"Jesus is the one who's doing the heavier work." | Msgr. Patrick Halfpenny

From early childhood and all throughout his forty-eight years as a priest, Msgr. Patrick Halfpenny has had many profound memories and experiences with Jesus in the Eucharist. Listen as he unpacks his earliest memories, describes the role the Eucharist played in his discernment, and shares moments of consolation and comfort he has experienced through Jesus’ real presence. He also shares wisdom on what will bring about Eucharistic Revival in the Church.

Show notes: 

(00:21) Fr. Mario and Leah welcome Msgr. Patrick Halfpenny, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit, to the podcast. He briefly shares about his forty-eight years of ministry as a priest. 

(03:28) Msgr. Halfpenny shares the earliest memory he has of the Eucharist and the comfort and reassurance he found in it. He also shares the impact that it has had on him to accompany children and their families as they prepare for and receive First Holy Communion. 

(10:31) He describes the role that his family – and particularly his parents’ — fidelity and reverence had in his own understanding of Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist. He also shares the way Christ in the Eucharist brought about reassurance in his discernment process. 

(17:19) Msgr. Halfpenny shares a profoundly moving experience with Jesus in the Eucharist during a silent retreat around his 40th anniversary as a priest. 

(20:34) He goes on to share a moment when Jesus reminded him of the importance of what he does as a priest in celebrating the Eucharist. 

(22:46) He also shares how the Eucharist brought him consolation in the midst of grieving the loss of his father and the ways Jesus in the Eucharist has helped him to carry the yoke of his priesthood. 

(28:55) Msgr. Halfpenny shares how he believes Eucharistic Revival will take place in the Church and emphasizes the need for personal testimony and prayer that we might grow in our hunger for the Eucharist.