A Note From Father Eickhoff

August 27, 2023

It’s not for nothing that the Second Vatican Council declared that the Holy Eucharist is the “source and summit” of the Christian life.  The Eucharist is the highest, greatest Sacrament of the Church as well as the most important act of worship in the life of the Church.  The Eucharist is the wellspring of God’s grace in our lives that enable us to live in the world as disciples of Jesus Christ.  As a child my family visited a deep, large fresh water spring in Florida from which wells up out of the ground thousands of gallons of water every second.  So much water flows up that immediately a sizable river forms in which visitors can swim or boat in it.  God’s grace in the Sacrament of the Eucharist is like that.  A vast upwelling of grace that sustains us and carries us along in our lives.  Sadly, many Catholics miss out on receiving the Eucharist or that don’t fully appreciate the Eucharist.

The Catholic Church in the United States launched back in 2022 the “National Eucharistic Revival.”  The purpose of the Revival is to deepen our Catholic understanding of God’s gift of the Holy Eucharist.  To this end there will be what is called a “National Eucharistic Congress” in July of 2024 to be held in Indianapolis which will be the culminating event of the Revival.  Now, you may not plan on attending the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis; but you will find that St. Anne Parish is planning several events to help deepen our Catholic faith in the Holy Eucharist as part of the National Eucharistic Revival.

Starting this Fall the St. Anne Adult Faith Formation Ministry will be presenting a special program entitled Presence: the Mystery of the Eucharist.  This will be a three-part series held with the first part in October with following parts in November and December.  There will be a morning and an evening session for each part.  I hope that you will join us for each of these parts.  You can find more information about them in the parish bulletin or on the parish website.

St. Anne Parish will also be hosting a walk-through exhibit highlighting some of the many miracles that have been associated with the Blessed Sacrament this November.  This exhibit will be open to all parishioners and will take place during the weekend of November 17-19.  Please continue to check the bulletin or the website for further details as they are released.

I also encourage you to come to Eucharistic Adoration during the week.  This is a wonderful opportunity to simply sit in the presence of God and pray.  Adoration is a wonderful time to simply be at peace and quiet for as much or as little time as you want.  Adoration is held at St. Anne Parish every Wednesday night between 7pm and 8pm and every Friday morning between 8.30am and 9am.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Stephen Eickhoff
Pastor