Love More?

 LOVE MORE? … Bet You Can.

‘Dear Jesus, may the light of Your love always shine in our hearts.  As the Christmas Season draws to a close, may we continue to marvel at Your great love for us.  Let Your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter throughout this next year.  Our hearts are open to You, Jesus.  Amen’

To truly Love Jesus you have to love what He loves!  Grow your LOVE for Him, and for what He loves, through Eucharistic Adoration.  Check current Adoration Needs by visiting www.adorationpro.org/ihmmi and click “Weekly Commitment”

( Think about more chapel time as a New Year’s Resolution)

 Christmas Season Brings Joy!

‘Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season.  May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives.  We want to find you in the everyday moments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas.

Amen.’

Eucharistic Adoration helps prepare our hearts for Christmas!

Check current Adoration Needs by visiting www.adorationpro.org/ihmmi and click “Weekly Commitment”

Peace of Advent

 Peace This Advent Season

Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace.  This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace.  Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most.
Amen

Eucharistic Adoration helps prepare our hearts for Christmas!

Hope During Advent

Hope This Advent Season

“Dear Jesus, you are the hope in our messy world.  This Advent, help us slow down, listen to your voice, and focus on what's really important.  We place our hope in you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth on Christmas.
Amen”

Eucharistic Adoration helps prepare our hearts for Christmas!

Stop by the Adoration Chapel to see the changes.  It’s now easier than ever to stop in the Chapel anytime and spend quality time with Our Lord.  Permanent weekly Adoration hours are available if you would like to become a regular part of this Ministry.  

Simply goto www.adorationpro.org/ihmmi and click on “Weekly Commitment” to see if there is an hour that fits your schedule.

Adoration and Advent

 Adoration and Advent Do Go Together

Advent is that beautiful time of year that helps us focus on the spiritual preparation for Christmas and on the coming of Our Lord.  It’s that time of year when every Christian publication we subscribe to, every Christian radio station listened to, and perhaps every homily heard, will all be encouraging us to “prepare” for Jesus’ coming into the world and to remember the real meaning of Christmas.

One of the best ways to “prepare” is to pray.  And one of the best ways to pray is Eucharistic Adoration.  A popular definition of ‘prayer’ is ‘relationship with God’.  Have you ever been able to establish a relationship with someone, or improve upon a relationship, without spending time with them … of course not.  Same holds true with God.

Advent presents an opportunity to start or improve your ‘relationship’.  And our beautiful Adoration Chapel is the perfect place for more “face time” with God.

You don't need to be a scheduled adorer - you don't need an appointment - simply drop-in and spend time with God.  If you find the visit improved your relationship with Him why not schedule a weekly appointment to be together in a special way.  He would like that!

Used again 120323

 Both Society And Our Church Need Us!

St Peter Julian Eymard underlined the urgency of Eucharistic Adoration for the renewal of our parishes and of the world:

"Today solemn exposition of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the grace and the need of our time.  It is the sovereign grace.  Exposition is the powerful weapon at the disposal of the Church and of the faithful ... We are not afraid to say: the Worship and the Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament is the need of our time ... This worship is necessary to save society.  Society is dying because it has no center of truth and charity, but it will be reborn in full force when all its members gather around the life of Jesus in the Eucharist.  Go back to the source, to Jesus - especially to Jesus in the Eucharist ... It is well known: a civilization grows or decreases according to its worship of the Blessed Eucharist.  This is its life and the measure of its faith, its love, its virtue.  What the reign of the Eucharist will bring to pass!  Impiety and ingratitude have reigned on earth for long enough.  Thy kingdom come!"

Keep Asking

 

Don’t Be Afraid To Keep Asking

Sometimes we feel God doesn’t listen … That’s not true … God hears every word that comes from our lips.  The Church teaches that every prayer is answered - so why doesn’t something happen?

Maybe God delays His response to build our faith.  Maybe God answers us, but it isn’t the answer we expect so we ignore it. Maybe the answer is ‘no’.  Maybe God gives us something better but we don’t recognize it because it’s not specifically what we asked for.

