Eucharistic Congress planned for Diocese in May

GREENSBURG – Mar. 6 – As part of the three-year Eucharistic Revival initiated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Diocese of Greensburg has focused this first year on the development of formational and devotional opportunities for Diocesan and parish staff. This year of Diocesan Revival portion of the three-year plan culminates with a Eucharistic Congress for Diocesan and parish staff and clergy. The  two-day Eucharistic Congress, titled  “Creating a Eucharistic Community: Forming Disciples of Christ in Love and Service,” will be held May 8^th  and 10^th and  May 9^th And May 11^th at Christ Our Shepherd Center in Greensburg.

“The Eucharistic Congress prepares all Diocesan and parish leaders to come together to renew themselves in our Eucharistic Lord, while sharing in engaging presentations and dialogue to bring the Eucharistic Revival home to their parish communities,” said Vincent Reilly, Managing Director of Faith, Family and Discipleship for the Diocese of Greensburg.

For Diocesan and parish staff, Reilly believes the Eucharistic Congress will be a time of reflection and prayer that will help bring them closer to the Eucharist and Christ.

“The Eucharist is the heartbeat of the Church. If our heart is not beating with the Lord, how can we share Jesus with others?”  Reilly asked. “It is allowing us time to breathe with our Lord so we can share that breath of God with others. The time in prayer and the presentations will be important for our spiritual life, but will also spread out to the spiritual life of all those whom we minister to.”

The Eucharistic Congress will feature keynote addresses from the Most Reverend Michael G. Woost, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland and Timothy P. O’Malley, Ph.D., Director of Education at the McGrath Institute for Church Life and Academic Director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy. Dr. O’Malley holds a concurrent appointment in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame and is a member of the national committee for the Eucharistic Revival.

Additional engaging workshop speakers featuring national experts from around the country are being added daily for parish staff and clergy.

Thomas Octave, Director of Sacred Music for the Diocese of Greensburg, is one of 21 liturgical leaders from around the country to work to foster a Eucharistic culture in parishes, schools and dioceses as a way of promoting deeper affiliation with the Church. In his role with the Mathis Liturgical Leadership Program at Notre Dame University, Dr. Octave collaborates with priests, parish directors, educators, lay ministers and other professionals for a unique opportunity for education and formation centered around a major pastoral issue facing the Church that intersects with liturgical-sacramental life.

“This Eucharistic Congress will unite the Church of Greensburg with the Catholic Church in the United States in our efforts nationally to grow in our understanding of the gift of the Eucharist and how the Eucharist call us to be the Body of Christ alive in the world,” Dr. Octave explained. “Coming together as a Eucharistic community in Congress, we are reaching beyond the celebration of the Mass into every part of life to share the presence of Jesus Christ alive in our world.”

Bishop Larry J. Kulick has made the upcoming Eucharistic Congress a priority for the Diocese in requesting participation of all Diocesan and parish staff to participate in a shared encounter with Christ during this time of Eucharistic Revival.

“My hope during this Eucharistic Congress is to draw us together as one, not just as a people but as one in mind and thought,” Bishop Kulick said. “The Eucharist is our unity.”

Registration opens soon so that Diocesan and parish staff members can select the dates and times for their participation in the Eucharistic Congress at DioceseofGreensburg.org/EucharisticRevival. A  limited number of seats will be made available for the general public.