By Jessica Easthope
Some of the biggest tennis stars in the world have played on the court at Louis Armstrong Stadium, but now a different star is taking center stage.
“It will truly be Pentecost, multiple languages, multiple music themes, all sorts of excitement, then they’re going to come into the stadium, and it will be bright and bold,” said Father Joseph Gibino, vicar for evangelization and catechesis for the Diocese of Brooklyn. “It will be Easter.”
Father Gibino, Diocese of Brooklyn officials, and DeSales Media Group, the communications and technology arm of the diocese that operates NET-TV, are just days away from putting on a eucharistic revival. Thousands are expected to pack the stadium seats at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
“It really is all about the joy of the risen Christ,” said Father Gibino. “We should be proclaiming to the world that we are a people blessed and graced.”
Representatives did a walk-through of the stadium on Wednesday, which has a retractable roof – perfect for a rainy day. A crew of hundreds will bring the diocesan eucharistic revival to people at the stadium and home. Evan Bellouny, technical operations supervisor at DeSales Media Group, says a lot of logistics go into it so that the faithful can come out of it having encountered Christ.
“If somebody can see where all my cables are I didn’t do my job right, you should be completely lost in this event as if it is a mass just on a much larger scale than when you’re visiting your home parish,” Bellouny said.
On April 20, groups of parishioners will walk and take the 7 Line train to the revival. Bishop Robert Brennan will be on the subway with them. DeSales Media’s director of external affairs, Vincent LeVien, is coordinating safe travel for everyone with the MTA and NYPD.
“I think it’s unprecedented but we’re honored to do this and the main thing is we want to get everybody here safe,” said LeVien.
In addition to everyone in the stands, 300 neophytes, newly baptized Catholics, will sit on the court.