Ignite the Faith: Eucharistic Congress Convenes This October

Saturday, October 19 at the Radison Plaza Hotel

Register here: ignitethefaith.eventbrite.com

Bishop Bradley is inviting all the faithful throughout the Diocese of Kalamazoo to attend the historic Eucharistic Congress, the first one the diocese has convened. The day-long event, entitled “Ignite the Faith” is designed to engage, inspire and activate participants’ call to be missionary disciples.

What is a Eucharistic Congress and why have one?
A Eucharistic Congress is a gathering of the faithful by a Church — locally, regionally or nationally — centered on the Eucharist. The goal is to engage the faithful in a deeper relationship with God through the Eucharist, taking up initiatives important to the time and infusing faith into those who attend so the Eucharist can inspire every aspect of their lives.

What will happen at the Eucharistic Congress?
The day is centered on the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith. Starting with Mass, the Eucharist will be exposed and present for adoration throughout the day. There will be benediction and processions of the Eucharist. Throughout the day, there will be exhortations on the faith, on discipleship, on the issues of need and opportunities to discuss the future of the diocese and our role within it. There will be a calling down of the Holy Spirit to Ignite the Faith in southwest Michigan.

How long does a Eucharistic Congress last?
While Eucharistic Congresses can last for many days; this one, our first, will be one day long.

Where will the event be held?
Downtown Kalamazoo at the Radisson Plaza Hotel.

Is there a cost to attend the Eucharistic Congress?
No, the event is free of charge, but registration is required for food and seating. Child care will be available for $10 per family.

What will the day offer?
• Opening Mass celebrated by Bishop Paul J. Bradley
• All-day Eucharistic adoration
• Keynote and breakout sessions
• Exhortations on the faith and discipleship
• Opportunities to discuss the important role of the lay faithful in the future of the diocese
• Closing Benediction and Eucharistic procession through streets of Kalamazoo to the mother church of the diocese, St. Augustine Cathedral

Meet the featured keynotes

Dr. Timothy P. O’Malley is the director of education at the McGrath Institute for Church Life and academic director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy. He holds a concurrent appointment in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame.

He researches and teaches at Notre Dame in the areas of liturgical- sacramental theology, marriage and family, catechesis and spirituality. He is the author of a number of books, most recently Off the Hook: God, Love, Dating, and Marriage in a Hookup World (Ave Maria Press, 2018) and Lift Up Your Hearts: Liturgical Formation in the RCIA (Liturgical Press, 2019). He is currently working on a multi-volume work on the history of liturgical formation, beginning with St. Augustine.

Steve Angrisano is a veteran musician, composer and youth minister. He’s performed at seven World Youth Days (Panama 2019 being his latest WYD), the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) and many other national and international events.

Steve burst onto the contemporary Catholic music scene in 1998 with “Make a Difference”, his first album. Co-written with Tom Tomaszek, the collection features the iconic “Go, Make a Difference” and the popular “Mass of a Joyful Heart”. Many of his songs have entered the mainstream worship repertoire, including “Psalm 63: My Soul Is Thirsting,” “Emmanuel” and “Sweet Redeemer.” His most recent collection is “High Above Our Way”, offering nine songs for liturgy, prayer and inspiration, including a handful of songs co-written with fellow Catholic composer Curtis Stephan.

Father German Perez-Diaz, along with many others, will offer breakout sessions in Spanish. Father German is the parish priest of Immaculate Conception Parish in Hartford and Sacred Heart in Bangor, diocesan director of deacon formation permanent and diocesan spiritual director of Cursillos de Cristiandad Movement.

Padre German Perez-Diaz, junto con mucho otros, ofrecerá sesiones en español. Padre German es el Párroco de la Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepción en Hartford y Sagrado Corazón en Bangor, director diocesano de formación de diáconos permanentes y director espiritual diocesano del movimiento Cursillos de Cristiandad.

Diocesan Eucharistic Congress Youth Rally
To kick off the Eucharistic Congress, all youth and their leaders are invited to attend the Youth Rally the night preceding the Congress, Friday, Oct. 18. 6-9:30 p.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church in Kalamazoo.

What will the night consist of?

A concert with Steve Angrisano
Feedback from youth and an invitation to leadership
Eucharistic adoration with Bishop Bradley