With the approaching National Eucharistic Congress, July 17-21, held in Indianapolis, IN, and the beginning of the Jubilee Year “Pilgrims of Hope” on December 29, 2024, Bishop Noonan responds to questions posed by Florida Catholic in this first of a two-part interview.
FC: The National Eucharistic Congress is the culmination of the Eucharistic Revival. What are we trying to revive?
Bishop Noonan: The Eucharistic Revival is helping people discern where they are in their relationship with God. People are asking a lot of questions today, and they’re asking good questions. I see a lot of people coming back to the Church with a renewed sense of hope. Because we’ve gone through a trying time with COVID, and we’ve survived, they’re asking, ‘So now what are we going to do?’ Some people went through great trauma and are looking for some hope, somewhere. That’s where I see a lot of people being renewed in their faith and the Eucharist as well.
FC: Why do so many Catholics have trouble believing in Real Presence?
Bishop Noonan: The Eucharist doesn’t just come from catechesis, it comes from lived experiences of your faith within the home…and, unfortunately, our lived experiences in the faith haven’t been the greatest over the last 30 years. Vatican II focused on experiential faith, but there was no catechesis. So those raised during that time say, ‘It was a wonderful time, but I don’t know what the Eucharist is. I can’t explain what it is, but I know I was happy.’ They didn’t understand it. Hopefully we can plant the new seeds of hope of what the Eucharist really means in the lives of this next generation.
FC: How do we reach the hearts of young people?
Bishop Noonan: At World Youth Day you have a million young people, and they expose the Blessed Sacrament and there’s total quiet. What’s happening? Obviously, our young people are hungry for Jesus the Eucharist and how He has true meaning in their life. Hopefully the Congress will help in that deepening of their relationship with Christ and Christ in the Eucharist. This will be something that will build in their life and spread and be something they will share with others.
FC: What do you hope the Eucharistic Revival Conference does for the faithful and for those who do not know Christ?
Bishop Noonan: I hope this experience will help really concretize what the Eucharist will mean to the next generation. It’s time to take stock of who you are in relationship with the Lord. I always joke about GPS, God’s Program of Salvation. We don’t just go fill up at the gas station and keep going. We need a destination. Most people are going around in circles. (The Congress) is a reminder that it’s okay to fill up with gas, but hopefully you’re accomplishing something that is helping you to live your faith, share your faith, and to be Christ to others, not just existing.
FC: How can people be Eucharist to others?
Bishop Noonan: We have this idea that when you receive the Eucharist it is fuel for your life, but I think it’s more than that. It’s an encounter with Christ and it’s not just turning everything around because you’re not in charge, but you’re letting the Lord be more in charge. It’s a relationship, but it’s even more a dialogue with the Lord, letting the Lord lead and guide you in your life.
FC: How can Eucharist, our being Eucharist to one another, serve to heal and bridge the gulfs between us?
Bishop Noonan: We’re called to be prophetic. Prophetic means you know Christ and you build a relationship with Him. You have to preach the Gospel. You have to live the Gospel and you have to share the Gospel. You can’t just talk about it. It’s not just about having an encounter that feels good for the sake of feeling good. How can we concretize why we are feeling good? It’s because we want to have an encounter with Christ and share that encounter. That’s what gives us hope.
FC: What do you encourage parishes to do locally for parishioners who cannot attend the congress this month?
Bishop Noonan: Spend time with Christ. Take the opportunity to go to Adoration, Reconciliation and receive the Eucharist. Make sure you’re enlivening your own relationship with Christ.
San Pedro Spiritual Development Center is offering a Life in the Eucharist retreat for those who cannot attend the congress. Go to Life In The Eucharist Retreat with Fr. George Dunne, SSS | San Pedro Center | Retreat & Conference Center or contact your local parish for events.