So what’s a person to do?  Remember the story in the Gospel of Luke (11:5-13) about perseverance in a request?  Your neighbor comes over in the middle of the night and asks for a couple loaves of bread to feed unexpected company.  You say “go away, don’t bother me it’s the middle of the night”.  The point is that the neighbor is so persistent you do get up and give him what he wants just so he stops bothering you.

Sometimes we need to take the same approach in our prayer requests.  The lesson is: ask repeatedly, ask earnestly, ask increasingly, even shamelessly.  And then put all your trust in God and let Him do what He knows is best.

You’re encouraged to go to the Adoration Chapel; kneel in His Real Presence; look Him in the eye; and make your request.  That’s a good way to let Him know how earnest you are.  And don’t be afraid to go back often.

Experience God's Love Through Adoration

St John Paul II for World Day for the Missions in 2004 wrote: "To evangelize the world, we need experts in the celebration of, in the Adoration of, and in the contemplation of the Eucharist".  Through Adoration, parishioners are experiencing God's love.  This leads them to become involved in their parish community, which gives them the Eucharist.  In their mission, they are at the same time supporting the Church and interceding for the world.  In other words, their Adoration becomes Trinitarian: in adoring the Son, they are led to the Father.  In this dynamic, they receive a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit which leads them to involve themselves in the Church and the world.

Invest in your Heavenly Retirement - become a regular Adorer!

Souls in Purgatory Need You!

 Souls in Purgatory are Counting on YOU! 

November has been a month dedicated to prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. A community of sisters known as the Visitation Order had a mystic amidst the Annecy community who had a special mission to these Holy Souls. She was Sister Marie Denise de Martignat, of the Visitation, who died in the Convent at Annecy, in 1653. From her experiences we can be reminded of this “state of soul” after our passing and that of those for whom we pray.

Sr Marie Denise told a superior of a soul from purgatory who had visited her and had talked about the continuance in the pains of Purgatory for a longer period of time than had commonly been thought.  Sr Marie teaches there are four reasons souls are detained in suffering; first, because of the inconceivable purity which the soul must have before it can present itself before Him who is essential sanctity and purity, and who receives no one into His glorious city who is not as pure as the city itself.  Secondly, because of the innumerable multitude of venial faults which we commit in this life, and the little penance which we do for the mortal sins we have confessed. Thirdly, because of the inability of these souls to help themselves; and, fourthly, because of the lukewarmness and negligence of the greater part of Christians in praying and doing good works for these souls, as the dead fade from the memory of the living almost as soon as they have vanished from their eyes; while true charity will follow those it loves, through the flames of Purgatory till the joys of Paradise.

So let’s not forget family and friends who have died and may still be in need of our help.

You can gain on behalf of the souls in Purgatory special indulgences* for every half hour spent in the Adoration Chapel.  Don't wait ... go today ... go often!

(*know the prerequisites for gaining indulgences - display the Page entitled "The Gift of the Indulgence" listed in the left column)

“To Love God is to Love what God Loves”

Always Present ...

 Always Present Before The Lord

In Exodus 17, when the Israelites fought against the Amalekites, Moses interceded before God by raising his hands to ask for the victory.  As his arms grew heavy, he enlisted the help of Aaron and Hur to hold his arms raised up to God.  And the Lord gave a complete victory to His people.  In the same way, through Perpetual Adoration, an adorer is always present before the Lord in an unbroken chain of prayer and intercession.  The heart of the parishioner is lifted up to God without cessation; and God gives victory to His people, His Church.  He sends His mercy, His peace and His light to chase the darkness from our hearts and the world.

If not already a regular Adorer, say “Yes” to becoming an active member of the Adoration Ministry and spend an hour a week before the Most Holy Eucharist.  You fund your heavenly retirement account by doing so!

“ … Christ’s Eucharistic presence brings with it a particular grace making it easier to enter into prayer.”*  If you’re having trouble praying - visit the chapel.

* Adoration In Spirit and Truth  Alain-Marie de Lassus, c.s.j.  p111 

Recognition Before The Face of Jesus

 Recognition Before the Face of Jesus

Jesus constantly reminds us that He is always here for our support.  He asks in turn that we be here for Him by seeking His Eucharistic Face in Adoration.  He wants us to know that His Eucharistic Heart is open to receive, to comfort, to strengthen, and to purify us in the Blood and Water that ever flows from His pierced side.

