Herald Staff Report
(From the issue of 1/13/05)

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and International Irish Tenor Mark Forrest will collaborate for a Eucharistic Concert at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

The concert, being called "an evening of reflection, prayer and healing," will be comprised of music performed by Forrest and praise and worship group Work of Hearts; scripture meditations led by the bishop; and reflections centered on the Blessed Sacrament. The evening of music and reflections includes Benediction.

The lights in the cathedral will be dimmed — with the exception of a spotlight on the Eucharist and the altar candles — to create a more personal experience with the Eucharist.

More so than with the traditional holy hour, Forrest said that "the full participation of the parish is very much a part of the experience" of the Eucharistic concert.

The concert is "very much an individual journey — a meditation — but you’re not sitting there doing nothing," Forrest said.

Forrest has already seen the positive effects of the concert in three dioceses across the United States. Recently, it attracted 17,000 people in 14 nights in Chicago, and has also been successful in New Jersey and Florida.

Forrest is working with more than a dozen local priests and parishes interested in bringing Forrest and the program to their churches.

Particularly during this Year of the Eucharist, Forrest said this concert provides an opportunity for people to "take time out of their life to find out where they are, individually, with their journey with Christ."

For more information call 703/525-1300.