Catholic sacraments

Reflections on the National Eucharistic Congress: Faith, Healing, and Revival

/ chicoinematt

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Over 50k Catholics were in attendance across the United States. Eucharistic Adoration, daily Mass and a line-up of speakers headed by Fr. Mike Schmitz and Bishop Robert Barron were the highlights (but to be honest the entire week was a highlight).

The experience was truly transformative, filled with moments of profound joy and palpable movements of the Holy Spirit. As I reflect on those days, I’d like to share some of the most impactful insights I gained.

The Joy of Christian Community

One of the first things that struck me was the overwhelming sense of joy that permeated the entire event. As I sat in the conference hall during supper, I couldn’t help but notice the many small groups of two or three people scattered throughout the room. In those moments, I felt certain that Jesus was present among them, fulfilling His promise: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).

A Powerful Encounter

While waiting in line for the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit (a popular attraction with over an hour and a half wait), I had a life-changing encounter. I met Emilio, a gentleman from California, whose story deeply moved me. Emilio shared how he had been involved in gang activity from a young age and had even taken a life at 22, resulting in a life sentence. Eventually, a combination of legal changes and Emilio’s profound spiritual transformation led to his release.

Emilio and I waiting in line to see the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit.

His journey of repentance and renewal in prison led him to give his life to Jesus. Emilio’s wife, who accompanied him, emphasized that she felt the Eucharistic Congress was specifically for him. This reminded me that while we were blessed to attend, the Eucharistic Revival is for all baptized Catholics – we are all called to share the Gospel and live sacramentally.

The Power of Jesus’ Name

Another powerful realization came during Dr. Mary Healy’s talk on healing and prayer. The healing service she conducted with Fr. Mathias Thelen felt biblical in its intensity, reminiscent of Jesus’ own ministry. During this service, I experienced firsthand the power of prayer and the name of Jesus.

Jesus is Lord. 🍞🍷✝️🙏

Despite initial doubts about whether my relatively minor headache was worthy of divine intervention, I prayed, “Lord, help my unbelief” – echoing the father in Mark 9:24. To my amazement, as the service concluded, I realized my headache had disappeared. This experience reinforced the truth that Jesus has the power to heal us physically, mentally, and spiritually – just as He did in biblical times. Jesus is the Divine Physician and He desires to heal all our wounds.

The Importance of Repentance

A recurring theme throughout the Congress was the significance of repentance. According to Fr. Mike Schmitz, “If this is going to be a revival, if it’s going to be a real revival, here’s the reality. In the history of Christianity, you can never have a revival without repentance.”

To fully receive the graces available in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we must approach it with hearts open to God’s mercy. But this mercy is not forced upon us. We have to repent of our sins. The Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it this way, “Jesus calls to conversion. This call is an essential part of the proclamation of the kingdom: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel” (CCC 1427).

This emphasis on repentance serves as a powerful reminder of our continual need for God’s mercy and our call to ongoing conversion.

Go Forth and Preach the Gospel

The National Eucharistic Congress was a profound reminder of the living presence of Christ in our midst, particularly in the Eucharist. It reinforced the power of community, the importance of personal testimony, the reality of divine healing, and the necessity of repentance in our spiritual lives.

As we move forward in this Eucharistic Revival, may we all be renewed in our commitment to Christ, open to His healing power, and ready to share His love with the world. The revival is not just for those who attended the Congress – it’s for every baptized Catholic. We are all called to live out our faith in a sacramental way, drawing strength from the Eucharist and sharing the Good News with those around us. I will see you all in the Eucharist!

Share Your Eucharistic Encounter

These testimonials offer just a glimpse of the countless ways Jesus touched hearts during the Congress. If you attended the National Eucharistic Congress, I invite you to continue this chain of witness:

Take a moment to reflect on your experience. How did you encounter Jesus during the Congress? What moment stands out as particularly meaningful or transformative?

I encourage you to write a short paragraph (100-200 words) sharing your personal encounter with Jesus at the Congress. You might consider:

  1. A specific event or talk that moved you
  2. A moment of prayer or adoration that was especially powerful
  3. An unexpected encounter or conversation that touched your heart
  4. How the Congress has changed your perspective on the Eucharist
Thank you for sharing!

