By: Laura Catherine Worhacz

“Saint Joseph endured them (sorrows) in silence, humility, and love, neither having nor desiring any human consolation. He suffered, not for himself, but for Jesus, for Mary, for the world, for us. Blessed suffering that united him to the redemptive work of the Savior.” - Saint Peter Julian Eymard (Eymard Library, Volume 8, page 80)
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Dearest Eucharistic Family,

In this year of Saint Joseph, we look to him for all God has blessed him with in his relationship to Jesus in the way of grace. Ash Wednesday is a few days away, our entrance into the desert with Jesus.  It is a time for us to long to grow in and learn the wisdom of God. Our docility to the Holy Spirit, the embrace of the Cross and the sorrows of life, form us into the mystery of salvation. We suffer, “Resist him and be firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering” (1 Peter 5: 9).

The reality of suffering, united to the redemptive work of the Savior, transforms everything into an offering of love. This is how Saint Joseph lived in love of the Son of God, in his love for the Mother of God, Mary, and his love for the mystery he lived. Much came to Saint Joseph in a dream!

There is much suffering. Our prayer list grows daily for the sick, the suffering, the dying. The pain is real and consolation is so far for many who are swept over with loss. Saint Joseph teaches us how to endure suffering in silence and humility, and for the love of Jesus. Enduring suffering, to embrace the Cross in this way will bring us to our resurrected life now through the Eucharist. Let us take some time to pray in the silence and go to the place that may be hidden in the depths, perhaps to a place that has been ignored rather than endured. A good cry and acceptance, offering to God all that you hold will both behold and endure the present sorrows. And like Saint Joseph it will allow us to be for the world an offering of praise to our Father in Heaven. 

By: Laura Worhacz

“If we could have seen in spirit the birth of Mary, have seen this sun coming up out of the ocean of God’s love!” - Saint Peter Julian Eymard (Eymard Library, Vol. 8, page 30)

Dearest Eucharistic Family,
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The above quote is so beautiful; it reminded me of so many people who have been in my life to bring me hope, who have exemplified God’s love. People who have helped me behold, hold on to trust in God. I am grateful for each of you who bring others to, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. How we need to behold God. To affix our existence to His presence. In today’s Gospel Jesus is called CRAZY! He certainly lived out His humanity beholding Heaven, held in His Father’s will. He came to redeem, to bring justice through mercy, and to heal. I imagine, like Mary in the above excerpt, we need to rise out of the water, to keep our soul longing for the eternal through baptism. Like a magnetic force, Mary brings us to the Eucharist. Her example is there for us to follow.

We may seem out of our minds by beholding God, His Word, and the way of the Cross through love. Yet we must and do strive to live for the will of God. Perhaps our Eucharistic lives will be strengthened by our charity. The power of love will attract others. Mary, through the Eucharist, imbued with God’s love, attracts souls looking to be healed. We take hold of her hand. As we go through ordinary time, think of the people in your life that have been an example of faith, those people who have brought us closer to Christ, those who may seem a little crazy for preaching and teaching. May our love draw others to the invitation of God’s Divine Healing. We are stronger together in a Communion of God’s love.

I have been bringing the Eucharist to a lady homebound with an illness. As I was sent from Mass, Father told me to bring a message of hope and let the sick ones know they are loved, that their suffering is seen by God. This message brought joy and a smile, interceding to change an ordinary day into a day beheld by GOD.
 

By: Laura Worhacz

“God has crowned Mary with glory and honor as the Masterpiece of His love. He alone is greater than she. But, in the midst of her glory, Mary never forgets that she is our Mother. She ascended to heaven before us to facilitate our entrance there and to conduct us thither. She herself will come for us at that supreme moment of our lives- the hour of our death-if we only summon her to our aid!” - Saint Peter Julian Eymard (Eymard Library, Volume 7)
 
Dearest Eucharistic Family,
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We are blessed to have Mary, Mother of God and our Mother. It was over 20 years ago that I consecrated my life to Jesus through Mary. I know many of you share in this covenant promise with me. I have to say that ever since that moment in time my life has been accompanied by Mary.  She has brought me closer and closer to the Eucharist. Our longing to live in the presence of the living God is found through the heart of our Mother. In the depths our being we long to have Our Mother take us by the hand. To think of Mary embracing us in our sorrows, smiling at us in our joys, and leading us to seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit secures us in God’s love. Mary brings us to the providence of God, and she teaches us to accept His Holy Will. The burdens of life are lived in hope through our prayer to Mary, Hail Mary... We are so incredibly blessed to celebrate the Mother of God and bring in 2021 through the love of Our Mother. Fear is cast out and security affixed to our humanity when we stay close to Mary. In all of her apparitions, Our Lady has asked us to pray. In the holy rosary we find every virtue to overcome the vices that seek to pull us down. The joyful mysteries are a beautiful way to prepare for Holy Mass. The Annunciation, the Incarnation of Jesus, becoming flesh for the redemption of our souls through Mary’s YES, inspires our Eucharistic lives “to summon to her aid”. We are all working out our salvation while on earth (Philippians 2:12). Mary is with us now; we will receive the fullness of her embrace in the Kingdom of God after the journey of life.