Our Lord sees all adorers before His Face and rejoices in their presence.  He blesses them with all the tenderness of His Eucharistic Heart.  Take advantage of these wonderful graces by spending an hour a week before Our Lord in Adoration.

"Adoration helps to create and deepen within our hearts that silence within which the voice of God is heard."     Anthony DeMello

Pray The Right Way!

 Are You Praying The Right Way?

Father Jose' Calveras, was a Jesuit priest who had a reputation of teaching people how to pray.  Fr. Jose' is quoted as saying:

"The key to the art of prayer is the prayer of petition.  Many people never learn how to pray because they have never learned to make effective use of petitionary prayer.  The hand outstretched to beg obtains what the hand pressed against ones' head to think does not."

If you have not succeeded in prayer it is not because prayer does not work.  It is because you have not learned to pray well.

The first law of prayer is:  FAITH

Have you noticed the habit Jesus had of saying to anyone who came to him for a favor: Do you believe I can do this?  In other words, he always insisted on faith in his power to heal and cure and work miracles.

His teaching in the Bible can be summed up by saying if you believe, all things are possible.  If you do not believe, I can do nothing for you.

Now, here is an important point - you yourself need not have the faith - it is enough that someone else has it for you.

    -  The daughter of Jairus had no faith

    -  As far as we know the servant of the centurion mentioned in Matt 8:15 had no faith

    -  Nor the paralytic of Matt 9:2-8

It was enough that the petitioner, not necessarily the beneficiary, have faith.  But faith there had to be - there was no substitute for it.

In teaching his Apostles about faith Jesus said "Have faith in God.  I tell you this: if anyone says to this mountain ..."  You know the story.  But there is an important point at the end where Jesus goes on to say "I tell you then, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours."  (Matt 11:20)

This law of Faith was well understood by the Apostles, who handed it on to the early Christians, and it has continued cascading down thru history, in the Bible and thru tradition, to the present day.

Jesus continues to work miracles in response to faith in our day.  Believe.  And expect only the best.  Chapel time builds Faith.

Jesus Waits!
What Will You Say to Him When You Finally See Him Face to Face?

We are all encouraged to pray before the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist as frequently as we can.  Not only for our temporal welfare, but also for the salvation of our soul.  Eucharistic Adoration “is one of the most practical things you can possibly do to improve your God relationship.  For there will come a day, sooner than you wish, when you will be alone with Him and unable to return to your friends or your family or your home or the pleasures of the world, ever again.  You will be alone with Christ at the border of eternity.  Why wait until that momentous moment to be alone with Him?”  Why not practice?  (Jesus-shock p147)
See you in the chapel.

Support Your Guardian Angel

Isn’t It Time You Did Something For Your Guardian Angel?

"For he hath given his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” - Psalm 90:11

The truth that each and every human soul has a Guardian Angel who protects us from both spiritual and physical evil has been shown throughout the Old Testament, and is made very clear in the New.

It is written that the Lord Jesus was strengthened by an angel in the Garden of Gethsemane, and that an angel delivered St. Peter from prison in the Acts of the Apostles.

Jesus has pointed out that all people have a guardian angel and the work of the angel is to guide and protect us throughout our pilgrimage to the house of the Father.  St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that angels can act directly on our senses and imaginations - thus encouraging us to make the right decisions.

We need to get into the habit of remembering their presence and offering a prayer of thanksgiving for their support.  Doing so enhances our friendship with them and helps us open our hearts to their  

directives.

St. Bernard of Chairvaux says “Let us affectionately love His angels as counselors and defenders appointed by the Father and placed over us.  They are faithful; they are prudent; they are powerful; let us only follow them, let us remain close to them, and in the protection of the God of heaven let us abide.”

   (Catholic News Agency - The Guardian Angels - Feast Oct 02)

“ … Christ’s Eucharistic presence brings with it a particular grace making it easier to enter into prayer.”*  If you are having trouble praying - visit the chapel.