My Journey to Becoming Catholic— Guest Post

/ chicoinematt

By: India Akua Mendonca

The thought of being confirmed as a Catholic on March 30, 2024, at the Easter Vigil on Saturday brings to mind all the people who have been instrumental in my journey. My birth father, my mother-in-law, my younger sister, Father Marlon, and my Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) teacher, Karen, who also sponsored me into the Catholic Church, have all played significant roles in bringing me back to God and reigniting my childhood memories of Catholic school. Their support, guidance, and unwavering faith have inspired me and helped me grow in my own faith. I am grateful for their presence in my life and for the opportunity to become a confirmed Catholic.

Faith Influences During My Early Life

My father encouraging me to attend Catholic school as a young girl played a crucial role in introducing me to the Catholic faith. For this, I am eternally grateful.  The values and teachings I learned in school have shaped my beliefs and provided constant guidance and comfort in my life.

Fast forward to my life as an adult— as a wife and mother; it was my mother-in-law who suggested that we attend a Catholic Church back in 2019, while she was visiting us from East Providence, Rhode Island. And so we did. My mother-in-law, my daughter, and I started attending the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Clearlake, CA.

However, after a year of attending the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to stop going to Mass altogether. The pandemic had affected my life, including my faith. Nevertheless, through technology and the power of connection, a simple text message from my sister, Kortney, reignited my desire to be part of the Catholic Church. She introduced me to Father Mike Schmitz’s ‘Bible in a Year’ podcast, which allowed my family and me to continue growing in our faith, finding strength, hope, and a sense of community during those challenging times.

Impact of the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about numerous disruptions and challenges but it also led to some positive changes in our lives. One such turning point in our spiritual journey occurred when my sister introduced me and my family to Father Mike Schmitz’s podcast in 2023. Additionally, my mother-in-law suggested we attend the Catholic Church in 2019 before the pandemic, and our daughter got baptized during the pandemic.

It is because of these two beautiful ladies in our family that we have grown closer to our faith and strengthened our ties with one another. In fact, my husband began attending Mass every week shortly afterward.

Listening to God’s Word at Mass

Attending Mass every week and listening to Father Marlon’s sermons played a big part in my desire to convert. His words and guidance have been instrumental in helping me fully comprehend and embrace the beliefs and customs of the Catholic Church. As a result, I am currently a student in the RCIA program. To make our journey into the faith even more special, my husband also attends confirmation classes and will confirm as a Catholic on Pentecost Sunday.

Last but not least, Karen, my RCIA teacher and sponsor, has strengthened my faith in God and motivated me to become Catholic. She transformed my life and helped me find a sense of community and belonging that  I had been missing. Her willingness to share her backstory and her faith with me has made a difference in my life. Therefore, I cannot overstate the importance of community and the power of our own personal testimony.

Thankful for My Sponsor and Teacher

My teacher and sponsor patiently answered all my questions and provided me with the resources and support I needed. She also showed me the true values and teachings of the Catholic Church and introduced the Symbolon workbooks and DVD to me, which are the best study materials to present the truths of the Catholic faith and history. Our friendship and bond continue to grow as we share our experiences and support each other in our spiritual journeys. I am grateful to the Catholic Church for bringing us together and for providing me with a strong support system.

Helping each other and being a community is a biblical concept; we are shown the significance of this through scripture. Here is a verse that emphasizes the importance of community living:

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, they are warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. The inspired writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, “A threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

In all, it took a community of family members and friends to get me to where I am today in my Catholic faith. I couldn’t have done it without them. With their help, I was able to find my Godmother, my faith, and the Catholic Church. I incredibly gratefully thank them for their support and guidance, and I excitedly anticipate confirming as a Catholic at the Easter Vigil on March 30th, 2024, because of their influence, encouragement, teachings, dedication, and prayers.

About Our Guest Blogger:

As a stay-at-home mom, India Akua Mendonça leads a fulfilling life balancing motherhood, wifehood, and personal interests. She enjoys writing, studying the Bible, exploring new places, going to the beach, eating at restaurants, and listening to Father Mike Schmitz podcast.

India earned her A.A. in Liberal Arts from Chabot Community College and her B.A. in Black Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to dedicating her time to her family, India worked at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University as a Document Specialist.

Currently, she is a dedicated homeschool teacher to her six-year-old daughter and takes great joy in witnessing and cultivating her education. India resides in Clearlake Oaks, CA with her husband Marco, their daughter, and their three birds.

