In the last article, I shared that my deepest desire for our young people was to lead them to a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist and the Body of Christ. For this time together, I would like to continue addressing this by simply moving more deeply into it.

As you read my last article, six key words stood out regarding Prayer and Worship. "The ministry of Prayer and Worship celebrates, deepens, awakens, incorporates, nurtures, and fosters." Reflect for a moment on these six simple, but powerful words. Are they not intriguing? Don’t they catch our attention and begin to do just what we are talking about, leading us more deeply into the Eucharist, and making us stronger members of the Body of Christ? If these six simple words pull us in this direction, shouldn’t we have the desire to help our young people experience this same joy and excitement?

The "Life Teen" program from St. Timothy’s Parish in Mesa, Arizona provides many quality resources for youth ministry. One such resource was a recent release of a CD with reflections and the praying of the "Mysteries of Light" the new mysteries instituted by our Holy Father, covering the years of Jesus’ ministry. The fifth Mystery of Light is the "The Institution of the Eucharist" Monsignor Dale Fushek, the founder of "Life Teen" shares this reflection. He begins by introducing the mystery by saying, "My Favorite". When I hear this I just smile, as the Eucharist is my favorite as well. Monsignor Dale, goes on, "Can you imagine what it would be like to be in that upper room? Where for the very first time, Jesus took bread and wine and He passed it to His disciples and said, ‘This is my body and this is my blood.’ Since He was God, that bread and wine had to change. It had to obey Him and become His flesh and blood for the world. And little did anybody know that the next day He would die on the cross giving His all as a testimony of love for us. At each Mass, we gather at the altar table and in the heart and mind of God, we’re there at that last supper. The light of God shines through that Eucharist. Leads us, calls us and beckons us to the eternal banquet where God resides, where He is Lord forever and ever. The Eucharist is the foretaste of heaven."

Such powerful words! To me these words lead right to my goal, for I am drawn to the Eucharist. Can we use these words and the component of Prayer andWorship to accomplish the same thing for our youth?