The children of Mary will be gathered and the reign of Jesus Eucharistic will be revealed to the world. Jesus we Praise You, we thank You, we adore You, we glorify You thank you for the gift of Mary, our Mother.  

By: Laura Worhacz

Behold, at last “the strong woman,” the predestined Mother of the Messiah!” - Saint Peter Julian Eymard (Eymard Library, Vol. 7, page 28)
           
Dearest Eucharistic family,

Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Looking at all the times that our Blessed Mother has come to earth to visit us, we find that the appearance to Saint Juan Diego is one that is so unique.  Our Mother comes to us with an appeal to the poor, to her children, standing against oppression. Mary is the example of “the strong woman” (St. Peter Julian); she is depicted in the image of Guadalupe standing on the moon god, the god of night. The angel under her feet was seen by the natives as a god. Mary stands over this, carrying Jesus in her womb. She comes with a message of justice enfolded in the mercy of Christ. Mary is representing life, the unborn, and the sacredness of humanity as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The conversion of thousands upon thousands of God’s children was made possible by our Lady’s intercession in her apparitions on Tepeyacac Hill. To me, the most fascinating part of God leaving our Lady’s image on the tilma of Saint Juan Diego, is what was identified in her eyes. There, on the cloak enshrined within the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, is Juan Diego’s reflection in the eyes of our Blessed Mother. Every remembrance of this brings tears of joy to my own eyes and reminds me of the eye as the light to our souls.

“The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eyes are sound, then your whole body is filled with light, but when they are bad, then your body is in darkness” (Luke 11: 34). Prayer to our Lady brings clarity to our vision. We learn to see with Mary, all through the lens of the Eucharist. Espoused to the Holy Spirit, our Mother helps us find divine wisdom and understanding. She teaches us how to love and to grow strong. To be in the eyes of Mary, we look to her as Juan Diego did, with superhuman magnificence. In the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we learn how to carry the Blessed Sacrament with reverence in the sacredness of our humanity when we receive the Eucharist. We learn to grow strong and to recognize that our trials will keep us at the feet of Jesus.

Tomorrow we celebrate Gaudete Sunday. In this Advent season we continue to wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior. We look with eyes of hope and joy for the celebration of Christmas in longing for Christ’ peace now, and in anticipation of His second coming to earth. As we keep our eyes on the Star of Bethlehem, let us look into the stars of the eyes of our loved ones. Let our gift to our Eucharistic King be our love for one another. 

By: Laura Worhacz

“Mary’s Presentation in the Temple: Mary had no childhood in the ordinary sense of the word…We know nothing of her life in the Temple except that she lived a secluded life and that she practiced every virtue…She was the servant of all never loosing courage…Mary gave herself to God promptly, unreservedly and forever. She gave him her mind, her heart, her liberty, -she kept nothing back.”  - Saint Peter Julian Eymard (Eymard Library, Vol. 7, page 35)
 
Dearest Eucharistic family,

November has always been a special month for me. It is a time to remember all souls, thanksgiving, my wedding anniversary, my grandmothers passing and her day of birth, which falls on the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 11/21. For all this my heart is filled with thanks. Since October 31st,  I have been in quarantine with my husband Ray. He tested positive for COVID and has been in bed for 16 days with a temperature, fatigue, and a little cough. His temperature has finally returned to normal and he seems to have begun a new road to recovery.
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The above excerpt reminds me of what life has been like. It has been secluded and filled with opportunity to find the virtues of God. Caring for someone sick is a gift. It teaches us the sacredness of life; every breath taken is a moment of grace. Our lives are to be lived in growing closer to Jesus, the One whom we will be with for all eternity. We grow in love by our consent to God’s life in us and by serving others. In this way we live out of this world and in the Eucharist here and now.

Thanksgiving Day is almost here. It is a time to give thanks around our tables, talk about memories, share dreams and hopes, a time to gather. As difficult as it may be to bear the cross of sickness, suffering, and even death, there is a place of hope to give thanks; it is found in the Eucharist. Our Lady was presented in the Temple; she gave her life to God and lived in thanksgiving. Mary gave her life unreservedly for the love of JESUS. This year, 2020, has brought many challenges to our world: a pandemic, election, protests… As we follow our Mother to the Temple, we may find the chance to grow, learn, and be open to the new beginnings God has prepared for those who love Him and give thanks. The Greek word “eucharistia” means thanksgiving. The Sacrament of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of JESUS CHRIST, really, truly, and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine is our means of life on earth. In serving others our Eucharistic lives become whom we receive, and our souls are found in thanksgiving. Advent is coming! 