Thank you for sharing!

A 978 Word Interview with Deacon Andy Weiss

/ chicoinematt

Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Dcn Andy Weiss, Deacon in the Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, via phone call on February 10th, 2024. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.

Tell me a bit about your faith journey.

I was born and raised Catholic. I was in the Air Force and had a temporary stay in Spain, but those I listened to had anti-Catholic sentiment and this caused me to leave the Church when I was 20. For three and a half years, I was an anti-Catholic Protestant. I bought the King-James Bible and got to a point of crisis. At his point, I told God to explain to me or I will leave organized religion. I opened the Bible to the book of Romans and this was what helped keep me in organized religion.

Coming back to the Catholic Church was a long journey, but because of my experience with reading the Bible and listening to various arguments from Protestants. I would study the arguments using a bible dictionary, concordance, Bible, notepad. I would do a word study to look up all the references to better understand what that meant.

In the 1990s, I met my wife in a “chat-room” on Catholicity. And after we got married, my wife and another Catholic we also met online “ganged up” on me and said that I should be a deacon. In 2009 the formal process started, I had a desire to preach and bless things. I got ordained in 2015.

How has the sacrament of Holy Orders impacted your marriage?

It’s a balancing act. We must make time for one another. You can get sucked into the ministry. We were taught in our studies that my primary vocation is marriage and to my family. The diaconate is my secondary vocation.

I have to be conscious of my schedule. In addition to the diaconate, I also design websites. We have a Shroud Museum in our city, and I made the website. I must organize my time and ensure I make time for my wife and daughter. The permanent diaconate has made me more conscious of my time and how I spend it.

Describe the fruits of the permanent diaconate in your life.

It started in the program itself, I could have taught a lot of the classes but I was there to learn. The diaconate is about forming you into a person.

One of the important aspects of the diaconate is our devotion to Mary. The last part of Church teaching was Mariology, and I didn’t understand at this time. We wrote an article about our relationship to Mary. It was then that I realized that I couldn’t be a good diaconate without Her help. I formally gave myself to the Blessed Virgin Mary in January 2018 using the book “33 Days to Morning Glory.” I scheduled to have the book end on January 1st, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. During my homily, I said, “It’s like I’m looking at my Mother for the first time.” This was a deep experience for me.

What do you see as the fruits of the permanent diaconate for the Catholic Church?

What happened to me was a transformation. The Church ordaining men who have one foot in the secular world and one foot in the faith world, leads to transformation. I noticed when I wore my clerics while doing ministry people would assume I was a pastor. It gave me an opportunity to explain I was a Catholic deacon.

The deacon models to the laity what it means to be a servant for the Church. While the priest stands In persona Christi (in the Person of Christ), the deacon represents Christ the Servant. Paragraph #1570 of the Catholic of the Catholic Church says: 

“Deacons share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint (“character”) which cannot be removed, and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the “deacon” or servant of all.”

Well said, the diaconate is like a bridge to God. What’s the most misunderstood aspect of the diaconate?

I don’t think Catholics are catechized well. One day I had my alb on and a fellow parishioner said, “Hello Father.” I clarified I wasn’t a priest. It’s interesting to see the laity’s relationship with deacons.

The diaconate opens opportunities to ask questions about the faith. People feel more comfortable reaching out to us when we are out in public (i.e. the store, etc). The permanent diaconate opens a channel to extend the ministry of the priest. We are there to assist the priest. Even while at the store, we are extending his pastoral mission.

Who’s your favorite saint-deacon?

Probably Saint Ephraim. He likely saw the Shroud of Turin. He was a great preacher and a Doctor of the Church. Of course, I can’t leave out Saint Francis of Assisi, he would be my number two.

What advice would you give men discerning the permanent diaconate as a vocation?

Have a regular prayer life. Once ordained, deacons have to pray as a minimum Morning and Evening Prayer. Then they should talk to their priest.

The laity are known for their devotional life: praying the Rosary, the Chaplet, etc. But I think if the clergy kept a better devotional life we would have a better clergy. We have to use our own personalities in our faith and work.

Could you tell me about your Facebook profile picture?

That’s an interesting one. I’ve been working for the Air Force for 43 years. There’s an organization within the Air Force, the 49th Materiel Maintenance Group, Base Expedition.

