Saturday — ASCEND Day
The ASCEND Eucharistic Revival at Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue. One day that could change everything.
Times are approximate and may shift as plans are finalized.
What is ASCEND?
A regional Eucharistic Revival event for the Archdiocese of Seattle.
ASCEND is a one-day Eucharistic Revival gathering — part of the broader National Eucharistic Revival movement launched by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The heart of the day is an encounter with Jesus Christ, truly present in the Eucharist.
Expect powerful preaching from Chris Stefanick, deep Scripture teaching from Dr. Tim Gray and the Swaffords, sacred music from the Floriani ensemble and Marie Miller, extended Eucharistic Adoration with a confession window, and a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle.
We are not going as spectators. We are going as a parish group to be renewed in our faith in the Real Presence — and to be sent out as Eucharistic missionaries.
The Drive
~145 miles, ~2h 30m. We meet and leave together from St. Juan Diego in Cowiche.
- Meet-up point
- St. Juan Diego Catholic Church · 15800 Summitview Rd, Cowiche, WA 98923
- Departure
- Meet 3:45 AM · Depart 4:00 AM · Arrive ~6:30 AM
- Route
- Summitview Rd → I-82 W → I-90 W → I-405 N
- Rest stop
- Pilot Travel Center, Ellensburg (~15 min)
Meydenbauer Center
Our home base for the day — the venue for ASCEND.
Venue details
- Address
- 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004
- Parking
- 434 underground spaces — arrive early to park together as a group
- Layout
- Convention center with main plenary hall (1st floor), breakout rooms, and common areas
- Merch
- ASCEND merchandise tables near the entrance — browse during breaks
Practical tips
- The venue is climate-controlled — dress in layers
- Bring a water bottle — there are refill stations
- Cell service is good inside; Wi-Fi may be available
- Use the digital journal in the app for talk notes and reflections — or bring a notebook and pen if you prefer
- Restrooms are on every level
- Meet back at our seats after each break — stay together as a group
The day, block by block
A walkthrough of what each part is and why it matters. For exact times, see the Timeline.
Eucharistic Adoration, Confession & Praise Music
Two hours of quiet Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, with a Confession window and praise music. We arrive early so we can begin the day in the Lord's presence before any talks, any program, any noise.
Confession will be available during this window. If you haven't been in a while, this is your moment.
Welcome & Opening
Fr. Nicholas Wichert and Deacon Charlie Echeverry open ASCEND. They set the tone: why we are here, and Who we have come to meet.
Morning Plenary — Chris Stefanick
The first of two major talks from Chris Stefanick, founder of Real Life Catholic. Expect energy, directness, and a challenge to take your faith seriously. Stefanick is one of the most popular Catholic speakers in North America — he knows how to meet young adults where they are.
Breakout Sessions
Our recommended track: the Youth Breakout with Dr. Andrew & Sarah Swafford — theologians from Benedictine College who speak powerfully to young adults about virtue, relationships, and the spiritual life.
Other options: Dr. Tim Gray (English-language Scripture breakout) or Deacon Charlie Echeverry (Spanish-language breakout). Pick the one that speaks to you, but we encourage staying together as a group.
Lunch — Sizzle & Crunch
The conference breaks for lunch. The group covers Sizzle & Crunch Vietnamese Grill — a fast-casual spot a short walk from Meydenbauer with banh mi, vermicelli bowls, and rice plates. Quick service that fits the lunch break. Be back in your seat by 1:30 PM.
- Address
- 10438 NE 10th St, Bellevue, WA 98004
- Walk from venue
- ~5 min
Program Resumes
Back to the Center Hall, 1st floor of Meydenbauer. Find your seats.
Afternoon Plenary — Chris Stefanick
Second plenary talk. The afternoon session builds on the morning — expect it to go deeper.
Praise Music & Adoration — Marie Miller
Catholic folk singer Marie Miller closes the afternoon with praise music during Eucharistic Adoration. This is one of the most beautiful moments of the day — the music and the Blessed Sacrament together. Let it wash over you.
