SYDNEY, Australia – As the Catholic Church in Australia prepares to host the 54th International Eucharistic Congress in 2028, a new initiative is calling on local parishes to move beyond the role of spectators and embrace their identity as missionary communities. The upcoming “Parish Online Workshop,” scheduled for February 19, 2026, marks a critical first step in a three-year spiritual journey leading up to the historic event, known as Eucharist28.
A Grassroots Movement for Eucharistic Renewal
Organized by the Parish Renewal Team within the Sydney Centre for Evangelization, the workshop aims to equip parish leaders and the faithful with the tools needed to revitalize their local communities. Tania Rimac, a member of the Parish Renewal Team, will host the session alongside Sr. Anastasia Reeves, OP.
“This particular online workshop is an opportunity for our parishes to come and understand a little bit more about the Eucharistic Congress, which will be launched nationally on March 1,” Rimac explained. The goal is to help parishes live out the next three years of preparation not as a countdown to a single event, but as a sustained period of spiritual growth and evangelization.
A Century of Faith: From 1928 to 2028
The 2028 Congress holds particular historical significance for Australia, as it marks exactly 100 years since Sydney hosted the 29th International Eucharistic Congress in 1928. That landmark event was a watershed moment for the Australian Church, demonstrating the vitality of the faith in the southern hemisphere.
| Key Milestone | Date | Significance |
| First IEC (Lille, France) | 1881 | The movement begins with the theme “The Eucharist Saves the World”. |
| 29th IEC (Sydney) | 1928 | A historic gathering that placed Australia on the global Catholic map. |
| National Launch of Eucharist28 | March 1, 2026 | The beginning of a three-year spiritual journey for the Australian Church. |
| 54th IEC (Sydney) | 2028 | A global encounter with Christ, expected to be presided over by Pope Leo XIV. |
More Than an Event: A Three-Year Journey
Eucharist28 is envisioned as a transformative process for the entire Australian Church, addressing contemporary challenges such as declining affiliation and an aging population through a renewed focus on the “source and summit” of the faith. The workshop will serve as an information session, providing historical context on the significance of International Eucharistic Congresses and offering practical strategies for local implementation.
“The evening will be two-fold,” Rimac said. “First, we will share about what the actual Eucharistic Congress is, and learn about some of the history, and then we will share some of the practical ways that parishes can live it in their local community”. With the theme “This is my body given for you,” the Congress invites Catholics to return to the table of the Lord, deepening their encounter with Christ and their witness to the world.
Supporting the Evangelizing Mission
For the organizers, the focus remains firmly on the grassroots level. Rimac emphasized that the “real work” of the Church happens within the local parish. “It’s a privilege to be able to support parishes… this workshop is all about supporting parishes to live out the evangelizing mission of our church and help our people to really understand this Eucharistic Congress is one such incredible opportunity”.
A Spiritual Resolution: Encountering Christ in the Eucharist
As we begin this three-year journey toward Eucharist28, we are invited to deepen our own relationship with the Real Presence of Jesus. Let us turn to the Sacrament of Confession, preparing our hearts to receive the Lord with greater purity and love. Let us spend time in Eucharistic Adoration, sitting in the presence of the One who gave His body for us, and bringing the needs of our parishes before Him.
The Holy Rosary offers a beautiful way to contemplate the Eucharistic mysteries alongside the Blessed Mother, who was the first tabernacle of the Lord. Through active participation in the Holy Mass and the devout reception of the Eucharist, we are nourished to become missionary disciples in our daily lives. Finally, let us immerse ourselves in Sacred Scripture, finding in the Word of God the foundation for our Eucharistic faith and the inspiration to witness to His love in the world.
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