Banners for the National Eucharistic Congress are displayed on the eastern facade of the Indiana Convention Center on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Downtown Indianapolis hotels are virtually sold out for this weekend, with tens of thousands of Catholics and racing fans set to flock to the city for separate events.
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The National Eucharistic Congress—the first U.S.-wide gathering of Catholics in more than 80 years—is expected to draw as many as 60,000 visitors to the Indiana Convention Center from Wednesday through Sunday, while NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 and related events could draw another estimated 60,000 people to Indianapolis Motor Speedway from Friday through Sunday.
According to tourism agency Visit Indy, about 80% of downtown’s nearly 8,400 hotel rooms will be occupied by the Catholic gathering on Friday and Saturday, the event’s peak nights, with thousands of other rooms being used for the stock car race, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
“With 60,000 attendees visiting for the National Eucharistic Congress and another 60,000 for the 30th anniversary of the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this weekend is another example of Indy’s ability to host a wide array of events simultaneously,” Clare Clark, senior communications manager for Visit Indy, said in a written statement. “As Indy prepares for this influx of visitors, hotels are showing strong demand and compression throughout downtown and central Indiana with limited availability remaining.”
The National Eucharistic Congress, which is meant to help Catholics develop a deeper connection to their faith, will use about 27,000 room nights over five days. The organization has contracted with 88 hotels throughout central Indiana for the event.
Tim Glemkowski, CEO of National Eucharistic Congress Inc., said the event was “bumping up against capacity issues” even before the date for the Brickyard race was announced last year. Some attendees are staying at hotels as far as an hour from downtown Indianapolis—a typical occurrence with major events that book Indianapolis, including the National FFA Organization, National Rifle Association and Gen Con.
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Thousands of attendees are also expected to stay at area rental homes through companies like Vrbo and Airbnb, as well as local churches or in university dormitories including Butler University, the University of Indianapolis, Marian University and Indiana University Indianapolis, according to Visit Indy and NEC officials. Several local retreat centers and recreational vehicle areas are expected to be used for the five-day event, too.
Indianapolis Archbishop Charles Thompson presided over a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Indianapolis Archbishop Charles Thompson presided over a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Indianapolis Archbishop Charles Thompson presided over a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Catholics hug during the National Eucharistic Congress welcome service at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Indianapolis Archbishop Charles Thompson presided over a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Hundreds attended a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
Indianapolis Archbishop Charles Thompson presided over a welcome service for the National Eucharistic Congress at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (IBJ photo/Mickey Shuey)
The last National Eucharistic Congress took place in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1941, less than six months before the U.S. became involved in World War II. The last major international Catholic gathering was held in 1976 in Philadelphia, drawing 1.5 million people over a single week.
Despite lodging restrictions, Glemkowski has said Indianapolis is an ideal spot for the national gathering because of its proximity to a large portion of the U.S. population. The church, he said, is focused on adding to its membership through specific outreach programs, rather than relying solely on individuals predisposed to joining or remaining in the church through cultural traditions or upbringing.
That’s why the church opted against hosting the event in a Catholic hotbed such as Boston, Chicago or Philadelphia, he said.
He said while the event is competing for hotel rooms with the race, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is offering a discounted ticket to Congress participants. There will also be a dedicated seating section for attendees, NEC officials said.
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“Even in these competing moments we’ve still found that Hoosier hospitality to be present,” he said.
On Tuesday, four groups of pilgrims arrived in Indianapolis after separate two-month journeys from different parts of the United States. The groups, which traversed the country largely on foot, hail from San Francisco; Lake Itasca, Minnesota; New Haven, Connecticut; and Brownsville, Texas.
Those journeys drew more than a quarter-million people along their respective routes to offer encouragement and prayer, the organization said. The groups were welcomed to Indianapolis with a church service at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 126 W. Georgia St.
The service, known as a liturgy, was led by Archbishop Charles Thompson, who oversees the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and included the participation of a representative of Pope Francis.
Karl E. Muszar, Jr., 94, Indianapolis, was called to his heavenly home June 22, 2026. He was born July 13, 1931, in Indianapolis to Karl E. Muszar, Sr. and Golda Lucille (Martin) Jones.
Karl was a 1949 graduate of Howe High School. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served until 1955. Following his military service, he attended Purdue University and in 1958 earned a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering. Karl worked for Allison Aircraft until 1975 at which time he started his own consulting business, Metallurgical Engineering of Indiana, Inc. Karl enjoyed photography and hiking in the mountains of Colorado. He served as a board member of Heritage Christian School from1971 to 2001.
