The Godfrey Diekmann Center for Liturgical Studies in Collegeville hosted “Awakening Hearts” on Feb. 6, a roundtable discussion with seven of the St. Cloud diocesan delegates who attended the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis last July.
Hansol Goo, Director of the Godfrey Diekmann Center and Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology at Saint John’s University and one of the diocesan delegates, hosted the panel discussion.
“I got a sense that there was a lot of media about the National Eucharistic Congress, but not everyone could attend,” Goo said. “I thought it was important to hear from participants who went to the Eucharistic Congress. This way, the audience can hear the real experience of real people who attended the event.”
The Feb. 6 reunion began with a slideshow of photos and videos encapsulating the delegation’s experience at the Congress and then invited panelists to reflect on and answer questions specific to their experience.
“A lot of memories were rekindled — traveling with others who love the Lord and experiencing the graces that the Holy Spirit was pouring out for all of us,” said Father Derek Wiechmann, pastor at Holy Spirit and the Saints Area Catholic Community in St. Cloud.
Father Wiechmann, local co-chair of the Eucharistic Revival efforts for the St. Cloud Diocese, attended the national gathering and was honored to be part of the panel.
“It was beautiful to revisit that, go back to the graces that I personally received and to share that with others.”
In addition to Father Wiechmann, the panel included Janet Dusek, director for the diocesan office of marriage and family, Amber Walling, staff writer at The Central Minnesota Catholic magazine, Deacon Mario Mancilla, manager of Latino ministries for the diocese, Andrew Withuski, a sophomore at Saint John’s University, Noelle Aguilera, a junior at the College of Saint Benedict and Benedictine Father Efrain Rosado.
Audience questions were submitted with registration and received at the event. Questions addressed topics of synodality, social justice and receiving the Eucharist.
“I think that some of the questions that were on people’s minds were addressed, and some people had good conversations after the event, as well — whether they were talking to a panelist or amongst themselves,” Goo said.
The National Eucharistic Congress website states that the event in Indianapolis was “a moment within a movement.” The roundtable was intended to be another ‘moment’ to continue the movement locally.
“This is what the Eucharistic Revival was meant for,” Father Wiechmann said. “Not that it was a one-time event, but that we can continue to live in the presence of the Eucharist and keep this at the forefront of our faith.”
View the roundtable discussion on YouTube.
Learn More
www.eucharisticcongress.org