By Dr Chris Cotter

 “This is my body, given for you”

Luke 22:19

In September 2028, the Archdiocese of Sydney will host the 54th International Eucharistic Congress (to be known as Eucharist28). Over the next two years tens of thousands of people from Catholic faith communities the world over will prepare for this momentous gathering. Pope Leo XIV has been invited by the Prime Minister to visit Australia and celebrate Mass at the conclusion of the Congress event. Resources, videos and prayer cards have been circulated, with formation activities and pilgrimages to be organised. What does the Eucharist28 event mean for Sandhurst?

Archbishop Shane Mackinlay left us with a strong vision and a set of Goals to pursue over the next few years. The Eucharist28 movement aligns very well with our direction. The four Goals of Sandhurst Strategic Direction 2 focus on “belonging and sense of community”. The Goals challenge us to go deeper in our relationship with Jesus and with each other. The Second Vatican Council declared that the Eucharist “source and summit” of our faith.The Eucharist nourishes us and helps us to grow in faith, deepening our sense of communion with Jesus and each other. At the celebration of Mass, the people gathered in worship become one body in Christ. We are reminded that we belong to God, and each has gifts and a role to play in God’s mission.

Furthermore, at the conclusion of Mass we are sent out: having received Jesus and strengthened our bonds of unity, we are now to go and be the embodiment of Jesus’ love in the world. In other words, we are co-missioned, sent to transform the world through our witness and our words. Therefore, the Eucharist also speaks to Strategic Direction 1 of our Goals “Gospel mission and pastoral outreach”. These Goals challenge us to reach out to others, especially those on the margins. The Goals call us to active participation and missionary discipleship.

The activities and resources of the 54th International Eucharistic Congress (Eucharist28) will help to bring a Christ-centred and sacramental dimension to our diocesan and parish plans. It will provide us with moments to be formed in a Eucharistic theology, to come to know Jesus who gives his body to us so that we might participate in his divine life and, in turn, share the good news of God’s loving embrace with the whole of creation.

Dr Chris Cotter
Director of Mission and Pastoral Life
Diocese of Sandhurst