May 19, 2021

In our first reading, Paul is leaving Ephesus after three years of evangelizing the people there. There is great sadness at his leaving. He was in many ways their father in the faith, and the thought of his leaving brought tears and weeping. But Paul knew that he had to press on in his missionary journey, and so, sad as the departure was, he bid them a loving farewell.

 

All of us have been brought to and nurtured in the faith by others. It could be our parents or grandparents, sisters or lay teachers in our schools, or by our parish priests or pastoral ministers. We know the debt we owe them, and when they have to move on, we grieve their loss. The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, with the Associates and members of the Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing, recently felt such a loss in the death of Father Anthony Schueller, SSS, who died unexpectedly just a month ago.

 

Father Tony was a true apostle of Eucharistic spirituality. He served in pastoral ministry in the Congregation’s parishes throughout the country. For readers of the daily Eucharistic Reflections, we owe a great deal of gratitude to Father Tony. He served for several years as director of the Center of Eucharistic Evangelizing, where he promoted the Life in the Eucharist program and the Associate’s program. As provincial superior, he continued to foster these eucharistic apostolates. He was instrumental in developing these Daily Eucharistic Reflections and wrote many of them himself.

 

We have suffered a significant loss, but, like the people of Ephesus, we know that Father Schueller has continued his journey and now participates fully in the eternal eucharistic banquet. May he continue to intercede for us and inspire us to advance the eucharistic spirituality more ardently, which guided him to be of such excellent service to us.

 

Patrick J. Riley, D. Min.

Associate of the Blessed Sacrament

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Let Us Pray:

Lord, you raised up your servant Father Anthony and guided him to lead so many of us to a greater love of the Eucharist. Inspire us and grace us that we may follow his example in serving you and in serving you present in the least of our brothers and sisters. Amen.