Ascension Catholic Parish: A renewed call to love the Eucharist

You could ask yourself: Why has Bishop McGrattan spearheaded this Diocesan Renewal?

There are many reasons and causes, but as Catholics, we believe that, in the end, it is God who wants to renew the Diocese and to renew us: renewing us in our love for Him, our love for families, and our love for the faith.

​In this light, Ascension Catholic Parish went on a seven-week thematic journey each weekend during the Easter Season with a Series on the Eucharist. It was a chance to underline what we believe on Jesus’ own Word: that Jesus remains truly present among us, the Bread of Life. It aimed to deepen our understanding and increase our devotion, recognizing Jesus’ profound, constant love for his daughters and sons.

The Series
 
Fr. Daniel Wilson LC and I began the Series reminding us why Eucharistic devotion is so central to our faith, and in the subsequent weeks helped us to delve into its meaning and significance. To go through the topics that were discussed is, in itself, a mini-renewal of our understanding of this Sacrament:

Each week, the Greeters and Ushers helped to give our small cards to every parishioner, as a reminder of the theme. It was a way of saying that you belong, you are called, you matter. On the back of the card, we had two points to chat about on the way home from Church: What did Jesus teach us? and What is Jesus saying to me today?

1. Jesus is truly present
   At the heart of Catholic theology lies the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion. The bread and wine become the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through transubstantiation.
   
   
2. “Source and Summit”
   The Eucharist is the "source and summit" of the Christian life, because to say “the Eucharist” is to say “Jesus Himself”. Christianity’s source is Jesus. Its end-point is Jesus. To live the faith far from Jesus is a contradiction.
   
   
3. Communion and Union
   Participating in the Eucharist is a moment of intimate union with Christ, where believers receive spiritual nourishment and grace.
   
   
4. The New Covenant
   Love entails sacrifice. Moses came to the people and asked: “Will you serve the Lord?” They answered: “We will!” In the Eucharistic Celebration, we are present at Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, once and for all of us. It is as if he is asking us, each time we receive communion: “Will you love me? Will you be faithful to me and my teaching?” By receiving the host with reverence, we too exclaim: “Yes! I will serve the Lord!”
   
   
5. Perpetual memorial
   The Celebration of the Eucharist is a memorial of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Seeing Jesus’ selfless love, we cling to Him and imitate this love in our daily lives. Like Jesus, we are called to love God with all our energies, and to “Go out” to love our neighbours as he did.
   
   
6. Spiritual Communion
   We are called to have Life and to live life in plenitude. We cannot be in the Church 24/7, but are rather called to bring Jesus—through our words and actions—into our daily milieu. The priests invited us to often pray the prayer called “Spiritual Communion”: “Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart…”
   
   
7. Gratitude
   The very word Eucharist means “giving thanks.”

First Holy Communion & Eucharistic Miracles Display
 
Since the Easter Season extended into May, the ideas we heard in the sermons were reinforced upon seeing many boys and girls receive their First Holy Communion every Sunday.

Overall, more than 250 children received First Holy Communion. We hosted a Fr. John Bartunek LC retreat, "Food for the Journey," as our monthly retreat, further enriching our community's spiritual journey. Also, as part of our renewal process, we simultaneously hosted "The Eucharistic Miracles of the World Exhibition" from May 8- 17, 2024.

It was nice to receive some help from other corners of the Diocese! Rita Shank (from Sacred Heart Parish) helped the organizers with her enthusiasm and expertise, and Pearly Luceno (St. John the Evangelist) arranged to lend us their exposition panels.  

​Designed by the soon-to-be Saint Carlo Acutis (a 15 year old Italian boy), the expo showcases miracles from around the globe. All of these activities, along with the cards discussing the topic of the week, all focused on strengthening our devotion to the Eucharist, on telling the “story of Jesus” who accompanies us on our journey.

​May the Risen Lord, our Food, and our Life, guide us along our Diocesan Renewal!

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Written by Fr. John "JP" Luxbacher, LC - Administrator of Ascension Catholic Parish, Calgary.

​Photos courtesy of Ascension Catholic Parish.