* Adoration In Spirit and Truth  Alain-Marie de Lassus, c.s.j.  p111 

Bitcoin vs Bitgrace

 Bitcoin vs Bitgrace

Bitcoin, what is it?  It’s a type of currency that bears little resemblance to what we understand money to be.  It’s not issued by a country, nor is it printed on printing presses. It exists only on computers and is referred to as cryptocurrency.  Anyone can buy into Bitcoin by establishing an account called a digital wallet.  An investor does not have to deal in whole units; you can buy fractions of a Bitcoin.  Bitcoin is used on the internet in place of money to purchase products and services.  Fortunes are being made, and lost, trading Bitcoin.  Who originated Bitcoin is still wrapped in uncertainty.  Five years ago a single Bitcoin had a value of about $400.  In mid-Spring of this year the value had jumped to more than $60,000.  Value is extremely volatile and if you trade in Bitcoin you have to constantly monitor your investment.  

Bitgrace, what is it?  To begin with, the term itself is misleading because to use the qualifier ‘bit’, for many of us, would mean small or tiny, and it’s anything but.  It’s best to simply call it ‘grace’.  Unlike Bitcoin we know where and by whom it originated.  God originated Bitgrace (grace).  You automatically have a Bitgrace account if you are baptized.  And through your Baptism you are eligible to be called an adopted daughter/son of the Father and have a right to inherit heaven.  Unlike Bitcoin, whose value is determined by forces other than yourself, your Bitgrace accounts’ value is totally within your control; the smart investor of Bitgrace has a growth plan, and works that plan to increase account value.

It’s OK to invest in Bitcoin as long as you manage the risk and know that your account value is temporal.  Don’t neglect your Bitgrace account however; a wise investor knows the time allowed to grow this account is limited, and unlike the former temporal account, the value of this account does move with you into eternity.

See you in the Chapel.

If you would like to become a regular Adorer click on this link and choose a convenient hour that would allow you to be in the chapel every week.  (We have a good substitute program, so if you were unable to be there on a given date it's easy to find a substitute)

https://adorationpro.org/schedule.php?org=ihmmi&languageMain=english

But Who Do You Say That I Am?

 “But Who do You Say that I Am?”

     “Lord, why do you ask the same question?  And, why do you ask precisely those who should know the answer best?  Do not men respond to you, calling you “Father”, “Christ”, “Son of the Living God”, “Savior of the world”, “Master of all truth”, “Sacred Heart”, “God with us”, “Blessed Sacrament”, “the Eucharist”?  Don’t the choirs of cathedrals and monasteries, as well as the mouths of your priests and virgins, respond to you with praises and confessions in their Masses and Offices?

     Why, in spite of those responses do you continue asking?

     All right, don’t tell me, my heart has already guessed and feels it.  It is our behavior towards you that is the cause of your insistence.  It is the monumental discrepancy, I would say, between the responses of our lips and of our actions.  Shame on us, for you cannot believe or trust in our word.  If we call you “Father”, why don’t we love you as your children?  If we say “Son of the living God”, why don’t we adore you above all things, and why do we treat you as if you were dead?  If we proclaim you as “Savior” and “Master of the world”, why do we look for our wellbeing and truth in other ways aside from you?  If you are the “Sacred Heart”, why don’t we render our sinful hearts to you?  If you are “God with us” and the “Eucharist”, why do we abandon the tabernacle and leave God with cobwebs and mice?”  (unknown)

Working to improve our relationship with God is a life long effort.  A good place to extend that effort is in our Adoration Chapel.  Actually you don’t have to do anything … just show up … spend some time in His Real Presence and God will do the work.

Join the ranks of regular Adorers by choosing a convenient hour at: Adoration Hours

Mychal's Prayer

 MYCHAL’S PRAYER:

“LORD, TAKE ME WHERE YOU WANT ME TO GO

LET ME MEET WHO YOU WANT ME TO MEET

TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT ME TO SAY

AND KEEP ME OUT OF YOUR WAY”

(Father Michael Judge - NYFD Chaplain - Died 9/11/01) 

This week Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by a terrorist organization against the United States.  Let’s take a few minutes to pray for those who died, as well as for those courageous and fearless individuals who showed no concern for ‘self’ as they sacrificed to help others … many of whom still suffer to this day.

No better place to pray than our Adoration Chapel.  Jesus would love for all of us to visit Him.

