by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann called upon Catholics to experience a renewal of “eucharistic amazement” during the second archdiocesan Global Living Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration event held here at St. Patrick Parish Sept. 15.
“That’s what part of our focus tonight is, the great miracle of the Eucharist,” said the archbishop. “And it will be our focus next May.”
“We’re trying to raise the consciousness within our own Catholic community of this precious gift of the Lord’s abiding presence that he’s given to us,” the archbishop continued, “and hopefully also to make this public testimony of our belief in the power and presence of Jesus in the Eucharist for others. Hopefully, it will be a moment of evangelization for many in our community.”
Archbishop Naumann pointed to the late Pope John Paul II’s encyclical on the Eucharist, in which the pontiff wrote how he wanted to enkindle in the hearts of all Catholics “eucharistic amazement.”
The next Global Living Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration in the archdiocese will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 at Christ the King Parish in Topeka.
These parish-based events, along with family rosary devotions, are intended to prepare Catholics for participation in a stadium event. This large Global Living Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration will take place in May 2008 in Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. It will be jointly sponsored by the archdiocese and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Mo.
Archbishop Naumann presided at the event, which took place in the west parking lot behind St. Patrick School in Kansas City, Kan. It was billed a “global” and “living” rosary because groups of adults and children prayed the rosary in English and other languages, using inflatable globes (approximately 12-inches wide) as beads.
Represented at the rally were students from elementary schools in Kansas City, Kan., and Leavenworth, as well as students from Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kan., and Benedictine College, Atchison.
Assisting the archbishop at the rally and the Mass preceding it were: St. Patrick pastor Msgr. Michael Mullen; St. Patrick associate pastor Father Anthony Ouellette; Wyandotte Region pastoral leader Father Dan Gardner; and Father Jim Kelleher, director of mission development for the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, of Albuquerque.
