Florida Catholic | Living Eucharist: 'Overwhelming peace, love, hope'

Intimate encounter in the Living Eucharist

JANET SHELTON | FC
Spirit FM 90.5 radio personality Jamie Derzypolski.

‘Overwhelming peace, love, and hope at every encounter’

JAMIE DERZYPOLSKI | SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC

Published: 08.02.08

After reading Janet Shelton’s story, “Help us tell your Eucharist experience,” I found myself excited and eager to hear such personal stories from my fellow Catholics. While my Catholicity has truly been rich, it has been very private. Now, as an adult hungry for the word and armed with a better understanding of our 2,000-year-old tradition, I no longer desire to keep my faith private. I am ready to take it public.

How do we write about the Eucharist? As a young boy, receiving the Eucharist was just an opportunity to stretch my legs after all that kneeling and a milestone in Mass that meant it was almost over. We never talked about how the Eucharist played a part in our daily lives. So, after all this time, where do we begin?

Thanks to Bishop Robert N. Lynch and the Living Eucharist initiative, I have found that starting point – though perhaps it is not so much a starting point as it is an important waypoint in the journey. As our beloved priests process down the aisle at the beginning of Mass, symbolizing the great journey of our church and our lives, so continues my own journey with growing enthusiasm and respect.

Share you experience

The Florida Catholic invites people in the St. Petersburg Diocese to talk about how the Eucharist has touched their lives and ministry. Please send your thoughts to: Janet Shelton or The Florida Catholic, 6363 Ninth Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33710.

What is my eucharistic experience? It is quite simple: overwhelming peace, love, and hope at every encounter, so much so that I find myself head down at the end of Mass as the priest sends us to “go in peace to love and serve the Lord” because, as a man, I don’t want people to see the tears I can rarely hold back. My encounter with the living Eucharist is so powerful I find myself weeping with joy at the end of every Mass.

How do I take the Eucharist out into my world? In the words of St. Francis, I try to “preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary.” I hope that the light of Christ shines through me and will help guide those who are looking for a church home.

There are those who are looking for a pastor who can give the perfect homily, a church which offers the same demographic, has the perfect music or provides awesome multimedia technology as part of the service. My hope is they will come home to the liturgy and realize the greatest show on earth is happening at the celebration of the Eucharist!

My hope is in Christ, and that all those with whom I come into contact will experience the overwhelming joy that comes from encountering Jesus Christ each Sunday.

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