The short answer is yes and no! Yes, the 3-year nationwide Eucharistic Revival that was launched in 2022 has ended. But also no, the call to renew our faith and devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist is never over. The movement aimed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist, leading to personal and communal renewal. This movement should be encouraged to last until the end of time!
Just about a month ago, I asked Chat GPT how to revive parish life and the answer was quite fascinating. Take a moment on this Corpus Christi weekend and pray over these ways of bringing revival to parish life…
Revitalizing a parish and transforming it into a vibrant, spiritually alive community is a powerful mission that involves both spiritual renewal and practical leadership. Here’s a comprehensive approach to help guide you:
- Start with Prayer and Discernment. Personal Prayer: Root yourself in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your steps. Prayer Teams: Form intercessory prayer groups to pray specifically for renewal. Discernment: Spend time discerning what God desires for your parish, not just what you or others want.
- Cast a Clear and Compelling Vision. Mission Statement: Revisit or rewrite the parish mission statement. Make sure it’s Christ-centered, inspiring, and actionable. Communicate Often: Share the vision frequently—in homilies, bulletins, small groups, and personal conversations.
- Revitalize the Liturgy. Quality Worship: Ensure reverent, beautiful, and participatory liturgy. Music, preaching, and hospitality matter. Engage the Laity: Train and empower lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, and greeters to serve with joy and reverence. Welcoming Environment: Make people feel seen and valued when they come to Mass.
- Form Intentional Disciples. Faith Formation: Move beyond sacramental preparation to lifelong discipleship (Alpha, RCIA, Bible studies, small groups). Testimonies: Encourage parishioners to share their faith stories. Mentorship: Develop spiritual mentorship programs and small faith communities.
- Build Community. Hospitality Events: Host meals, coffee hours, or parish festivals to foster connection. Ministries: Support diverse ministries that reflect the spiritual gifts and needs of your parishioners. Outreach: Look for ways to serve your local neighborhood (food pantry, visiting the sick, community service).
- Empower and Train Leaders. Identify Leaders: Look for people who are faithful, available, and teachable. Equip Them: Offer leadership training rooted in Scripture, Church teaching, and pastoral skills. Delegate with Trust: Allow others to lead. Avoid bottlenecking everything through one person (especially the pastor).
- Focus on Evangelization. Invitation Culture: Encourage parishioners to invite others to Mass or events. Outreach Programs: Offer low-barrier entry points like Alpha, seeker-friendly talks, or social events. Online Presence: Ensure your parish website, social media, and livestreams are welcoming and active.
- Commit to Long-Term Culture Change. Consistency: Stay the course even when results seem slow. Celebrate Wins: Share stories of transformation and success often. Patience & Persistence: Culture doesn’t change overnight; keep sowing seeds faithfully.
While I don’t use Chat GPT often, I was amazed at how many good points it made. Pray over these points. Bishop Malesic is inviting us to make sure we are living our Worship, Evangelization and Service well for the glory of God. On this Solemnity of Corpus Christi, never forget that the Eucharist is why we do what we do. And we cannot enter into any of these realities without He who nurtures us with the gift of Himself along the way. “I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Thank, You, Jesus for sharing Your life with us and for making all things possible with You!
Revive us, Lord!
Fr. Jeremy
