Angela Dorato, a member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Sheboygan, shares her memories of the National Eucharistic Congress at the Witness the Fire event in August. (Submitted photo)
What happened in Indianapolis shouldn’t stay in Indianapolis.
The National Eucharistic Congress, held in Indiana’s capital city July 17-21, had an impact on the American Catholic experience that will continue to unfold for years to come — and not just on the 60,000 attendees (including more than 250 from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and Madison, and four Wisconsin bishops).
The fruits of the congress will also be seen in the millions more who watched the nightly revival sessions from home, saw images of the massive Eucharistic Adoration that took place in Lucas Oil Stadium each night, or simply heard about the experience from those who had been there.
“The people that came back that I was talking to were really on fire for what happened,” said Kym Leibham, Director of Adult Faith Formation for Sheboygan’s Catholic parishes.
Leibham wasn’t able to attend the NEC in person, but she listened to several of the congress’ presentations online and was deeply moved by the photographs she saw. “When they showed photos inside the stadium of all of these people in adoration — I just felt like, even though I wasn’t there, I could literally feel the Holy Spirit stirring in me. It felt like it was permeating through the photos, through the videos that people posted.”
Inspired by those words and images, Leibham organized the “Witness the Fire” presentation on Monday, Aug. 26, at St. Dominic Parish in Sheboygan, inviting 13 local Catholics who attended the NEC to offer their testimony of the congress and how it continues to impact their lives and faith.
Two of the witnesses who offered their stories were Dcn. John Gavin and his wife, Marla. Dcn. Gavin, who serves the South Side Parishes of Sheboygan, said the experience brought to mind the Transfiguration.
He felt, he said, like Peter, James and John, beholding the transfigured Christ. “You want to build a church and stay, because it’s just such an exciting, inspiring experience,” he said. “And yet like the apostles, all of us have to come back down to earth and (back to) our daily lives, and somehow carry that experience with us, knowing that Jesus is on the altar, every altar, Jesus is in the monstrance for Eucharistic Adoration, and those experiences of Jesus, encountering Jesus in the Eucharist, are available to us many times throughout Sheboygan County.”
“I realized that Jesus is a gift, and he’s a gift that I want to receive more, in Mass and adoration,” said Diane Gafney, a parishioner of St. John the Baptist in Plymouth. “And we need to share that gift and give it away. So please, join me and invite others to accept this gift of the presence of Jesus right here in this church, in your church — because he’s here.” She gestured to the tabernacle. “He’s right there. And we don’t have to be in the middle of 60,000 people to make it awesome and amazing. We can be with 160 people, or we can be with 30 people. It’s the same precious gift.”
The previous week, pilgrims from the National Eucharistic Congress shared similar sentiments as they gathered at St. Leonard in Muskego on Wednesday, Aug. 21, for a reunion.
The event, which began with Eucharistic Adoration, invited the congress pilgrims to “process and to pray” about their congress experience, and to discern “what the Lord has spoken and continues to speak, and (where he) might be nudging us to help bring the blessings of that congress back to our parishes,” said Margaret Rhody, Associate Director for Parish Renewal with the Archdiocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.
Prompted by questions like “How has participating in the congress impacted your faith, and in what ways did you ‘catch the fire?’” pilgrims had an opportunity to share some of the moments that stayed with them from the congress, and the ways that those moments have begun to transform their lives as disciples of Christ.
“I’m on fire. I’m burning. Can you see it?” said one attendee, addressing the group. “I loved Jesus before I went to the congress, but it just renewed the (love for the) Eucharist. The conversations don’t seem to be about golf and the Packers (now); they seem to be about the Eucharist and Jesus.”
Another pilgrim shared that she and her sister waited for two hours to attend the exhibit on the Shroud of Turin, which was held in the Indianapolis Convention Center during the congress. “It was so worth it, but the thing that struck both of us was to be right in front of the instruments of torture (of Christ),” she said. “It just stopped me in my tracks. That brought meaning to his suffering and the reverence that we need to have for that.”
“I don’t feel alone anymore,” another woman shared. “I just have this confidence — like, the saints are on my side, Jesus is always with me, and it’s just beautiful. The desire to go receive Jesus every day, go to Mass, say the Rosary, it’s been beautiful — and changing, transforming.”
Want to catch the fire?
Here are opportunities coming up to be transformed by the movement that started at the NEC this summer:
Called and Gifted Workshop
In your Baptism and Confirmation, you received gifts that our world needs. Do you know yours?
Live workshop Oct. 26 at St. John the Baptist, 115 Plymouth St., Plymouth, and Nov. 9 at St. Dominic, 18255 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield, as well as video workshops throughout October.
Emmaus 90
A 90-day journey for Catholics seeking greater closeness with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, starting New Year’s Day 2025.
Walk with One
eucharisticrevival.org/walk-with-one
This accompaniment initiative was announced in the closing Mass of the NEC. We are all called to mission, and it can be overwhelming — but not if you start with just one person. Here you can find a how-to guide for spiritual companionship, prayer resources and more.
Vatican International Exhibition: Eucharistic Miracles of the World
Through the generosity of a group of donors, the archdiocese has received a complete set of Blessed Carlo Acutis’ traveling Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition display panels. These are available to any parish or Catholic school within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee that would like to host the exhibit for a week.
