Father Anthony Suso, pastor of St. Columbkille Parish in Parma offered a prayer and welcomed more than 100 people to the parish’s “Knights with Christ” program hosted by the Catching Fire young adult ministry.
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost spoke about “Sacramentality, Eucharist and Divinization: Foundation for the Mystical Life” at the May 31 event.
Joe Vicario, Catching Fire president, said the ministry, which focuses on young adults ages 18-39, is celebrating its eighth anniversary. “Our mission is to create saints and our goal is to get to heaven,” he said before introducing the bishop.
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“Each of us is called to be saints and mystics,” Bishop Woost told those gathered in the church. Attendees ranged in age from children to senior citizens. He said we walk in union with Christ, doing the Father’s will. “God invited us to have an intimate relationship with him,” he said, with the Eucharist laying the foundation.
“We are the dwelling place of God … We’re all ministers at the altar of God. We minister by our participation – praying, singing, listening and by the way we live,” the bishop said. “To find the presence of God, go within the depths of your soul. God chose to dwell in each of us at baptism and that was deepened at confirmation. We feast upon God’s presence, we become living tabernacles and we are called to live that out … God became a human person so humans could become like God.”
Bishop Woost said we receive the whole of God’s life and it continues to change us because it remains in us.
“We already have what we need to become saints and mystics because of God dwelling in our lives. God made us living tabernacles. Pray that we become more aware of that,” he said. In addition, he said like St. Therese of Lisieux, we should strive to become a living monstrance. “People should be able to look at us and see Christ – the living Christ – in us.”
There was about a half hour of adoration after the bishop’s talk. Several priests were on hand to hear confessions, as well. Music was provided by the Catching Fire Band.
Afterward, attendees were invited to fellowship and refreshments hosted by All Saints Credit Union.
Click here to learn more about Catching Fire.