By Dc. Tom Cuskey, editor
ABOVE: Priests from the Utica area parishes concelebrated Mass with Bishop Lucia at Historic Old St. John’s.
“The heat is on!”
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia makes that proclamation in a video currently on YouTube’s Diocese of Syracuse Catholic TV channel. Yes, he’s talking about summer heat but more importantly, he is inviting all to “take time to feel the heat … the love of our Lord found in the Eucharist.”
Bishop is traveling the diocese this week, celebrating Eucharistic Days to invite people to become “pilgrims of hope” as the Church prepares for the National Eucharistic Congress to be held in Indianapolis from July 17 through 21.
The first Eucharistic day was celebrated on Monday, June 24 at St. Mary of the Assumption in Binghamton with Mass followed by Eucharistic Adoration with time for the Sacrament of Penance leading up to a Holy Hour. Area clergy and laity were urged to attend. Turnout reportedly was excellent.
Tuesday’s observance was held at Historic Old St. John’s Church in Utica, and on the following days at The Shrine of St. Mary of the Assumption in Oswego, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse and closing out the week at St. Paul’s in Norwich.
Frances Sassone and her children attend Mass to hear Bishop’s message and receive the Eucharist
During the Mass at Historic Old St. John’s, Bishop Lucia reflected “upon the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life.” Citing the Gospel of the daily Mass, he reminded the congregation of the purity and simplicity of our faith that Christ shares with his disciples.
“In other words, he is just reminding his listeners [that] even if you don’t remember all the Ten Commandments or all the precepts of the law, it is summed up in this: love God and love your neighbor as yourself.”
Among those listeners Tuesday were a number of young people spending a sunny summer midday at Mass. Frances Sassone grew up at Old St. John’s Church and came back to hear the Bishop’s Eucharistic Days homily and brought her two young children with her to reinforce their growing faith.
“My son just made his First Communion,“ she said. “We always teach him that it’s important to come to church and receive Jesus, and to pray.”
Old St. John’s parishioner Joann DiCamillo served as lector for the Mass.
Joann DiCamillo is a St. John’s parishioner who served as lector for Mass, as she usually does each Tuesday for the daily Mass in addition to frequently serving at altar. The Bishop’s focus on the Eucharistic is fundamental to her own faith.
“That’s what it’s all about,” she said. “The consecration of the host and receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior … that’s what sustains us. That’s what gives us the strength and courage we need.”
After a brief moment of reflection, she added “Of course, we have to live the life that goes with it. We do the best we can.”
