LASALLE — “Human beings are hungry beings,” and only God’s love can fully and permanently satisfy us, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, told hundreds of Catholics from 21 faith communities who gathered at St. Hyacinth’s Church in LaSalle Sunday afternoon for a public witness of their faith in and love for Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.

Moments later, the bishop and those in attendance reverently processed around the church block with the Eucharist, which Bishop Jenky called “the church’s greatest treasure.”

“It was a great witness of the Catholic faith,” said Father Robert Rayson, pastor of the LaSalle Catholic parishes, of the first LaSalle vicariate-wide celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

The event began with a holy hour featuring music by a combined vicariate choir under the direction of Mary Jane Tonazzi from St. Anthony Parish in Spring Valley.

Taking part were about a dozen area clergy, including Father Robert Spilman, vicar of the LaSalle vicariate. A Knights of Columbus Honor Guard led the procession, which also included recent first Communicants from the region dressed in their formal attire. At the close of the event Bishop Jenky blessed and distributed prayer books and crosses for both the first Communicants and recent confirmands.

In his homily during the holy hour, Bishop Jenky called the feast “a great opportunity to reflect and pray about what it is that satisfies our hearts.”

“Birds fly and fish swim, but human beings by nature were made to know the Lord,” he said. He cautioned Catholics to “stop looking to anyone or anything else to substitute.”

It is our love for God, said the bishop, that sets us free to love our spouses, children, neighbors and even our enemies.

He challenged those in attendance to think about inviting neighbors and fallen-away Catholics to join them at Mass. “If possible we should go to Communion daily,” he added, or make time during the week for Eucharistic adoration. “Jesus is good company, the best of friends,” he said, reminding them that “angels tremble and adore” before the reality of his presence in the Eucharist.