CROWN POINT - When a handful of women came home from the National Eucharistic Congress wanting to shout from the rooftops, you know something spectacular occurred there.
This group of friends have been on religious pilgrimages before. They traveled to Rome and Israel and attended charismatic retreats together, but the impact of being with some 60,000 people all in one place with one purpose was intense.
“This topped the scales,” said Pam Mizwicki of St. John. “The joy was tangible. Everyone was happy. Everyone felt welcomed; everyone felt loved. There was so much laughter and joy. I wanted to share this with others. I want to share Jesus.”
To that end, the women met – the day after returning from the Eucharistic Congress – on July 22 in a friend’s Crown Point home and found it difficult to contain themselves.
“I couldn’t wait to share my experiences; I was filled with the Spirit and still am,” said Mary Beth Benson, a parishioner at St. Thomas More in Munster. The first thing she did when she came back was post pictures and a story on Facebook.
“I prayed to the Holy Spirit to guide me to post pictures and say the things to be most impactful,” she said. “It was so well received. I am getting so many comments from people who appreciated what I shared and they’re not all Catholic. It is important to continue to share the message, to put it out there and see who is willing to listen.”
Mizwicki, a parishioner at St. John the Evangelist, said she thinks social media is going to continue being flooded with the message of Jesus’ true presence in the Eucharist. “That is how we are spreading the word. The faith is being shared.”
For example, Matt Maher, a contemporary Christian music artist who has a following outside the Church, posted “for all to see” about his experience at the Indianapolis revival in Lucas Oil Stadium and how grateful he was for being involved,” said Mizwicki.
He is helping to continue to spread the Word as are Sister Josphine Garret, Jonathon Roumie, Sarah Kroger and others. “All the speakers and musicians were amazing, and the Masses and, of course, adoration; there was something for everybody,” Mizwicki said.
Judy Wohadlo, of All Souls in Lansing, said the monstrance was over five feet tall. “The adoration was amazing; the procession was amazing. The quiet reverence during adoration was so beautiful and memorable. The few sounds heard were from the little ones.
“Everything made an impact. There was contemporary music, classical church music and something at every turn.” She brought back books, pamphlets and prayer cards to share with friends and neighbors. “We need to continue to get the word out. Unfortunately…there are still so many…that don’t even know this happened.”
Benson hopes that people will be impacted by this for the rest of their lives. “I was overwhelmed and encouraged. It was so surprising and encouraging to see so many priests, so many young priests and sisters. Now I am so hopeful. We are planting seeds.”
Rita Pritchett, a parishioner at St. Joseph in Dyer, is glad to be part of the prayer group and to hear the stories. “I couldn’t go,” she said. “It is wonderful that they were able to take time out of their lives, to enrich their spirits. It was such a phenomenal event. I watched the whole time and prayed for them..”
“My deepest desire,” Wohadlo said, “is to be a more courageous witness to the saving power of Jesus in the Eucharist.”
Mizwicki, a cradle Catholic who has always believed in the true presence, found herself saying “here comes the monstrance,” until she was divinely inspired to proclaim, “here comes Jesus!
“There is no doubt the Church is alive,” Mizwicki continued. “I cannot get over how many priests and nuns were there. And families, so many young families. This was truly a pilgrimage. And something that needs to be shared from the rooftops.”
Caption: Following the National Eucharist Congress in Indianapolis, Judy Wohadlo, Mary Beth Benson and Pam Mizwicki share pamphlets and information July 22 during their prayer group at a friend's home in Crown Point. They are on fire and desire to continue to be courageous witnesses to the Eucharistic Lord. (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)