It is just over one year since we began Eucharistic Exposition in the Resource Center on Tuesdays from following the 8:00 AM Mass until closing with Benediction at 6:00 PM. (This is in addition to Exposition on Friday mornings for one hour prior to 8:00 Mass.) I am grateful to Dave and Karen Bisdorf for organizing the adoration, and those who have supported them. The number of “adorers” has continued to grow. However, we are still in need of parishioners to “sign up” to worship for a specific hour so as to make sure the “chapel” is never empty. We also encourage more parishioners to join us for adoration throughout the day.
Archbishop Vigneron, in his “Unleash the Gospel” initiative, reminds us that Eucharistic Adoration is an important practice to help us become “joyful missionary disciples.” Many of our younger parishioners may not have experienced this particular devotion. In an effort to encourage more of us to make this a part of our spiritual growth, I asked some of our parishioners who regularly attend Exposition to write to me how Exposition nourishes their spiritual life. Following is the reflection given by Ms. Beth Beebe, our Coordinator of Youth Ministry:
I often think of what it would have been like to have lived during the time when Jesus walked the earth. To physically be in his presence, to know he is near, to have heard him speak and to know he hears me in a special way. To experience that closeness. But we, as Catholics, have that physical closeness with Jesus today. In Adoration he is physically present, just feet away. In the quiet I can settle myself and hear him speak and know he is intently listening to me. There is an openness and peace that comes with spending time with our Lord in this way. I am certain all aspects of my life are more centered on Jesus because of Adoration. I love our time together and feel an emptiness when I’m not able to attend. I truly wish I had started attending Adoration earlier in life but am grateful for the time I’m now able to spend with our Lord.
“I have a burning thirst to be honored by men in the Blessed Sacrament.” (Jesus speaking to St. Maragaret Mary Alacoque)
Blessings,
Fr. Ron.
