I am using my column this week to share with the people of the Archdiocese the schedule for the Eucharistic Congress in October that will close the Year of the Eucharist.

This information will help everyone to collaborate more closely with their Parish Priest/Administrator in preparation for the Congress. I communicated this information to the leadership of the Archdiocese on July 19th.

Preliminary points

1) The theme for the conclusion of the Year of the Eucharist will be “The Social Dimensions of the Eucharist.”

2) The celebration of the Eucharistic Congress will begin on Thursday, October 6 and conclude on Sunday, October 16.

3) Similar to the Eucharistic Congress of 1997, catechesis on the theme, prayer, various forms of Eucharistic celebration and pastoral outreach on both parish and vicariate levels will constitute the heart of the Eucharistic Congress. The details of the programme are listed below.

4) The national level of the Archdiocesan celebration will take place in the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday, October 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The concluding liturgy will be celebrated at 3:00 pm

Please note: On the weekend of October 15-16 parish Masses on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning may be celebrated for those unable to travel to the Stadium for the National Archdiocesan Celebration.

All other Masses are to be cancelled for that weekend to allow the people of the Archdiocese to gather together for the concluding liturgy of the Eucharistic Congress and the Year of the Eucharist.

Schedule

The theme of the Congress: The Social Dimensions of the Eucharist will be considered in the following ways:

Thursday, October 6

The Convention of the Catholic Teachers Association – The Feature Address will be on the theme of the Eucharistic Congress.

Friday, October 7

October 7 is a First Friday and the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The Committee requests that each parish concentrate on the visitation of the sick, on having communal services of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and on devotion to Mary, the Mother of God.

Sunday, October 9

Laventille Devotions – the Marian Devotions will be on the theme of the Eucharistic Congress.

Monday, Tuesday, October 10-11

Catechesis on the Theme in the Parishes.

Two Videotapes will be prepared to assist the Parish Priest/Parish Administrator with the catechetical process. If the parish wishes to prepare its own programme, there is no obligation to use the tapes. However, catechesis on the theme is to be an integral part of the Eucharistic Congress.

Wednesday, October 12

This will be the Day for the Catholic School Children i.e. Children from Catholic schools and Catholic children in Government Schools. It will be celebrated in the Vicariates of the Archdiocese.

For the information of the reader, 90 principals have already met to plan the Vicariate Days. The venues are being contacted. I shall personally visit as many venues as possible on the Day for Children.

Thursday, Friday, October 13-14

Catechesis on the Theme in the Parishes.

Two additional Videotapes will be prepared to assist the Parish Priest/Parish Administrator with the catechetical process. As noted above, the Parish may wish to develop its own programme. There is no obligation to use the videotapes.

Saturday, October 15

Saturday will be a quiet day for prayer and recollection. Each family in the Archdiocese is asked to have an unhurried meal together as a Eucharistic unit. The meal should be preceded by a reflective reading of Scripture by the family. Consideration should be given to inviting those in the parish who are alone.

Sunday, October 16

The final day of the Eucharistic Congress will be the day for the National Catholic Family. The scheduling of the day is complete. It will be published in late September.

A one thousand person choir has already been formed. The Logo for the Congress has been chosen. The process of choosing the Theme Song for the Congress will be completed in August. The Hasely Crawford Stadium has been reserved.

Please pray for the collaboration of the entire Catholic Community for the Archdiocesan Eucharistic Congress.