Bishop Jugis celebrates Mass during parish-based Eucharistic Congress Sept. 12
CHARLOTTE — The world may be gripped by a pandemic, but “Jesus is the remedy for the most serious problem that is facing our world” – and that is sin. Jesus offers forgiveness for sin, and new life in His grace and love.
That was the message from Bishop Peter Jugis during a special livestreamed Mass Sept. 12 from St. Patrick Cathedral. Bishop Jugis offered the livestreamed Mass as a way for the faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte to gather together on this Eucharistic-themed weekend, held in lieu of the large-scale Eucharistic Congress that usually takes place at the Charlotte Convention Center.
“The coronavirus may be challenging us a little bit this year, but the work of the Church continues. And nothing can put a stop to the work of the Church,” Bishop Jugis said at the start of his homily. Likewise, he said, “the Eucharistic Congress continues this year, although in a slightly altered format.”
Parishes celebrated over the weekend in their own ways, not letting the pandemic prevent them from finding ways to worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament – hosting talks and educational programs, offering additional Masses and Holy Hours of Eucharistic Adoration, and more. The bishop’s Mass at the cathedral, a votive Mass of the Most Holy Eucharist, was one way for people to come together united by the Eucharist, Bishop Jugis said.
“We are here to honor and worship Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, and celebrate His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist,” he said.
In his homily, Bishop Jugis described hearing a radio commentator say the COVID-19 pandemic “has really changed the world.”
“I thought to myself: Has the world really changed? Is the world really that different? Come on. The biggest problem facing our world is still with us. There is still sin, and in great abundance,” the bishop said.
What has really changed the world and really made things different is Jesus, he continued.
“Jesus is the remedy for the most serious problem that is facing our world, and that puts everything into greater perspective,” he said. “If the world would come to Jesus to receive forgiveness for sin, a new life in grace and love would begin for them – a life of holiness.”
“Be holy,” Bishop Jugis continued, quoting from the theme for this year’s Eucharistic Congress.
That was the command God first gave to the Israelites when He made them His chosen people, the bishop explained, and in his letter St. Peter also reminds people of God’s command to be holy.
Holiness is everyone’s vocation, Bishop Jugis emphasized. “He called you to be holy.”
“What is holiness? Holiness is a life oriented toward God, grounded in the gift of faith in God. Holiness is a life separated from sin, and holiness is demonstrated in our charity toward others.”
We are made holy when we are baptized, and we are called to continue living holy lives, he added. The Eucharist, the very Body and Blood of Christ, helps us to grow in holiness.
We are also inspired to holiness by the example of other holy, Christ-centered people, the bishop said – people like St. Teresa of Calcutta and St. Maximilian Kolbe. And “the two holiest people who ever lived” – the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph – inspire us to holiness by their example of dedicating their lives to following God’s will. And ultimately it is Jesus Himself, “the perfection of holiness,” who is our model.
Bishop Jugis continued, “The radio news broadcaster was partially correct: our world has changed. And we know the One who really has changed our world. He is the One who really has made things different, now through His Holy Spirit. Let us resolve to be holy – in every aspect of our conduct.”
“Though we cannot come together as usual this year for our big Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte, Jesus is still bringing us together as one diocesan family, strengthening our union with Him and our bonds of charity with each other. How? Through His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist, celebrated in all the churches and missions of our diocese.
“He brings us together. Christ is living among us.”
— Catholic News Herald. Photos by SueAnn Howell, Catholic News Herald
Your DSA contributions at work
The Diocese of Charlotte’s annual Eucharistic Congress is funded in part by contributions to the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how you can contribute at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.
‘The Eucharist changes us’
CHARLOTTE — The 18th annual Eucharistic Congress culminated Saturday with worship, pageantry and joy during a closing Mass offered by Bishop Peter Jugis.
More than 8,000 Catholics from parishes and communities across western North Carolina came together for the celebration of the Eucharist with the bishop and clergy of the Diocese of Charlotte at the Charlotte Convention Center.
The Eucharistic Congress was a highlight of the diocese’s year-long 50th anniversary celebrations, and during his homily Bishop Jugis reflected on the historic moment.
“This Eucharistic Congress is a fitting way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Charlotte,” he said. “This Congress truly is an entirely unique diocesan celebration of our 50th anniversary.”
“We have been celebrating in our parishes and at other local events all year long, and we will continue to celebrate throughout this year. But at this Congress, we have come from many
parishes across the diocese to be together as one family in Christ,” he said.
