My dear family in Christ:

It has been a bit of a whirlwind two weeks for the Church in Vermont and in the USA.  Obviously, here in Vermont we had the opportunity to celebrate the ordination of the 11th Bishop of Burlington (yours truly and I’m still coming to grips with the title and responsibilities), as well as our very successful and joyful Eucharistic Convocation covering the entire state from Wilmington to Isle La Motte. Nationally, the Eucharistic Congress was held successfully in Indianapolis with more than 50,000 people in attendance.  What unites all of these events, though distinct, is the gift of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

First, I must comment that while some may think that the episcopal ordination was about the ordinand, it was really about the true High Priest, Jesus Christ, ensuring that His presence might continue in the Church until the end of time. As Cardinal O’Malley said so beautifully in his homily at the Ordination Mass, “without bishops there would be no priests, without priests there would be no Eucharist.”  I was ordained a bishop not to be praised or seek honor but to bear the responsibly of shepherding the people of Vermont and ensuring the Word of God is proclaimed and the gift of Christ in the Eucharist is celebrated with all due honor and dignity. This is possible only if I remember that on my own, apart from Christ, I am not capable of anything. Only by relying upon the gift of the Holy Spirit promised by Our Lord can I fulfill this office. Please pray I always remember this.

We are blessed over the next several weeks to hear the sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel proclaimed at Sunday Mass. We begin with the miraculous multiplication of loaves and fishes and then proceed into the great “bread of Life Discourse.” These passages will remind us that it is Jesus Christ who invites us to eat His Body and drink His blood. We come to holy Mass because it is the Word made Flesh who bids us to be with Him so that we might be nourished with His words and his very body, blood, soul and divinity.  We must do all we can to accept His invitation and not excuse ourselves from this banquet.

The success of my ordination, our Eucharistic Convocation and National Eucharistic Congress can only be judged successful if more and more come to know the gift of Christ in the Eucharist and make the decision to celebrate weekly Mass so we might truly become the Body of Christ. I ask that all of us do our best to invite family and friends to Mass this and every weekend. Let them know the strength we gain from this gift of Our Savior. Don’t be afraid to share our belief that is Christ who bids us to “take and eat, take and drink.”

In our Eucharistic Lord,

+John J. McDermott

Bishop of Burlington