Dear beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,

For a couple days after Labor Day, Bishop Noonan and the priests of the Diocese of Orlando gathered for our annual convocation at a local resort. We had Mass, meals, and mainly time to hang out with one another.

We heard a presentation by Dr. Timothy O’Malley from Notre Dame. Many people who did not go to Mass during the pandemic have not come back. At Nativity, average weekend Mass attendance has dropped by a third from 1200-1300 people pre-pandemic to about 800 people. 

Some say that if we change Church teaching on sexuality, people will come back. Or if the Church doubled down on doctrines and reverence, people will come back. Or if the Church ordained women priests, people will come back. Or if the Church practiced what it preached about the poor, people will come back. Or if the music was vibrant, the preaching inspiring, and folks knew their name, people will come back.

In response to all these things and more, our bishops have set in motion a Eucharistic Revival. “It is through a Eucharistic renewal that we can remember anew what it means to belong to the People of God, the Body of Christ, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit.” Dr. Timothy O’Malley adds, “We are not a bureaucracy or an NGO but a communion of men and women called to the supper of the Lamb.”

Our deepest identity is the Eucharist. We have received the love of God in Jesus Christ. In response, we offer ourselves to God in Christ through worship and our service towards one another. 

Over the next three years led by our bishops, Nativity will do its part to be formed into a Eucharistic people. We continue with our practices of Eucharistic adoration on Friday mornings. We have a Holy Hour on the third Thursday of the month, which is Thursday, September 15, 7-8 p.m. We will look at ways to renew the reverence of our church building and worship. 

You can join The Search discussion series on Sunday mornings. It asks the big questions about life. “Why are we here?” “How does God matter?” “Who is Jesus?” These questions find their deepest answers in the Eucharist. Grab a cup of coffee and meet in the Parish Center for an hour of inspiration.

You can be the first to know what is going on. Get inspiration and updates every Thursday from the bishops when you subscribe on their website. Support the Eucharistic Revival through, prayer, fasting, and penance.

The presentation at the convocation asked us to remember our own experience of the Eucharist. One priest said that he did not appreciate its significance until he went to seminary. Another priest ordained over fifty years said that he has presided at thousands of Masses and knows how it can become routine. In my own experience, the Eucharist has been healing and life-changing. I cannot imagine my life without the Lord.

May we become what we receive, the Body of Christ!

In Christ,

Father David