-Laura Worhacz

By: Laura Worhacz

Dearest Eucharistic Family,

We are blessed to be living in the Liturgy of the Catholic Church and having this heartbeat of the seasons to take us to the heart of God year after year. We are weeks away from the Advent Season and here we are on the eve of all Saints Day. Here we find our mission of love to pray for others, to be drawn into the life of the Church by being enveloped into the Communion of Saints. The Body of Christ is being grown as it is fed by the Bread of Life in Holy Communion.

In the origin of All Hallows Eve we find concern for others. Children being taught to knock on the door of a neighbor to ask if they are in need of prayer, especially the loss of a loved one. In return a soul cake is given to show appreciation. There is a reciprocal love being fashioned through simple acts of kindness. The Kingdom of Heaven is made known when believers grow into the charity of Christ through mercy, forgiveness, and compassion for others. How blessed we are to live in the reality of the Divine. Heaven is with us. The lives of those who have found their way to virtue in this life leave us an example of charity in their words and witness. They are the saints of God. In our time with the Eucharist we come to see ourselves as God sees us. We come to know Jesus. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Jesus who sees us, guides us, and will form us into saints. 
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Our Divine Mother is the Queen of Angels and Saints. As we cling to Mary through the Eucharist she mothers us into an exercise of faith through the virtues of her love. A walk with Mary into the soul of God by our Eucharistic prayer time will keep us seeking for ways to receive grace from the one who is full of grace. We have a road to Zion to find, the path to our salvation, led by Our Lady who cares for us and touches our hearts. Our Divine Mother will guide us to Heaven. She will help us grow into the saints we were created to be. The pattern of love that is sewn and found in the Communion of Saints has been formed from the Eucharist and Our Lady for generations and will continue as we learn of “God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people” (CCC 948). Our relationship with the Communion of Saints is found most intimately in the Eucharist.

Today remember in prayer and outreach someone who is an example to you of a saintly life.

“Mary is the Queen of Angels, Queen of the Church. Kings will lay their empires at her feet; nations will confide to her their safety, and wherever we find a throne erected to Jesus, there we shall find one dedicated to Mary; Mary’s altar is always side by side with that of Jesus. She is His Divine Mother.” – Saint Peter Julian Eymard (Eymard Library, Volume 7, p.50)
 

By: Laura Worhacz

“Let us, then, return thanks through Mary. A child receives a gift, but it is his mother who thanks the donor for him. So our thanksgiving, united with that of Mary: will be perfect and most acceptable to the Heart of Jesus.” Saint Peter Julian Eymard
 
Dearest Eucharistic Family,

The Hail Mary brings us into the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary.  The gift to meditate on the Sacred Scriptures through them, especially during the month of October, is a blessing beyond our understanding. We trust in this divine invitation and cling to the promises attached to this prayer of the Church. We celebrated the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary this past week and next week we will remember the Miracle of the Sun on October 13th.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament has been given to us by our Lord and Savior through the heart of Saint Peter Julian Eymard.  He reminds us in the above excerpt to give all to Jesus through Mary. We do this by our engagement with the Holy Spirit, by emulating our Mother. Mary shows us the way to eternity, by her yes, her humility. Mary teaches us by her perfect charity, her detachment, her purity, her fidelity, …we can go on and on with the virtues of her love.
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There is so much going on in our world, in the very homes of each of us. Our relationships need to be given to our mother, she will bring us to communion, healing, and love. Place yourself in the redemption of Christ and go forward with Mary. Leave the pain and walk to the Heavens. Immerse yourself in the mysteries; they take us to places of freedom, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. PRAY! The Hail Mary brings us to Our Father, into the Kingdom of Heaven now through the Eucharist. It is Mary who guides us to the fullness of grace. Our mother who reminds us the Lord is with us. Mary is the blessed one, she brings us the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, the fruit of her womb. Mary is holy. She chose to be the humble one of her Creator. She accepted the gifts of the Holy Spirit; they led her in joy through life. Even at the Cross her tears poured forth; her heart was fixed to God through the heart of her Son and the power of the Holy Spirit. HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE!
 
“This twofold movement of prayer to Mary has found a privileged expression in the Ave Maria: Hail Mary [or Rejoice, Mary]: the greeting of the angel Gabriel opens this prayer. It is God himself who, through his angel as intermediary, greets Mary. Our prayer dares to take up this greeting to Mary with the regard God had for the lowliness of his humble servant and to exult in the joy he finds in her.” 
(Catechism of the Catholic Church,  2676)