Creativity and innovation are very much needed in our church today.
Intentional Eucharistic Communities are those small faith communities, rooted in the Catholic tradition, which gather to celebrate Eucharist on a regular basis. Through sharing liturgical life and mutual support for one another, community members are strengthened to live Gospel-centered lives characterized by spiritual growth and social commitment.
IECs were born in the enthusiasm flowing from Vatican II for a church of the people. Some were initiated as alternatives to the parish, and function independently. All are characterized by shared responsibility for the governance and life of the community.
Four National Gatherings have been held:
May, 1991 – 155 participants, 15 communities
May 2001 – 240 participants, 41 communities
May 2009 – 265 participants, 43 communities
June, 2015 – 275 participants, 44 communities
Total IEC numbers:
There are about 100 viable IEC communities in the U.S.
Of the approximately 70 million Catholics in the U.S., 28,000 are in IECs.
The most recent Gathering, in 2015, in St. Paul, Minnesota. was enabled by Spirit of St. Stephen’s Catholic Community, founded in 2008. Total cost of the Gathering was $48,000, Revenue from the Gathering was $58,000, leaving seed money for the next IEC Gathering of approximately $9,000. A webinar book club was formed, and the keynote speakers, including NCR’s Jamie Manson, Roger Haight, S.J., and Sister Miriam Therese Winter were recorded.
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