Strengthened in faith, congress attendees embrace the 'Living Bread'

Published: 2008-07-02

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (CNS) -- Carlos Garcia, 46, believes that "everyone who comes with an open heart" to the Archdiocese of Atlanta's annual eucharistic congress "leaves differently." "It's better than going to any sports arena. You feel the love and the presence of the Lord," said Garcia, a computer administrator at Christ the King Cathedral in Atlanta and a resident of Lithia Springs. He just finished his first year of studies to become a deacon. The 13th annual congress drew 20,000 to 30,000 Catholics to the cavernous Georgia International Convention Center in College Park June 20-21. The convention center mirrored the diversity of the 750,000 people who pray regularly in the 100 churches and missions in the 69-county archdiocese. The congress theme was "I Am the Living Bread." Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory reminded people in his homily June 21 that bread is a staple worldwide. "This common substance that exists in many and varied forms throughout the human community was chosen to serve as a symbol of God's bounty and his compassion for his people," he said.

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