“I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ.  It has always been one of my favorite feasts in the entire liturgical year.  Many of us probably remember having the chance to participate in Eucharistic processions outdoors on this special day.  Sometimes whole groups of people would gather together with the priest who would process with the Eucharist placed in the monstrance (monstrare – Latin infinitive “to show” – the monstrance is a vessel used to “show” the Eucharist) around town, with incense and bells.  Sometimes children, dressed in their first Holy Communion attire, would throw rose pedals down the path where the Eucharist would come.  When people would see that the Eucharist was coming near, they would get down on their knees in adoration.

Recently we had the diocesan Eucharistic renewal visit our parishes.  It was a joy that Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and St. Philip Neri both were able to participate and work together to make it a fitting tribute to our Lord.  The diocesan team arrived at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs with the Eucharist that was consecrated by the bishop, and we had adoration.  The Eucharist was then brought by boat to the dock of Northport, from which a procession took place to St. Philip Neri Church, where Eucharistic adoration was also held (including a meaningful prayer service) until 6am.  Those moments surely brought great blessings to our parishes.

One of the parishioners came to me with a picture of a fisherman near the bridge in Centerport who knelt down in adoration when he saw the monstrance approaching him.  Thanks be to God our Eucharistic faith is shared by many and some still express it outwardly.

These moments of adoration and public acts of devotion all stem from our belief in the Eucharist.  The Eucharist ceases to be ordinary bread and wine and becomes the Body and Blood of Christ.  What a gift!  All of us are called to make the Eucharist the center of our lives.  He hopes that we will all hunger for Him, because He does indeed hunger for us, for our salvations, for our peace. 

As a priest, my life is wrapped up in the Eucharist.  I have the honor of celebrating Mass every day, sometimes even several times a day.  Even when I am not in the parish, I celebrate Mass every day, sometimes privately, because I can’t imagine a day without the Eucharist in my life.  The Eucharist is the greatest gift I have been given to share with the People of God.  I’m glad my last weekend here is on this wonderful feast celebrating the gift of the Holy Eucharist.

Thank you all for this wonderful year.  I really loved my time here.  Father Collins, the deacons, the staff, and the many gracious volunteers have been wonderful examples of faithfulness to me.  The time I was able to spend with Father Holz as he joyfully prepared to meet his Lord was another treasure.  I’ve grown in my love of the Lord during my time here because of you.  May the good Lord bless you and please know there will always be a special place in my heart for Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and St. Philip Neri Parish.

Faithfully yours in Jesus through Mary,

Father Walter F. Kedjierski