To sign up as a 'regular adorer' go to:  https://adorationpro.org/schedule.php?org=ihmmi&languageMain=english

All 'Time' Is A Gift From God

 ‘Time’ Is A Gift … and God gives you the gift of the next two minutes to read this!

"Love Me and show your love for Me by offering Me the gift of your time.  Be like the candle that exists only to burn itself out in My presence.  It is enough that you are there in My presence, offering Me the flame of your love and allowing yourself to be consumed in quiet adoration.

Speak to Me freely, or simply remain in silence.  I do not ask for many words; I ask for your companionship, for your presence, and for the loving attention of your heart.  Thus will you attain to the union with Me that I desire for you: a fruitful union by which you will abide in Me and I in you.

Give Me this, the sacrifice of your time in My presence, and I will give you all else, even those things that, at the moment, seem impossible."

  (In Sinu Jesu  p.264)

How can you turn down an offer to gain ‘all else’ by not giving back to the Lord a small portion of the ‘time’ that He has gifted to you?  Doesn’t have to be a lot … just be there.  See you in the chapel.

Spiritual 'Big Bang'

In the silence of Eucharistic Adoration there is a power greater than a thousand nuclear bombs, greater than the sun, greater than the Big Bang.  It is the power of God, released when the atom of the Trinity was split on the Cross and the explosion of redeeming blood came out.  In Eucharistic Adoration we touch this power, which is the root of everything, for it is Christ the Pantocrator.  We touch the candle of our souls to the fire of His passion, His passion for souls, and we catch that flame.  (Jesus-Shock p155-156)

If you don’t have that ‘flame’ burning in your soul maybe its time you got off the couch and on your knees in the Adoration Chapel.  We all can find more time to pray … if we WANT TO.  Give it a try … you have nothing to loose, and eternity to gain.  You don’t have to commit to an hour (although Jesus likes it when you do), just stop by and pray awhile.  

Jesus may not have needed my hour of Adoration, but I sure needed the consolation and instruction inherent in His presence.  See you in the chapel.

The Peace of Adoration

 The Gentle Breeze

It was mentioned in a recent article of the Catholic Herald that there has been in recent times a discernible increase in those drawn to Eucharistic Adoration in parishes and communities, and particularly among young people.  Adoration stands as an antidote to the noise and busyness of our world.

As we hear from the account of Elijah at Horeb, the Lord was not in the mighty wind, fire or earthquakes but in “the gentle breeze” (1 Kings 19: 9a, 11-16)  After encountering that “gentle breeze” Elijah covered his face with his cloak and stood at the entrance of the cave.  “The gentle breeze” might be the Lord calling us from the Blessed Sacrament, and the cloak the call to humble and prostrate ourselves in Adoration.

When you visit the Adoration Chapel this week place yourself in the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy His peace and quiet.  He will move your heart.

We often sin for no reason but an incomprehensible lack of love, and He offers us salvation for no reason but an incomprehensible excess of love.

The Lord was not in the wind, nor in the earthquake ...

 Are You Listening?

“The entire Ignatian spirituality is based upon the fact that God is constantly communicating to us in his own mysterious way.  We truly have the capacity to know and do his will precisely because he is constantly trying to communicate it to us.  There is no better place to listen to the Lord and learn his will for us than before the Blessed Sacrament.  The heart that truly seeks to hear Christ’s voice will soon come to understand that he has way of communicating to us in Adoration.”  

“ … the Heart of Jesus in the tabernacle always has something to say to you.”
                (The Bishop of the Abandoned Tabernacle  Victoria Schneider)

What A Beautiful Place Just To Sit In The Presence Of God

 “Come Away And Rest Awhile”

Recently we heard in the Gospel “The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.  He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.  So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.”  (Mk 6:30-32).  Sound a bit like your life?

When you need a quiet place to get away and rest a while, go to the Adoration Chapel.  There you will find the peace and quiet of God’s Love. 

“Eucharistic Adoration is the foundation for all our other acts of holy warfare.”
     Jesus-Shock p46

 Why Do People Go?

