BATAVIA—One of the first events as part of the Diocesan Phase of the National Eucharistic Revival will take place on Dec. 5.

 

Holy Cross Parish will host a presentation by Father Tim Anastos of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Father Anastos is one of 58 national revival preachers, and one of four from Chicago, fanning out to dioceses across the country to inspire deeper reflection on the gift of the Eucharist to the Church.

 

Father Anastos is an associate at the St. John Paul II Newman Center at the University in Chicago. He will speak Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.  His presentation will be followed by solemn exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 8 to 9 p.m. 

 

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, which is planned for July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis.

 

“The preachers have been asked to enter into this role because of their love for the Eucharist, their ability to communicate, their schedule for allowing flexibility,” Father Jorge Torres told Catholic News Service.  Father Torres is a priest of the Diocese of Orlando, Florida, who is working as a specialist for the revival at the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops. 

 

“The goal is to not only speak about the Eucharist but to eventually share the testimonies of who Jesus in the Eucharist is to me and how that affects me whether I am a pastor at a parish or a mom on the way to the soccer game,” he explained.

 

Torres said he and the other priests plan to focus on the joy of the Eucharist “and invite us, as the psalm would say, to taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”

 

The Dec. 5 event is open to all Catholics in the Rockford Diocese.