Catholics from all walks of life will be coming together in Indianapolis in July of 2024 in a large-scale in-person event focused on encountering Jesus in the Eucharist. Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens, Chairman of the Board of the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc., announced today that Tim Glemkowski, will serve as executive director of the event.
Glemkowski is a Millennial with a “fresh” vision for the future of the Church and “how it can re-engage many from his generation who are uncertain about the Church and its role in modern life,” according to the press release announcing his appointment.
“Tim is a real leader with a heart on fire for Jesus Christ and a desire to invite people to encounter his love in the Eucharist. He brings a unique blend of skill sets to this important role—from strategic vision and operational excellence to theological insight and a missionary mindset,” says Bishop Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston, MN. “He has worked in evangelization and strategy in parishes and in the Archdiocese of Denver. He lives and breathes the call of Pope Francis for a pastoral and missionary conversion of the Church.”
The Eucharistic Congress in 2024 will be the first major event of a multi-year National Eucharistic Revival that begins this year. In November of 2021, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to hold the event following the publication of a Pew Research survey that found a decline in the number of Catholics who believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.
Bishop Cozzens, in an interview with Aleteia’s John Burger, explained that in spite of the Pew survey, there is a growing devotion to the Eucharist among young Catholics. Plans for the Eucharistic Congress were born out of the idea that young people could serve as missionaries, bringing their love for the Eucharist back to their churches.
“The revival is counting on young people and all who are already on fire with love for the Eucharist,” said Bishop Cozzens.
Glemkowski, as the executive director of the Eucharistic Congress, sees the revival as way to attract people to the Church.
“God is doing something important in His Church through this multi-year national Eucharistic Revival. At its core, I believe the Congress is a critical moment for how we fulfill Pope Francis’ vision of becoming a more missionary Church,” states Glemkowski. “It is the fire of charity, born in our hearts from the reception of Jesus in the Eucharist, which impels us on mission. This is a phenomenal opportunity for our Church to draw closer to Christ and to be prepared to better share Him with our postmodern world.”
“The Eucharistic Revival will be three years for the next fifty years of the Church’s mission, and the Congress will be a key moment of communion and public witness,” states Glemkowski. “If we are going to be able to boldly proclaim the difference that a relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church can make, we have to allow our love for the Eucharist to grow and our lives to be changed by God. As the Church is reeling from the various crises and challenges over the past few years, this is an invitation from God to be re-vivified in order to go on mission and show the world and our fellow Catholics a compelling witness. God is telling us here how He wants us to move from maintenance to mission – by being transformed by His Real Presence, first.”
Glemkowski holds a B.A. in philosophy and theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, as well as an M.A. in theology from Augustine Institute. He founded and served as the President of L’Alto Catholic Institute and most recently served as Director of Strategy for the Archdiocese of Denver. Glemkowski begins his service in this new role on May 1.
