As part of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival that began earlier this summer, the Diocese of Camden is offering a series of learning opportunities to help the faithful discern the Eucharist, how it fully impacts one’s life and to be open to its true nature as the Body and Blood of Christ.
These presentations, a collaboration between the Diocese’s Eucharistic Revival for South Jersey Committee and diocesan priests, are taking place at a number of churches beginning this month.
The first English-language talk will be held at 7 p.m., Sept. 21 in Ocean City’s Saint Damien Parish, Saint Augustine Church. The presentation by Father Thomas Newton, pastor, is titled “The Eucharist: A Meal We Share.”
A presentation in Vietnamese titled “What does the word ‘Eucharist’ mean” was held Sept. 1 at Most Precious Blood Parish, West Collingswood. A Spanish-language presentation was held Sept. 12 at Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish, Hammonton, titled “The Eucharist: The Bread of Life.”
The series will continue into Spring 2023 with talks in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. There are currently more than 12 lessons scheduled through December. For the full listing of talks through May 2023, visit the Diocese’s revival website, eucharisticrevivalsouthjersey.org, or any diocesan social media pages.
The National Eucharistic Revival is an initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops created in response to a 2019 Pew Research study that found only one-third of Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the actual Body and Blood of Christ. The revival aims to ensure that the Eucharist is understood by all to be the source and summit of the Catholic faith – a gift from God deserving of true reverence, not to be embraced as simply an element of the Mass.
Several other elements of the Eucharistic Revival happening throughout the Diocese will be announced in greater detail soon, including a special series of teaching Masses to be conducted at all parishes in October and November; a special focus on the Eucharist during National Vocations Awareness Week from Nov. 6-12; and the Eucharistic Congress set for March 25 in Camden – a daylong event featuring presentations, including by a national guest speaker, highlighting the breadth and depth of the Holy Eucharist.
Keep an eye on the Catholic Star Herald, the Diocese of Camden and Eucharistic Revival websites, and associated social media pages for more information.
Upcoming Lectures on the Eucharist
Sept. 21: “The Eucharist: A Meal We Share,” Saint Damien Parish, Saint Augustine Church, Ocean City, Father Thomas Newton (English) 7 p.m.
Oct. 4: “General Overview on the Eucharist According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church – Part 1,” Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, the Parish of Saint Monica, Atlantic City, Father Andrew Pham (Vietnamese) 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 4: “Why the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist is REAL,” Saint Peter Church, Merchantville, Father Mark Matthias (English) 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: “The Meaning of the Last Supper,” Transfiguration Church, Most Precious Blood Parish, West Collingswood, TBD (Vietnamese) 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 20: “Near the Cross of Jesus Was His Mother: How Mary Can Help Us Participate in the Eucharist,” Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden, Father Stephen Robbins (Spanish) TBD
Oct. 20: “Why the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist is REAL,” Saint Vincent Pallotti Church, Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Haddon Township, Father Mark Matthias (English) 7 p.m.
For updated information and more planned lectures, visit eucharisticrevivalsouthjersey.org.
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