The Parish Year

Beginning this summer, on the Feast of Corpus Christi, we arrive at the most pivotal year of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival called for by the bishops of the United States — The Parish Year.

God wants to bring revival to His Church through a rekindled relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist, and this year, that invitation reaches the pews and beyond. Our prayer and focus in the Diocese of Toledo is to “Reawaken our belief in His presence in the Eucharist and deepen our understanding of, love for and living out of this great Mystery.”

This page is a resource for your planning. We’ve included many practical ideas and suggestions on how your parish can celebrate the upcoming year.

NATIONAL RESOURCES

Leader’s Playbook

Parishes can use this manual to strengthen their Eucharistic culture and share the gift of the Eucharist with all people, regardless of where they are on their faith journey.

This national resource was published for parishes. No two communities have identical gifts, nor will their needs be exactly the same. A rigid one-size-fits-all approach to the Revival would only hinder what the Holy Spirit wants to accomplish in and through your ministry!

The Leader’s Playbook is designed as a springboard to help leaders—including Parish Point Persons for the Revival—brainstorm creative, effective, and practical initiatives that fit the unique character and needs of their community.

DIOCESAN RESOURCES

Mass

"Man should tremble, the world should quake, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest."
St. Francis of Assisi

The Liturgy is our first and primary place of encounter with our Eucharistic Lord.

During this time of Eucharistic Revival and beyond, we encourage parishes to reconsider ways of carrying out the liturgy more reverently. The following are starting points to reflect on regarding the liturgy at our parishes. 

Below are various ideas and resources your parish may consider.

  • While hymns can help us praise God in the liturgy, we need not forget the importance of silence, especially after the faithful have received communion. Allowing for a few moments of silence before the Prayer after Communion is a great way to encourage reflection on the Real Presence of Christ. Silent prayer is vital to cultivating the interior life of the faithful.

  • Ensure that the spaces we use are prayerful, reverent, and beautiful both for Mass and other devotions Eucharistic Adoration.

  • See the category “Music” below

  • Priests and deacons are encouraged to focus their homilies on Eucharistic themes, reemphasizing teaching on the Eucharist and reflecting on the mystery of the Sacrament.

  • A teaching Mass can give people a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Mass.

    Examples:

Music

"It is hard to find words to convey the joy of the soul’s loving encounter with God, yet fine music is able to express something of the mystery of his love for us and ours for him."
Pope Benedict XVI

During this time of the National Eucharistic Revival, Bishop Daniel Thomas has asked us to share with you the following music composed for use at liturgical celebrations. The music is proposed and encouraged for use in all our parishes and institutions in order to enrich your musical repertoire and to enhance our unity as the Body of Christ.

Strong suggestion for every parish:

  • Incorporate Lord, I Am Not Worthy into your Mass as a Communion hymn. Every parish will be united in song with this special praise and worship hymn throughout The Parish Year and beyond. It will be utilized at the Cathedral for Masses, such as the Chrism Mass.

Below are various ideas and resources your parish may consider.

  • This Litany was composed by Father Gerald P. Carey in 2003 and is beautifully set to the tune “Adoro Te Devote”. Father Carey, a Priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, granted permission to Bishop Thomas for the Litany to be sung in the Diocese of Toledo. It is also well suited for use during a Eucharistic Procession.

    The Litany and the musical accompaniment for “Adoro Te Devote” are below. It could be sung with or without instrumental accompaniment. The introduction (“Lord, have mercy…”) and the conclusion (“Christ, hear us…”) may be sung a cappella in a simple chant tone.

    — For printing in a worship aid for the congregation

    — For a cantor

    — Optional keyboard accompaniment

  • This hymn was composed by Father Joe Menkhaus, a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland, his sister and brother Monica and Max Menkhaus, and Father Connor Hetzel, a Priest of the Diocese of Youngstown. Permission was granted to Bishop Thomas for use of the hymn in the Diocese of Toledo, where it has already been introduced in some of our parishes and found to be inspiring.

    This song in refrain/verse format is particularly suited for use throughout the duration of the Communion procession at Mass.

    The text and instrumental accompaniment for the hymn is available here.

    Bishop Thomas is particularly requesting that every parish religious house, and institution in the Diocese of Toledo include “Lord, I Am Not Worthy” in their musical repertoire for use during the period of the National Eucharist Revival and beyond.

