Volume 12, Number 1: Winter 2004

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From the Director

This issue of HI LITE reflects only a portion of the many programs and people
who are now active in the ministry of Eucharistic Evangelizing. You are counted among
those who seek to place the Eucharist at the center of your life and allow it to influence
all of your relationships and activities. The CEE is here to serve you and fan the fire that
burns within you.

This year we look forward to the 48th International Eucharistic Congress that will
be held in Guadalajara, Mexico, October 9 - 17, 2004. The theme of the congress is, "La
Eucaristia, Luz y Vida del Nuevo Milenio," "The Eucharist, Light and Life of the New
Millennium." When we think about a Eucharistic Congress we immediately recall the
memory of those LITE team members who traveled to Wroclaw, Poland in 1997 to
conduct the seminar for over 500 Congress participants.

This was truly an international team with presenters from the Philippines,
Scotland, California, Ohio, New Mexico, Texas and Utah working together with our
Polish translators, Jan Lewanowicz and Florence Crull. Lasting memories were made in
celebrating Eucharist with the Holy Father, so loved by the Polish people, and our
pilgrimage to Chestakowa, Krakow, Auschwitz, Bratislava, Vienna and Prague.
The CEE would like to share with you a copy of the text prepared by the
Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses, whose director is our
own Father Ferdinand Pratzner, S.S.S. This document offers a superb catechesis on
the Eucharist outlining what we need to do as Evangelizers of the Eucharist. The text
begins with an affirmation of the abiding Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic mystery
and how indispensable it is that we experience this living Christ, "what we have seen
and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us" (1 John
1:3).

It goes on to state that the Eucharist is an impulse for evangelization in this
millennium because it is not only its center, but also the fount from which the
evangelizing action flows and is moved ahead in the contemporary world. As members
of the Church we are challenged to become not only more deeply identified with Christ,
but also committed to the task of evangelizing others. We make our own the words of
St. Paul, "Woe, to me if I do not preach the Gospel!"

We would be happy to send you copies of the complete text. Just email us at
<cee@hal-pc.org> or call us at 713-661-3958. It will enrich your team meetings or
personal prayer before the Eucharist.
If you would like to attend the Congress in Guadalajara please contact Mercedes
Juarez in Houston at 713-413-1810.

Fr. William Fickel, sss
Director of the Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing
Houston, Texas

Deep in the Heart of Texas: Luis and Peggy Marroquin
Lampasas, Texas

Deep in the Heart of Texas lie the communities of St. Mary's and Good Shepherd
Catholic Churches in Lampasas and Lometa, Texas. On the weekend of November 21-23,
2003, LITE came to these central Texas Communities located north of Austin in the
beautiful Texas hill country. About 25 participants attended the Life in the Eucharist
Seminar given by a traveling team from Corpus Christi Parish in Houston.

The histories of St. Mary's and Good Shepherd have been intertwined since the 1880s.
The first place of Catholic worship in Lampasas County was at the ranch of William Mark
Wittenburg located 7 miles west of Lometa. Catholic families were scattered over the
county and a parish priest would come from Waco to celebrate mass. Before coming the
priest would notify Mr. Wittenburg so he and his wife could go by buggy to tell the other
Catholics in the area. Soon after, a chapel was erected and in 1928 the present day
church in Lometa was built. In Lampasas, there was a church built in 1885 dedicated to
Our Blessed Mother.

Over the years these two communities have maintained a Catholic identity in a part of
Texas that has a sparse Catholic population even today. It is to these two communities
that Fr. Jim Harnan, MSC, invited the Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing to present a
LITE seminar. Fr Jim is a member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and is deeply
devoted to the Eucharist. As pastor of both communities, Fr. Jim, searched for a way to
deepen his parishioners' love and understanding of the Eucharist.

Remembering the Eucharistic charism of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, he called San Antonio and then SSS headquarters in Cleveland and was finally directed to The Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing in Houston, Texas. As fate would have it, a seminar was scheduled for St. Mary's as Fr. Jim was casually informed that two LITE team members had just moved into his parish. And so Luis and Peggy Marroquin joined the traveling team from Houston consisting of Fr. Bill Fickle, SSS, Bubba and Patty
Pizzitola, David Ford, Blanca Martinez, and Clarissa Schiefen.

The LITE Seminar concluded with a beautiful Eucharistic celebration at St. Mary's Sunday Liturgy shared with the whole community. Many blessings and special graces were received by all attending. Fr. Harnan expressed his gratitude to the LITE team for their generosity in spirit and in deed. Revealing his true Irish humor, Fr. Jim jokingly remarked that St. Mary's had “stolen Luis and Peggy Marroquin from Houston and most assuredly would not give them back." As for Luis and Peggy, while it is true that they have moved to Lampasas, Texas, it is likewise true that their hearts remain deeply connected to our Eucharistic family and to Eucaristic Evangelizing through L.I.T.E.

