Get excited for Jesus: Faithful invited to four regional Eucharistic congresses

Spring events will prepare Detroit-area Catholics for National Eucharistic Congress this summer, feature dynamic speakers

DETROIT — This summer, Catholics from across the United States will converge upon Indianapolis — some arriving on foot — for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, a weeklong celebration of the gift of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

Catholics from Detroit will be among tens of thousands participating in the national congress, which will take place from July 17-21 at Lucas Oil Stadium, a capstone of the U.S. bishops’ three-year National Eucharistic Revival.

“This event will give attendees an opportunity to be renewed in their love of the Holy Eucharist, and for this transformation to flow out into our parish communities,” Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron said earlier this year.

But for those who can’t make the pilgrimage to Indianapolis — or who just want a preview of the once-in-a-lifetime event — the Archdiocese of Detroit is hosting four regional Eucharistic congress events to help local Catholics deepen their faith and experience the power of the Blessed Sacrament.

The four regional congresses will take place this spring in the four pastoral regions of the Archdiocese of Detroit (Northeast, Northwest, Central and South), and will feature dynamic speakers, music, prayer and Eucharistic adoration. Each event is free and open to all.

“These gatherings, one in each region of the archdiocese, are opportunities for those who cannot travel to the national event to come together in prayer and grow in understanding of the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist,” Archbishop Vigneron said.

The four events, called “Love Outpoured,” will each feature different speakers and emphases, and will be presented in both English and Spanish.

Northeast Regional Eucharistic Congress (April 6)

Date: Saturday, April 6 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Location: St. Kieran Parish, 53600 Mound Road, Shelby Township
Host: North Macomb 1 Family of Parishes

The first regional congress will take place Saturday, April 6, at St. Kieran Parish in Shelby Township. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, a nationally known Catholics evangelist and speaker, will give the English keynote.

Deacon Burke-Sivers is the host of “Beacon of Truth” on EWTN Radio, and is the host or co-host of several popular TV series. He’s written six books, including “Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality,” and “Building a Civilization of Love: A Catholic Response to Racism.”

In addition to Deacon Burke-Sivers’ address, the Spanish track will feature a keynote by Antonio Guzmán-Díaz, director of family and engagement for the Basilica of Ste. Anne in Detroit and former associate director of Hispanic ministry for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Auxiliary Bishop Robert J. Fisher, episcopal moderator for the Northeast Region, will celebrate Mass for participants.

South Regional Eucharistic Congress (April 27)

Date: Saturday, April 27 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Location: St. Frances Cabrini Parish, 9000 Laurence Ave., Allen Park
Host: Quo Vadis Domine Family of Parishes

The second regional Eucharistic congress will take place Saturday, April 27, at St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Allen Park. The English-language keynote will be given by Bob McCarty, D.Min., executive director for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

An expert in parish ministry, McCarty has served since 1973 at the parish, community, diocesan and national levels working with young people, as well as teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in youth ministry, including at The Catholic University of America and the University of Dallas. He is the project coordinator for Saint Mary’s Press’ research project, “Going, Going, Gone: The Dynamics of Disaffiliation in Young Catholics.”

The Spanish-language track will be given by Katherine Angulo, program director of the Thriving in Ministry Initiative, a project of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. Born in Mexico, Angulo also serves on the board of directors for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

Auxiliary Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton, episcopal moderator for the archdiocese’s South Region, will celebrate Mass for participants.

Northwest Regional Eucharistic Congress (May 11)

Date: Saturday, May 11 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Location: St. Andrew Parish, 1400 Inglewood Ave., Rochester
Host: Rochester Area Catholic Family of Parishes

The third regional Eucharistic congress will take place Saturday, May 11, at St. Andrew Parish in Rochester. Mari Pablo, a dynamic presenter for Ascension Press on a number of youth-focused topics, will give the English keynote.

Pablo, who grew up in southern Florida, holds degrees in theology and psychology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and the Augustine Institute. She serves parishes and universities across the country with The Evangelical Catholic, and has presented a number of topics for Ascension Press, including “YOU — Theology of the Body Program for Teens.”

The Spanish-language keynote will be given by Socorro Truchan, associate director of the domestic church (marriage and family) for the Diocese of Kalamazoo and president of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers.

Truchan formerly served as a teacher at St. Sebastian School in Dearborn Heights and as coordinator of the Archdiocese of Detroit’s marriage, family and pro-life ministries.

Bishop Gerard W. Battersby, episcopal moderator for the archdiocese’s Northwest Region and newly appointed bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wis., will celebrate Mass.

Central Regional Eucharistic Congress (June 1)

Date: Saturday, June 1 (9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Location: St. Scholastica Parish, 8201 Outer Drive West, Detroit
Host: One in the Spirit Family of Parishes

The final regional Eucharistic congress will take place Saturday, June 1, at St. Scholastica Parish in Detroit. The English keynote address will be given by Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, a popular Catholic speaker, author and podcast host.

Sr. Heidland is the co-host of Ascension Press’ “Abiding Together” podcast, and she’s the author of “Loved as I Am” as well as guided meditations for Lent and Advent. In 1998, Sr. Heidland, a former Division 1 athlete, told her conversion journey on EWTN’s “The Journey Home” program. She gives retreats and talks on theology and Catholic spirituality across the country.

The Spanish-language keynote will be given by Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Arturo Cepeda, who also serves as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church. Bishop Cepeda serves as episcopal moderator for the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Central Region.

In addition, a third keynote will be given in American Sign Language by Kate Slosar, president of the International Catholic Deaf Association and an advocate for Deaf Catholics who travels and gives retreats around the country.

Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron will celebrate Mass for participants. Bishop Cepeda will concelebrate.