Diocese of KalamazooOffice of Worship

Director:
David Reilly
dreilly@dioceseofkalamazoo.org
(269) 349-8714, ext. 245





The people of God gather to celebrate the sacred mysteries revealed in the sacramental life of the Church and expressed in the various liturgical rites of the Church where they are fed by God’s word and sacrament. Then, with God’s grace, they carry the spirit of Christian worship out into the world through their works of charity and love.

Believe, Celebrate and Share the Mystery of the Eucharist

Bishop Murray will celebrate the Eucharist in conjunction with the 49th International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Quebec City, Canada, June 15-22, 2008.

Special Masses will be celebrated on the following dates and locations for the benefit of our fellow Catholics who are unable to travel to Quebec.

Wednesday, June 18, 7 p.m. Mass at St. Basil Church, South Haven
Friday, June 20, 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Therese Church, Wayland
Saturday, June 21, 4:00 p.m. Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral
Sunday, June 29, 10 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Church, Battle Creek

Catholics from throughout the diocese are invited to participate in one of these four Masses or at any of their regular parishes Masses in order to join their worship with the prayers and intentions of the gathering of people at the International Eucharistic Congress.

The theme of the Congress is: "The Eucharist, gift of God for the life of the world". As Cardinal Ouellet remarked "The Eucharist, as we receive it from the account of its institution, is evidence of the gift which the Son made of Himself for the multitude, a gift of love for the Father and for us, which seals the New Covenant . It can be seen also as the gift which the Father makes to the world of his only Son, incarnate and crucified, who gathered around His table the dispersed children of God. Finally, it is the gift of Trinitarian communion for the life of the world by the action of the Holy Spirit which assures the intimate participation of the faithful in this mystery of the Covenant."

What is the International Eucharistic Congress?
The first International Eucharistic Congress, held in France in 1881, was an assembly of 300 persons directing Eucharistic movements in European countries. During the 125 years that followed, congresses evolved strongly in form and now attract some 12,000 to 15,000 participants for one full week of celebration, adoration, catechism, cultural events, fraternal encounters, and involvement in favor of the needy. Public events such as the closing Mass attracted considerable crowds. It should be noted that each Congress is preceded by a theological and pastoral symposium to deepen understanding of an aspect of the Eucharistic Mystery.
The Statutes of the pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses reminds us that
"In preparing a Congress, stress shall be laid on intense catechesis on the Eucharist as the Paschal Mystery of Christ… an active and conscious participation in the Liturgy …..a careful choice of initiatives and the diligent carrying of social works in such a way that the Eucharistic table may be a sign of solidarity and sharing with the poor. “(Art. 20)