Week of
September 13, 2000
Inside the Register
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Eucharistic Congress 2000
Celebrating the bond of faith in Christ's presence in theHoly Eucharist
By Peter Droege
On Sunday, people from all corners of northern Colorado will set out on pilgrimages leading to Magness Arena at the University of Denver for the Archdiocesan Eucharistic Congress.
When the event gets underway at noon, a multicultural gathering of more than 7,000 people from all walks of life will be assembled for an afternoon of musical presentations, keynote addresses and a closing Mass celebrated by seven bishops and 90 local priests. Some 60 deacons will also be present.
His Eminence, Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisos, presiding hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Denver, will be in attendance as a sign of the ecumenical respect and friendship between the two ancient churches.
"While some people may experience a profound spiritual experience, I think the majority of people will come away fired-up because of the community gathered in acknowledgment and adoration of the Eucharist," explained Jan Zapapas, archdiocesan secretary for stewardship and planning and one of the major coordinators of the event.
Priests will be available throughout the day to hear confessions, and there will be a chapel for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
"Many people will be drawn to the Sacrament of Penance, which transforms lives," continued Zapapas. "In a society that is increasingly individualistic, it will be refreshing to be in the presence of so many people who share a common belief in Jesus," she added.
Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., called for the local Eucharistic Congress in response to the exhortation of Pope John Paul II that the Year of Jubilee be "intensely eucharistic."
Keynote addresses for the event will be presented by Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, prefect of the Vatican's Congregation of the Clergy; and Bishop Sean O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap., of Fall River, Mass. Archbishop Chaput will be the main celebrant of the closing Mass and Benediction in Magness Arena.
While he was bishop of Pereira, Colombia, Cardinal Castrillón served four years as general secretary of the Latin American bishops' council, known as CELAM, and then four years as president. He is an outspoken advocate for peace in his homeland. At the Congress, he will offer a talk on "The Eucharist: Seed of the New Evangelization."
Known for his sense of humor and dynamic speaking style, Bishop O'Malley will offer the opening address on "The Eucharist: Source of Life for the Church."
Between the addresses, uplifting and inspirational musical presentations will be offered by choirs from Cure D' Ars Parish in Denver, St. Joseph Parish Choir in Fort Collins, St. John the Baptist Bell Choir from Longmont and Caleb Dance, a flute soloist from Regis High School.
Children's track
A children's track for young people, 7-14, will be coordinated by Mary Cohen, who works in the Catholic schools office and at St. Vincent de Paul School. Father Chris Hellstrom, the new director of the Spiritual Year at St. John Vianney Seminary, will lead the youth on an exciting reflection about their faith, and several groups will offer a catechesis on the Catholic tradition of music and dance.
The Magness Arena is the primary venue of the new Ritchie Center at the University of Denver. The center is easily identified by the gold-leafed spire that tops the 215-foot-tall Williams Tower, which is the center's most prominent architectural feature.
The event is free, but tickets are required. The 7,000 available seats have all been reserved, according to Father Robert Fisher, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and one of the event coordinators.
"Making it a free event was a real leap of faith, but one we felt was vital," explained Father Fisher. "We wanted to be sure that nothing would prevent people from attending," he added.
"This event will highlight the local celebration of the Year of Jubilee," said Tim McCarthy, vice chancellor of the archdiocese and cochair of the Eucharistic Congress. "The same type of event is taking place in Peru, Japan, Rome and many other places throughout the world."
Meditation on Paschal Mystery
According to Tim McCarthy, the event will enrich people's understanding of and participation in the Mass.
"The talks will provide a meditation on the Paschal Mystery," he explained. "Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead; what does that really mean to us?" he asked.
"Everyone can become lax in their participation at Mass," McCarthy said. "We sit, we stand, we kneel; but do we recognize the profound mystery of the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist?"
McCarthy pointed out that the presence of Cardinal Castrillon as a keynote speaker is especially meaningful in a state such as Colorado, which has deep roots in Hispanic culture.
International perspective
"Cardinal Castrillón deals with complex pastoral issues every day," he explained. "We have a vibrant Hispanic community in northern Colorado; the Congress will provide a venue in which people from all cultural backgrounds can meet and learn from one another."
McCarthy added that Bishop O'Malley is fluent in Spanish and has worked extensively with Spanish-speaking Catholics.
"He is a great speaker and is very motivating," said McCarthy, describing Bishop O'Malley.
The universality of the Church will be evident at the Eucharistic Congress, adds McCarthy.
"The beauty of the Eucharistic Congress will be found in the people who come from every walk of life," he explained. "We have homeless people, they are invited; we have the disabled, they are invited; we welcome the aged and their caregivers, who help them bear a difficult cross," he continued.
Youth and young adults will be present in abundance, he added.
"We will encourage the young to be uncompromising in their faith," McCarthy said. "It is powerful to hear young people come back from World Youth Day and say what an amazing experience they had with the Holy Father."
"The Holy Father is 80 years old, he shuffles when he walks and sometimes slurs his words," said McCarthy. "But he energizes the young people and inspires them to embrace a missionary zeal."
McCarthy said he hopes that participants in the Congress will go back to their parishes with renewed energy and zeal for the Gospel.
"Youth groups and other activities are wonderful things, but are we challenging our people with the authentic teaching of the Church?" he asked. "Do we challenge our people and give them the opportunity to respond in an appropriate way?" he added.
Catholics as `contradictions'
If they are true to their calling, Catholics are contradictions to the world, says McCarthy.
"Are we being unambiguous in the practice of our faith?" he asked. "People do not easily accept the teaching of Christ; those who live their faith are truly countercultural.
"Do we speak out about the true meaning of marriage? Do we speak out about chastity and the true meaning of sex? Are we unambiguously pro-life in our daily lives?" he asked.
"If we call ourselves Catholic, we must follow the teachings of the Church," he continued. "We cannot be weak in situations where the doctrine of our faith is being challenged.
"We all like to dialogue and be accepted, but the core truths of our faith are not ours to bargain away," he added.