Brothers and Sisters,

You’re invited!

Where are you headed? After all, many of us just need to finish the last few days of school or those “essential” work-related tasks before loading up the car or heading to the airport for vacation! Some might be eager to see family and spend some free time with them during their downtime. Or others might be thinking happy thoughts, picturing themselves relaxing on the beach or hiking in the mountains.

Despite your destination, one essential part of any trip is food. For those adventurous enough and able to partake without dietary restrictions, travel allows us to try new types of cuisine. At the same time, we live in a unique age where food is shipped internationally at great distances and made available to us here. Still, there’s nothing like visiting a place and getting to sample a unique dish the region is famous for, especially when that particular delicacy doesn’t ship very well (like I discovered with crabcakes).

It’s funny how we can become obsessed with these travel meals, even documenting these food adventures on Instagram, yet we can overlook the most satisfying meal of all time. Jesus promises us an essential food, the gift of his body and blood in the Eucharist that satisfies us with the depths of our being. While we consume Jesus in Holy Communion, we, in turn, are enveloped in the Body of Christ —amazing! It’s not surprising that there are efforts from our Church to increase our passion and desire for the “Bread of Life,” our most significant connection to the Lord Jesus, and our invitation to dine at his table. However, we know from “surveys”* that the faithful’s belief in the Eucharist is dwindling or, in other instances, taken for granted.

Historically, the Church has promoted pilgrimages as opportunities to reinvigorate our faith. Hearing the stories of the saints or even being able to follow their footsteps or those of Jesus in the Holy Land can capture our imaginations. Still, a trip to a faraway destination is only sometimes part of our vacation plans. That’s why I encourage you to check out these accessible resources for our Eucharistic Revival. The list is accessible and perfect for all ages (eucharisticrevival.org/post/eucharistic-processions-and-pilgrimages-for-children).

1. Stay after Mass to make an Act of Thanksgiving.
2. Research local adoration chapels starting with OLPH (https://olphparish.org/adoration-chapel-; visit the first Cathedral in the United States with the Baltimore Basilica americasfirstcathedral.org).
3. Add a daily Mass to your week for a special intention.
4. Find a Church to attend while on vacation.
5. Attend a holy hour of adoration (Outdoor Adoration on June 23, and our FOPs this summer are July 7 and August 4).
6. Participate in a Eucharistic procession (including our own happening today, Sunday, June 11, at the 11 am Mass!).

May this summer be when all our parishioners are fed and nourished, especially with their renewed enthusiasm for Jesus in the Eucharist!

*https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/41997/survey-on-catholic-belief-in-the-eucharist-prompts-calls-for-better-catechesis