“The ways of visiting the Blessed Sacrament must be as varied as the souls of men.  Some love to go there to listen; some to speak; some to confess to Him as if He were their priest; some to examine their consciences as before a judge; some to do homage as to their king; some to study Him as their Doctor and Prophet; some to find shelter as with their Creator.  Some rejoice in His divinity, others in His sacred humanity, others in the mysteries of the season.  Some visit Him on different days by His different titles, as God, Father, Brother, Shepherd, Head of the Church, and the like.  Some visit to adore, some to intercede, some to petition, some to return thanks, some for consolation; but all visit Him to LOVE.”

   Frederick William Faber, The Blessed Sacrament

Be counted among the growing number of parishioners who spend an hour each week in Eucharistic Adoration.  Let God know you’re committed by signing up for an hour at:

https://adorationpro.org/schedule.php?org=ihmmi&languageMain=english

 Thank You Lord For The Gift Of Eucharistic Adoration!

“When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then.  When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now.”

   Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

“St Paul wrote that the transforming power of gazing upon the Eucharist changes us into His likeness.”  (2 Cor 3:18)

“To converse with You, O King of glory, no third person is needed.  You are always ready in the Sacrament of the Altar to give audience to all.  All who desire You always find You there, and converse with You face to face.

   St Teresa of Avila

“Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament has His hands full of graces, and He is ready to bestow them on anyone who asks for them.”

   St Peter of Alcantara

“Silence in the religious sense signifies God-awareness.  What matters in silence is not our external situation but our inner disposition.  It is a matter, not of keeping our mouth shut, but of opening our heart to God.”

   Kallistos Ware

Why don’t you join the growing number of fellow parishioners who are making a weekly hour in the Adoration Chapel part of their regular routine.  Click here to find a convenient hour:  https://adorationpro.org/schedule.php?org=ihmmi&languageMain=english

“Go, gather, teach, pray.”   Our Lady of Good Help

Heartfelt Adoration

 Heartfelt Adoration

Adoration must be “in spirit”, which in a sense makes it a loving act of will that as a human being we can do anywhere and at anytime.  You don’t have to be in church, or in the chapel, to adore God in your heart.  The secret to being successful to spontaneously adore in your heart is to condition the heart through ‘chapel time’.

Only the Blessed Mother was able to adore anytime and anywhere … the rest of us have to work at it to be successful.

Adoration ‘in spirit’ allows you to pause whatever it is you are doing, and simply bring to mind the presence of God in your heart.  It is a beautiful and rewarding practice which truly is a gift of the Holy Spirit.  If you cannot do this … you need to practice and to pray.

If you are not a regular Adorer in our Chapel, here is a good place to start:  Available Schedule

Exposition of the Eucharist

 Why Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament?

If we can adore the Eucharistic presence of Christ when reposed in a tabernacle, why do we then need to expose the Blessed Sacrament on an altar?  It is not essential for exposition to take place to have Eucharistic Adoration, yet people report experiencing a greater sense of intimacy with Jesus and attentiveness of mind and heart to prayer when they are able to actually ‘see’ our Eucharistic Lord.  But the best reason for having exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is simply that God wills it.  During His Eucharistic discourse, Jesus made this unmistakably clear:  “Indeed, this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son, and believes in Him, shall have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” (Jn 6:40)

Spend time in His presence and know you are doing the will of the Father.

Used again 080623

A Treasured Hour

 A Treasured Hour

“One thing is certain, that next to Holy Communion, no act of worship is so pleasing to God, and none so useful, as the daily visit to our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament dwelling upon the altar.”   St Alphonsus Liguori

For most of us a ‘daily’ visit is difficult if not impossible.  Our schedules and ‘life’ simply get in the way.  I remember a saying often used by a nun who taught me when I was in the 6th grade; sister often said, “If you really want to do it, you will find a way” (you can probably all relate).  If you really want to spend time with God you will find at least an hour a week for Eucharistic Adoration.  Outside of Sunday Mass that hour will become your most treasured hour of your week - guaranteed.  You will not know the full value and benefit it brings you until you are face-to-face with our Lord.  At that time, Jesus, just maybe instead of listening to all your ‘thank you’s’, will be saying ‘thank you’ to you for spending your time with Him in Adoration.

“For two of the most perfect and powerful means of becoming a saint are Eucharistic Adoration and frequent Holy Communion … because Jesus Christ the saint-maker is present in the Eucharist as He is nowhere else in the world.”  (Peter Kreeft)

(used again 071923)

 An Hour Of Adoration Is A Waste Of Time …

That’s exactly what the devil wants you to think.

