July 8, 2025 // Bishop

Elkhart Faithful Continue Corpus Christi Procession During Heat Wave

Kasia Balsbaugh

Full summer sun and temperatures in the upper 90s couldn’t stop Elkhart Catholics from bringing the Eucharist to the streets of their city once again.

The two-mile procession from St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church happens annually on the feast of Corpus Christi, as families and parishioners of all ages showed up to walk alongside Christ, who was truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

This year, the Elkhart parishioners were joined by Bishop Rhoades, who carried the Blessed Sacrament through the residential and downtown streets of the city.

Father Craig Borchard, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church, called the procession a “beautiful joint effort between St. Thomas and St. Vincent.” Despite the heat, Father Borchard remarked that the turnout was one of the largest he’d ever seen on the annual procession. He also commented on the “spirit of pilgrimage” present among participants.

The procession has been running for nearly 30 years. The original idea for a procession between the two Catholic churches in Elkhart came from Lisa Kloska Marino from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, who had family members attending St. Thomas the Apostle Church down the street.

At this point, many of the details of the procession fit together and run like a “well-oiled machine,” Father Borchard said, noting specifically some particulars, including permission from the city, the police escort, and the safety team. But that doesn’t mean the procession is the same every year. This year, for instance, was the first time it included altar girls throwing flowers along the path of the Blessed Sacrament.

Going forward with the procession on one of the hottest days of the summer also took some specific planning. Water bottles were available at the beginning, end, and along the route. Older altar boys carried backpacks with Gatorade, had cold towels available, and watched out for the younger servers, rotating throughout the procession so no one boy had to carry something for too long. Umbrellas, hats, and long sleeves helped participants keep off the sun.

Deacon Noah Isch, who was assigned to minister at St. Vincent de Paul for the summer, assisted at the procession as its master of ceremonies. He said that the high turnout showed the devotion to the Eucharist that he had already noticed in parishioners during his assignment. He also commented on Bishop Rhoades’ presence at the event.

“It was amazing to watch the shepherd of our diocese carry Our Lord through the streets of the Elkhart community and to lead his flock in adoring Our Lord in this way,” Deacon Isch said.

St. Vincent de Paul parishioner Vicki Kalil has been walking the Corpus Christi procession for several years. Usually, she enjoys walking nearer to the Blessed Sacrament, but this year she led a decade of the Rosary and helped with water distribution and the sound system at the back of the procession.

“It is always so beautiful to walk through the business districts and neighborhoods and see the people,” Kalil reflected. “Some stop and kneel, some just stare. I wonder what they are thinking and say a little prayer that bringing Our Lord to their life will be an opening of their hearts to Him in some way.”

Deacon Isch also reflected on the procession’s impact on other residents of Elkhart.

“There were a few moments during the procession where people came out of their homes or stopped their cars to adore Our Blessed Lord as He passed by,” Deacon Isch said. “I saw one man stop and kneel down in his front yard. It was amazing to see reverence for Our Lord not only from those in the procession but even from others in the community who acknowledged our Lord’s presence in the Eucharist in the midst of their daily lives.”