“Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).

Jesus spoke these words at the Last Supper when he instituted the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, Christ becomes truly and fully present to us. It is a tremendous gift of sacrificial love that nourishes and transforms us. We are then sent forth into the world to bear witness to Jesus and His Good News. “Do this in memory of me”is also the theme of this year’s Catholic Services Appeal. These words of Jesus, spoken at each celebration of the Eucharist, resonate in the heart of every Catholic. With this invitation, and strengthened by the Eucharist, Jesus invites us to remember Him as we go forth into the world and respond as His disciples to all that we encounter.

The theme of this year’s Catholic Services Appeal reminds us that in the Eucharist, we are not only rejuvenated and nourished, but also sent out into our communities, inviting all to “come and see the goodness of the Lord.” Moreover, the theme inspires us to keep the sacred mystery of our faith – the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist – at the center of how we live each moment of our lives. We are in the middle of a National Eucharistic Revival: an important opportunity for us to reconnect with our Savior, with the Church, and with our faith. By participating in the Eucharistic celebration, we gain the strength and the purpose to look outward and see the needs of the world around us. In receiving the Holy Eucharist, we become the Body of Christ, a community of faith and love. We receive Christ and we are also, at the same time, united with all who believe in him as brothers and sisters. The Holy Eucharist intensifies his command and our obligation to “love one another (John 13:34).” Indeed, Christianity is not only about believing but also doing. When Jesus says, “do this,” he commands action. We should not only contemplate Jesus but also imitate him to unite our faith with our action by sharing the bread of life with all of God’s children.

On Saturday and Sunday of this weekend, October 21 and 22, you will be invited to participate in the Appeal at the masses. The Catholic Services Appeal provides an opportunity for us to put our faith into action by putting the gifts with which the Lord has blessed us in the service of others. As the main source of funding for many ministries, education, formation and discipleship work of our Archdiocese, your sacrificial gift allows us to continue the work of Christ throughout the Archdiocese. With this Appeal, you touch the lives of thousands of people in the Archdiocese of Louisville through programs that teach, heal, support, nurture, feed, and love. With this Appeal, you serve brothers and sisters in their moments of greatest need: to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Everything you do is in memory of Christ. Every time you serve, no matter how big or small the task, you kneel with the Lord, washing the feet of others. You are truly strengthened by the Eucharist, obeying his command to “do this in memory of me.” Every gift, regardless of the size, is meaningful and impactful.

Thank you for your generous support of the Appeal last year. I invite you to prayerfully consider how you can respond to the Lord’s call to “do this in memory of me” by supporting this year’s Appeal. Please help us continue and broaden our mission of remembering what God has done for us. Together, let us continue to make the parishes, schools, and agencies of the Archdiocese of Louisville prayerful and welcoming places of sacrament and service.