I’ll leave you with a few last thoughts. In my honest opinion, the greatest fruits of Vatican II are the permanent diaconate and the Mass of Paul VI. The New Mass has the more active participation in the liturgy with the vernacular and the role of the deacon.

About Deacon Andy Weiss:

Dcn. Andy Weiss is a Deacon in the Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, assigned to St. Jude’s parish. He is a husband and father, an IT professional, and volunteer speaker and webmaster, creating http://ShroudNM.com, a non-profit New Mexico Corporation dedicated to the study and popularization of the Shroud of Turin.

Weiss has a Masters in Religious Education from Loyola University, New Orleans through their LIMEX program. He has been interviewed several times by the hosts of the podcast StrangeCatholics.

Thank you for sharing!

A Letter to the Laity on what Actually Happens at Mass in 2019 (and well always!)

/ chicoinematt

To the Curious, Doubting, Lukewarm, or Unbelieving Catholic Laity,

When we attend Mass, we are entering a holy place in which a miracle takes place.  Not only are we present when the basic elements of bread and wine are transubstantiated to the body and blood of Christ, but those at Mass are transported in a mystical way to a heavenly banquet.  Though the reception of communion happens a few prayers after the Canon is complete, it is vital from a theological and catechetical perspective.  With Christ present with his church, the Bridegroom has come for His bride.

After commingling of the body and blood the Priest tells those present to behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  This is the praise of the angels and those in Heaven as seen in Revelation 19.  In Revelation 19:9 and Angel told St. John. “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (NRSV).

At this point in Mass the priest is passing on this wedding announcement from Heaven.  Like a groom at a wedding, our Lord calls to us and wants to have an intimate relationship with his bride.  He does this by giving himself, his own body and blood, as a way to show his eternal commitment to us.  Like a bride we process down towards our groom to be united with him.

In the Eucharist we are united with Christ not only spiritually, but physically.  Being united with the flesh of Christ is the most personal thing we will be able to experience (Augustine 469).

The Old Testament book of Song of Songs has very vivid imagery between a man and wife symbolizes the love that Christ has for His church.  One passage that is particularly relevant to the Wedding Supper of the lamb is Song of Songs 1:2 which states, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth” (NRSV)!  This is exactly what St. Ambrose says happens during the reception of the Eucharist (Ambrose 354).

The second person of the blessed Trinity has forgiven us of our sin and unites himself with us with his very body.  The Wedding Supper of the Lamb is a taste of the heavenly worship that we will experience in eternity and unites us with the church suffering and church triumphant in heavenly praise.

Next time you are at Mass take that extra moment to thank Christ for the very gift of himself.  Take the time to realize that we are worshiping the King of the universe alongside those who have gone before us in the faith.

There is much more happening at Mass than meets the eye.  It is a place where a true miracle happens, ordinary bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ.  Let us not merely go through the notions, but truly understand what is happening.

Do you want to transform the church?  It begins with understanding what is happening at Mass and who we are receiving in the Holy Eucharist.  I leave you with the following quote from St. Ambrose for further meditation:

Perhaps you will say “I see something else, how is it that you assert that I receive the body of Christ?”

And this is the point that remains for us to prove. What evidence shall we make use of?  Let us prove that this is not what nature made, but what the blessing consecrated, and the power of blessing is greater than that of nature, because by blessing nature itself is changed.

God bless you all!

Your brother in Christ,

William

About our guest blogger:

William is a convert to the Catholic faith.  Before entering the church he was ordained as a Baptist and Lutheran and earned a Master of Divinity from Liberty Theological Seminary.  William lives with his wife and four children in Tucson, AZ and teaches religious education for children and adults.  Check out his website/blog at williamhemsworth.com for more great and informative Catholic content!

Notes:

Augustine of Hippo. “Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John.” St. Augustin: Homilies on the Gospel of John, Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Soliloquies. Ed. Philip Schaff. Trans. H. Browne and Joseph H. Myers. Vol. 7. New York: Christian Literature Company, 1888. Print. A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series.

Ambrose of Milan. “Two Books Concerning Repentance.” St. Ambrose: Select Works and Letters. Ed. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. Trans. H. de Romestin, E. de Romestin, and H. T. F. Duckworth. Vol. 10. New York: Christian Literature Company, 1896. Print. A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Second Series.

 

 

Thank you for sharing!