JESUS, OUR EUCHARISTIC LORD, IS THE STAR!

This weekend we welcome three new members into full communion with the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church - Dustin Philipson, Lynnea Hamilton, and Elijah (Eli) Hamilton. Although they already belonged to the universal church by reason of our common baptism, they however were not in full communion and could not partake in the Body and Blood of Christ given to us in the Eucharist. This weekend they will profess the Creed, be Confirmed, and receive their First Holy Communion. We are grateful to God who has called them into the One church founded by Jesus Christ. And we thank them for responding to this call. Our gratitude also goes to their families, catechists and sponsors, for accompanying and supporting them on this journey. As they make this profound act of faith, we pray that our
Eucharistic Lord may draw them deeper into his Most Loving and Sacred Heart and guide their steps as they strive to follow him closely.

Last week I asked some of our parishioners who attended the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis to share with me their experience of the congress with our parishioners. My plan for the coming weeks is to share with you some of what they have shared.

Mariflor Royeca writes: The Eucharistic Congress was not like any other big gathering. You could tell God was there. I was filled with awe and reverence, and sometimes tears flowed whenever the magnificent monstrance bearing the Eucharistic Jesus arrived and was placed on the altar for adoration. There was always this feeling of excitement and anticipation, kind of like a star-struck teenager, but more than that. And I know why. Because JESUS IS THE STAR! Every spotlight was on Jesus, while every knee bent, every head bowed down and every tongue and heart declared that JESUS IS LORD. What I heard from HIM at every adoration was, “Abide, know that I am God, you are mine, trust me, I LOVE YOU!

For five days, my family and I never had a “normal” meal because we could not wait to be there for the Rosary, the Mass, the inspiring Empower sessions, the informative and insightful afternoon break-out sessions, and the uplifting evening Revival sessions. We ate just enough to quiet down our growling stomachs. We would rather be physically hungry than to be late and miss the real food. We wanted Jesus to fill our hungry hearts with the food of His Word, and most of all, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We wanted to stay with HIM in adoration. It was truly a foretaste of heaven, being united and in communion not only with the Lord Jesus but with everyone present. Everyone prayed and sang their hearts out to God. Even my usually quiet and timid teenage son was filled with the Holy Spirit and was singing loud and beautifully with his hands up and open. I saw men praying more fervently and were not afraid to let their tears flow from their eyes.

It was joyfully overwhelming to see the number of people who continue to come day and night to encounter Jesus and experience more of His love. As I was sitting at one of the chairs on the ground level on the first evening of the Revival Session, I remember looking up, fixing my eyes on the name of the stadium (Lucas Oil Stadium). I began to think that the choice of venue was truly divinely inspired. St. Luke (San Lucas) was a healer, a physician, and Oil has always been used for healing. I knew then that in this place many will be anointed and healed by Jesus who is our Mighty Healer and Divine Physician. Our Church is starting to heal now from its many past wounds. I felt a lot of joy and hope seeing many young people, religious brothers and sisters, seminarians, priests and bishops. I can tell that this event will spark many vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. 

May Jesus bless you, and may Our Lady protect you!

Fr. Julius