Fr. Luke Spannagel is a member of the team of National Eucharistic Preachers which is part of the National Eucharistic Revival of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Mission of the Revival is “To renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.” Having recently served as the pastor of St. Mary and Sacred Heart Churches in Rock Island, Illinois, Fr. Luke currently assists at St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Heart of Peoria Parishes in downtown Peoria, IL.

Fr. Luke grew up outside of a small farm community in Pesotum, IL. After his undergrad studies at the University of Illinois, he went on to seminary at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, MD. Fr. Luke was ordained for the Diocese of Peoria in 2003 and has enjoyed assignments in campus ministry and parishes of all sizes. He loves being a spiritual father to many and has a great passion for helping hearts to grow.

As Fr. Luke has shared, “Being with Jesus in the Eucharist is where I feel most at peace and where I feel most myself. I never wonder if I should be doing something else—I always feel the peaceful conviction that there is no better place I can be at that moment. Being in His presence helps me see clearly that I am loved and that He has given everything for me. It is where I am renewed in strength when I falter and where I receive the strength to do whatever He asks of me each day. My time with Jesus in the Mass and in Adoration is always the best part of my day.”

On being named a Eucharistic Preacher: “For me personally, being a “Eucharistic Preacher” is first an opportunity for myself to continue growing in love and unity with Christ truly present. This is a calling for me to strive to live more and more deeply united with Christ and centered in Christ throughout each day. This is a calling to joyfully share the gift of Jesus truly present that we have been given. For many, hopefully the preaching will be a reminder of the gift that always has been present…for others, hopefully will foster an encounter with Christ that will begin a true friendship in Him.”