158 Eucharistic Ministers Strengthened by Convocation

By Patsy Klein, Coordinator, St. Jeanne Jugan Ministry with Elders 

On Saturday, July 22, a special Convocation took place for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. The theme was ‘Eucharist: The fullness of Charity.’ The day started with opening words and blessing from Bishop Edward Weisenburger. The keynote speaker was Reverend Martin J. Barnum, a retired professor from Mundelein Seminary.  

Three breakout sessions were led by presenters, including Deacon Andy Corder, Chaplain at Tucson Medical Center who presented on Hospital Ministry; Deacon Mike Gutierrez, Director of Kolbe Society who presented on Prison Ministry; and Patsy Klein, M.Ed., Coordinator of the St. Jeanne Jugan Ministry with Elders who presented on Homebound and Nursing Home Ministry 

In attendance were 158 individuals representing 33 parishes from across the Diocese of Tucson including Oro Valley, Benson, Green Valley, Topawa, Apache Junction, Casa Grande, Yuma, and more. A member of the Order of Malta’s Tucson Chapter was also in attendance.  

We came together to refresh our spiritual wells and strengthen our knowledge of the Eucharist.  We were serving as Eucharistic Ministers before COVID and returned to service once hospitals, homes, and prisons open to us again.  

The Convocation concluded in a celebration of the Mass with Bishop Weisenburger. We each received what so very precious and is the source and summit of our faith – The Eucharist.   

One particular quote reminded us of what Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist should remember with each day, 

“Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement…to get up in the morning and look around at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal. Everything is incredible. To be spiritual is to be amazed.” – Rabbi Abraham Heschel (1907-1972) 

I’d like to remind my fellow Catholics to keep prayer in your life daily and to spend time in Adoration so that you might be in the presence of Jesus Christ. There is no better way to live than totally and completely in our wonderful Catholic Faith.  

St. Jeanne Jugan Ministry with Elders is very thankful to Sr. Lois Paha and Ofelia James for the great help in organizing this wonderful event, and to thank you to the Catholic Foundation for funding the grant for this wonderful event.