National Eucharistic Congress attendees from the Diocese of Owensboro gather for a group photo after lunch with Bishop William F. Medley July 19, 2024. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Joining with Catholics from across U.S., more than 200 from Diocese of Owensboro attend Eucharistic Congress
BY ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Fr. John Vaughan, the pastor of Immaculate Parish in Owensboro, not only celebrated his 50th ordination anniversary on July 20, but he was able to do so “with more than 50,000 of my closest friends!” he quipped, being one of more than 200 Diocese of Owensboro participants attending the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, which saw 50,000 registrations.
He told The Western Kentucky Catholic that he hoped his experiences at the Congress would “help me better love and appreciate the Eucharist” and that the Congress, which was held July 17-21 in the Indiana Convention Center and nearby Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, was “a great picture of the Church gathered around the Eucharist.”
Fr. Vaughan said that some favorite moments of his priesthood have been centered around the Eucharist, and that he hopes future priests will find in their vocations “the happiness and satisfaction that I’ve found in mine.”
Fr. John Vaughan, pastor of Immaculate Parish, distributes Communion during Mass, Friday July 19, 2024. RILEY GREIF | WKC
The more than 50,000 registrants came from around the United States to participate in multi-lingual Masses, special sessions, Adoration, workshops, music, confession, and a downtown procession through the city streets on Saturday. The Congress was a major highlight of the National Eucharistic Revival, which is a three-year initiative from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to increase love of and understanding about the Eucharist. Bishop William F. Medley attended as well, and concelebrated the daily morning liturgies held in Lucas Oil.
Marti Frank, a young adult parishioner of St. Joseph in Bowling Green, is a middle school teacher and was able to utilize her summer break to attend the Congress. She was one of the attendees of a special luncheon on Friday hosted by Bishop Medley at a local restaurant, which was open to any Diocese of Owensboro parishioner attending the Congress.
Frank said a highlight for her was getting to listen to the granddaughter of Dorothy Day, an American woman from the early 20th century who founded the Catholic Worker Movement and has been declared a Servant of God in the canonization process.
“It has been refreshing to be in a space where you can feel the Holy Spirit with so many other believers,” she said. “You can feel it in the air.”
The closing Mass was presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pope Francis’ special envoy to the Congress, who told the faithful that “a Eucharistic people is a missionary and evangelizing people.”
Monstrance made for the National Eucharistic Congress is seen during Adoration in Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday, July 18, 2024. RILEY GREIF | WKC
At the end of the Congress, Bishop Andew H. Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, board chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc., received enthusiastic support for the idea of an 11th National Eucharistic Congress, revealing one is planned for 2033 – the Year of Redemption – but another one could happen sooner.
He also announced a National Eucharistic Pilgrimage from Indianapolis to Los Angeles for Corpus Christi Sunday in 2025, and urged participants to commit to the USCCB’s forthcoming Walk With One initiative and accompany a person back to the faith.
Eight-year-old Lillian Dorth came from Owensboro with her mom, Kristin Dorth, and several other family members to attend the Congress.
Lillian said that in each session, she enjoyed writing down “Holy Things I Want to Remember” in her notebook.
And during the nightly Adoration opportunities, she said that every time Jesus was brought forth in the monstrance, she realized more and more that “I am a child of God.”
OSV News contributed to this story.
Eight-year-old Lillian Dorth, parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes, takes notes while listening to Revival Session presentations at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis on July 17, 2024. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Sts. Peter and Paul parishioners Athena, Karla, and Anelise Wagner in the exhibit hall of the National Eucharistic Congress on July 18, 2024. RILEY GREIF | WKC
National Eucharistic Congress attendees from St. Pius X in Owensboro gather for a group photo July 19, 2024. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Bishop William F. Medley sings as he participates in the Eucharistic procession in downtown Indianapolis, Saturday, July 20, 2024. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Thousands gathered in Lucas Oil Stadium applaud during the evening Revival Session on Saturday, July 20, 2024. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Sr. Chanh Ngo, Michelle Rhinerson, and Nichole Rhinerson in the Indianapolis Convention Center as volunteers at National Eucharistic Congress on July 18, 2024. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Eucharistic Adoration takes place on the steps of the Indiana World War Memorial in Indianapolis at the culmination of a July 20 procession through downtown. RILEY GREIF | WKC
Originally printed in the August 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
