Archbishop Donoghue said that he uses each occasion when he confers confirmation on young people as an opportunity to teach on the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. In his youth, the archbishop said, first Friday devotions and weekly Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament led everyone into periods of silent prayer in the presence of the Eucharist and helped instill an awareness and reverence in the young. He said a loss of reverent behavior in the presence of the Eucharist has also evolved in the Catholic community over time and may further erode the authority of the teaching by bad example. The planning committee working with Archbishop Donoghue is examining a diversity of ways to try and renew the understanding of the Eucharist broadly in the Catholic community, both among adults and children, according to Keri Allen, who is chairing the committee. But at the same time we saw the lack of understanding that this was the true presence of Christ.
Some people are unaware.
Some may be aware, but they are misinformed. The renewal is hoped to be an educational process, using many teaching avenues to inform Catholics correctly about church doctrine on the Eucharist. Director of evangelization at the cathedral, she received a master's degree in pastoral studies from the Loyola University Ministry Extension Program offered by the archdiocese through the Office of Religious Education. The committee, which began meeting in November, includes the archbishop, Msgr. Don Kenny, Father Richard Lopez and Father Hepburn, along with 10 lay members.