Fr. Andrew, myself, Deacon Dan, Deacon Mike, plus 21 other Prince of Peace parishioners all attended the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana from Wednesday, July 17th through Sunday, July 21st. This was the 10th national Eucharist Congress. However, the last one was 83 years ago in 1941. More than 50,000 Catholics attended with many hundreds of priests and religious in attendance. I can personally attest there were A LOT of people, and I believe I have never seen that many religious sisters in one place before. Bishop Barron, the keynote speaker on the last night, said it was the largest crowd he has ever spoken too. It was amazing to experience the energy all these enthusiastic Catholics brought to the congress.
The particular reason for the Congress is that the Church in the United States has just finished two years of a national Eucharist Revival and is beginning year three. I can also assure you that being at the congress that I could feel a true revival occurring before my eyes. There is so much that could be said, but I hope you find one of our POP pilgrims who attended and hear the stories from them. I will share a few highlights from myself and Fr. Andrew (I write this in the car with him on the way back!).
Day one, Fr. Andrew came down with an ear infection and proceeded to urgent care 6:00 AM the next morning. The whole congress, he was a good trooper. He believes God had a reason for this—neither of us are sure what that was though.
Definitely, it was a blessing to hear some the best Catholic speakers in the country: Bishop Barron, Bishop Cozzens, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jonathan Roumie, Scott Hahn among them, but so many more, including amazing religious sisters, priests, and lay people. Liturgies and Eucharistic adoration were lead in music by amazing Catholic musicians like Matt Maher and Floriani. The combination of these speakers, music, and crowds colliding with the reason for the Congress—the Most Holy Eucharist—was like nothing we have ever experienced before. It was unlike any other conference I have attended. 
Another highlight was the ENORMOUS Eucharistic procession through downtown Indianapolis. Pretty much the entire crowd of 50,000 participated. Fr. Andrew and I were in a veritable sea of priests walking before Jesus in the Eucharist. Another cool thing was Archbishop Naumann was the celebrant for one of the main Masses—I think that says something about how great our Archbishop is!
Some quick take-aways for me are that I have a better vision on how the parish should operate as we experience a change from the age of Christendom to a new apostolic age (in other words sadly our culture is no longer primarily Christian anymore). I experienced personal renewal, and I now more fully see and appreciate some new dimensions of the Eucharist I might not have paid enough attention to beyond the Real Presence (which itself is so important and amazing).
Fr. Andrew’s quick initial take-aways include a desire to continue to live a more Eucharistic-centered life and an excitement to help focus the parish more on the Eucharist, so that all that we do points towards it and flows from it.
We hope to share more in days to come. We have been asked and will be starting a Eucharistic homily series the next four weeks as we journey through the Gospel of John chapter 6. Please pray for good fruit to come from all of this for the Church in the United States and for Prince of Peace parish.
Peace,
Fr. Greg & Fr. Andrew
