by Deacon Dana Nearmyer
Recently, I was fortunate to be with Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann in Paola, worshiping with the Southern Region, and in Seneca, celebrating with the Nemaha-Marshall Region, at Eucharistic Amazement celebrations.
Wow, in the north and the south, the eucharistic fervor and realization that Jesus actually is walking each step of the way with us is spreading like wildfire. I was also blessed to be with the permanent deacons at a three-day eucharistic convocation that inspired and energized.
Young people are also going deeper into their faith and into their understanding of the closeness of Our Lord, especially in the Eucharist. Camp Tekakwitha and the Kelly Youth Rally celebrated vibrant and inspiring Eucharistic Amazement events and gave engaging formation to over 2,000 young people.
This fall, the archdiocese is hosting a priestly formation eucharistic study day, and five formation sessions for liturgical lay ministers called “Transcend.” Go online to: www.archkck.org/revival to find details about “Transcend” and everything else mentioned in this column. Upcoming Eucharistic Amazement experiences include the St. Cecilia Mass with the Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish’s schola cantorum, and many others.
On the website and on the Enflame Facebook group are robust parish planning guides for the parish year that starts on Corpus Christi 2023. Parishes should be planning now on how they will launch and deliver meaningful eucharistic encounters.
The salvation of our loved ones should be our preeminent desire and priority, therefore families should nurture eucharistic culture in their homes.
The Eucharist is Christ’s true presence; being close to the Eucharist is being close to heaven. The peace and comfort of Christ are essential in each of our families. The website offers suggestions on how families can meaningfully pray together, build intimacy with Christ through experiencing Mass together, contemplate Jesus’ presence through eucharistic adoration and how to listen for the promptings of the Lord.
The example of parents has the most powerful influence on their children’s virtues and their children’s patterns for relationships, even the one with our Creator.
Each of us will be individually accountable to God at the end of our lives. The greatest thing that we can do for ourselves, our families, our parish and for the world is for each of us to be close to Jesus and his bride, the church.
Jesus seeks intimate relationship with each one of us every day. Let us all pray that when we meet God at the final judgment that we do not hear, “I never knew you. Depart from me,” but rather, let us pray that we do hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. . . . Enter into the joy of your master.”
