‘All of us have been called’
CHARLOTTE — Music, prayer and fellowship filled the Charlotte Convention Center Friday night Sept. 11 as people of all ages came together for the first night of the 22nd Annual Eucharistic Congress.
Bishop Michael Martin welcomed attendees with words of hope that described the importance of the annual event, which draws thousands of Catholics from around the Diocese of Charlotte. He and other speakers reflected on this year’s theme: “Called. Formed. Sent.”
“I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you all are here,” he told the crowd. “Praise God that we have this opportunity here in western North Carolina to celebrate Jesus Christ, to celebrate his risen, broken body and blood in the Eucharist. That’s what we’re going to be focusing on this weekend – that all of us have been called, that these moments help us to be formed, all ultimately so that we can be sent.”
At the beginning of the evening, young adults from around the Charlotte area gathered for a networking session and had a chance to meet and talk with Bishop Martin. The event drew people who wanted to meet new friends and seek a deeper connection to their faith. The event was part of a distinct focus on outreach to youth and young adults at this year’s Congress.
“I’m new to Charlotte and wanted to meet some like-minded people,” said Jacob Strickland, who came to the convention center directly after work. “It’s been a long day but so far this evening has been great.”
Megan and Steven Arteaga, who attend Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont, said they both became full members of the Church this past year and were drawn to the event to try to meet other young Catholics.
“I really have been wanting to get out and attend more Catholic things. especially with other young adults, and this seemed like a great idea,” Megan Arteaga said.
Ana Munley, a Catholic speaker, digital creator and host of the AfterMass podcast, offered a deep reflection on Scripture that illustrated how figures like Mary, Zachariah and others responded to God’s call. She encouraged the crowd to realize that when they receive the Eucharist at Mass, they are doing more than taking part in a sacrament – they are receiving God and are called to share Him with others.
“The Christ you just received is not mean to be tucked away just for you,” Munley said. “Grace does not drag its feet.”
She encouraged the crowd to see the Eucharist as inspiration to reach out to others, whether it’s “the woman sitting alone in her pew after Mass, the friend you’ve been meaning to invite to confession for six months, the parents or the siblings you’ve been estranged from.”
The evening concluded with a concert by The Scally Brothers, a Christian pop duo from Toledo, Ohio, whose music explores themes of hope, faith and God’s love. Brothers Zach and Jake have been performing together since they were children, and have built a full-time ministry which takes them to dozens of Catholic events each year. Their music appeals to both Catholics and non-Catholics, Jake Scally said, because their ultimate goal is “to show people the love of the Lord.”
Both were excited to attend the Eucharistic Congress because of the event’s profound witness of the faith in the city streets of Charlotte and also the outreach to young adults.
“The same Holy Spirit that reached out to us years ago is reaching out to young people today. We see it on a national scale – young people are really starting to stand up for what is right,” Jake Scally said. “They’re tired of the lies and they want to stand up for the truth.”
The Scallys have performed at other Eucharistic Congress events and said being in Charlotte offers a potent witness to the strength of Catholic faith in western North Carolina.
“It’s always a blessing to see something like this because the Eucharist is the pinnacle of our faith,” Zach Scally said. “There are people walking in the street and not being afraid, saying ‘This is what we stand for and what we believe.’”
Later in the evening Bishop Martin continued the outreach to young people by giving a talk to male college athletes from Belmont Abbey College. Guest speaker Ana Munley also spoke to a group of women from the college.
Friday’s excitement leads right into a full day of faith-filled activities on Saturday.
Events will start with a Eucharistic procession beginning at St. Peter Church at 9 a.m. and ending at the convention center. This annual event attracts thousands of people from all around the diocese, including many parish and ministry groups that walk behind vivid banners, singing and praying.
A 10:30 a.m. Holy Hour led by Father Kevin Martinez will immediately follow. The day’s activities ranges from educational tracks with inspiring speakers to the opportunity to receive the sacrament of confession from dozens of diocesan priests. Vendors will have a variety of Catholic merchandise for sale. Tomorrow’s faith-filled day will conclude with a 4 p.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Martin, with pre-Mass music by The Vigil Project.
— Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by Jason Blanco, Liz Chandler, Edward Chaplinsky Jr., Troy C. Hull, Patrick Schneider, Brian Segovia and provided
Find the schedule
Plan your visit at the Eucharistic Congress Saturday, Sept. 12, at https://goeucharist.com/