In addition to his parents, Karl was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara J. (Foulk) Muszar; sister, Boni Kennelly, and stepbrother, Wesley Jones.
Survivors include his daughter, Michelle (Mark) Anderson; son, Jeffrey Muszar; granddaughter, Brittany (Alex) Winfield; great-grandchildren, Krystiyan Hall, Czarina Green, Mikhail, and Odessa Winfield; and many nieces and nephews.
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Family and friends will gather at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Colonial Hills Baptist Church, of which he was an active member, and where the funeral service will begin at noon.
Burial will follow in Union Chapel Cemetery. In memory of Karl, contributions may be directed to Colonial Hills Baptist Church-Missions, 8140 Union Chapel Road, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Envelopes will be available at the church.
Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements. Condolences: bussellfamilyfunerals.com.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Rain & storm chances are returning later in the week and it’ll really heat up next week.
TUESDAY EVENING/NIGHT:
Mostly sunny during the evening with fair skies and comfortable conditions overnight. Lows will be in the 50s for the 2nd night in a row.
WEDNESDAY:
Partly cloudy skies overall with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s for most of Central Indiana. While most of the day should remain dry, there is a chance of a few showers & storms during the evening.
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT:
Partly to mostly cloudy. Chance of a few showers & storms. Lows in the low to mid 60s.
THURSDAY:
Variably cloudy. Chance of a few showers & storms. Highs in the lower 80s.
THURSDAY NIGHT – FRIDAY:
Scattered rain & storms are looking more likely. Some heavy rain is possible and early projections suggest another 1-3” could fall across parts of Central and Southern Indiana. We’ll continue to monitor for some severe weather potential, but as of Tuesday afternoon no part of Indiana is in an official outlook from the Storm Prediction Center. Temperatures may only be in the upper 70s on Friday if we end up with more clouds and rain/storms.
WEEKEND:
Warm temperatures in the 80s are on track along with a chance for a few showers & storms both days. Humidity levels will be rising and the heat index by Sunday afternoon could be well into the 90s.
NEXT WEEK:
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A hot and humid weather pattern is likely going to establish itself again over the Great Lakes region. While there could be a few stray storms from time to time and perhaps even a storm complex or two rolling in from the west, the main storyline will involve hot & muggy air. Highs are expected to push into the lower 90s with heat indices in the 100 to 105 range.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — We’re in for a much better Tuesday, after all of the recent wet weather. High pressure is bringing us sunshine and comfortable temperatures today, but don’t get too used to it—rain and storms are heading back our way by Wednesday night, and we’re tracking a flooding threat heading into the weekend.
Today:
Finally, a day to enjoy! High pressure is firmly in control, giving us plenty of sunshine and comfortable conditions.
Highs today will be pleasant, ranging from the mid-70s across northern Indiana to around 80 degrees in the south.
Tonight:
Clear skies continue with lows dropping into the mid-50s to lower 60s.
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Wednesday:
Another nice day as high pressure continues to dominate. We’ll see plenty of sunshine with highs climbing into the low to mid-80s. Humidity will remain low, making it feel comfortable despite the warmer temperatures.
Wednesday Night into Thursday: Heavy Rain Threat
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop Wednesday night as moisture increases significantly. There will be much more moisture in the atmosphere by the evening hours, which opens the door for heavy downpours overnight.
Thursday should be mostly dry during the day as weak ridging builds in behind the overnight activity. However, another round of storms could develop late Thursday ahead of a warm front moving in.
Thursday Night through the Weekend: More Heavy Rain
A storm system will move through Thursday night, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Rainfall totals could exceed 2 inches in many locations, raising flash flooding concerns.
The big concern is training storms. When storms repeatedly move over the same areas, rainfall totals can quickly add up, leading to localized ponding and minor flooding. Low-lying areas, poor drainage spots, and areas near creeks and streams will be most vulnerable.
Sunday and Beyond: Heat and Humidity Return
Rain and storms will finally push northeast of the area by Sunday, giving us a break. But the break from rain comes with a price—heat and humidity.
By Sunday, high humidity and southerly breezes will boost afternoon temperatures near 90 degrees. Heat indices could approach mid- to upper 90sby early next week.
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