Dear Parishioners,

The USCCB just completed the National Eucharistic Revival Congress that was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, and included several days of Eucharistic Adorations, talks and teachings, various Masses, and Eucharistic processions, all meant to bring about a renewed love for our Eucharistic Lord. There were over 50,000 people from across the country who participated, including some from our Diocese. I followed different talks and events, and admit that it seemed like a very spirit-filled time of renewal.

We consecrated the parish to the Eucharist this past Holy Thursday, 2024. The night we as a Church celebrate the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the Priesthood and the universal call to sacrificial service. We are a Eucharistic people. What I mean by that is that all we do as Catholics is centered on the Eucharist, it is the source and summit of the Catholic life. Yet, often we forget the great gift we have in the Eucharist, not with bad intention, but often just because we have become so familiar with the celebration of Sunday Eucharist. We often forget or take for granted what takes place every Sunday at Mass. We, as the faithful, gather to enter into the mystery of God’s love as he gives us the gift of His Son – His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity at every Mass. The Eucharistic feast is not passive but rather something we enter into, a great mystery. After being fed with the Bread of Life, Jesus, we too are sent out as disciples. WE receive a gift and are called to share that gift.

We do not need to travel across the country to encounter revitalization, renewal or God’s saving grace. It happens here at Saint Bernard of Clairvaux every day when we gather for Mass. God’s saving love is real, His goodness and abundant graces are waiting to be embraced and consumed.

Over the next five Sundays we are reading the Gospel of John, chapter 6, known at the Bread of Life discourse. Each week we have an opportunity for renewal and refreshment in the Eucharist. This weekend we focus on God’s abundance in the feeding of the 5,000. It reveals that God’s love, mercy and forgiveness is not limited, stingy or miserly but, rather, overflowing to those who give themselves to His plan and His will in their lives.

May the Holy Spirit enkindle in us a renewed sense of God’s abundant love as we are fed in the Eucharist here at Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Commit to being a missionary disciple and share that abundant love with a friend or coworker this week.

Peace and goodness in Him,

Fr. Fred

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