MUNSTER – What Jesus Christ did for the human race through his death and resurrection was the greatest act of love in history.
Starting with that belief, dozens of parishioners from St. Thomas More and their guests are in the midst of a seven-part National Eucharistic Revival discussion series on “Jesus and the Eucharist.”
“It has been awesome – one of the best video programs I’ve ever seen,” said Noreen Bickel, director of Parish Mission at the Munster parish, which began hosting morning and evening discussion groups on May 1 and will complete the series on June 13.
Prepared by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a lead-in for the National Eucharistic Congress on July 17-21 in Indianapolis, the series offers seven two-hour videos, with topics ranging from “What’s Our Story?” to “Bread for the Journey.”
Every parish across the country is invited to host the study series that serves to immerse participants in the kerygmatic proclamation and unveil God’s saving work in the Eucharist. Each session opens with an address from a different bishop, followed by lectio divina prayer with scripture. The main lesson is drawn from content created by the Augustine Institute and includes personal testimonies from Catholics across the country. Each video pauses for small group discussions, with questions provided.
“The format is really good, with interesting scripture passages and testimonials from a number of speakers,” Bickel said. “The discussion questions have sparked some really meaningful talks. We try to keep the groups to 5-6 people.”
Diane Losiniecki, a Chicago resident who plans to attend all seven sessions as a guest, agreed. “I love these worksheets,” she said. “I take them home and go over them and learn more, but then I’m a retired teacher and I love homework!”
During the third session titled “Am I Saved?”, Losiniecki was impressed with the video speakers, including Chris Stefanick, a Catholic speaker, author and TV host. “The God who went before us into life, in death and in rising from the dead, promises us the story ends very, very well. We have the hope of salvation,” he told his audience.
What stood out to Losiniecki in that video segment “was that Jesus could have opted out at any time – He is God! But he sacrificed himself for us,” she remarked.
Discussing what Jesus’ cross means to her, Tessie Bunag, a St. Thomas More parishioner who grew up in the Philippines, said, “I thought of the cross as something so special that it was only for church. At home, we had a shrine to the Blessed Mother, but we did not display a crucifix at home. A cross meant Jesus suffering for us.”
Mary Cervantes, a Texas visitor who happily joined the study series, said, “The meaning of the cross for me is love, ultimate love that is not understandable to regular people.”
Elaine Herrmann, who agreed to facilitate a table group, said she is glad she did. “I had pulled back from activities after my husband died almost a year ago, but I felt God was calling me to participate; I’m trying to get back to life.”
During the “Am I Saved?” segment of the series, Herrmann realized, “that Jesus is always there. He has gotten me through some tough times. I thought prayers were the words you learned as a child, the Hail Mary and Our Father, but didn’t realize that prayer is also just speaking to God in your own words, not always learned prayers.”
Bunag shared that “Anytime I have a problem, I pray and feel better, especially after the Rosary,” while tablemate Donna Logisz wondered aloud, “How do you convince other people of that?”
Tom Keslin, a St. Thomas More parishioner from Schererville, said he agreed to become a table facilitator because “I felt the need to do more with my faith and discipleship. In every session, while discussing the questions, an ‘aha’ moment comes up.
“God is love, and (when) I feel love for my family, and I realized that that love is God. He’s everywhere interacting with you.”
Belief in the Eucharist as the Real Presence of Jesus Christ has declined to a startling low, with only about 30% of Catholics believing that the Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of Jesus, according to a recent Pew Research Center study. That prompted the USCCB to take action a few years ago, launching a three-year National Eucharistic Revival that will conclude with the Congress, sending thousands of Catholics back to their dioceses and parishes to continue evangelizing through the Eucharist.
To access the USCCB Eucharistic Revival materials, visit eucharisticrevival.org/formation-resources.
Caption: Participants watch the "Am I Saved?" video during the third week of a seven-week Eucharistic Revival discussion series hosted by St. Thomas More in Munster. The series continues at the Weis Center from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays through June 13 and from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through June 12. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)