Being the Eucharist – the body of Christ – and inviting others to experience him in the Church were themes of a recent presentation to clergy and catechetical leaders. Timothy P. O’Malley, academic director of the Center for Liturgy at Notre Dame University, talked about “Becoming Eucharistic People and the Mission of Evangelization” at the gathering April 27 at St. Joseph Parish Center in Auburn. The diocesan offices of ongoing priestly formation and the religious education organized the event. Elizabeth A. Marcil, director of religious education office, said about 50 people attended. Professor O’Malley’s newest book, “Becoming Eucharistic People: The Hope and Promise of Parish Life,” which he wrote for the three-year National Eucharistic Revival currently under way, was given to participants. They shared reactions to the presentation with The Catholic Free Press. Evangelization involves a personal encounter with Jesus, Professor O’Malley said. “The resurrected Lord is here and wants to meet us,” he said. “What you receive on the altar is Christ’s body, which is also you.” So, be a member of the body of Christ; become the mystery of love poured out for the life of the world. “Encountering Jesus … involves meeting and being with one another” around worship of God, Professor O’Malley said. In the United States today some say that “institutions are not cool” and belonging to them is not “cool,” he said. People think the best way to have control is to avoid being part of an institution, such as marriage, in which you give up control. Despite this perception, “we double down on the institution,” offering programs and pastoral letters, which are not bad, but not the place to start evangelizing, he maintained. Speaking of a good place to start he said, “We have the joy and promise of spending Sunday mornings” with each other. “The consequence of the Eucharist is that I have to love you.” Because of Jesus’ sacrifice of love, we love one another. Participants were asked to discuss in small groups when they fell in love with Christ and to what extent that involved the Church’s preaching, sacramental life or service. They were also asked to discuss what challenges they see in inviting others to encounter Christ through the Church’s life. Then Professor O’Malley talked about secularization as living life without asking the big questions, or getting the wrong answers, like thinking life is about making money. Evangelizing involves wooing people, not forcing them, proposing something life-giving for them, like coming to Mass to greet the Lord, who acts among you, he explained. The priest’s holiness matters; the more he conforms himself to the mystery of Christ, the more people will see “this is my body,” he said. Responding to a participant’s comment, Professor O’Malley said priests and laity have different charisms; it’s not about competition. “Find people who can help you,” he told priests. “Form them and let them consecrate the world with you.” Asked how to get small group participants comfortable sharing faith in the broader world, Professor O’Malley suggested training them to tell how Christ transformed them – starting in their neighborhoods. Friendship and listening are important, he said. “That eucharistic message is so key,” said Lisa De Haan, coordinator of youth ministry at St. Mark Parish in Sutton. “It’s all about relationship … sharing our faith … with each other as regular people. … We need to create opportunities for all of us together to be eucharistic people.” St. Mark’s is already trying to do what Professor O’Malley talked about, she said. The pastor and staff listened to young families in order to create programs helpful to them. “Parish life is really where it’s at; it’s where we encounter God and one another,” said Father Ronald G. Falco, director of Ongoing Priestly Formation, adding that Professor O’Malley shared how different parishes were revitalizing for him. Father Falco was grateful for the opportunity for priests and religious educators to share with each other at the presentation, as was Melissa Baril-Lower, religious education coordinator for kindergarten through grade 6 at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Westborough. Denise Pelkey, St. Luke’s religious education coordinator for grades 7-11, said she liked the idea of not just talking about Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist, but finding ways to get people to church to experience him at Mass and adoration. She also thought parishes should remember the importance of welcoming new people. Maureen Benoit, religious education coordinator at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Webster, said she was reminded of the urgency of proclaiming the Gospel and reminding youth that they are Christ in the Church. You do not need an extensive theological background; you need to invite friends to church, and they will want to know more if you are Christ-like, she said. Father Michael J. Roy, pastor of St. Roch and St. Ann parishes in Oxford, said he took from the presentation the point that eucharistic revival is based on the personal call to holiness. Lisa Waas, religious education director at St. Joseph’s in Auburn, said she was struck by the need to start with the basics. “God’s been taken away from so much in our society,” she said. Catholics can talk with others about something like prayer without going too deep and can “be a friend.”