Series on Eucharistic Presence of The Lord Offered Online, in Parishes

A new series from the Augustine Institute seeks to answer the question, “What is it that is so special about the Eucharist?” The Augustine Institute is the creator of the online Catholic platform FORMED.org. The archdiocesan Office of Adult Faith Formation is coordinating efforts in support of the series.

“Why is Mass so important? How is God truly present to us? These are tremendously important questions that the series seeks to answer—and those answers will help Catholics grow closer to Jesus,” said Dr. Daniel Frascella, director of the Adult Faith Formation office.

It appears to many people as bread and wine, but Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of the Christian life—Jesus truly present to us, coordinators say. “Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist,” explores the truth and beauty of Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. It is presented in three episodes: God Is With Us, The Story of the Eucharist and Bread for the Journey.

In preparation for the feast of Corpus Christi, coordinators ask parishioners to join them for an archdiocesan-wide study of “Presence.” The series will be available on FORMED.org starting the week of May 14, and some parishes also will be offering the study as part of their adult faith formation program.

The feast of Corpus Christi, or Body of Christ, will be observed Thursday, May 31, following Trinity Sunday.

Whether online or at a parish, coordinator hope many of the archdiocesan faithful will join them in learning more about the origins of the Eucharist in Sacred Scripture, and to understand more deeply why it is the “source and summit” of the Catholic faith. For more information about the program and the parish locations, visit www.nycatholicfaith.org/presence or call the archdiocesan Office of Adult Faith Formation at (646) 794-2577.

At least 11 parishes throughout the archdiocese plan to offer the “Presence” study:

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Shrub Oak, May 17, 24, 31 (10 a.m., 7:30 p.m.).

St. John Bosco, Port Chester, May 16, 23, 30 (7 p.m.).

St. Joseph, Bronxville, May 15, 22, 29 (7:30 p.m.).

St. Martin de Porres, Poughkeepsie, May 17, 24, 31 (10 a.m., noon).

St. Denis, Hopewell Junction, May 16, 23, 30 (7 p.m.).

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, LaGrangeville, May 23, June 6, 13 (7 p.m.).

St. Christopher-St. Sylvia, Red Hook, May 15, 22, 29 (7:30 p.m.).

St. Ignatius Loyola, Manhattan, May 16, 23, 30 (7 p.m.).

St. John the Evangelist, Goshen, May 16, 23, 30 (7 p.m.).

St. Augustine, New City, May 16, 23, 30 (10 a.m.).

St. Francis of Assisi, West Nyack, May 15, 22, 29 (7:30 p.m.).