Later this morning, I will start my journey to Quebec for the International Eucharistic Congress. This will mean a suspension in posting here until 24th June. If you want to follow the Congress during the week, http://www.ecdq.tv/ and http://www.saltandlighttv.org/ are promising coverage.
This is, in itself, exciting enough. But there has been a bit of added excitement ....
NEWS RELEASE: for immediate use
Catechist from Romford to read at Mass during International Eucharistic Congress
A member of St Edward the Confessor RC parish in Romford, Essex is scheduled to proclaim one of the Scripture readings at the closing Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec, Canada. Joseph Sowerby is the lead catechist for Eucharistic Adoration in St Edward’s parish, and organises monthly days of Adoration and an annual “Forty Hours” celebration in the parish.
Joseph said: “The concluding Mass Statio Orbis is the focus and high point of the whole Eucharistic Congress, a visible expression of the communion of the whole Church. To be asked to read at this Mass is a tremendous privilege. I feel as if I will be representing the Eucharistic devotion of my parish to the universal Church”.
The concluding Mass Statio Orbis will be celebrated on Sunday 22nd June 2008 at 11 am Canadian time (4 pm UK time). The Mass will be celebrated in the Plains of Abraham park in Quebec City. The principal celebrant is Josef Cardinal Tomko, the Pope’s representative to the Eucharistic Congress. Pope Benedict XVI will preach at the Mass via a satellite link from Rome.
Fr Julian Green, the National Delegate for England and Wales for the Eucharistic Congress, said: “The Eucharistic Congress calls us all to celebrate and to renew our faith in Jesus who is truly present as the Eucharist, gift of God for the life of the world. The participation of a delegation from England and Wales in the Congress should encourage Catholics throughout England and Wales in their Eucharistic devotion”.
END
Notes for editors:
The 49th International Eucharistic Congress is taking place in Quebec City, Canada, starting on Sunday 15th June 2008 and ending on Sunday 22nd June 2008.
The Congress website, which carries more details about the Congress, can be found at: www.cei2008.org
2 comments:
Do send us some reports as you go, Joe. Some of the pre-publicity seems less than enthusiastic.
I decided I would not try and post during the Congress - partly because I thought I would end up spending all my time trying to post instead of taking part in the Congress, and also because I was travelling with another person who (I suspect!) would have given me a hard time if I had tried!
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