The National Eucharistic Revival continues its three-year journey to “inspire and prepare the people of God to be formed, healed, converted, united, and sent out to a hurting and hungry world through a renewed encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist – the source and summit of our Catholic faith,” according to the revival’s mission statement.
The Diocese of Youngstown has now entered the second half of the initiative’s first year, identified as the “Diocesan Year.” As a follow-up to Eucharistic processions in the fall, this phase includes more opporunities in each county for Holy Hours, lectures and Eucharistic Adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
Phase 2 fully began in December as the diocese started its journey in Stark County at Canton Little Flower Parish.
“Those who attended this special event were very moved by the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and by allowing themselves to experience the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist,” said the Very Rev. Canon Christopher Henyk, pastor of Little Flower.
“Many people expressed the appreciation for this opportunity to spend quality time in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and to experience God’s healing love and compassion,” he noted.
“This Eucharistic Revival, without any doubt, helped many of our parishioners to grow as missionary disciples whose lives are centered,” Father Henyk said.
On Jan. 15, the Holy Hour came to Mahoning County at Youngstown St. Christine Parish. Many parishioners there, like those at Little Flower, were moved by the event. Some say it was unlike anything they have ever experienced in church before.
“Our hearts were lifted as the Blessed Sacrament was exposed during the diocesan Eucharistic Adoration,” said Jamie Miller. “Over 100 Catholics had the opportunity to pray before the Eucharist. Such a moving experience.”
Added Stacey Lewis-Stein: “It was a blessing. Words can’t describe the many emotions.”
Father John-Michael Lavelle, pastor of Canfield St. Michael Parish, is also vicar of missionary discipleship for the diocese. For the past several months, he has been the leader of the diocesan efforts in the National Eucharistic Revival.
“When Bishop (David) Bonnar contacted me and asked that I take a lead in our diocese’s participation in the National Eucharistic Revival, I was deeply honored,” he said.
“I felt a great excitement about bringing a heightened understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist at work in our lives.”
The National Eucharistic Revival, Father Lavelle noted. was developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in response to a survey that found a large number of people who identify as Catholic do not believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
“Hopefully, with more catechesis about the Eucharist for all ages of Catholics, as well as a diversity of ways in which we encounter and appreciate the presence of the Lord in the Eucharist, people will come to recognize Jesus truly present in the Eucharist,” Father Lavelle said.
“As vicar of missionary discipleship, it is my hope that more parishes will develop groups that focus on all that flows from the Eucharist as we are called to extend the mission and the ministry of the Church,” Father Lavelle explained.
“With the Eucharist as the source and summit of our lives, we see that it must be our compass as we move forward as disciples of Christ,” he noted.
Father Ryan Furlong, pastor of Vienna St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, is also a chaplain at Warren John F. Kennedy Catholic School and serves as diocesan director of youth and young adult ministry. In addition he works with Father Lavelle to coordinate the Eucharistic Revival.
In addition, he assists Father Lavelle and Bishop Bonnar at the Eucharistic Revival events around the diocese but also holds nights of adoration and regular Holy Hours in his own parish.
“It’s my objective is to make the youth and young adults aware of the importance of their relationship with Jesus Christ, through the Eucharist,” Father Furlong said. “I also work with a group of advisers to plan and coordinate events throughout the diocese with the help of the various parish ministers.”
Father Henyk said that he believes the future of the Church is in the hands of young people. Therefore, developing this appreciation for the Eucharistic is something that should be learned at a young age so that people can carry it with them throughout their entire lives and pass it down to the next generation.
“It is my hope that, in the future, we will provide additional opportunities and explain the importance of spending quality time in front of the Blessed Sacrament – especially when it comes to the younger generation of our Catholics,” Father Henyk said.
“Some of our parishioners told me that this one hour of Eucharistic Revival helped them to appreciate the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist even more than before.”
Little Flower Parish recently unveiled a multi-million dollar addition that includes Little Therese Chapel, a special space for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop Bonnar blessed the space last November.
The bishop has been at the forefront of the Eucharistic Revival by celebrating Holy Hours in each county and leading Eucharistic processions, which occurred in each county in Phase 1 in the fall.
“A big part of this revival, in my opinion, is the bishop’s willingness and eagerness to promote devotion to the Eucharist in the diocese of Youngstown by his presence at all these events,” Father Furlong said.
“A major part of this is simply giving the faithful a chance to participate in adoration, Eucharistic processions, and other opportunities to enrich their faith. He has been front and center in this regard,” Father Furlong said.
“ Through his encouragement and his preaching, he has reinvigorated those in the diocese to recommit themselves to the importance of the source and summit of our faith,” Father Furlong emphasized.
The diocesan Eucharistic Revival continues in Trumbull County Feb. 12 at Hubbard St. Patrick Parish. Other venues include Streetsboro St. Joan of Arc Parish (Portage County) March 19, Conneaut Corpus Christi Parish (Ashtabula County) April 16, and Columbiana St. Jude Parish (Columbiana County) May 21.
All parishes in the diocese, Father Lavelle pointed out, will be encouraged to host their own celebrations.
“Beginning in June of 2023, the revival moves to the ‘parish phase.’ During that time, we look for many of our parishes to also offer a variety of devotions focused on the Eucharist. We … are planning to participate as a diocese in the National Eucharistic Congress in Year 3 in Indianapolis,” he said.
According to USCCB statements, the Eucharist “is also a participation in the worship offered in heaven, in and through Christ, by the angels and saints.”
The Eucharist “makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior.” And, as St. John Paul II taught: “The Church constantly draws her life from (this) redeeming sacrifice; she approaches it, not only through faith-filled remembrance, but also through a real contact, since this sacrifice is made present ever anew, sacramentally perpetuated, in every community which offers it at the hands of the consecrated minister.”