Truth is, outside the Celebration of the Mass, there is no more worthwhile hour that you can spend for the wellbeing of your soul.  The devil would be ecstatic if the Adoration Chapels of the world could not get enough volunteers to maintain their Adoration schedules before the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior.  If you want to help raise hell in Hell just go spend an hour in our chapel.  

Most people pray when they do go to the chapel.  But you don’t have to - there’s no preferred ‘practice’ for Adoration behavior … it’s a time for just you and Jesus to be together in a special way.  Jesus says to you “come; let’s go over here and talk, just the two of us”.  You talk to him the same way you do to a friend at a backyard barbecue.  

Another chapel practice is to just sit quietly and LISTEN.  St. John of the Cross wrote in the sixteenth century “silence is God’s first language”.  If you sit quietly and listen with an open heart you begin to feel the indwelling Trinity starting to change your heart.  Once that happens you can’t help not moving towards true happiness.

Adoration helps us rely on the Holy Spirit and live a life of obedience in prayer.

We are transformed from someone asking for a sign, to someone seeking sight through understanding.  Adoration helps to maintain a daily prayer practice the rest of the week.

Enhance Your Christian Life

 Enhance Your Christian Life

When Adoration becomes a habit it produces the following Fruits in the Christian life:

Docility of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit will lead us to holiness if we but surrender to Her actions and give Her a chance to teach us.

Peace and Surrender - Adoration helps us surrender to the providence of God and once we have done that we can find true peace.

“Let nothing trouble you, Nothing frighten you.  All is passing.  God changes not.  Patience obtains all. 
One who has God lacks nothing.  God alone is enough.”  (St Teresa of Avila)

Inner Silence - Adoration creates in our hearts an inner silence by which we can be ever present to God’s love, and truly listen to what He has to say personally to us.

Humility - Adoration helps us realize who God is - our Creator - and what we are - creatures totally dependent on the Creator.  Through humility we grow in holiness and increase our intimate union with God.

Detachment from Idols - Idolatry is an ever recurrent temptation that results from the consequences of original sin.  Adoration helps us not to always put ourselves first and to adore God alone.

Obedience - By way of Adoration we make a spiritual offering to God of what we are and surrender our will to His providence.  By doing this we get help to obey His will for us.

(source: Adoration In Spirit and Truth - Alain-Marie de Lassus, c.s.j.)

“In Heaven, the occupation of souls will be to adore and to love.  Let us begin then, on earth what we’ll be going for all eternity!”

Take Advantage While You Can

“Look and see …”

When you look upon the Sacred Host, YOU LOOK UPON JESUS, the Son of God.  “Indeed, this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life.  Him I will raise up on the last day.”  (Jn 6:40)

Imagine how the souls in purgatory envy us the ability to sit in the presence of the True God.  Don’t waste an opportunity to spend time in this special way in His presence.  There are only so many opportunities afforded to each of us.  Join the ever growing number of parishioners who are praying regularly in the chapel.

Current Adoration Needs:

Open Hour:  Monday 4-5pm / Tuesday 8-9am

Partner Needed:  Thursday 12-1pm / Thursday 2-3pm / Friday 3-4pm

** May 31 - Memorial Day Holiday - Chapel will be closed - resume Tue June 01 at 6AM **

Adoration softens the Human Condition and helps us grow spiritually.

As you spend more time in Adoration God begins to communicate with you on a more profound level than that of the five senses.  God’s word moves from you ‘head’ to your ‘heart’.

To Love Him Is A Free Choice

 God Won’t Force His Gifts Upon You …

Fostering a Eucharistic life of Adoration bears tremendous fruit in our heart and life.  One cannot spend time in the rays of His Eucharistic Presence without receiving His grace, His love, His mercy, as well as His peace.  As one gazes upon Our Lord face to face we are transformed little by little into a closer reflection of His divine image.  We also become more aware of the obstacles of sin in our lives that stand between us and Our Lord.  Adoration helps develop a stronger desire to pray more often and practice small acts of self-sacrifice leading to an improved relationship with God.  

