We Are Alive Because He Lives

Fr. Matthew and the St. Isidore Youth Delegate team represented our parish at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. In this newsletter series, our youth share reflections on their encounter with Christ in the Eucharist.

When asked to describe my time at the National Eucharistic Congress, it’s hard to know where to begin, because every aspect of my life has changed since my return. I developed deep, meaningful relationships with the other kids on the trip, and together we created memories I will never forget, with God at the center. I now find myself yearning to spend more time with Jesus in the Eucharist and in prayer. I’ve also begun to look for Jesus in every person I meet, striving to be the best version of myself for Him. I see God in ordinary encounters and feel called to spread His love through my actions.

One particularly important topic I learned more about was prayer. Before the conference, I often struggled with prayer, finding myself distracted or unsure of what to say. I tended to pray most when I had specific people in mind, like someone in the community who was sick, or a family dealing with hardship or loss. But rarely did I take the time to pray for myself. Dr. Andrew and Sarah Swafford said something that deeply resonated with me: “The Lord wants to know about you. The Lord can heal you and the people you carry; it doesn’t have to be just one.” This line struck a chord because I realized that each of us deserves to be prayed for. God is always there for us, and all we have to do is ask. Since then, I’ve been praying daily for guidance and courage. Prayer is such a gift, something we can do at any moment. Every night, I also tell God where I saw Him that day. This helps me stay accountable in looking for God’s presence in my daily life, and it fills my heart with gratitude to recall those small moments where I felt Him working. Prayer is incredibly powerful, and I am blessed to have experienced that connection with God.

At the National Eucharistic Congress, I also learned about the importance and blessing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I had never gone regularly, but experiencing confession in Indianapolis lifted a weight off my shoulders. Healing begins with repentance. We are invited by God to confess our sins, and His forgiveness is a profound gift! After reconciliation, I felt alive again, ready for a fresh start in becoming the person I want to be. If something is weighing you down, I encourage you to seek God’s forgiveness through confession.

Jesus invites all of us to be loved by Him. He longs to love us, we just need to open our hearts and let Him in. The Eucharist is the closest way we can experience Jesus, and He is the only one who can truly fill our hearts. We must be kind, seek Him in everyone we meet, keep Him at the center of our relationships, and love others for His sake.

We are alive because He lives!

The Eucharist is the closest way we can experience Jesus, and He is the only one who can truly fill our hearts.

—Lily, St. Isidore parishioner and college student