At the Amazing Parish conference in Houston last week, I had a chance encounter with Tim Glemkowski, the founding CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress. He directed the 2024 Pilgrimages and five-day Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana. At the end of the Congress, he turned over the reins to Jason Shanks and became the Executive Director of Amazing Parish.
In our short conversation, I told him that our parish has been active in the Walk With One initiative inspired by the Congress, and we discussed the renewal that seems to be happening in the Church. Last year, churches across the country reported increases in adults attending OCIA and becoming Catholic or completing their sacraments. Churches are filling up and young adults and young families are coming to Mass and getting involved with their parishes. We are seeing it here too. I suggested that the Congress had prompted this renewal, but Mr. Glemkowski had a different perspective.
He said that he and the organizers believe that it worked the other way around. That God was ready to pour out his grace on the Church, and He launched it by inspiring U. S. Catholic Bishops to run a Eucharistic Congress – the first in 83 years.
It was all his plan: the pilgrimages from all corners of our nation to Indiana; the more than 100,000 people who participated, and walked by, waved to, and smiled at millions of people of all faiths; the 55,000 people in the Convention Center, who experienced five days of prayer, speakers, and fellowship then were empowered to go home and speak boldly about their love for Jesus and his Church.
God invited Americans to touch countless millions of others through those events, but it is God’s grace that is changing hearts. In St. Paul’s letter to Titus, we read, “For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.” The grace of God is appearing to us here and now. Let us be confident that our God sees all and has a plan in place to train our hearts, our families, and our nation too.
Scripture: Read Titus 2:11-14. What stands out?
Call to Action: OCIA classes for adults looking to become Catholic or complete their sacraments start in September. Invite someone you know to join. See bulletin for details.
