Buffalo pilgrims head out to Indy for National Eucharistic Congress
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They were told to “Stay open and stay on mission.” The 31 pilgrims who left the Diocese of Buffalo to participate in the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis rode for nine hours with Bishop Michael W. Fisher and Father Sean Paul Fleming, diocesan director of Worship. They came for their diocese, their parishes and themselves.
“It’s great to be with all of you,” Bishop Fisher said just before reaching Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts and for the next five days, 55,000 Catholics uniting in prayer. “We’re going to be seeing people from all over the United States who are coming together tonight. I know all the pilgrimages will be coming together from the four corners of the United States to rejoice. So, let’s be joyful and show them what Buffalo is all about.”
As proof that we do live in a small world, the first person the Diocese of Buffalo media crew met in Indiana was from Buffalo. Sister Agnes Cousins, OSF, grew up in Williamsville, but left to join the Franciscan sisters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She came to witness what St. John Paul II called the springtime of evangelization.
“It’s here, but it’s moments like this where it comes out,” she said. “You see families here with children. That tells you that they are willing to spend a week here instead of the beach. I think it’s going to be amazing to worship with this faith today. There’s a great faith. We have a lot of things in our world that aren’t great, but this is how you conquer it.”
Bishops from across the country prepared two years for the event, which unites tens of thousands of Catholics from across the country. Parishes throughout the country have studied the Eucharist, taught the Eucharist, and proclaimed the Eucharist in preparation for the July 17-21 event.
Thirty-one pilgrims from Buffalo gather in Indianapolis on July 17 for the National Eucharistic Congress. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
MC’s Sister Miriam James Heidland, Father Josh Johnson and Montse Alvarado kick off the first National Eucharistic Congress in 83 years. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, welcomed the 55,000 pilgrims from across the country to the National Eucharistic Congress on July 17. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Sister Bethany Madonna, a Sister of Life, tells of her efforts to evenagelize young people. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi)
As opening day kicked off, Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, chairman of the National Eucharistic Congress Inc., welcomed everyone to the event, the first of its kind in 83 years.
“I pray to God we move with all our hearts through this monumental opportunity to encounter Christ and His Church,” he said, adding he is sure it will bear fruit.
Brian and Patricia Ruh of Tonawanda had been mulling over the idea of coming ever since some friends mentioned it. When the opportunity to go on a diocesan trip came, they signed up.
They were among the clergy, seminarians, parish ministers and lay parishioners that were chosen to make the pilgrimage.
Brian Ruh, a pastoral minister at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Williamsville, came for both personal and professional reasons.
“I want to be able to take some of this information and use it for evangelization at St. Greg’s. But it’s also personal.”
Patricia Ruh thought the theme of “Stay open” was directed to her.
“Speak to me and let me know. If I’m supposed to know it, He’ll tell me,” she said.
