February 25, 2026

By Darcy Fargo
Editor

Building on the success of last year’s event, a Highway to Heaven event, one that will include a reproduction of the Shroud of Turin, a nationally known speaker and a popular Catholic musician, is planned for May 16.

“We received an overwhelmingly positive response from last year’s Highway to Heaven event and people expressed interest in a similar event,” said Mary Beth Bracy, one of the Highway to Heaven organizers. “They were grateful for the opportunities to worship the Real Presence of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist at Mass and adoration, where Bishop (Terry R.) LaValley led us in a diocesan wide consecration to the Holy Eucharist and a powerful procession. People were also in awe at seeing Saint Carlos Acutis’s Eucharistic Miracles of the World Exhibit.”

Like last year’s event, this year’s Highway to Heaven is an opportunity to focus on Christ in the Eucharist and will include the Miracles of the World Exhibit, Mass and adoration

Father Bryan Stitt, one of the event’s organizers, said Highway to Heaven should appeal to individuals, “either because they know the Eucharist is the anchor of their life and want to grow in their relationship to our Eucharistic Lord or because they are searching and haven’t yet found a suitable pathway for their life, a suitable Highway to Heaven.”

Bracy added that the event is an opportunity “for faithful to grow in their personal relationship with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, rediscover the blessings of spending time with Him in the Blessed Sacrament, be inspired to help begin or expand Eucharistic Adoration in their parish, and/or say yes to spending a weekly Holy Hour with Him. By extension, the benefits of Eucharistic Adoration include increased Mass attendance, double or triple the number of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, various healings of individuals and relationships, increased service, safer communities, and peaceful hearts which make a more peaceful world.”

While there are similarities to last year’s event, this year’s Highway to Heaven will feature new offerings.

“It features a full-length replica of the Shroud of Turin, which many scientists and faithful believe is the burial cloth of Jesus, and a large crucifix showing the wounds of Christ corresponding to the Gospels and the wounds shown on the shroud,” said Bracy. “The keynote speaker is Father Jonathan Meyer, a national preacher of the Eucharistic Revival. And it features music by internationally famous Catholic musician Sarah Kroger.”

Bracy said the organizing committee tried to develop a lineup that would have broad appeal and help bring people grow in their love of the Eucharist.

“I suggested the shroud exhibit because it is similar to the one at the National Eucharistic Congress, which faithful of all ages waited in line for hours to see,” she said. “When I saw it there myself, I was so moved that I felt like I could have remained there all day. Many North Country faithful have become acquainted with the YouTube videos of Father Jonathan Meyer, a spiritual dynamo, and The Stations of the Eucharist which he developed. We really wanted him to come last year but he wasn’t able to come due to his busy schedule. Sarah Kroger also performed at the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Many locals are especially familiar with her song ‘Belovedness,’ which is sometimes used at praise and worship adoration. Her music really touches the heart with Christ’s love and inspires hearts to love him in return.”

While the committee considered a variety of locations for the event, Massena was chosen for several reasons.

“It is relatively centrally located, has a big, beautiful Church that will help us focus on our Eucharistic Lord, and right next door is a large facility with ample space for the exhibits that we want to show,” said Father Stitt. “It is also handicapped accessible, has great parking and has a park in which we can have a Eucharistic procession, weather providing.”

Father Stitt noted that a dedicated group of organizers has been instrumental in making such decisions and moving the event forward.

“I firmly believe that God brings good people together and with them does great things,” he said. “I’ve seen that in the first committee for the first Highway to Heaven event and I’m seeing it happen all the more this time.”

Registration for the Highway to Heaven is now open, and early registration is encouraged.

“Visit www.rcdony.org/h2h to register, for more information, videos, and answers to frequently asked questions,” Bracy said. “Space is limited and registration is required, so please register today to guarantee your spot.”