News from St. Paschal Baylon, Highland Heights (Cleveland), OH

by Louise Borgione

On November 23-24, 2003, the LITE team from St. Paschal's presented a very
successful LITE weekend to 34 participants at St. Angela Merici Parish in Fairview Park
(located on the west side of Cleveland). The participants just soaked everything up like
sponges. It was one of those weekends when we witnessed a transformation in the crowd
before our very eyes in just two days! We always encourage a parish to have a follow-up
meeting with their participants, and give them a script to follow that includes song, prayer,
a teaching. The participants are invited to witness if they have noticed a change in their
lives or the way they approach the Eucharist since their LITE experience. In a follow-up
letter from Linda Heiss, their DRE, once again we witness the divine graces that God grants
us in yet another miracle through our LITE ministry:

"The weather was terribly cold and blustery but thirteen hearty souls gathered in prayer and sharing. The conversation regarding LITE was nothing but positive. You and your team are held in the highest regard! So many were truly touched by the stories and the faith that you all so beautifully shared. We even had one miracle!!!! One lady shared that after 27 years of marriage her husband has finally decided to attend Mass again! She said that each evening when she got home from LITE she shared the day's events with her husband. Her experience and the way she relayed it to her husband inspired and moved him. He has come back to the Church through your good work. God bless all of you for making this happen. We have some major changes going in our parish, but my hope is to get your team back again next year to avail more parishioners of this very fine program!"

The St. Paschal Baylon team presented a LITE experience in their own parish on January 31-February 1 for 32 spirit-filled people who came with a lot to share with them. We learned as much from them as they from us, if not more. There were four married couples, about twelve men (we usually get from 5-7), and a wonderful mix of ages. The team welcomed Joe Brooks, new husband of long-time team member, Carol Ann Brooks, and thanked Marjorie Zalar for a stellar job of running the hospitality detail. All this inspiration has us looking forward to our next weekend at the Church of St. Leo the Great on March 27-28. Praise God for His generosity!

Sabbatical and a new home for Fr. Bob Rousseau, SSS

As reported in our last issue of HI LITE, Father Bob Rousseau is now living in New York
in the Blessed Sacrament community there. He has begun a year's sabbatical and work on
a book about the "new evangelization" and LITE. His last message was that his outline
was proceeding very well. Keep Fr. Bob in your prayers since we owe him so much for
giving us LITE!

MARKETING IDEAS for L.I.T.E.

Louise Borgione
Cleveland, OH

Over a year ago, we sent out letters with a brochure to about 90% of the pastors in the
Cleveland diocese. We had little response. I gathered the Cleveland administrators
together to talk about ways to more effectively and efficiently promote the LITE in our
diocese. We all agreed that LITE is the "best kept secret in Cleveland", and that we must
find ways to get Life in the Eucharist well known in Cleveland.

The best way to make parishes aware of LITE is still the old fashioned way: word of
mouth and contacting people and pastors we have in neighboring parishes. However, we
have done this with little success.

At a meeting about four months ago, Madeline Earley, administrator of the St. Clare
LITE team, shared that her team was taking a few parishes at a time, and calling them to
get the name of the person responsible for planning spiritual programs in the parish and
how to contact them. We ran off a list of parishes in the diocese from the internet, and
assigned each of our four teams to about ten parishes to contact. The plan is to send them
a letter with a brief description of LITE (an article written by Fr. Bob), and a tri-fold brochure. About three weeks later, follow up with a personal call to check if they received the information, and ask if they have any more questions. We also decided to send them a post card about every three to six months to keep LITE under their noses
so they will not to forget about us.

From personal experience, I submit this report. At first, some of the parish offices were reluctant to give out information. I then sent the letters to four parishes prodding them to accept our invitation. Usually the people are deacons, DRE's, or Spiritual Life Commission heads. I followed up with four, and could only contact two of them. The others never returned my call but 50% is a good return rate. The two deacons I spoke with, were very impressed and asked a multitude of questions. I followed up this conversation by mailing more information about what each session covers, a list of parishes where we have already presented LITE, an approval letter from our bishop, and a letter showing that attendees can receive ten hours of accreditation towards their religious teaching certificates. I spoke to them last October, and sent them a new year's card, with a quick note stating that I hope the new year brings about a collaboration between them and our LITE program. After Easter, I will call again.

The Diocesan Memorandum is a monthly publication issued to all churches in the diocese and is available for viewing online. It is free for anyone who has an announcement on available programs. All one has to do is find the contact person and submit any announcement before the deadline date. If you are interested in this, you could view the website of the Diocese of Cleveland at: www.dioceseofcleveland.org/memo/february2004/miscellaneous_feb2004.htm

It appears we are shaking the bushes with this listing, and I can submit it over and over again each month. I have been contacted by two parishes, and Our Lady of Guadalupe has received one. Both the St. Paschal Team and Our Lady of Guadalupe team has submitted notices to local neighborhood papers, the city paper, and the diocesan Universe Bulletin to list in their religious coming events column. These are all available free of charge. The last time we presented LITE at St. Paschal's, I sent a letter to all the teachers in the school and neighboring schools advertising our weekend for them to gain religious credit hours.

