Bishop's lettter

Dear Friends in Christ,

I am so grateful for all the positive comments I hear regarding Graceful Living in my travels throughout Northwest Ohio. It is your enthusiasm and support that keep this publication going.

Many of the folks featured in this issue are converts to the Catholic faith. Our cover story subject Richard Lane took almost a 20 year faith journey to join the Catholic Church, while Kylee Stewart discovered her love for the faith while attending Central Catholic High School in Toledo. Obstetrician Lillian Miller shares that both her medical practice and her family life changed after a bible study. And you will undoubtedly enjoy reading about the adventures of the Sasala family whose love for the outdoors influenced every member and the path they each took, including becoming a deacon and missionaries.

I am also thrilled to share my recent pilgrimage to Spain and Italy with members of the faithful from throughout the Diocese of Toledo. That historic journey was nothing short of awe-inspiring. It was a joy and a privilege to experience, and a real blessing to bring the thousands of prayer intentions from our faithful each step of the way.

Another focus throughout this issue is a love of the Holy Eucharist. As the source and summit of our Catholic faith, the understanding of, love for and living out of the Holy Eucharist is not only a focus of this issue of Graceful Living, but also an initiative happening across our nation, as we are in the Diocesan Year of the National Eucharistic Revival. I invite you to join us from January through April in churches throughout the diocese for time of worshipful prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. I hope you can join us for these highly anticipated events.

•ƒ Sunday, January 29, 2023, at Our Lady of Consolation, Carey

•ƒ Sunday, February 5, 2023, at St. Michael the Archangel, Gibsonburg

•ƒ Sunday, February 12, 2023, at St. Patrick, Bryan

•ƒ Sunday, February 19, 2023, at St. Mary, Norwalk

•ƒ Sunday, March 12, 2023, at St. Peter, Mansfield

•ƒ Sunday, March 19, 2023, at St. Michael, Kalida

•ƒ Sunday, April 30, 2023, at St. John XXIII, Perrysburg

As part of the National Eucharistic Revival, the Diocese of Toledo is sponsoring a contest for young people reflecting on the question “What does the Eucharist mean to me?”. Any parishioner or Catholic school student in kindergarten through grade 12 is welcome to write an essay or create a piece of art, music, video, write a poem or take a photograph. Prizes will be awarded by division and some may even win . . . a pizza party with me! Learn more at www.toledodiocese.org/eucharist. We have much to share and I hope this magazine gives you a glimpse into the rich faith lived out here in our Diocese.

With every good wish and prayer, I am Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus,

Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, Bishop of Toledo