August 1, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

In this time of the pandemic, there have been many things we have missed as Catholic faithful – worshiping in large numbers during Mass, enjoying fellowship at social events and sitting in quiet contemplation with Jesus Christ during Eucharistic Adoration. While we have cautiously resumed some traditions in our Catholic life, weekly Eucharistic Adoration has not been one of them. However, on Friday, Aug. 7, we would like to offer Eucharistic Adoration from 9:30 am to 12 pm in the church on the First Friday of the month.

For those of you who did not grow up attending Eucharistic Adoration, this is a special time in which we are invited to gaze upon the Holy Eucharist – the Body of Christ – displayed in a monstrance on the altar. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops states that Eucharistic devotion extends the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament that occurs during every Mass: “Behold the lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to supper of the Lamb.” It serves to deepen our communion with Jesus Christ and the rest of the church, concluding with a priest or deacon blessing the faithful with the Blessed Sacrament in benediction.

I cannot explain the mystery of how Jesus Christ works in our lives. Yet, I know first-hand that, while sitting with the Lord in prayer, people have recognized religious vocations and experienced an outpouring of Jesus’ love in his presence. It is a private and prayerful time with our Lord, but has evoked powerful experiences, too.

I invite you to join us at Eucharistic Adoration between 9:30 am-12 pm on Friday in church. If you can, please sign up to accompany the Lord in half-hour increments below. You can sign up for more than one slot, if would like to sit with our Lord for an hour. It will be time well-spent in the presence of Jesus Christ.

I wish you a wonderful weekend and hope to see you soon, either in person or online. Have a blessed and wonderful week!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John