In the June 27 edition of the Catholic News , the preliminary steps for celebrating the Eucharistic Year in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain were announced.

The Council of Priests and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council were the principal facilitators of the planning process. An executive committee was appointed which was mandated to involve the appropriate Commissions for making the Eucharistic Year an authentic spiritual experience for the people of the Archdiocese.

The October 31 edition of the Catholic News published the entire plan for the celebration of the Eucharistic Year.

Implementation of the plan

Some elements of the plan have already been implemented on the Archdiocesan level. Please note: I am aware of and grateful for the steps that have been taken on the local level by the parishes, religious communities and the various ecclesial communities of the Archdiocese to help meet the goals of the Holy Father for the Eucharistic Year.

The elements that have been implemented on the Archdiocesan level are:
1) The monthly Eucharistic themes for catechetical and formative reflection have appeared in the Catholic News in the first week of each month;
2) The upgrading of churches, sacred vessels, vestments, sacramentaries and lectionaries has begun;
3) A number of chapels for the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament have been completed in dialogue with the Archdiocesan Liturgical and Building Commissions;
4) The first donations of monstrances for poor parishes have arrived and a second donation is expected in the near future. They will be distributed to the 19 parishes/chapels in the Archdiocese that have requested them;
5) Copies of the Encyclical of the Holy Father on the Eucharist, his Apostolic Letter on the Eucharistic Year and the Instruction from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments have been sent to the priests and religious communities of the Archdiocese.

The Symposium on the Eucharist

The plans for the Symposium on the Eucharist have been completed. As originally announced, the Symposium is for the bishops, priests and Religious of the Ecclesiastical Province of Port of Spain.

Invitations will be extended to the Faculty of the Regional Seminary and the Seminary Rector has been advised that the seminarians will be welcome if their schedules permit. The schedules for the mini-symposia in the Vicariates of the Archdiocese will be announced at a later date.

After consulting with the Council of Priests, Mount St Benedict - the Top of the Mount and the Abbey Church - was chosen as the venue for the symposium. The dates are Tuesday, April 19 through Thursday, April 21.

The goal of the symposium is to facilitate serious theological, spiritual reflection on the Eucharist and to provide an experience of Eucharistic community to the participants. Each day is full. The programme of prayer, study and celebration begins at 9.00 a.m. and concludes with supper at 7.00 p.m.

Abbot John Pereira has been asked to welcome the participants to Mount St Benedict. Then Msgr Kenneth Spence, the Vicar for Priests, will lead Morning Prayer based on the theme for the day.

Speakers and themes

Tuesday Morning: Eucharist as Memorial Meal – Fr Henry Charles.

Tuesday Afternoon: Eucharist as Real Presence – Sr Diane Jagdeo OP

Wednesday Morning: Eucharist as Communion – Archbishop Edward Gilbert C.SsR.

Wednesday afternoon: Eucharist as Mission – Fr Urban Hudlin OP

Thursday Morning: Eucharist as Celebrated through the Ages – Msgr Michael de Verteuil.

Thursday Afternoon: Eucharist and Spirituality – Sr Katrina Charles O Carm.

Time for private and group reflection, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance and Eucharistic celebration have been structured into the programme.

Some reflection questions

We are now into the fifth month of the Eucharistic Year. We have finished the Advent and Christmas cycles of the liturgical year. We have entered the season of Lent in preparation for Easter. How have we participated in the Year of the Eucharist so far? Consider these questions:

Have we taken any specific steps, e.g. those mentioned in the Catholic News in June and October or other steps, to show the Lord that we appreciate the gift of the Eucharist?

What about the Sunday celebration of Eucharist, the Day of the Risen Lord and the special Day of the Church? Has there been any change in our attitude toward Sunday Eucharist – not as fulfilling a law, but exercising a privilege of worship?

How do we react to the real presence of Jesus on the altar after the consecration and to the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? When we enter a church to celebrate or pray is our “sense of the sacred” activated because we believe in the real presence?

Do we leave Eucharist more aware of the importance of being “in communion” with each other and with the Church universal? Does Eucharist strength our sense of mission and purpose in life?

Conclusion

If the reflection questions mentioned above are not yet on our agenda or if they are but have not been pursued sufficiently for any reason, do not become discouraged. Remember 5 from 12 - 7. There are still seven months to go in the Eucharistic Year. Try to use the remaining time well.