‘Catholics Got Talent?’ Competition invites musicians, composers to promote zeal for the Eucharist

By Francesca Pollio Fenton Catholic News Agency

Catholic poets, composers, and songwriters are invited to participate in a competition in which the winning piece could be performed before 80,000 people at the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis is sponsoring a Eucharistic Revival musical competition in an effort to renew zeal for the Eucharist.

The musical competition is one facet of the multiyear National Eucharistic Revival launched on June 19, 2022 — the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi. The revival’s mission is to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist,” as stated on the initiative’s website.

After a 2019 Pew survey revealed that only 31 percent of

Catholics believe in a basic tenet of their faith — that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly, really, and substantially present in the Eucharist — the U.S. bishops decided to take action. In 2021, at their annual fall meeting, they voted to embark on a national eucharistic revival to restore and promote an understanding of and devotion to the Eucharist.

Catholic artists can submit entries for either one of two cat- egories: hymn-writing or theme song. One submission will be chosen in each category and will be featured at the National Eucharistic Congress, which will take place in Indianapolis from July 17–21, 2024. Dioceses across the country will be encouraged to use the winning pieces in any events that focus on the eucharistic revival.

Those submitting entries are encouraged to proclaim the teaching of the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and express our unity in the Body of Christ. Pieces can also be multilingual.

New and original work will be evaluated on poetry, musicality, creativity, theological and doctrinal soundness, beauty, appropriateness for liturgical use, and expression of the mission of the eucharistic revival.

Tim Glemkowski, executive director of the National Eucharistic Congress, said, “The musical competition is just the beginning of a number of initiatives on the horizon for the revival in 2023 that celebrate the beauty and mystery of the Eucharist.”

The winners will also receive $2,500 in cash. Entries will be accepted from Jan. 13 to April 21, 2023. Winners will be announced on June 9, 2023. For complete rules and to enter the competition, visit the National Eucharistic Revival website, eucharisticrevival.org ■

How to sign up and qualify for Diocese of Knoxville’s safe-environment program

The Diocese of Knoxville has implemented the CMG Connect platform to administer the Safe Environment Program, which replaces the former Safe Environment Program (VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children”).

element of the Safe Environment Program

The Handmaids of the Precious Blood in 2022 celebrated their Diamond Jubilee: 75 years since their founding in 1947; 75 years of prayer and sacrifice for priests. Did you know you can receive weekly cartoons and short reflections and news from the Handmaids of the Precious Blood? Visit their website, nunsforpriests.org, and sign up for the FIAT newsletter.

February Prayer Intentions

“We pray that parishes, placing communion at the center, may increasingly become communities of faith, fraternity, and welcome towards those most in need.”

Pope Francis

“Lord, guide us during our Lenten journey. Make us strong when we abstain, humble when we pray, and filled with compassion when we encounter a person in need. Help us understand the true power of our Lenten experience and the healing that awaits us on the day of Your resurrection. Amen.”

Bishop Stika

Diocese Of Knoxville

PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING SEXUAL ABUSE

Anyone who has actual knowledge of or who has reasonable cause to suspect an incident of sexual abuse should report such information to the appropriate civil authorities rst, then to the McNabb Center victim's assistance coordinator, 865.321.9080.

CMG Connect is a web-based platform that will assist in ensuring that all employees and volunteers who are in a position of trust with children and vulnerable adults within Diocese of Knoxville schools and parishes are trained to recognize behavior patterns of potential abusers and provide pro-active measures for preventing abuse in any context.

“Safe Haven-It’s Up to You” is a three-part video that provides vignettes of real-life situations to educate the viewer about methods of grooming, desensitization, bullying, and neglect, all of which can lead to abuse.

Each part of the video is immediately followed by a brief questionnaire to further develop understanding.

Education is a key

All clergy, employees, contracted school personnel, volunteers, members of groups and organizations over the age of 18 who work, volunteer, or participate in any capacity are required to complete the diocesan Safe Environment training and a criminal-background check before they can begin employment, volunteer, or participate with ministries, groups, and organizations affiliated with the Diocese of Knoxville.

In addition, the mandatory renewal training must be completed every five years and a new background check submitted before the five-year expiration of prior training.

The Diocese of Knoxville Safe Environment compliance training and renewal training is a condition of employment and for volunteer ministry in the Diocese of Knoxville.

The CMG Connect platform contains all three elements of the Diocese of Knoxville’s Safe Environment Program: n Annual review of the Diocese of Knoxville’s Policy and Procedures Relating to Sexual Misconduct; n CMG Connect Safe Haven training program to be completed every five years; n Criminal background check to be completed every five years.

In compliance with the Diocese of Knoxville’s Safe Environment Program, all affiliates require that volunteers and employees complete the requirements prior to working and/or volunteering in a parish, school, The Paraclete, or through Catholic Charities and/or St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic Go to https:// dioknox.org/safeenvironment on the Diocese of Knoxville website for more information ■

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NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE

PUBLISHER Bishop Richard F. Stika

COMMUNICATIONS

DIRECTOR Jim Wogan jwogan@dioknox.org

DIGITAL MEDIA

PRODUCER Emily Booker ebooker@dioknox.org

EDITOR Bill Brewer bbrewer@dioknox.org

ASSISTANT

EDITOR Dan McWilliams dan@dioknox.org

MULTIMEDIA REPORTER Gabrielle Nolan gnolan@dioknox.org

CONTACT US 865.584.3307

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