    This hymn uses for the refrain the very words of the Sacred Liturgy, which are scriptural (Matthew 8: 8), and heightens the prayerful reception and adoration of the Holy Eucharist. The verses, in turn, expound on the theological depth of the Holy Eucharist.

    We will be using this hymn at Cathedral liturgies during these years and going forward.

  • The Secretariat of Divine Worship of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops sponsored a national music competition as part of the National Eucharistic Revival. The two winning selections will be sung at Mass and Prayer Services throughout the National Eucharistic Congress and Pilgrimage in 2024.

    The winning hymn text is “Let the Earth Acclaim Christ Jesus”

    – Sheet Music

    This hymn text was written by Phoenix-based hymn writer, translator and editor Kathleen Pluth, inspired by her reflection on the sixth chapter of Gospel of John. Given its rich theological imagery it should be sung in its entirety, as a Entrance Song or at Offertory. The preferred hymn tune is HYFRYDOL but it can also be sung to HYMN/ODE TO JOY or NETTLETON if circumstances require.

    Below are settings of the three different hymn tunes and an explanation page detailing the hymn. Use instrumental accompaniments to the hymn tune found in your hymnal.

    — Let The Earth Acclaim Christ Jesus Assembly (Hyfrydol)

    — Let The Earth Acclaim Christ Jesus Assembly (Hymn To Joy)

    — Let The Earth Acclaim Christ Jesus Assembly (Nettleton)

  • The Secretariat of Divine Worship of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops sponsored a national music competition as part of the National Eucharistic Revival. The two winning selections will be sung at Mass and Prayer Services throughout the National Eucharistic Congress and Pilgrimage in 2024.

    The winning song is “We Do Believe, O Lord”

    – Sheet Music

    This song was written by Diane Mahoney, a long time parish organist, pianist and cantor in Burlington, Iowa.. She states, “The text for the refrain fervently states what we ‘behold’ – the Holy Body of Christ and the Sacred Blood of Christ.” This song in refrain/verse format is suitable for use during the Communion procession at Mass. It is in the final stage of editing and will be available soon on the Toledo Diocese website. 

    Fr. Dustin Dought, Executive Director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship said “These two songs will be used in liturgical and devotional prayer, and my hope is that they enkindle that living relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist which will renew the Church in the United States.”

Eucharistic Adoration

"What will convert America and save the world? My answer is prayer. What we need is for every parish to come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in Holy Hours of prayer."
St. Teresa of Calcutta

The tradition of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament dates back to the early Church. In part, the tradition of the Holy Hour springs from Jesus’ words in the Garden of Gethsemane, when he said to his disciples, “Could you not watch one hour?” (Mark 14:37). 

Strong suggestions for every parish:

  • At least one hour of Eucharistic Adoration per week.

  • Plan a Holy Hour for Vocations

Below are various ideas and resources your parish may consider.

  • If your parishioners are going to come to Eucharistic Adoration, they need to understand why it’s important and what to do during a Holy Hour. Set aside a period of time for education.

    • Do a homily series on the Eucharist.

    • Share witness stories from parishioners who understand the power of Eucharistic Adoration.

  • In order to get adorers, you need to invite people to spend a Holy Hour with Jesus.

    • Invite all your parishioners through announcements at Mass.

    • Does your parish have a point person or team who are willing to personally invite parishioners?

    • Get all of your parish organizations involved. Holy Trinity Parish in Bucyrus asked each organization to choose an hour. The head of each organization is in charge of making sure the hour is covered.

    • Hand out blank postcards to all of your parishioners that say “I prayed for you during Eucharistic Adoration.” Your parishioners can attend Adoration then fill out the postcard to send to a loved one. You can use this postcard template and this flyer template on Canva.

  • If you are expecting people to come to Adoration for the first time, you should make that as simple as possible.

    Have a variety of Holy Hour resources.

  • “There can be no Eucharist without the priesthood, just as there can be no priesthood without the Eucharist.”
    - St. John Paul II

    Interceding before Jesus in the Eucharist is one of the most powerful ways we can pray for vocations.

