BATAVIA—The first in a series of talks to be held around the Diocese of Rockford has been set for Dec. 5 at Holy Cross Parish here.

 

According to Father Jonathan Bakkelund who, as diocesan director of the Office of Divine Worship, is the local Eucharistic Revival representative, the first revival night will feature an Illinois priest.

 

Father Tim Anastos of the Archdiocese of Chicago and associate director of the St. John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois Chicago will be the first to speak about the Eucharist and the importance of the revival in inspiring deeper reflection on the gift of the Eucharist.

 

Father Anastos is part of the National Eucharistic Preachers, an initiative of the National Eucharistic Revival organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

 

In all, 58 priests make up the group of preachers, said Father Jorge Torres, a priest of the Diocese of Orlando, Florida, who is working as a specialist for the revival at the bishops’ conference.

 

Representing individual dioceses and religious orders, the priests are hoping to inspire people to become more aware of the Eucharist in daily life, Torres said.

 

“They will be inviting people to pray for the revival, pray that each one of us would grow closer to Jesus and the Eucharist through the revival,” he explained.

 

The revival launched June 19, the feast of Corpus Christi. The opening began two years of events and activities ahead of the USCCB National Eucharistic Congress, set for July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis.

 

The first diocesan Eucharistic Revival event will begin at 7 p.m. After Father Anastos talk there will be solemn exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 8-9 p.m. and of course, refreshments. Watch for more on this event in upcoming issues of The Observer.