by Joe Bollig
joe.bollig@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Some things are just too good to wait for. That’s why the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is doing a “soft launch” of a national campaign for eucharistic revival.
Starting this Lent, the archdiocese is offering all Catholics three opportunities to renew “eucharistic amazement,” said Deacon Dana Nearmyer, the archdiocesan liaison between the archdiocese and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which initiated the effort.
“Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, the bishops of the United States and our local priests believe God wants to see a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist,” said Deacon Nearmyer, “and ready to be sent out on mission for the life of the world.”
The USCCB has set out a three-year plan of eucharistic revival starting with the solemnity of Corpus Christi on June 19.
• Launch of the Eucharistic Revival: June 19
• Diocesan Year of Eucharistic Revival: June 19, 2022 — June 11, 2023
• Parish Year of the Eucharistic Revival: June 11, 2023 — July 17, 2024
• National Eucharistic Congress, Indianapolis, July 17 – 21, 2024
• Year of Going Out on Mission: July 17, 2024 — Pentecost 2025
This desire to enkindle eucharistic amazement is something that Archbishop Naumann has wanted for the archdiocese from the very beginning of his time here, said Deacon Nearmyer.
The archbishop took the expression “eucharistic amazement” from the encyclicals of Pope John Paul II and emphasized it here, writing it as one of the super priorities of the archdiocese’s visioning statement.
“The archbishop has been working to create a culture of eucharistic amazement in the archdiocese,” said Deacon Nearmyer. “That is why the archbishop goes to our Catholic high schools to have Mass and [eucharistic] adoration with [the students], and at our summer camps, schools and parish religious education programs.”
So why the “soft launch”?
“We didn’t want to wait until Corpus Christi, knowing that Lent is a time when people are looking for tools to strengthen their faith, so we created three opportunities,” said Deacon Nearmyer.
The first opportunity is called “40 for 40 — Daily Reflections on the Eucharist.” This 40-day experience, starting Ash Wednesday, March 2, is an invitation to “unpack” the USCCB document “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church.” Participants will receive daily emails with short excerpts from the document, followed by commentary and questions for further prayer, reflection and action.
There are two ways to participate. The first is to text 40for40 to 84576 on your cellphone. Then, click on the link in the welcome text and complete the signup. The second is to go online to: archkck.flocknote.com/40for40 and complete the signup there.
The second opportunity is to receive the “Cor Ad Cor” (“Heart to Heart”) newsletter of the Eucharistic Revival from the USCCB. The newsletter contains updates, resources and more. Go online to: eucharisticrevival.org. Scroll to the very bottom of the page and complete the signup.
The third opportunity is to start following Archbishop Naumann’s 30-minute podcasts. Go online to: archkck.org/abn/shepherds-voice for more information.
These are individual initiatives, and most parishes will use the time between the launch this year and June 11, 2023, to plan and prepare, said Deacon Nearmyer, with a few exceptions. Archdiocesan chancellor and vicar general Father John Riley, for example, has asked all parishes to consider holding a Corpus Christi procession this year, even if they do not usually do so. Also, there will be trainings and workshops offered this coming summer and fall for priests, deacons and laity. Additional details will be forthcoming.
