By Shawna Hanson
Eucharistic Revival Point Person

We are well into the 3rd year of the National Eucharistic Revival with its invitation to “Walk With One.” Beginning with the National Eucharistic Congress in July of last year, the United States Bishops have been encouraging Catholics to first ask the Lord whom he wants us to accompany on their journey closer to him. We are then invited to begin interceding for whomever he has put on our hearts. Third, we are asked to look for ways to build a deeper relationship with this person and lastly, when the Holy Spirit prompts, we are encouraged to invite our friend to take a concrete next step in fostering a personal relationship with Jesus and the Church. It is simple, but it isn’t easy. We all have fears to overcome and perhaps more significantly, we struggle to make time for relationships. Life is fast-paced and full. As I ponder this in my own life, two things have really encouraged me to stay faithful to the Walk With One initiative.

The first is that, when I become discouraged, I beg the Lord for help. One concrete consolation I have received is a greater understanding of the many ways I am already evangelizing in the way outlined above in the course of my everyday life. This has quelled some of my own fears and made the process seem more natural and doable. Interceding for friends and family whom I care about is a regular part of my prayer life. And who doesn’t enjoy coffee with a friend or having someone over for supper? Sharing the good things God is doing in my life is more challenging but has become easier as I have practiced doing it. But the key, is to be more intentional — at least for me. Because life has a way of getting us off track and too often less important but seemingly more urgent things take up my time and then I become inconsistent in interceding for and reaching out to others.

Second, I have been encouraged by reflecting on and being thankful for those people in my own life who have journeyed with me and invited me to a closer relationship with Jesus and his Church. One of these people is Peg Schneller. Peg led a bible study for young moms for many years at Blessed Sacrament Church in Rapid City. When I moved here as a young wife and mother, I went to her study in the hope of meeting people and making friends. I had no idea Peg would change my life. The first gift she gave me was her joy and encouragement. She encouraged all of us in our vocations as wives and mothers, sharing an understanding ear and wise counsel born out of her own experience. She had a knack for creating an environment where people felt safe to be vulnerable and, in our vulnerability, we found deep connections with one another and supportive friendships.

Peg had a deep love for Scripture, and she broke open the Word in a way that was both accessible to those of us who had little knowledge and also revealed to us its great treasures. She awakened in me a deep desire to know more! She had a great love for the Church, and I remember how she shared her excitement over the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church when it was first released. But she didn’t just tell us about it, she showed us how to use it; how to learn from it; and to see the treasures it contains. She taught us by word and example the importance of bringing our faith into the daily lives of our children. Long before the helpful resources of blogs and internet searches, she put into our hands resources for living liturgically in our homes. She helped us to help our children taste, see, smell, touch and hear the faith.

In 2012, at her funeral, I looked around and saw so many familiar faces, so many women whose lives had been deeply touched by Peg. I knew, in the depth of my heart, that I was being invited by Jesus to somehow continue her legacy; to give back some measure of what she had given me. Although I didn’t know it at the time, I was a starving young mom when I first encountered Peg; starving for truth and for goodness and for beauty; thirsting for the living waters. And she pointed me to the source and taught me how to draw water. I am so deeply grateful for her and what she gave me. How can I not do the same for others? Really, it is such a joy to do so. Why do we hold back? Walking With One simply means giving to someone else the great gift you have received from others who cared enough to share it with you first.

Do you have someone who has walked with you? If so, I would love to share your story. Contact me at: shanson@diorc.org.