Devotions

“The procession with the Blessed Sacrament…reminds us that we are called to go out and bring Jesus to others. To go out with enthusiasm, bringing Christ to those we meet in our daily lives.”
Pope Francis

In addition to Eucharistic Adoration, there are many devotions to increase your parishioners’ love for the Holy Eucharist, including Eucharistic Processions.

Suggestion for every deanery:

  • Consider holding a Eucharistic pilgrimage within your deanery on or around Corpus Christi 2024. 

Below are various ideas and resources your parish may consider.

  • A Eucharistic Procession, just like Eucharistic Adoration, is an extension of the worship of Jesus Christ, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. In Eucharistic Processions, the missionary aspect of the Eucharist is emphasized as we go forth into the world.

  • The Diocese offered Eucharistic Revival Gatherings throughout the Diocesan Year. These events included music, scripture, prayer, and Eucharistic Adoration. You are welcome to use the same format to duplicate it on a parish level.

  • Include Eucharist-focused Universal Prayers during Mass each week.

  • Host a Eucharist-focused retreat or Parish Mission.

    A list of speakers in the Diocese of Toledo will be included here soon.

  • In 40 Hours Devotion, the consecrated Eucharist is exposed on the altar in a monstrance for adoration for 40 hours. The tradition is tied to repentance, and usually observed during Lent or Advent. Learn more.

  • A list of musicians will be included here soon.

  • “Jesus said, ‘Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
    –Matthew 19:14

    Offering an hour for families, specifically those with young children, is a great way to introduce children to Eucharistic Adoration. Children can be invited to sit close to Jesus in the monstrance and ask questions. Music can be played, and moderators can hand out booklets for children to color or write in. The joyful noises of babies and squirming young ones are welcome and expected.

  • There will be a National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in 2024 beginning in the four corners of the United States and meeting in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress. In Ohio, it will pass through the Diocese of Steubenville and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

    Since it will not pass through the Diocese of Toledo, deaneries are encouraged to plan their own Eucharistic pilgrimage within or across the deanery. Also a deanery Eucharistic pilgrimage would be wonderful during the time of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, May 18, 2024 - July 16th, 2024.

  • These are feast days of saints that have a connection to the Eucharist. It would be good to focus on some of these throughout the year for special Eucharistic Devotions.

    • St. Manual Gonzalez Garcia – January 4

    • St. Thomas Aquinas – January 28

    • Sts. Francisco Marto & Jacinta Marto – February 20

    • St. Cyril of Jerusalem – March 18

    • April is the month of the Holy Eucharist

    • St. Gemma Galgania – April 11

    • St. Catherine of Siena – April 29

    • St. Imelda Lambertini – May 12

    • Feast of Corpus Christi - May 30

    • St. Norbert of Xanten – June 6

    • St. Alphonsus Liguori – August 1

    • St. Peter Julian Eymard – August 2

    • Saint Dominic – August 8

    • St. Clare – August 11

    • St. Tarcisius – August 15

    • St. Hyacinth – August 17

    • St. Pius X – August 21

    • St. Gregory the Great – September 3

    • St. Teresa of Calcutta – September 5

    • St. Therese of Lisieux – October 1

    • St. Francis of Assisi – October 4

    • Blessed Carlo Acutis – October 12

    • St. Margaret Mary Alacoque – October 16

    • St. Ignatius of Antioch – October 17

    • Pope St. John Paul II – October 22

    • St. Anthony Mary Claret – October 24

Formation

One of the most important things your parish can do this year is help your parishioners grow in understanding of the Holy Eucharist. There are many exceptional resources available to help parishioners learn as individuals, as families, and as small groups. 

Strong suggestion for every parish:

  • Purchase a Eucharist-focused book for every parishioner. Affordable options for parishes include This is My Body by Bishop Robert Barron and Real Presence by Timothy P. O’Malley. 

Below are various ideas and resources your parish may consider.

Communications

Make sure the Eucharist is included in your communications strategy during The Parish Year.

    • There will be a bulletin insert (normally a 1/2 page) available for you to use every week of The Parish Year. Get the pngs here.

    • Keep your parishioners updated on the national news from the Eucharistic Revival.

    • Encourage people to sign up for the Heart of the Revival weekly emails with reflections, videos, and resources.

Additional Resources

  • Many parishes have a designated point person. It can be helpful to put together an entire team.