DC Area Day of Reflection

Members of the Order in the Washington, DC, area gathered on April 14, at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Potomac, MD, for their Annual Day of Reflection, this year focusing on the Eucharist.  Keynote presenters were Rita Thiron, executive director of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, and the Rev. Bill Byrne, the pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, who was recently named an associate chaplain in the Federal Association.

Ms. Thiron focused on the liturgical aspects of the Eucharist, noting that the Paschal Mystery is the life, death, passion and resurrection of Christ, and our participation in it. Our job in the Paschal Mystery is to be grateful. A good Eucharistic celebration, she said, is one from which people walk out knowing that Jesus Christ died for us and being glad of it. The fruits of the Eucharist, she continued, are communion, charity, and unity.

Fr. Bill talked about Mary, woman of the Eucharist, leading a mediation on Mary’s role as the first “tabernacle” and her witness to us as a disciple.

Judi Teske, DM, and Mike McGarry, KM, also gave personal reflections on the Eucharist. The day concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist.