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A Taste of Heaven: Reflections from the National Eucharistic Congress
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August 7, 2024When asked to describe my experience at the National Eucharistic Congress, the word that comes to mind is “heaven.” One word is hardly enough, but the encounter I had with Jesus provided me with the sweetest taste of heaven and the promises of what is to come.
Catholic Charities was blessed to invite several staff, board members, volunteers, family and friends to join along with the other 250+ pilgrims from the Diocese of Green Bay to attend the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. The gathering was organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops with the purpose of fostering a stronger devotion to and belief in the Eucharist. And appreciating Jesus’ true presence in this sacrament – his body, blood, soul and divinity!
We arrived the evening of Wednesday, July 17, and gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium for the opening session and the evening sessions to follow. The stage was set with a beautiful, majestic backdrop and amplifying lights. You could just sense the anticipation, curiosity, joy and hope in each person at the stadium. But it was Jesus who took center stage that night and every moment of the Congress that followed.
Each day, the National Eucharistic Congress offered many opportunities to encounter Jesus regardless of where you were on your faith journey. From large-group impact sessions, breakouts, spiritual exhibits, fellowship and hospitality, to the entire assembly gathered for the powerful “Revival Sessions” at night. I was also grateful for the opportunity to participate in confession, adoration and a celebration through worship and music. And of course, the Eucharistic procession with Jesus through the streets of downtown Indianapolis on Saturday, July 20, was the most powerful, public witness of who Jesus is to others that I will never forget.
The whole experience was one more step in deepening my relationship with Jesus and ultimately led to this question: “What is God asking of me?” First, recognizing we can’t give what we don’t have. Our world needs healing now more than ever, and I see this firsthand in my work at Catholic Charities. I am humbled to be called to serve, through love and charity, our brothers and sisters in Christ; I have a renewed purpose, along with a full community of believers, to go out and serve the Lord. Through this experience, I’ve realized it doesn’t matter how you start, but rather how you end — all in God’s time.
It had been nearly 83 years since the last Eucharistic Congress in the United States, and one may wonder why it took so long to hold another as it was a profound moment for the whole church in the U.S. with our Catholic family united in prayer. Sixty-thousand Catholics of all ages gathered in person and many more joined via livestream. I am so grateful to Bishop David Ricken and the event organizers for this life-changing opportunity. At the closing session on Sunday, July 21, it was announced the next National Eucharistic Congress will be held in 2033.
Now go and announce the Gospel to the world!Karmen Lemke is the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay.
"I can't even put into words all that the Congress was and continues to be. Worshipping our Eucharistic Lord alongside 60,000 other Catholics was incredible and awe-inspiring. Every night, I was overcome with emotion looking around the stadium as we all fell to our knees to welcome Jesus. The presence of the Lord was felt fervently and with sniffles heard throughout the stadium — you knew Jesus was at work on our hearts. This experience will forever ignite a Eucharistic zeal in my heart to invite others to experience Jesus in the Eucharist." - Renae VandenPlas, Financial Business Specialist with Catholic Charities
