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.

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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)

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 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.

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