Eucharistic Congress commissions 2,000 volunteers

This Holy Thursday, the 50th International Eucharistic Congress 2012 (IEC2012) launches the programme for the 'Day of Ministry in the Service of Communion' with a special commissioning ceremony, at 6pm Mass in the Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, for all the IEC2012 volunteers who will be of service before, during and after the Congress.

During the Mass of the Lord's Supper, which marks the Institution of the Eucharist, on the first Holy Thursday, Auxiliary Bishop Éamonn Walsh of Dublin will wash the feet of twelve IEC2012 volunteers representing the 2,000 helpers for the Congress.

Speaking prior to the Mass, Paul Rooney, IEC2012 Volunteer Services Manager, said: "We are thrilled with the response to our call for volunteers. The people that have come forward represent a diverse range of ages and backgrounds across Irish society. Our volunteers will be integral to the efficient delivery of the International Eucharistic Congress and their generosity with their time is remarkable."

The theme of 'Priesthood and Ministry in the Service of Communion', will also be the focus of the main programme of the Eucharistic Congress on Wednesday 13 June 2012, the feast day of St Anthony of Padua. The keynote address on this theme will be delivered by the Archbishop of Vancouver, Canada, Most Rev J Michael Miller. This will be followed by a personal testimony on ministry by Mrs Noreen Carroll, Foxrock parish, Dublin, and a personal testimony on religious life by Sr Conchita McDonnell, President of CORI.

As part of the week-long programme of workshops, talks and cultural events, on Wednesday 13 June, Dr Anne Codd and Ms Julieann Moran of the Council for Pastoral Renewal and Adult Faith Development, will deliver a group reflection entitled, 'Communion and co-responsibility coming to life in pastoral practice'.

On Wednesday 13 June there will also be a talk entitled, 'Catholics! Why we do what we do?' will be delivered by Fr John Cusack, of the Archdiocese of Chicago, USA. A wide range of other workshops exploring various forms of ministry and service, lay and ordained, will be offered as part of the programme on Wednesday 13 June and Mass in the RDS main arena will be celebrated by Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez-Maradiaga on this day.

The themed day of service on Wednesday 13 June will conclude with an historic Eucharistic Procession throughout the streets surrounding the RDS campus at 7.30pm.

The procession will be led by the Papal Legate; Pope Benedict's representative at the Eucharistic Congress.

For more information and the full programme see: www.iec2012.ie