As we journey through the 65th Anniversary of the Diocese of Allentown, Bishop Alfred Schlert invites the faithful of the Diocese to go on a pilgrimage toward Our Lord’s Eucharistic Heart.
When speaking about the Holy Eucharist, St. John Vianney said, “There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.”
This diocesan-wide voyage to consecrate oneself to the Blessed Sacrament will take place in three phases: prepare for a consecration to the Holy Eucharist, make the consecration to the Holy Eucharist, and joyfully live out the consecration to the Eucharist.
The preparation phase has two parts. One is Eucharistic Glory Holy Hours, supported by Live Vertical, an organization helping people know, love, and serve Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The first Holy Hour was on March 26 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem, with an evening of Adoration, music, reflection, and Confession, followed by a social.
The second part of the preparation phase will take place starting Tuesday, May 5, using the book “33 Days to Eucharistic Glory” by Dynamic Catholic. It will end with a diocesan-wide consecration on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Sunday, June 7.
During the March 26 Holy Hour, Live Vertical guided the group with songs and reflections, inviting everyone to release their worries and to lay them at the feet of Christ, so they might enter a stillness of heart and hear Jesus speaking to them.
Afterward, musician John Paul Kasperowicz, said, “We recognize at Live Vertical that it is sometimes hard for people to sit and be quiet in front of the Blessed Sacrament, so we try to help guide them to that quiet. Even when just singing a song, it's not about the song, it's about bringing [people] into that place where they can just be quiet.”
He said it is about helping people know the Scripture: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Father Martin Kern, Pastor, welcomed those attending and exposed the Blessed Sacrament. Deacon George Kelly assisted and celebrated the Benediction. Confessions were heard by Father Frans Berkhout, Pastor of Sacred Heart, Bethlehem.
Jack Norman, a parishioner of St. Anne, Bethlehem, and member of the Serra Club, said he is excited for the Diocesan Consecration and partnership with Live Vertical, and expects great fruits to come out of the Holy Hours. Norman has previous experience with Live Vertical, working together during days of Adoration for the students at Bethlehem Catholic High School.
Upcoming Eucharistic Glory Holy Hours
Four more Eucharistic Glory Holy Hours will take place in the four remaining counties of the Diocese:
Thursday, April 9 at Holy Guardian Angels, Reading.
Thursday, April 23 at Notre Dame of Bethlehem.
Tuesday, April 28 at St. Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven.
Thursday, April 30 at St. John XXIII, Tamaqua.
Schedule: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., welcome 6:45 p.m., Exposition 7 p.m., Benediction 7:55 p.m., social time 8 p.m.
Online Small Group Training for Eucharistic Consecration
Parish leaders are invited to join the Live Vertical team on Zoom for inspiration, insight, and information regarding the Diocesan-Wide Eucharistic Consecration journey. These Zooms will focus on the power of small groups taking the Eucharistic Consecration journey together. Join us to receive coaching on how to start and lead small groups.
Training sessions are:
Tuesday, April 14 – 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21 – 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28 – 10 a.m.
Zoom details:
Live Vertical training – “33 Days to Eucharistic Glory”
https://tinyurl.com/LiveVertical33
Meeting ID: 823 2930 2737
Passcode: 65
Photos by Norm Steinruck.
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