Lincoln woman continues pilgrimage despite setbacks
Southern Nebraska Register
While the first 10 finishers of the diocesan Eucharistic Passport Pilgrimage have been named, the pilgrimage remains open—and recommended—until July.
People are still encouraged to attend even one of the 17 locations, if possible, or participate in Eucharistic adoration at their own parishes.
Rebecca Heavican, a member of North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln, is a pilgrim grateful for the journey.
When she first read about the Passport Pilgrimage last summer, she said she thought, “Cool, I’m going to do that.” Then, she said, “life started getting in the way of my intentions.” But she renewed her enthusiasm for Lent.
She started with Valparaiso and David City on the way to her hometown of Schuyler.
“Doing the math, I thought ‘easy-peasy, two or three visits to Eucharistic chapels; no problem.’ Then I realized there was a little more to coordinating the journey with days and times each parish was offering adoration.”
And life continued to get in the way. Her work schedule fluctuated, as she had to fill in for coworkers who contracted influenza and Covid.
The day she chose to visit the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln happened to be during Spring Break, so adoration wasn’t available.
“It’s been a long time since I took a Spring Break!” she said.
But that wasn’t her biggest challenge.
“Of course, what’s a journey without a little set back?” she said. When she stopped for gas in Plattsmouth, she took a “too-short right turn” as she left, and wound up in a ditch off the culvert.
“With help from a Good Samaritan,” she said, “we were on our way home in no time. Apparently, I am not the first person to do this, as he knew exactly what to do without damaging my car or tires.”
Between such setbacks and some “treasure hunts” finding churches and chapels, however, she kept going. She often took her dog Zeus on her trips, when her dog sitter was unavailable. Sometimes her sister joined her, and so she doubled back to some parishes she’d already visited.
She was moved by the beautiful scenery as they traveled – sunrises and sunsets, deer and the beautiful churches and chapels themselves. She prayed for rain, for loved ones, and for her own needs.
“Well, the Lord answered my prayers and gave me so many other blessings on my journey,” she said. She appreciated the Masses and liturgies she attended and the priests she encountered.
“It was a great journey with lasting memories.”
Envigorated by the pilgrimage experiences, Heavican said she watched “Testament: the Story of Moses” and “The Chosen” series on Netflix during Holy Week.
“I feel the Holy Spirit working to renew faith and my love for the Eucharist and Jesus,” she said. “I feel very blessed having this opportunity and experiencing the journey. The blessings have definitely outweighed the struggles.”
[Editor's note: Find our more about Diocese of Lincoln plans for the Eucharistic Revival at lincolndiocese.org/revival]
Courtesy photos