Won’t you join the ever growing number of scheduled Adorers and receive the gifts God holds just for you?

Adoration helps us rely on the Holy Spirit and live a life of obedience in prayer.

We are transformed from someone asking for a sign, to someone seeking sight through understanding.  Adoration helps to maintain a daily prayer practice the rest of the week.

(used in bulletin 052823)

How Can You Say 'No' When It's Mary Asking You?

 How Can You Say ‘NO’ When It’s Mary Asking You?

This week we celebrate the Ascension Of The Lord, and also commemorate the anniversary of Our Lady appearing at Fatima.  Both events happen Thursday, May 13.  The only request Mary repeated at each of her apparitions at Fatima was to pray the rosary every day for world peace. Since World War II, we have experienced a massive turning away from faith and the glorification and normalization of blasphemy and sin.  The world is in danger - our Church is in danger - both desperately need our prayers to ‘right the wrongs’ and get back on the road to redemption.  Has this effort started without YOU?

If you are not a regular Adorer, now is a good time to visit the Adoration Chapel to pray the rosary for both our world and our Church.  

Adoration gives us privileged access to the God of the universe.

 The secular world delights in keeping solitude from us.  Time spent in Adoration gives us back the gift of solitude letting us withdraw from ‘worldly’ cares and enter into oneness with God.

Parish bulletin insert 050921

Action Required

 Action Required

God is with us in many different ways but none more intimate than experiencing Him face-to-face in adoration.  Spending time with Jesus in His sacrament of Love will fill your heart with abiding joy and bless your days, your job, your families, your life with His protection and grace.  Each hour given to Our Lord bears fruit a hundredfold in this life and in the next.

St. Augustine is quoted as saying “He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent.”  In other words - nothing happens until YOU do something.

     Don’t wait.  This is YOUR TIME to step up and PRAY.

Join your many fellow parishioners who have stepped up by spending an hour every week in the Adoration Chapel ‘doing something’.  Commit to an hour each week and let God know you are seriously in-love with Him.

There are many opportunities available to get involved by putting your name on an Adoration hour and letting God know He can count on you.

Sign-up here:  https://adorationpro.org/schedule.php?org=ihmmi&languageMain=english

Want To Be More Like Chirst?

 Be More Like Christ

Deepen your personal relationship with Jesus by spending time with Him in Eucharistic Adoration and become more like Him, just as old friends or a long-married couple grow more and more similar.  Chapel time helps us become more aware of the obstacles of sin in our life that stand between us and Our Lord.  We develop a stronger desire to make habits of virtue and self-sacrifice in imitation of Him.

If you are not a regular Adorer, maybe now is the time to bring your Jesus relationship to a new level?  Jesus invites you to join Him in the chapel just one hour a week.

Adoration allows God to increase His gifts of humility and patience in us.

The true value of persistent prayer is not that God will hear us, but that we will hear Him and be moved to change because 

        ‘we want to’.

Add your name to the growing list of people who adore Christ on a weekly basis:

https://adorationpro.org/schedule.php?org=ihmmi&languageMain=english

Priceless - Don't Miss Out

 A Priceless Gift

“The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life’” (CCC 1324)  Our worship of our Eucharistic Lord, Jesus - fully and completely present under the consecrated species of bread and wine - continues outside of the celebration of the Mass when the sacred Host is exposed for veneration in our chapel.  “This exposition gives us the opportunity for a deep personal encounter with Christ.  The holy and glorious God is constantly inviting us to come to him, to hold converse with him, to ask for such things as we need and to experience what a blessing there is in fellowship with him.”  (Archbishop Fulton Sheen)

Know that an hour with God in the chapel is a ‘gift’ directly from his heart to each one of us personally.  It’s not enough that he offers … you have to accept it.  

Accept his gift by going to:

https://adorationpro.org/schedule.php?org=ihmmi&languageMain=english

Angelic Prayer Partners

Did you know that Jesus brings with Him an entire flight of angels to keep you company every time you visit the Adoration Chapel?  This 'flight' fills the chapel from wall to wall - ceiling to floor. 

These angels become our prayer partners; so when you are in the chapel you never pray alone.  Next time you visit know that an angel will move over to make room.  Be sure to thank the angel.