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To: Clergy, men and women religious, principals, parish leaders and Chancery staff
From: Deacon Dennis Dorner, chancellor, director of Permanent Diaconate
Like many of you, the archdiocese has been challenged with rising costs over the last few years. As you can imagine, the cost to put on this event is a significant part of the budget on the archdiocesan level. As part of an effort to be good stewards of the donations that make the event possible, the bishops and their leadership team have taken a hard look at how best to support revival and address the practical realities of putting on a multi-day event for tens of thousands of people. The team decided that sponsoring the Congress as it currently exists is not fiscally prudent.
While we will no longer be hosting the Congress in 2025, we are working on plans for a major public procession (date TBD) and other ways the archdiocese can celebrate and witness to the priceless gift of the Eucharist during the coming Jubilee Year of 2025.
In this Year of Mission of the National Eucharistic Revival, we are reminded that our inspiration must always be the Source and Summit of our faith, the Eucharist. Atlanta’s Eucharistic Congress started there and that is where we wish to return. During this time of Eucharistic revival, many of you have taken to the streets with our Lord, hosting processions and other public witnesses to faith. In the coming months, look for details on a plan to celebrate and witness our faith in a similar way as we continue to pray for revival.
We realize this change is going to be a disappointment to those who work so hard to make the Congress such a wonderful event. The hundreds of volunteers, the generous exhibitors, the sponsors and most importantly the thousands who attend and participate in the gathering. We are so deeply grateful to every person who has participated in this event during its 26-year history. Your faith is an inspiration and a gift.
We ask for your prayers as we begin the planning process for what comes next.
