Event offers cultural unity at the doors of the National Eucharistic Congress

(En Espanol)

Father Michael Keucher, archdiocesan vocations director and spiritual advisor of the local Catholic Charismatic Renewal apostolic movement, processes with the Eucharist from SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis to the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center after a Pentecost liturgy on May 18. (Submitted photo)

Criterion staff report

As nearly 400 people accepted an invitation to experience a new bilingual Pentecost event in the archdiocese, Brie Anne Varick felt the Holy Spirit at work among them.

“When prayer ministry began and we began to pray with people, I was nervous because my Spanish is at a beginner’s level,” said Varick, director of the archdiocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity. “I wasn’t sure if I would know how to pray for the people coming to us with their intentions. But like the first Pentecost, language did not matter.

“My prayer partner and I prayed, and the Holy Spirit came. We witnessed healing, love, joy and peace as people came to receive the Holy Spirit.”

The event took place on May 18 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. It was sponsored by the archdiocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry and leaders of the local Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) apostolic movement.

Mass was offered in Spanish by Father Michael Keucher, archdiocesan vocations director and spiritual advisor of the CCR movement.

A eucharistic procession followed the Mass, flowing from the cathedral and across the street to the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center, for a time of adoration, music, prayer and praise.

The gathering, noted Felix Navarrete, archdiocesan Hispanic Ministry coordinator, offered an opportunity to unite in faith hundreds of people of different races and cultures: Hispanics, Blacks, Filipinos and Anglos.

“The account of Pentecost in the Acts of the Apostles came to life during the adoration vigil. Hundreds of faithful, in unanimity, worshipped in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist,” Navarrete said.

“The account of the coming of the Holy Spirit describes that everyone ‘began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to speak’ [Acts 2:4], and that was precisely what happened at that moment; the evening had a single language! It was not necessary to be a polyglot to understand what was happening in that place, because what they spoke was the language of faith and charity.”

Father Keucher said he felt “the Holy Spirit working so strongly in holy Mass, in the people I prayed over after the Mass, in the worship and praises of the people throughout the whole evening. The same Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost was no doubt present, and he filled the whole place so powerfully!”

Varick was also moved by all that transpired during the evening.

“When Felix suggested this event be bilingual, I felt the Lord affirm that desire in my soul and sensed that the Lord wanted to move powerfully this Pentecost to bring unity to his Church,” said Varick.

“God confirmed that at the Pentecost Vigil, as many gathered to worship our Lord at Mass and in adoration. As we began to pray in adoration, I heard the Lord say, ‘Look at my children, look at how beautiful they are!’ ”

Encounter Ministry’s prayer teams were on hand to pray with those present, Navarrete said, but language differences were not an impediment. “Faith and charity—as theological virtues—are universal gifts that do not need to be understood, but lived,” he noted.

Deacon Tom Hosty, director of the archdiocesan Department of Pastoral Ministries, said the eucharistic procession was the highlight of the event for him.

“As I walked down the center aisle of the cathedral behind Father Keucher, who was holding the Blessed Sacrament, I was able to witness the reaction of all the people as our Lord passed by them,” Deacon Hosty said. “They were all focused on him and in awe.

“So many people had their cellphones out to record the moment. It was an amazing scene of faithful awe in the presence of our Lord. This reverent awe continued as we gathered in Assembly Hall for adoration.”

Like his fellow deacon, Deacon Emilio Ferrer-Soto of St. Patrick Parish in Indianapolis said the evening was “an incredible celebration of the feast of Pentecost!

“It was truly inspiring to see the Holy Spirit at work among us, reminding us of the first Pentecost when our Church was founded,” he said. “As we commemorated this special day, I couldn’t help but feel the Spirit stirring in my heart, just as it did for those early disciples.”

Cheri Bush, Catholic philanthropic advisor for Catholic Charities, said she was overcome with joy and brought to tears as she watched the eucharistic procession cross Meridian Street after the liturgy.

“As I stood near the doors of the Catholic Center and greeted everyone, I heard God whisper that many of the faces I saw are gifts to this country because of the great faith that they bring with them,” she said. “I felt great hope and understood, perhaps for the first time, what Pope John Paul II meant by his reference to the ‘new evangelization.’ ”

Navarrete said the gathering tied in nicely to the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival and the upcoming National Eucharistic Congress on July 17-21 in Indianapolis.

“Our efforts as pastoral leaders have been turned toward the propagation of the faith through the recognition of the real presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist—which over time has come to be considered a simple ‘sign’ for many Catholics around the world—and the promotion of eucharistic adoration that does so much good for our communities.” †