The goal to is to make Life in the Eucharist a recognizable phrase and program that will be identified upon sight. We are getting more inquiries and a lot more recognition. But, it takes patience and perseverance!

VARIETY IS THE SPICE

Nancy MacRoberts
Houston, TX

The very familiar quotation, "Variety is the spice of life!" can very easily in this instance
be restated as "Variety is the spice of LITE!" As time passes and Life In The Eucharist (LITE) teams become more and more comfortable speaking on the topics of the LITE seminar, they are able to address other aspects of Eucharist. The Houston teams have
found this to be true and are eager to explore more and more venues as they recognize their gifts as Eucharistic Evangelizers. One of the best features of the LITE seminar is its flexibility. The teams' first choice is always to give the seminar as it was originally intended
with all five topics Eucharist as Nourishment, Reconciliation, Transformation, Abiding Presence and Liberation presented over a period of time. However, sometimes parishes have special requests or limited schedules and the teams do all in their power to provide
what parishes want and need for their congregations. At some churches, only the first three topics on the Celebration of Eucharist can be presented. Other parishes are particularly interested in their adoration program and the seminar's topic of Abiding Presence is the focus. Liberation is becoming more and more in demand as people understand we must all practice what we say we believe in the Eucharist.

One of the best features of the LITE seminar is its flexibility. The three volumes of Manna: Food for the Journey, Bread from Heaven, and Hope in the Desert have been particularly excellent sources of inspiration for LITE team members. Originally when the LITE seminar was given, many participants said, "That was wonderful but what else do you have for us?" And so Manna was written by a variety of religious and talented lay people and edited by Father Robert Rousseau, SSS. The books have given the teams programs that they can tailor to each individual parish and so provide ongoing development in Eucharistic Spirituality.

The gift of change, the gift of newness is there for the taking. New changes and circumstances come along bringing opportunities for new beginnings. When a parish requests a retreat or mission, the LITE seminar might take on a slightly "new look" with each session expanded to cover a longer period of time. In a mission setting, the only venue available is often the church itself and slight adaptations may be necessary because of restrictions of the site. Most LITE team members are versatile and willing to address more than one topic or to assume more than one role such as offering prayers, leading songs, conducting the small and large group sharing, or being the major presenter.

Did any LITE team member ever think they would be able to wear so many Eucharistic hats! This ability to accept change and challenges, the variety, has truly added spice to LITE. Experience has shown that it can be done and done well. As the Center says to interested parishes, "Whatever your parish needs, we can supply!"

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: R.I.P. Mary Brasseaux

This year began for the Houston LITE teams with the sorrowful news that one of our own, Mary Brasseaux, had died unexpectedly during the night of January 7th. Mary joins the rank of other LITE team members who have gone before her: Father Frank Costa, SSS, Sister Joanne Marie Mascha, Jerry Lennon, and Carmen (all from the Cleveland teams).

Our Mary was one of those people who shared her life and presence in a variety of ways here at Corpus Christi Parish. Mary organized the coffee and doughnuts after Masses on Sunday and although she said she didn't want to be known as the doughnut lady, all her friends are certain she is busy passing out fresh doughnuts and tasty coffee in heaven with a smile. She was always cheerfully available with her musical skills to help all the teams. She never even giggled when we sang. Mary's death reminds us of how fragile life is and how in death we, too, are changed into that which is eternal. We will miss her very much and ask you to remember Mary and her Mother in your prayers.

NEW LITE - NEW LIFE

Bonds are being forged with LITE team members and the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Some new initiatives are underway with SSS parishes. Father John Thomas Lane, SSS has invited a traveling team of Father Bill Fickel, SSS and Noreen Wright to come to St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Albuquerque, New Mexico to rekindle the spirit of LITE there.

The team in Albuquerque has been inactive for a while but the Center hopes to bring the LITE team back to life and possibly add new members with this visit, support and encouragement. The weekend has been designed as a Eucharistic day of prayer, "To Rekindle the Gift of God that is Within You" based on two chapters of Manna. The day of prayer will conclude with an invitation for all who are interested in this ministry of Eucharistic Evangelization to form a new LITE team at St. Charles to offer the LITE seminar in the near future.
Father Edward Stapleton, SSS has been instrumental in planning a LITE I seminar to be given in March at the Blessed Sacrament parish of St. Vincent de Paul, in Holiday, Florida. The goal is to form a new LITE team there. Father Bill will follow the seminar with a parish mission, Eucharisma, the gift of Eucharist.

