The Eucharistic Miracles of the World display was presented during the eucharistic mission. (Photo courtesy Susan Collins)
Notre Dame Parish in Greeneville held a eucharistic mission Feb. 21 through Feb. 25. The Vatican International Exhibit: The Eucharistic Miracles of the World was on display for the five days of the mission. The display was made available through contact with the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wis. The display included 158 eucharistic miracles from 22 countries. The exhibition was conceived and designed by Blessed Carlo Acutis.
To open the mission, Mass was celebrated Feb. 21 at 6 p.m., followed by a soup supper hosted by the Council of Catholic Women. A documentary on Blessed Carlo was shown during the meal. Carlo was an artist, cartoonist, and avid computer enthusiast. He created the art for the eucharistic miracles panels before his death from leukemia at age 15. His goal during his short life was to help bring others closer to Jesus through awareness of the mystery of the Eucharist. He is the first millennial to be declared blessed.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was held in the church several times during the mission. In addition to daily Mass and Friday Stations of the Cross, adoration gave parishioners and guests the opportunity to spend extra time with the Lord during the Lenten season.
A parish eucharistic Lenten retreat took place on Feb. 24 with Mass celebrated at 8:30 a.m. by Father John Orr and concelebrated by Father Joseph Kuzhupil, MSFS, pastor of Notre Dame. Fellowship followed with coffee and doughnuts before a presentation by Father Orr, who is pastor of St. Mary Parish in Athens and has written numerous books, including The New Evangelization: Pastoral Reflections series on the Creed, the sacraments, the Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer and the rosary, and the litanies of the Sacred Heart and of Our Lady.
Notre Dame Parish’s eucharistic mission included a presentation by Kathleen Kelly. (Photo courtesy Susan Collins)
Father Orr gave two 45-minute talks on the Eucharist at the Lenten retreat, utilizing many books on the topic, including some of his own. He referenced the importance of the Blessed Mother and her role within the Church. The morning included a Holy Hour and confessions, with Benediction following at 12:30 p.m.
The mission concluded with a Lenten meeting of the CCW at 5 p.m. on Feb. 25. Kathleen Kelly was the presenter, and her topic was “Come and see Jesus as you have never seen Him before.” More than 50 women were in attendance as Ms. Kelly spoke about the Eucharist and engaged the ladies in an activity on the body of Christ. Ms. Kelly is a past Spirituality Commission chair for the Knoxville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and for the Cumberland Mountain Deanery CCW. She currently serves as CCW president at St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville and is a well-known retreat master, author, teacher, and more.
“My passion is to empower others to know how precious, loved, and valued by God they are,” she said, “and how deeply our God desires their free offer of love in return. In my own life, I know how this changes everything.”