Holy Mass — Archbishop Paul Etienne
The high point of the entire retreat. Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Seattle, with sacred music by the Floriani ensemble. Everything in the day — the talks, the adoration, the fellowship — leads to this moment. The Eucharist is why we came.
Walk with One — Commissioning
ASCEND's final act is not a conclusion but a sending. You are commissioned as a Eucharistic missionary. The call: take what you received today and bring it to one person in your life. Walk with one.
Who you'll hear from
Brief previews — see the Speakers page for full bios.
Chris Stefanick
Morning & Afternoon Plenary
Founder of Real Life Catholic. One of the most dynamic Catholic speakers in North America — expect joy, challenge, and a direct invitation to encounter Christ.
Dr. Andrew & Sarah Swafford
Youth Breakout · Our recommended track
Theologians from Benedictine College. Authors and speakers who meet young adults where they are — on virtue, relationships, and the spiritual life.
Dr. Tim Gray
English Breakout
President of the Augustine Institute and one of the most popular Scripture teachers in the Catholic world. Makes the Bible come alive.
Archbishop Paul Etienne
Mass Celebrant · 5:00 PM
Archbishop of Seattle. Celebrates the closing Mass — the liturgical high point of ASCEND.
Marie Miller
Praise Music · 4:30 PM
Catholic folk singer and songwriter. Her music during Adoration is one of the most beautiful moments of the day.
Floriani
Sacred Music at Mass
Sacred vocal ensemble. Chant and polyphony sung with clarity that lifts the heart — providing the liturgical music for Archbishop Etienne's Mass.
Holy Mass & Walk with One
The liturgical heart of ASCEND.
The Mass
Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle celebrates Mass for the entire ASCEND assembly, with sacred music provided by the Floriani ensemble. This is the Ordinary Form (Novus Ordo) Mass — the same form celebrated in most parishes — but offered with great beauty and reverence for this occasion.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. Everything at ASCEND — every talk, every song, every moment of adoration — leads to this: receiving the Body and Blood of Christ.
Walk with One
After Mass, ASCEND concludes with the "Walk with One" commissioning. This is not just a closing ceremony — it is a sending. You are commissioned as a Eucharistic missionary.
The call is simple and concrete: take what you received today and bring it to one person in your life. One conversation. One invitation. One act of witness. Walk with one.
After the commissioning (~7:00 PM), we gather our things, meet at the vehicles, and head to the hotel.
After ASCEND
Hotel, dinner, rest.
- ~7:30 PM
- Depart Meydenbauer → La Quinta Lynnwood (~25 min drive)
- ~8:00 PM
- Hotel check-in — drop bags, settle in. Guys and girls in separate rooms.
- ~8:30 PM
- Group dinner — Chick-fil-A Alderwood · 3026 196th St SW · ~5 min from the hotel
- 11:00 PM
- Lights out — Latin Mass is early tomorrow morning. Rest well.
Where we'll be
What to bring Saturday
Quick list — see the full Packing Checklist for everything.
- Photo ID + health insurance card
- $40–60 cash/card — for Sunday lunch and personal extras
- Phone + charger
- Water bottle and snacks for the 4 AM drive
- Saturday outfit — casual and comfortable for talks
- Sunday Mass attire — modest (collared shirt + slacks for guys; dress past the knee with shoulders covered for girls)
- Sunday-afternoon change of clothes (after Mass)
- Light jacket / layers — Seattle is 50–65°F in May
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Pajamas + extra underwear/socks
- Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap)
- Prescription medications — labeled, in your carry bag (not luggage). Plus allergy meds and motion-sickness meds if you need them.
- Pillow / blanket for the car (4 AM departure)
- Overnight bag — one night
- Rosary + Bible or prayer book
- Signed consent form if you haven't turned it in yet
- A good attitude and an open heart