Dear Brothers:

Please dedicate more prayerful preparation to preaching on the 17th through the 21st Sundays of Ordinary Time, July 25th – August 22nd. With the exception of Sunday, August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, the gospel readings will guide the Church through a reflection on the sixth chapter of the gospel of John. This offers a providential moment to reflect more intently on the mystery of the Eucharist, the Bread of Life.

The Bishops of the United States have proposed a Eucharistic Revival for the Catholic community in the United States. Preparations are being made to begin the revival in 2022-23, culminating with a Eucharistic Congress in 2024-25. While plans are still being
elaborated for this national pastoral initiative, I encourage all of us to begin now inviting the faithful in the Diocese of Sacramento to renew a love for the Eucharist and rekindle a desire to unite ourselves with Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus. The Sundays dedicated to the reflection on the sixth chapter of John provide a good opportunity to teach about the mystery of the Eucharist and encourage more devotion to this Most Blessed Sacrament.

Research has shown that many Catholics do not appreciate the mystery of the Eucharist. They do not grasp being present to the Lord’s Last Supper and kneeling at the foot of the Lord’s cross on Calvary as we offer the Mass. They do not recognize the real body and blood of the crucified Christ under the appearance of bread and wine.

Many members of our community may still be hesitant, or some may even be indifferent to returning to the Sunday Sacrifice of the Mass. The Sundays dedicated to sixth chapter of John can be an occasion for renewed outreach and catechesis.
The Eucharist also offers us the path to a greater communion of mind and heart in this fractious time for society and the Church….

The above comes from a July 16 letter from the Office of the Bishop, Diocese of Sacramento.