The Dialog enlisted Millersville University senior, Saint Mark’s High School product and St. Patrick’s parishioner Abbey Thibodeau to chronicle the events this week of the Diocese of Wilmington delegation to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Look for her dispatches from Indy and photos online and on social media this week as the event runs July 17-21.
Day three of the National Eucharistic Congress began the best way possible, with the holy sacrifice of Mass.
Witnessing this liturgy was so beautiful, as was being able to bring all of what we received the first two days to our Lord.
Bishop Koenig, Father Glenn Evers, Father Joseph W. McQuaide IV and Father Norman Carroll from the Diocese of Wilmington all concelebrated the Mass. Our diocese seminarians also had seating on the floor with the rest of the clergy.
We all split out into our impact sessions after Mass as we did yesterday and the talks were beautiful.
A reflection I had was the witness of seeing all of the ways in which the Lord calls each person uniquely to participate in the body of Christ.
As you walk around Indianapolis, you see sisters, priests and religious, families with many children and single people all oriented toward the same Christ. This is so profound to me because of how intentional Christ is, and how he delights in each of us in different ways. I was able to be on the main floor for the distribution of the Eucharist and it was so striking to see all of these unique people with different vocations receiving our Lord.
All of us in the afternoon headed to the expo hall to walk around again, but what was most exciting for pilgrim Hayden Fisher, was to see the Hillbilly Thomists who are a group of Dominicans who make folk music. Fisher is also a parishioner at St. Patrick’s in Wilmington.
Bishop Koenig along with many of the diocesan pilgrims attended a talk by Jason Evert which was very profound. Evert came to speak at my alma mater Saint Mark’s High School many years ago and I still remember how struck I was the first time I heard him speak.
Pilgrim Alex Rock, St. Patrick’s parishioner who was also referenced in the article done on World Youth Day this past year, expressed how much he enjoyed Evert talk. As Catholics, it can be hard to reconcile wanting to remain in relationship or friendship with another when they’re struggling or living in opposition to the Gospel. What stuck out to Rock most was when Evert said “We need to hold on to the truth (Jesus Christ), and continue to hold on to the person who’s going astray at the same time.” This is a good conviction and reminder to us to remain gentle with those who aren’t living fully in Christ.
Friday was lovely. We’re all excited for Saturday as it is our last full, packed day. We leave in the afternoon on Sunday. Check in with you Sunday.
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Local college student Abbey Thibodeau helps anchor Dialog coverage at National Eucharistic Congress in Indiana
