Reflections by the Life in the Eucharist Team Hawaii
Our Associates of the Blessed Sacrament in Ohio and a co-director of the Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing (CEE) share their recent travels and retreat from February 28–March 5, 2024.
First Thoughts by Tom Anderson
On his way to the General Chapter meetings in Vietnam, Provincial Superior John Thomas Lane SSS planted the seed of this successful visit during a Hawaii visit. The East Honolulu Vicariate determined that the Life In The Eucharist (LITE) program would fit well with their Lenten Season plans. The LITE team (here at Saint Paschal Baylon – Highland Heights, Ohio) was assembled and began preparations. Father Junvic Diolata, SSS, the Mary, Star of the Sea parish Parochial Vicar, helped organize the production of materials, prepare the facilities, and plan the meals and refreshments.
Second Reflection by Chris Anderson
Our visit to Hawai’i was spectacular! We experienced a beautiful welcome from strangers who quickly became friends. Three days were spent with those who attended the Mary, Star of the Sea church seminar, a remarkable endeavor. We shared experiences and life events, cried with others who lived through loss, and opened our hearts to new ways of knowing the Eucharist.
Third Reflection by Evamarie Cross
Words can’t fully describe how incredible having the opportunity to travel to Hawai’i and lead individuals from nine different parishes in the Diocese of Honolulu through The Life in the Eucharist Retreat. Everyone at Mary, Star of the Sea Church, and the surrounding parishes were friendly, open, willing to share, hospitable, and genuinely faith-filled….It was indeed a humbling experience to share our witnesses, stories, prayer, and being able to evangelize about the Eucharist.
Fourth Reflection by Mary Muehle, Co-Director of the CEE
What a privilege to be part of the team carrying the Life in the Eucharist program to our brothers and sisters in Hawaii. The warmth, hospitality, and hunger of the 60-plus people from the Diocese of Honolulu who attended was truly a Lenten blessing. …Our shared faith and struggles became apparent as we moved from teachings and witnesses to group discussions. They thanked us for what we brought, but what we received was even more remarkable. …We concluded the time with a training session on bringing this experience to their home parishes and offices.
Photos: TOP: LITE Team – [L-R] Gigi Mikol, Evamarie Cross, Tom Anderson, Chris Anderson and Mary Muehle; BOTTOM: Hawaii participants with LITE team members
Indian Priests Ministering in Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Gather at Corpus Christi Parish in Houston
Father Gnanasekar Paulraj sponsored a gathering of clergy from India serving in the Archdiocese at Corpus Christi Catholic Church on March 6, 2024. It was for fellowship, prayer, and meeting. Some 22 priests attended. Our SSS associates were a great help to me. Fr. Thomas Smithson SSS gave the reflection, and Father Christopher Christopher SSS gave the benediction. … Thirty-six priests from India are ministering in the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston.
Northeast Ohio Parishes Celebrate Lenten Scriptural LITE Retreat
Saint Paschal Baylon’s (SPB) Life in the Eucharist (LITE) Retreat team hosted the first Scriptural-based LITE Retreat since before the pandemic, March 8 and 9, in the Family Life Center of the parish. Twenty-eight participants from Saint Paschal Baylon and area parishes participated, taking advantage of the follow-up on last year’s Lenten LITE retreat on the “Sacramental Reflections on the Eucharist.” While there usually are five sessions for the Scriptural Reflections on the Eucharist, the team highlighted three themes: covenant, memorial, and prophetic service due to the limited time over the two days.
Welcome, Father Rosario Pushparaj SSS!
After a 12-month VISA process, we finally welcomed Father Rosario Pushparaj SSS, from our Indian Province of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament to join the Province of Saint Ann for the next four years. Father Rosario will serve as parochial vicar of two parishes, just as the pastor serves the same two parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland, Lake County. These parishes are…in the suburbs of Wickliffe (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) and Willoughby (Immaculate Conception). Father Rosario will live with the SSS community and commute to these two parishes with 1,800 and 1,400 families.
