt so loved as a priest, as people cheered and thanked you for your priesthood the entire procession. My friend and I walked together and were insanely moved by the outpouring of love. Wow. We arrived at the Indiana War Memorial Monument to Steve Angrisano singing the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. We had adoration and benediction in the park there packed with the multitudes of people. So many people, so many seminarians, sooo many consecrated religious sisters and brothers, so many deacons, sooo many priests, so many bishops, and a few cardinals all gathered to worship Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Benediction in that setting was a powerful experience. I look forward to sharing more as I unpack this event in my heart and mind.
Last weekend we had Fr. Burusu, our missionary priest, visiting, assigned to us by the missions office of the diocese. Thank you for supporting the missionary work in Rwanda. To clarify that is not our new priest. He has not arrived yet. Rwanda’s primary language is French or Swahili. Fr. Kenneth is from Nigeria, which English is the primary language. I have no updates yet on his arrival. Keep praying.
Lastly I need to let you all know of a new policy for the use of the parish center. As of July 1 we will only be using the parish center for parish events. We will no longer host events for outside groups, except blood drives as I still see that as a parish mission. If something was already scheduled we will honor our agreement with them, but as of July 1 we will no longer host personal events. There are a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, we don’t have the staff, nor can we afford them, to be able to set up for and clean up after those events. Second, the diocese has had a policy in place for some time on usage of halls and we haven’t been following it. It puts us in grave legal jeopardy and without going into a very long explanation of that, we do not need to set ourselves up to be sued. Third, the hall, in all of the info put out for its building almost 10 years ago, said it was being built only for parish events. I wish we could host everything but we cannot. Parish events do include receptions after masses, other sacraments, or funerals. Cursillo and TEC are parish events. Showers are not included but a baptism reception would be allowed. Birthday parties are out but funeral luncheons are in. I hope this makes sense. I am very sorry for some hurt feelings, but it is not legally possible anymore. We need to protect our parish from possible large sum settlements. And it is also not financially possible as I would need to hire another full time person to work nights and weekends to set up and clean up. Please be understanding. I wish we could.
- Rev. Steven Arisman