Call for Committed Adorers

Dear Parishioners, 

As Christians, we understand the Eucharist - Jesus Christ really, truly, and substantially present body, blood, soul, and divinity - to be the source and summit of the Christian life.  The Mass must be central to our lives as Christians without exception.  It is within the context of the Mass that Jesus not only re-presents himself and his once and for all sacrifice to us but also gives himself over and over again to each one of us.  It is through the Sacrament of the Eucharist that Jesus gives us food for the journey, an abundance of his grace without which we risk losing ourselves to the world, the flesh, and the Devil.  It is imperative to the Christian life that we immerse ourselves in the Mass and remain close to the Eucharist!  

So closely tied to the Mass is regular prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, what we call Eucharistic Adoration.  I write this to encourage you to begin spending some time praying before the Blessed Sacrament.  In an address at the National Eucharistic Revival last summer, Bishop Robert Barron, quoting St. Thomas Aquinas, uses the image of fire to describe what takes place at each Mass.  He says, “At the words of consecration it’s as though a great fire has been kindled in a new place.  Fire is light in a dark world.”  He goes on to describe Eucharistic Adoration as the means to stay close to the fire.  

We began offering Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm last year and have continued it since with the exception of the summer months.  We’ve had a difficult time getting people to sign up for time slots particularly in the afternoon.  It hasn’t been unusual for a staff member to fill in or for us to repose the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle because nobody was present.  (Keep in mind, in order for the Blessed Sacrament to be exposed someone must always be present).  

I think it is vital to the parish that we pray.  I think it is vital to the parish that we pray particularly before the Blessed Sacrament.  I think it is vital to the parish that we remain close to the fire.  To that end, as you have read and heard at Masses the last couple of weeks, I would like to extend Eucharistic Adoration from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm every Friday even through the summer - every Friday!  In order to make that a reality, we must have a core group of 24 committed adorers - people who will commit to one hour of prayer each and every Friday.  

Why 24?  If we have two committed adorers for each hour (12 hours total), it will ensure that someone is present if, on the rare occasion, one of those adorers cannot make their commitment.  This is not to say that others cannot come and pray.  Not at all!  Everyone is invited and encouraged to come and spend time before the Blessed Sacrament as their schedules allow.  The committed adorers are those who ensure that the Blessed Sacrament remains on the altar so that others can come and pray.  

I foresee this group becoming an important ministry within the parish and powerful intercessors for the parish and her parishioners as they offer the sacrifice of their time on behalf of all of us. It is my intention to foster the spiritual growth of this group of committed adorers through formation and spiritual exercises.

The purpose of this letter is twofold: 

• To encourage everyone to stay close to the fire!  To encourage everyone to spend time praying before the Blessed Sacrament, and 

• To encourage you to sign up as a committed adorer.

The link to the sign up genius is here.  If you cannot commit to 52 hours with the Lord, we are looking for a small group of individuals who will serve as substitutes who can be called when needed. 

Once we have 24 committed adorers, I will schedule some time with them before we launch Friday adoration from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm.  In the meantime, adoration on Fridays continues each Friday from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.  

I also encourage everyone who has read thus far to watch and listen to Bishop Barron as he talks about the importance of Eucharistic Adoration.  Let us pray that our parish becomes all the more centered around the Mass and the Eucharist. 

Know of my prayers for you all!