Bishop Jugis emphasized the theme of change during his homily and other remarks at the Eucharistic Congress – especially as Saturday, Aug. 6, marked the feast of the Transfiguration, when Jesus appeared in dazzling glory before three of His disciples atop Mount Tabor.
“The Eucharistic Lord changes us. The Eucharist changes us,” the bishop said.
“We have been refreshed spiritually at this Congress by being with the Lord, and by being with our brothers and sisters in the faith.”
Yet, he noted, change is present at every Mass – not just at the Eucharistic Congress.
“At the consecration at Mass, the whole substance of the bread is changed into the substance of the Body of Christ our Lord, and the whole substance of the wine is changed into the substance of His Blood,” he explained.
“This amazing miracle happens at every Mass, for as we know, Jesus the Risen Lord is alive, and He continues to be active in His Church and in the world.”
“Jesus, our High Priest, is present with us now at this Holy Mass,” Bishop Jugis said. “We are delighted to be here with Him in His Presence. He is presiding invisibly over this Eucharistic celebration, just as He does over every Eucharistic celebration – over every Mass that is celebrated.”
During Mass we encounter the saving Presence of Christ in the Eucharist – and change is affected in us and in our world, he said.
“We come into intimate union with Christ, and He satisfies our soul.”
Referring to the Gospel reading from Luke (Chapter 9) that recounts the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, Bishop Jugis said it “reminds us of the amazing miracle of the Lord’s Real Presence in the Eucharist that we are blessed to experience at every Mass, and how in Holy Communion He satisfies our soul’s deepest hunger for God and His grace.”
Once changed, we are called to share the message of God’s love with others, he said.
He urged everyone, “At the end of this Mass, the Lord will once again send us forth as His missionary disciples. Let us be missionaries of Christ’s Eucharistic love and Eucharistic joy to others.”
— Catholic News Herald. Photos by James Sarkis, Patrick Schneider Photography, Amy Burger, Liz Chandler, SueAnn Howell and Giuliana Riley
Bishop Peter J.Jugis' homily
Eucharistic Congress 2022: Homily for Closing Mass
Jesus, our High Priest, is present with us now at this Holy Mass. We are delighted to be here with Him in His presence. He is presiding invisibly over this Eucharistic celebration, just as He does over every Eucharistic celebration – over every Mass that is celebrated. (Catechism #1348). Lord, it is good that we are here with you. (Mt. 17: 4).
We have just heard the Gospel story of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes to feed the thousands who were with Jesus that evening long ago. It reminds us that there is another miracle – a far greater miracle – that we will witness this evening at this Mass: the miracle of the Eucharist! The power of Christ’s words, and the action of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit (Catechism #1353) will change bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood, and Christ will make Himself present. (Catechism #1374).
At the consecration at Mass the whole substance of the bread is changed into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and the whole substance of the wine is changed into the substance of His blood. (Catechism #1376). This amazing miracle happens at every Mass, for as we know, Jesus the Risen Lord is alive, and He continues to be active in His Church and in the world.
The Gospel story of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes goes on to tell us that the thousands of people who ate the loaves and fishes blessed by Jesus that evening “were satisfied.” “They all ate and were satisfied.” (Lk 9: 17). This reminds us, more importantly, that our partaking of Christ in Holy Communion “satisfies” the deepest hunger of our life – the spiritual hunger for God and His grace. The crowds ate and were satisfied, and we eat and are satisfied because Christ Himself becomes our nourishment in Holy Communion. Jesus is really, truly and substantially present in the Eucharist. We come into intimate union with Christ, and He satisfies our soul.
This Gospel story of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, reminds us of the amazing miracle of the Lord’s Real Presence in the Eucharist that we are blest to experience at every Mass, and how in Holy Communion He satisfies our soul’s deepest hunger for God and His grace.
This Eucharistic Congress is a fitting way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Charlotte. We have been celebrating in our parishes and at other local events all year long, and we will continue to celebrate throughout this year. But at this Congress, we have come from many parishes across the diocese to be together as one family in Christ. This Congress truly is an entirely unique diocesan celebration of our 50th anniversary.
We have been refreshed spiritually at this Congress by being with the Lord, and by being with our brothers and sisters in the faith. The Eucharistic Lord changes us. The Eucharist changes us. At the end of this Mass the Lord will once again send us forth as his missionary disciples. Let us be missionaries of Christ’s Eucharistic love and Eucharistic joy to others.
