The Year of the Real Presence will be a time for the faithful to rededicate themselves to, and to reaffirm their belief in, the presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. The year also will be a time for people to rejoice in the gift of their own presence at Mass with families, friends, and clergy.

Ever since our founding, the Diocese of Allentown, her clergy, religious men and women, and the lay faithful, have been blessed by the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

On the date our Diocese came to life 60 years ago, and on the first day of the Year of the Real Presence, and at the start of a Jubilee Year in the Diocese of Allentown, Bishop Alfred Schlert celebrated Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

The webinar is being held for the faithful in conjunction with the Year of the Real Presence, a special time in parishes and schools around the Diocese.

Catholic Charities will hold a food drive for the Chew Street Soup Kitchen Saturday, April 17 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the kitchen, 179 Chew St., Allentown.