By Katie Vasquez
They are getting ready for the trip of a lifetime.
This group of 25 faithful from the San Damiano Mission in Greenpoint is preparing to head to Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress.
“My rosary, my Bible, my journal are all ready to go,” said Ibelin DeLeon, a parishioner at San Damiano Mission. “And I’m super excited.”
While packing started Monday, July 15, they have been spiritually preparing for the congress for months.
They have been keeping up with the four groups who have been journeying to the congress on foot.
“Just seeing the pilgrimage that started months beforehand and seeing the lines of people, the multitudes, and knowing we’re all just going to gather up there,” DeLeon said. “It speaks to the excitement that people hold in their hearts already.”
They are diving into the heart of the years-long revival campaign.
“I feel like this is really the core of our faith, the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and being part of the Eucharistic revival,” said Angela DiLalla, a parishioner at San Damiano. “These last three years, this is a beautiful culmination of all the Catholics gathered together for this beautiful reason.”
James Keefe said the connections formed in the Diocese of Brooklyn during this time, and the ones he will make in Indianapolis, will only bring him closer to God.
“I feel like this will be a very important step to strengthening my faith and to growing a community with the whole church,” Keefe said. “It’s really good to go out and see everybody from the country coming together like this.”
The pastor of the San Damiano Mission, Father Cristiano Pinheiro, will be leading them at the congress.
He said he wants to receive as much as his parishioners.
“I’m also going there to be fed as well,” Father Pinheiro said. “Not only as a shepherd to bring the people, but I am also a disciple and a son of the church. It’s very beautiful for me to be restored in my priestly vocation as well.”
No matter how they get there, whether by plane or by car, they are all traveling for one reason.
“The sacrament of the Eucharist,” said Elmer Maldonado, a parishioner. “We’ve been under-appreciating it, or misunderstanding it. I think this is exactly what the country needs.”
Those members of the San Damiano Mission will be arriving in Indianapolis Tuesday, July 16, and Wednesday, July 17.
Their first official Congress event as a group will be the kick-off happening Wednesday evening.