“Encountering Christ in the Eucharist” was the theme of the Michigan Area’s well-attended annual retreat on Saturday, October 1st at the Solanus Casey Center in Detroit.

After Mass celebrated by retreat master Bishop Frank Caggiano, ChM, members of the Michigan Area listened as Bishop Caggiano explained that the Eucharist is a foretaste of the eternal banquet in Heaven. Like antipasti in a traditional Italian dinner, the Eucharist “satisfies but does not fill,” preparing the one who receives for a closer relationship with God, he said.

After lunch, Bishop Caggiano opened what he called the “free-for-all” part of the retreat and took questions from the group. Topics included Pope Francis’ directives regarding celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass and how to reach young people who are no longer practicing Catholics. Bishop Caggiano recently launched a program in his diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut to extend the period of formation for Confirmation and to continue formation through high school.

A noted catechist, Bishop Caggiano has been a featured speaker and catechist at many World Youth Days, including Sydney in 2008, Madrid in 2011, Rio de Janeiro in 2013, and Krakow in 2016. His podcast/radio show, “Let Me Be Frank,” is carried on a number of popular platforms, including Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.