Families share their faith with their children at the National Eucharistic Congress
Andrew and Sara French of the Diocese of Richmond, Va., pose with their children in the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on July 19 during the National Eucharistic Congress. Catherine, left, made her first Communion this year and walked with other first communicants during the eucharistic procession in downtown Indianapolis on July 20. (Photo by Natalie Hoefer)
By Natalie Hoefer
They came en masse to the National Eucharistic Congress. They could be seen pushing strollers, pulling wagons, hauling diaper bags, calming crying children and herding kids who try to stray.
But they were also seen playing, laughing, singing and dancing silly moves to upbeat songs.
And they were seen in holy moments, praying together in adoration, kneeling as the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance passed by, standing in line to receive the Eucharist.
They were the domestic Church, families forming their children in the Catholic faith and witnessing to the world about God’s love.
The congress’ website notes that “fostering a love of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist within our homes will have a profound impact on how we love others outside of our homes. … Eucharistic revival happens at the grassroots level, and the domestic Church is an essential part of this movement.”
That sentiment was a lived experience for families The Criterion spoke with during the congress on July 17-21.
‘Formative for our family’
“We were a little apprehensive in the beginning to bring our small children,” three boys ages 4, 3 and 1, admitted Sarah McCroskey of the Diocese of Wichita, Kan. “But we just felt God was calling us to be here at this time, and we know that if we’re strong in our faith, we can pass it on to our children.”
The McCroskeys were moved by their children’s reactions during the evening revival session on July 17.
“When they were processing [into Lucas Oil Stadium] with the monstrance, the boys were able to stand on chairs and see it,” said Sarah. “Seeing their expressions of, like, a big ‘Wow!’ was just so beautiful.”
Sarah and Andrew French of the Diocese of Richmond, Va., said they “made sacrifices to be here” with their three children ages 8 and younger.
Those sacrifices were driven by hope.
“My hope is that our kids see the beauty of the whole Church,” said Sarah. “Not just the little slice of the Church that we experience at home, which is beautiful, but just how big the Catholic Church is.
“I hope that by coming here, we set an example that plants those seeds for how important following Jesus is.”
“We’re hoping this experience will be formative for our family,” Andrew added.
His comment produced a formative moment when 8-year-old Catherine looked up at her father and asked what the word “formative” meant.
Placing a hand atop his daughter’s head, Andrew explained, “It helps shape us into the family God wants us to be.”
‘It almost feels like we’re in heaven’
Families were provided with abundant opportunities to laugh, learn and live the faith.
Many participated in the Cultivate (Family) Impact sessions. Each of the three sessions began with songs to engage children and parents alike, and participants were invited on the stage for entertaining competitions like a family quiz show and “What’s in Mom’s Bag?”
A moment of prayer followed to calm the energy level. Then well-known speakers addressed the families, like John Paul II Healing Center founder and Be Healed author Bob Schuchts and Joyful Ever After marriage ministry founders Damon and Melanie Owens.
But the hands-down favorite speaker of the children interviewed by The Criterion was Father Leo Patalinghug. He used his overgrown-kid antics and martial arts expertise to teach families about the saving power of Christ.
“I thought his talk was good for adults, but it was also great for kids because it was funny,” said 12-year-old Olivia Eickholt of the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio. “He had a great way of bringing what can happen in real life into the faith.”
After engaging with his 7- and 10-year-old daughters in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd experience, Deacon Michael Parker reflected on the importance of the congress to families.
“I take my role seriously in being a husband and a father to lead my family to heaven,” said the permanent deacon of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, La. “Just being here with our Lord, adoring him, worshiping together with 50,000 people—it almost feels like we’re in heaven.”
‘Holy families’ will change the culture
Children receiving their first Eucharist this year motivated several of the parents interviewed to bring their families to the congress. Some registered those children to walk in their first Communion attire at the front of the eucharistic procession in downtown Indianapolis on July 20.
“Probably the most powerful part for me was just walking along at the front of the procession with my son [Dominic] and the rest of the first communicants, and seeing the streets full of 50,000 people just waiting to see Jesus,” said Benjamin Seargent from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. “It wasn’t for a rock concert or sports event. Everybody was here just for one thing, and that was to see Jesus.”
Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Sister Maria Gemma (formerly Ashley) Barnett was inspired by seeing so many families at the National Eucharistic Congress. Prior to entering religious life in 2018, she served as youth minister at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bloomington from 2012-2018.
“It’s really inspiring that families want to be here, and they want to recommit to Jesus and recommit to prayer,” said Sister Maria Gemma. “That’s what people need to see out in public, too. If we have holy families, we’ll have a totally different culture.” †
(See all of our coverage of the National Eucharistic Congress at www.archindy.org/congress.)
