Be missionaries of God’s love through the Eucharist

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The Eucharistic Congress held July 17-21 in Indianapolis, Indiana, was certainly a moving experience. Indeed, it was something that was much more moving than I had expected! Some 60,000 people attended this 10th National Eucharistic Congress, including lay faithful from the Diocese of Metuchen. It was a spirit-filled event, and I encourage you to check out the many articles, videos, and photos of the Congress on our website, as well as online, particularly on EWTN’s and Relevant Radio’s YouTube channels. The Masses, the Eucharistic procession through the streets of Indianapolis, as well as the many speakers were all so well done and certainly highlighted the importance of the Eucharist in our lives.
 
We are so very blessed to have plentiful and easy access to Mass every Sunday in our Diocese, unlike many places in the world. Sometimes, I fear, that we can take the Eucharist for granted. In a sense we can become too familiar with our Eucharistic Lord, but the Congress and surrounding events, have certainly helped us all to recall the extraordinary event that takes place at each Mass, nothing less than the representation of Jesus’ saving acts for us and God’s coming to us Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
 
With the closing of the National Eucharistic Congress, we are being asked to turn our attention to the third and most important of the three phases of the National Eucharistic Revival: The Year of Mission. Following on the heels of the Year of Preparation and the Year of Parish Revival, not to mention the first-ever National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the National Eucharistic Congress, the Year of Mission is intended to enkindle a missionary fire in the heart of our nation, to bring someone back to our Eucharistic Lord or heighten our understanding of His coming to us in this special way.
 
Perhaps you will recall that right after I was ordained as the Bishop of our beautiful Diocese, I encouraged us all to “light a fire in the heart of our world.” I am so grateful to you for embracing this call, especially as we consecrated ourselves to Jesus through Our Lady of Guadalupe. Now, having witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the National Eucharistic Congress, I am convinced more than ever, that we are ready to enter into an even more profound relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
To aid us in this effort, I am asking that all of us participate in the “Walk With One Initiative.” This initiative revolves around four simple steps: 1) Identify someone in a spirit of humility whom you would like to invite into a deeper relationship with our Eucharistic Lord 2) Intercede for that person in communion with the Holy Spirit 3) Connect in Eucharistic friendship by inviting them to Mass or Eucharistic Adoration with you and 4) Invite that person into a commitment to Jesus in the Eucharist. We all know people whom we wish the Lord to work more fully in their lives, so let’s assist our Lord in reaching them.
 
I trust that your pastors will share more information about this important initiative in the days and weeks ahead, and our Office for Evangelization will be sharing more information on this, but I wanted to encourage you, personally, to “walk with one person” during this Year of Mission. Pope Francis has been encouraging us to grow in the “art of accompaniment” and this is one way to concretely do that with another person. Let us not lose this graced moment. As Pope Francis recently also reminded us, sharing the faith is the “oxygen” that “invigorates and purifies” Christian life. As we approach 2025, the Year of Jubilee, let us work together to unleash a new missionary chapter in the history of our diocesan Church.
 
It is a blessing to serve as your shepherd these past eight years. I am constantly amazed by your faith and your commitment to Jesus and His Church, and I know that, together, we can bring about the transformation of our society at a time that it is so needed. At a time of great division in our nation, let us put aside the differences that separate us as Christians and follow our Lord more deeply, and to “walk with one” person during this Year of Mission, so that we may all experience a new or renewed experience of God’s love for us, especially through the Eucharist.
 
Please know that I pray for you each and every day. May God bless you, your families, our country, and, of course, our Church. Know of my love and prayers for you and please remember to pray for me too! May the graces of the Eucharistic Revival take deep root in our beautiful diocese.

Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA Bishop of Metuchen