Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

While on a pilgrimage to Rome in the spring of 2023, Father Tony Cecil experienced an unexpected encounter with beauty after his cell phone was stolen. "It was the best trip I’ve ever been on," he said.

Father Cecil, pastor of St. Raphael Church, participated in the Eucharistic Culture Project at the University of Notre Dame’s McGrath Center for Church Life. This involvement was part of the Archdiocese of Louisville's response to the National Eucharistic Revival.

He was among 21 participants in the inaugural cohort, which included five priests. Each participant developed a project to "foster a eucharistic culture in parishes, schools, and dioceses," according to mcgrath.nd.edu.

Inspired by his pilgrimage experience, Father Cecil proposed providing eucharistic formation to his parish staff through a local pilgrimage. He emphasized the transformative power of encountering Jesus in the Eucharist: "When people encountered Jesus in the Gospel, they were changed."

Father Cecil identified his parish staff as his primary mission field. "No priest can pastor a parish by themselves," he noted, highlighting that some staff members lack theological formation or previous ministry experience.

His project aims to build a eucharistic culture within his staff so they can join him on their mission. Although completed this summer, it has not yet been implemented.

The project comprises three parts:

- Formation of the parish priest involves identifying desires for ministry and reflecting on relationships with staff.

- A local pilgrimage with staff includes visits to sites like St. Thomas Church and Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, focusing on eucharistic themes related to each site's history.

- Monthly formation days led by the priest will include reflection on these themes along with adoration and shared meals.

Father Cecil stated that his project is adaptable for other parishes and dioceses.

Other cohort projects included diverse themes such as “A Eucharistic Spirituality of Infertility” and “Inmates Serving as Eucharistic Missionaries.”