"This is new and wonderful," commented Houston LITE team members as they delved into the material for LITES II, the Old Testament Background to Eucharist. The team is currently undergoing intensive training in preparation for giving LITES II on the five
Tuesdays in March at Most Holy Trinity Church in Angleton, Texas.

NEWS FROM THE PHILIPPINES

From Manila comes news of some very busy LITE teams. Father Mike, SSS wrote saying LITE is very helpful in their evangelization programs. As he visits the different teams and listens to their sharing, it is amazing how LITE has touched and continues to touch the life of so many people. In Davao City, there are standing invitations awaiting the teams. They have been invited by various dioceses in Mindanao to give the seminar as part of the on-going formation program for their lay leaders. Father Mike compliments all the LITE team members there for their enthusiasm and energy. Their main challenge is financing and Father asks for your prayers to enable them to continue in their efforts.

Learn more about St. Peter Julian Eymard: Join us on a Pilgrimage to France

We invite you to join us on an exciting pilgrimage to France (September 27-October 9, 2004), where we will walk in the footsteps of the great "Apostle of the Eucharist," St. Peter Julian Eymard, founder of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Our pilgrimage will include the important places in his life and ministry Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, La Mure d'Isère, the Marian Shrines of LaSalette, Notre Dame de Fourvière, Notre Dame du Laus and Notre Dame de l'Osier, Gap, and more. In addition we will visit Chartres, Taizé and Ars. The whole tour will be under the direction of Fr. Norman B. Pelletier, sss, former Superior General of the Congregation and actual Provincial of the Congregation in the USA, who will offer an on-going commentary about Father Eymard throughout the pilgrimage. The cost of the trip is $2,295.00 (double occupancy) and includes most dinners and breakfast each day.

For more information, or to register for the pilgrimage call or write to: The Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing; 9900 Stella Link Road; Houston, Texas 77025. Telephone: 713-661-3958; Fax: 713-662-2014; E-mail: cee@hal-pc.org

A deposit of $500.00 per person will hold your place on this pilgrimage. Call today! For more information, see the full page description of the pilgrimage in this issue of HI LITE.

A Pilgrimage to France
(including Paris, Chartres, Lyon, Taizé, Grenoble, La Mure d'Isère, the Marian Shrines of LaSalette, Notre Dame de Fourvière, Notre Dame du Laus and Notre Dame de l'Osier, and more)
In the Footsteps of St. Peter Julian Eymard
Our pilgrimage will take us to the places important in St. Peter Julian Eymard's life and ministry in a sense we will walk in his footsteps. Through the expert guidance and reflections of Fr. Norman Pelletier, former Superior General of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and actual provincial superior of the Congregation in the U.S.A., we will learn of Fr. Eymard's journey of faith and visit the places that inspired him most, including several Marian shrines where his vocation was nurtured and his inspiration received to found a Congregation dedicated to the total Eucharistic Mystery.

September 27-October 9, 2004
$2,295.00/person
(double occupancy from Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ)
sponsored by
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
and
The Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing
under the direction of
Fr. Norman B. Pelletier, sss
(Author of the popular biography of St. Peter Julian Eymard, "Tomorrow Will Be Too Late")
For more information and an informative brochure on the pilgrimage IN THE FOOTSTEPS
OF ST. PETER JULIAN EYMARD call or write to:
The Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing
9900 Stella Link Road
Houston, Texas 77025
Tel: 713-661-3958 Fax: 713-662-2014
E-mail: cee@hal-pc.org
A deposit of $500.00 per person will hold your place on this special and inspiring
pilgrimage. Call today and register for the Eymard Pilgrimage 2004!

An Invitation to a Retreat --2005
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament will be sponsoring a retreat with Nathan
Mitchell of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana as the retreat master. Many of the priests and brothers of the Blessed Sacrament will be attending the retreat, but
the decision was made to extend an invitation to their lay collaborators in the ministry of Eucharistic Evangelizing. If you are interested in this retreat possibility, you are asked to
contact Fr. Thomas Wiese, SSS at the provincialate in Cleveland. Please contact him at
5384 Wilson Mills Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44143. Tel: 440-442-6311; email:
ssscommunications@sbcglobal.net.
The retreat will take place at the San Pedro Retreat Center in Orlando, Florida from January 31st until February 4, 2005. There will be a charge for room and board for the retreat and all participants will have to cover their costs to and from Orlando. Spaces are
limited, so if you are interested in attending this retreat please do make your contact soon.A Lenten Prayer
Lord God, I present myself before you today and every day of my life. Transform me
in your good time, in your own way. I entrust my soul to you that it may come to flower as
beautifully as you desire it to be.

SSS International | Eucharistic Theology | SSS USA | Saint Peter Julian Eymard