The Chaplain’s Corner

Father Gerard Gentleman

National Chaplain

CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED, HE IS RISEN! HAPPY EASTER!

“And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.”

Taken from the twenty-fourth chapter of St. John’s Gospel, the passage known as, “The Road to Emmaus,” is my favorite narrative of an encounter with the resurrected Lord. Among the many reasons why I have a preference for this account is its Eucharistic elements. Jesus only becomes recognizable to these disciples when he does the familiar act of taking, blessing, and breaking the bread in front of them. In this action, they came to realize who had been with them along the way. This is most certainly a Eucharistic gesture, one that we ourselves can easily recognize.

The church’s Eucharistic Revival hopes to create not only a deeper understanding of the Eucharist but a longing for and a deeper appreciation of holy mass. As leaders in Catholic Scouting and mentors of young disciples we are called to examine our practice of faith. Has mass become commonplace, routine or even taken for granted in your life? Just three years ago we were living amidst a pandemic quarantine which kept us away from mass and the reception of Holy Communion. Did that experience of Eucharistic absence open your eyes to the value of our Lord’s Eucharistic presence in your life? What about now? Has fervor and practice waned? What about the young people we serve? What is our responsibility in fostering Eucharistic appreciation and practice among them? Do you not only encourage but facilitate attendance at Sunday mass when we are camping or away from home for Scouting events? I urge you to reflect on these questions for yourself and your Scouts. I also encourage you to promote participation in the new Eucharistic Revival Activity patch which the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) will be introducing shortly.

NCCS Bishop Liaison – Our organization benefits from the direct relationship we have with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) through our Bishop Liaison. For the last six years we have enjoyed the advocacy and wisdom of Bishop Daniel Conlon, our current liaison. Bishop Conlon has announced to us that his term of service with us will be ending, and a new bishop liaison has been appointed. Archbishop Broglio, president of the USCCB has appointed the Most Reverend Michael W. Fisher, bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, NY as liaison to the NCCS effective June 1, 2023. Bishop Fisher is an Eagle Scout and has readily said that his experience as a Scout was an import part of his path to priesthood. We are grateful that he has accepted this appointment and look forward to his guidance and leadership. With gsratitude to almighty God, I ask you to join me in offering prayers of thanksgiving for the priesthood and episcopal ministry of Bishops Conlon and Fisher.