The diocesan Year of the Parish and the Eucharist was the primary focus of the "Behold, I make all things new" conference which took place Aug. 13-14. The conference, sponsored by the diocesan offices of Sacred Liturgy and Evangelization in conjunction with the St. Paul Center and EWTN, was held at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville. 

With storms looming, the conference began Friday evening. Undeterred by the threatening weather, the faithful filled the shrine for Eucharistic Adoration, a reflection by Mother Adela Galindo, the Rosary, and Benediction by Bishop Steven Raica. Also participating in the evening were Bishop Emeritus Robert Baker, Father Kevin Bazzel, Father Justin Ward, Deacon Charles Deering, and seminarians of the diocese.

The next morning, the sky was a deep blue with only a hint of clouds as the faithful made their way to the shrine's piazza for Mass. Bishop Raica was the main celebrant of the Mass with Bishop Emeritus Baker and priests serving in the diocese as concelebrants. 

"You have come from near and far to be together as a vibrant Catholic faith community," Bishop Raica began as he addressed those gathered for Mass. "Our presence here proclaims: We have not stopped being Christians! We have not stopped being Catholic! We have not stopped being Church! Our expressions may have changed temporarily during this past year and a half, but deep in our hearts, our identity lives. We belong to Christ. Jesus Christ lives! Thank you for living your faith seriously and intentionally."

Throughout the Mass, the newly formed Diocesan Choir, led by Francisco Carbonell, filled the piazza with a joyful noise elevating the beauty of the already magnificent setting.

Following the Gospel, the bishop began his homily. "On this day, before the Assumption of Our Lady, we gather as a faith filled community, a visible sign of our resilience during these challenging times to proclaim: Jesus Christ is alive!" The bishop urged those present to keep Jesus Christ as the "foundation, center, and destiny" of life and to remember that Jesus "promised to remain with us: to feed us and satisfy our hungers and thirsts."

Bishop Raica noted how "there is something in us that remains unsatisfied, unfulfilled." Our hearts will always want more until it is "fulfilled by something – really someone!" The bishop continued instructing the faithful not to forget what the "Lord has done!" Pointing to the Old Testament, he spoke of the enslavement of the Israelite community. They had food and shelter, but they longed for more, their freedom. They had to trust that God would provide for them on their journey to the Promised Land. And provide He did.

Likewise, the bishop pointed to parishes. "Our parishes are like way stations along the way – a place of rest and nourishment. There, God’s Word nourishes our souls. There the unforgettable sign of the Eucharist – His Body and Blood –nourishes our souls. We not only have the Word but also the Word-made-flesh – Jesus Himself in the Eucharist that feeds us – daily.  Like those in the desert, they couldn’t hoard the manna, or put it in the freezer for a later time, they had to rely on the providence of the Lord to receive it every day."

"This Eucharist," Bishop Raica continued, "is more than a mere token, it is Jesus Himself – His body, His blood, His soul and His divinity! Jesus promised to remain with us until the end of time. He promised to feed us. He does so today at this great event we call the Mass, the Holy Sacrifice, the Eucharist. Here is our Emmanuel, God-with-us, who guides us, accompanies us, and fills us with extraordinary hope on our journey to eternal life."

As the bishop went on, he invited the faithful to reflect on the gift of the Eucharist. "This food promises life that will never end.  ... It is a food offered to all, not just for those living in Palestine, or Europe or in parishes in the Diocese of Birmingham – it is offered 'for the life of the world.' Because it is offered to all, it demands a preparation, a proclamation of belief, and a generous response.... It brings us into a special union – a communion – with God and each other."

In light of the past year and a half, Bishop Raica highlighted the vital role of parishes. "It is there where we celebrate the highlights of our faith journey together, giving praise, thanks and adoration to God and accompany each other through our charitable out-reach as we see the face of Christ in those we meet."

The bishop concluded: " It’s a presence of Christ, par excellence in our midst, here and now: A true gift from God! ... He has given us His flesh- His Body and Blood - for the life of the world. We are privileged, through our own preparation, to receive Jesus who gives us a promise that even the best medicine and diet cannot give, 'Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood, will live forever!' (Jn 6:54)." 

At the end of Mass, Bishop Raica imparted an Apostolic Blessing with a plenary indulgence not only to those present, but also to those devoutly following the Mass by radio, television and the internet. 

Following Mass, speakers were featured in the English and Spanish tents. Speakers included Msgr. Eugene Morris, Mother Adela Galindo, Dr. John Bergsma, Father Pedro Núñez, and Dr. Scott Hahn.