June 11, 2023
Dear Parish Family:
Today is Corpus Christi Sunday! Today we celebrate in a very special way the gift of Jesus’ Body and Blood, really, permanently, substantially present in the Eucharist. While every day is a celebration of the Corpus Christi, this yearly Sunday observance is a chance to renew and revive our love for, understanding of, devotion to, and dependence upon the Eucharist.
Did you know that the Catholic Church in the U.S. is currently in a of Eucharistic Revival? The Eucharistic Revival is a three-year initiative that aims to inspire, educate, and unite. In a world where not many people know Jesus intimately, the revival is meant to show everyone what wonders the True Presence of Jesus can do to heal the soul. Through a carefully planned timeline of events, after three years, the U.S. bishops hope to change the lives of many Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Here’s how the Revival was designed:
Year One: Diocesan Revival
June 19, 2022 – June 11, 2023
This first year of the Revival invited diocesan staff, bishops, and priests to respond to the Lord’s personal invitation and equiped them to share this love with the faithful through eucharistic congresses and events.
Year Two: PARISH REVIVAL
June 11, 2023 – July 17, 2024
The second phase will foster Eucharistic devotion at the parish level, strengthening our liturgical life through faithful celebration of the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, teaching, learning, study, and reflection.
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
July 17 – 21, 2024
At this historic event in Indianapolis, Indiana, more than 80,000 Catholics of all ages will gather in Indianapolis to reconsecrate their hearts to the source and summit of our faith.
YEAR THREE: GOING OUT ON MISSION
July 21, 2024 – Pentecost 2025
Having enkindled a missionary fire in the hearts of the American faithful, the Holy Spirit will send us out on mission to share the gift of our Eucharistic Lord as we enter the universal Church’s jubilee year in 2025.
So the Year of Parish Eucharistic Revival starts … TODAY! Look for and count on many wonderful opportunities and resources here at Good Shepherd. We will be working hard to renew our celebration of the Eucharist, deepen our Understanding of the Eucharist, increase our love for the Eucharist, and strengthen our living of the Eucharist.
Love and prayers,
Father Neil Sullivan