Saint Olaf Parish Eucharistic Revival activities

Diocese of Salt Lake City

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BOUNTIFUL — As part of their Eucharistic Revival efforts, St. Olaf Parish in Bountiful has begun the “Jesus and the Eucharist” small group study, a formation resource from the National Eucharistic Revival.

“Jesus and the Eucharist” was created specifically for the yearlong Parish Eucharistic Revival phase. It provides free training and support to parishes through a seven-session online series that “immerse[s] participants in the kerygmatic proclamation (Sessions 1–4) and unveil God’s saving work in the Eucharist (Sessions 5–7),” reads the overview on the website https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/learn-resources.

Each session opens with a different exhortation from various bishops, followed by lectio divina and Scripture study. “The main lesson is drawn from content created by the Augustine Institute and will include personal testimonies from Catholics across the country,” the overview states.

After each video, the participants are asked to hold small-group discussions.

“Implementing the idea of a Eucharistic Revival at the parish level, St. Olaf Parish has introduced the seven-session program available to all who wish to attend,” said Father Andrzej Skrzypiec, pastor.

The parish has been gearing its audience toward those who wish to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, “but the sessions are available to all who wish to attend,” Fr. Skrzypiec said. “Each session lasts approximately an hour and a half starting at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel meeting room.”

The decision to use the video series was made after parish point persons Kathy and Ralph Carson watched the first episode themselves and recommended it, Fr. Skrzypiec said. “They found it enriching and presented it” as a way of implementing the ideas of a Eucharistic Revival.

The parish already has done two sessions in the series, with 24 participants attending.

“It is our hope that those who participate will deepen their appreciation of the gift of the Eucharist and share the heightened spiritual life with others in the parish,” Ralph Carson said.

“Since quite a few people easily excuse themselves from Sunday participation in the Eucharist, it is extremely important to provide opportunity to increase faith in regard to the beautiful sacrament of Christ’s presence among us,” Fr. Skrzypiec said.

The remaining sessions have been scheduled at St. Olaf chapel meeting room on Oct. 11, 18 and 25, and Nov. 8 and 15. All parishioners are invited to participate. The sessions are in English.