For the first time in 83 years, the U.S. will hold a National Eucharistic Congress on July 17-21, 2024. The event aims to draw the Church into a deeper intimacy with Jesus and inspire thousands to be moved to share the Eucharistic love of the Lord “for the life of the world” (John 6:51), and Maine Catholics now have the opportunity to enjoy a discounted rate to participate.
Registration is being done through the national organizing committee, and Bishop Deeley was able to reserve a limited number of discounted passes for purchase by Maine Catholics: www.portlanddiocese.org/NationalEucharisticCongress. The congress pass does not include travel, housing, or meals, but a group travel option from Maine is in development. The congress fee for children ages 3-18 is $99/child or free for a lap child (ages 2 and under). The number of deeply discounted passes is very limited so act quickly if you hope to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity. The discount deadline is June 1, 2023.
The congress is part of the National Eucharistic Revival, a movement to restore understanding and devotion to the great mystery of faith and the source and summit of that faith: the Eucharist. A special web section dedicated to the Eucharistic Revival is available on the Diocese of Portland website at www.portlanddiocese.org/Eucharist and will be updated continually over the coming months and years. The section examines the Eucharist in four ways (celebrated, adored, received, and lived), offering
many resources and ideas on how you can participate in the renewal.
“The revival serves as a reminder of our reverence for the Eucharist and the fact that we are called to take the real presence of Jesus into the world,” said Bishop Deeley. “It can encourage Catholics to see the Sunday Eucharist as a profound encounter with Jesus. In the coming months and years, you will see your parish providing you with chances to awaken your own amazement in the Eucharist. Hopefully, the revival will further inspire you to take the authentic love of Jesus found in the Eucharist out into a world in great need of it. The Eucharist is a privileged way in which we draw closer to Jesus our Savior. I hope that the revival will help that truth enter the hearts of many people in need of its comfort and renew awe and thanks for the Eucharist in the hearts of all the faithful.”
Our St. Michael Parish Faith Formation Programs embrace all who seek to grow in their Catholic faith. We commit to provide enriching experiences that foster positive learning, lifelong faith formation, and an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We stive to assist each person realize her/his value and significance as taught by Jesus Christ. We aim to be a catalyst for families to celebrate our rich Catholic faith through ritual and tradition.
Faith is meant to be lived. We promote a spirit of evangelization and help our parishioners find ways to prepare the way for the coming of God's kingdom of peace, love and justice.