Be the apostle of the divine Eucharist, like a flame which enlightens and warms, like the Angel of his heart who will go to proclaim him to those who don’t know him and will encourage those who live him and are suffering. Saint Peter Julian Eymard (CO 842,1)
This quote opened what we know to be the first international Youth Teen Life in the Eucharist (LITE) retreat at Blessed Sacrament Shrine, Liverpool, England, UK. Youth Minister, Kindergarten teacher, and Associate Evamarie Cross and Provincial Father John Thomas Lane SSS led the group of 18 youth and chaperone adults from northeast Ohio and Saint Paschal Baylon (SPB) church, Highland Heights, Ohio, to safely travel together the long adventure to the United Kingdom.
During last year’s Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing (CEE) 6th International Eucharistic Congress, August 4 – 6 at the Provincialate, our keynote Father Darren Maslen, SSS (Liverpool), Father John Thomas Lane, SSS (Provincial) and Evamarie had lunch together and said, “Why not bring LITE to England?” The dream began at the table and became fulfilled for our trip June 4–10, 2024, through many prayers, practices, and fundraisers to send our youth to England.
We arrived at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport at 7:45 AM to prepare for the long flight day for the best rate: to Chicago O’Hare, Frankfurt, and Manchester, England. After a taxi transfer, we arrived in Liverpool to quickly drop off our luggage at our hotel. This led to a 3-hour walking tour of our host city, Liverpool, where we heard about the rich history and connections between Liverpool and the USA. For two days, our youth group had an immersion in the Lake District and North Wales’ natural wonders.
Then, at the Blessed Sacrament Shrine, an intergenerational group (mostly youth from around the Diocese of Liverpool) attended our LITE retreat. We even enjoyed two LITE members from Glasgow, Scotland, UK, Sadie and Margaret, who “came down” to share their support and, as they said, learn more about how they could do the LITE retreat the next time in Scotland.
We were inspired by their wisdom, being so young at heart, and love for the Congregation and Saint Eymard. For those unfamiliar with the program/retreat, the youth-focused on “sacramental aspects” of the Eucharist, such as nourishment, reconciliation, transformation, abiding presence, and mission.
Each section has a scripture reflection, teaching, and group activity. For some of us, the highlight is the skit where the temptations and sins ruin the relationship with the Teen, and she finally comes to her senses and calls out for Jesus Christ to help her/us free us from all the sins. It is when we put together the “transformation” puzzle for others.
Father Lane ended the day with Mass in the Shrine with the entire Eymardian Family. Brother Gerald, Father Dennis, Father Darren, and Postulant Patrick from the SSS Liverpool Community were wonderful hosts for all of us. The regular crowd of Mass-goers was in awe, and the spirit of the youth was in the Shrine Chapel.
We are so grateful for our SPB generous parishioners who raised over $27,000 for our trip to support our youth in their travels, mission, and fun. Many of our youth had to obtain their first passport – and for some, their first time on an airplane! For a few, Wales and England have now become their favorite spots. Our youth – mostly 15 – have a dream now to bring the Eucharistic mission of Eymard around the globe. Alive with the Eucharistic flame, they continue to share Eymard’s and our CEE’s dreams.
What’s next? Our youth want to return to Arizona and Saint Michael Indian School [sic] in the Navajo Nation. (We’ll explain this connection and history after our Easter Octave visit in 2025.) They are alive with the flame of the Eucharist and inspire us “older teens” to “keep on keepin’ on,” setting the world on fire with this precious gift.
June 11, 2024
SSS Grapevine
Publication of the Province of Saint Ann
