Eucharistic Encounter (EuE)
The purpose of Eucharistic Encounter is to deepen understanding and experience of God with us.
The Universe beginning = Big Bang, (In 1931 Fr. Georges Le Maitre – Belgian priest scientist). God’s “Beginning” = eternity. “In the beginning was the Word etc…….” (John 1:1-14). Yes! God is with us (“Emmanuel” in Hebrew).
For Catholics Jesus Christ the Word came to dwell among us, and still “with us” in a special way in the form of bread and wine. The “Eucharist” loosely translated, it can mean: “That for which we give good or heartfelt thanks”.
Emmanuel – God is with us
The Word of God, tradition and the magisterium of the Church unanimously agree and proclaim that Jesus remains with us in a very special way until the end of time, in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. John Paul II re-affirmed this in his Apostolic Letter “Mane Nobiscum Domine, 16”(Stay With Us Lord) = through His Eucharist Presence that Jesus fulfills his promise to remain with us until the end of the world. Pau: (Romans 8, 31.35.37) nothing can separate us from his love.
The Apostolic Exhortation of Benedict XVI: “Sacramentum Caritatis”, prompted the formulating of the Eucharistic Encounter. It will help us all to re-discover the “Wonder of the Eucharist”.
Benedict: Two possibilities: If God exists, life has meaning; if He does not, life has no meaning. Some deny existence and yet blame. Tragedies result from sin of mankind. Contradiction to smoke and expel exhaust and blame other. My parents never blamed God nor denied His existence. They Eucharistic people – mom feeding the homeless. Knowledge limited, wisdom remarkable. That’s why I am a priest.
Open to anyone. Times for personal reflection, quiet spent in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament, sharing experiences in small groups.
An eight step program each based upon a Scripture passage.
Step 1:“Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29)
Step 2: “I am the living bread that came down from Heaven.” (John 6:51)
Step 3: “Take this and eat; this is my body.” (Mt. 26:26)
Step 4: “I am with you always.” (Mt. 28:20)
Step 5: “Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22-19)
Step 6: “This is the day that the Lord has made.” (Psalm 118:24)
Step 7: “The bread that I will I give you is my flesh.” (John 6:51)
Step 8: “Proclaim the Good News to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
