CROWN POINT – This is the summer of the National Eucharistic Congress, and to kick off the festivities in the Diocese of Gary, an outdoor evening of praise, worship and adoration titled “True Presence” is planned for Friday, May 31 at St. Mary.
“We want to provide a joyful, exciting and positive kick-off to the Eucharistic Congress,” said David Herr, assistant to the diocesan Office of Worship, of the evening event. “With our central location just east of the downtown square, we plan to bring our presence into the community to include everyone.”
“The Eucharistic Congress, coming to Indianapolis on July 17-21, is a once-in-a-lifetime event in our state and the idea is to get everyone excited about this summer and bring the public into the excitement we are feeling for the Congress and all that follows,” explained Lisa Curley, diocesan coordinator of Hospitality and Pre-Evangelism.
In planning this kick-off, she added, “We looked at the path of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (July 1-5) and the churches it will visit, largely along U.S. 30 across our diocese. They will get to experience the Eucharistic Procession, so then we looked south and chose St. Mary, the largest, most visible parish in that direction, for the kick-off.
“We are welcoming all ages, schoolchildren, families, individuals and couples, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, to come and experience the joy of the Eucharist, adoration and praise music,” Curley added. Acknowledging the popular Crown Point Corn Roast just a block away that same night, Curley issued an invitation: “If you are leaving the corn roast and you hear our music, come on by to listen and join us.”
Herr said the outdoor event will begin at 7 p.m. with Eucharistic Adoration in the parking lot just east of the church, unless rainy weather forces the activities into the school gym. Bring chairs and follow signs for parking.
Bishop Robert J. McClory will lead a procession carrying the Eucharist in the monstrance, followed by a Holy Hour of adoration with the church as a backdrop. Praise music will be led by Alison Powell, pastoral associate for music at St. John the Evangelist in St. John, and the musicians from the SJE Worship Team.
“We will perform songs and hymns that are sacred and that invoke joy, many that are familiar so people feel comfortable singing along,” said Powell. “We want the congregation to feel the spirit and the joyfulness as they praise the Lord.”
Following adoration, Adam G. and Friends, featuring well-known Northwest Indiana musician Adam Gawlikowski, Herr and three others, will entertain with contemporary Christian and folk music, kicking the energy up a notch.
“It’ll be a family-friendly party, with a cookout, games, a bounce house and music,” said Curley.
There is no admission charge and no registration is required. “We are going ‘beyond the walls’ for some community-oriented outdoor fun to worship and praise God as the summer of the National Eucharistic Revival gets underway,” said Powell.
Caption: St. Mary pastor Father Kevin Huber raises the monstrance as he leads benediction in June 2023. Father Huber and the congregation of the Crown Point parish will host "True Presence: A Night of Praise, Worship and Adoration" on Friday, May 31, as part of the Summer of Eucharistic Revival events within the Diocese of Gary. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)