Note from the Pastor

Having a bad day? Come to the Lord in adoration and get refreshed. Our Lord is waiting for you. I spent part of a summer working at the hospital as a “chaplain in training.” At end of the day I always felt really drained. The Methodist chaplain asked me how I refreshed by myself. I mentioned I would stop by the Adoration Chapel for an hour after work. Afterwards I felt refreshed. Not understanding the power of the Eucharist, he said I need to do something else; he mentioned going to the River Festival. Trying that out, I felt even more stressed and drained. It didn’t work. I decided to stay with my hour of adoration to replenish my spirit. Try it. It may work for you too.

As Catholics we believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The Council of Trent states that: “the Blessed Eucharist contains truly, really and substantially the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently Christ whole and entire…” (Chapter vii, Can1).

Through the power of the Holy Spirit the substance (the nature) of the bread and wine changes. Physical and spiritual qualities are joined, and the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ; the whole Christ is present in a sacramental way. The change takes place when the words of consecration are pronounced by the priest in Holy Mass.

As the “heavenly” Second Person of the Trinity “miraculously” assumes a human nature, in the Eucharist the “earthly” bread and wine “miraculously” assumes a divine nature. It becomes Christ. A physical link is made to the person of Christ under the appearance of bread and wine.

Belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist is one main thing that distinguishes us from our Protestant brothers and sisters. It does make a difference whether Catholic or not, when you consider what our Catholic faith has to offer: Christ himself present in the Eucharist. Of course Christ is present in other ways; the Eucharist offers another and greater way -- Christ Himself.

Those who broke off for the Catholic Church were unable to take this Sacrament with them, because it requires a validly ordained priest (or bishop) through whom Christ chose to work this miracle. So, what our Protestant brothers and sisters have in their communion practices is a symbol. For Catholics we have the real thing. If we realize this truth, then we should never wish to leave the Catholic Church.

Jesus leaves us a sacrament in which he gives himself to us. His love is so great he desires to give himself to us in this special and unique way. It is not a symbol, but a reality. He desires to be close to us, to unite with us, to be part of us. He gives himself to us in the Eucharist to be the life and food of our souls: “… the one who feeds on me will have life because of me…whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:57, 58).

It is hard to understand. It requires faith. It requires a belief and trust in the words and actions of Jesus: “Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” (John 6:53-55).

When some of his disciples leave, Jesus does not try to stop them. He meant what he said literally and they interpreted it that way. He was offering us something that at first glance seems ridiculous. It is the way he chose to remain physically connected to us; a way to incorporate us more fully into his Mystical Body.

The Real Presence is a mystery, not an impossibility. It can’t be explain in scientific terms, but neither can God himself. It is not contrary to reason, yet it is beyond our minds to comprehend fully.

After the sacrifice of the Mass, the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist (in the consecrated bread) continues. Jesus in his sacramental body and blood remains. That is why Eucharistic Adoration is important.

Eucharistic Adoration is the worshipping of Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament. The Blessed Sacrament is placed in a vessel called a monstrance and placed on the altar for viewing.

Pope John Paul says this: "The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic worship". He prays that perpetual exposition and and adoration of the Eucharist would be established in every Catholic Church throughout the world.

You come to worship and to visit with Jesus. You can tell him your problems, your needs and concerns, your joys. For many the time they spend each week with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the most peaceful, the most satisfying time of their whole week.

If you can accept the possibility of the real presence, then come and experience the reality through Eucharistic adoration. If this belief of our faith is true, why not take time to experience the reality of being with the Lord in this special and unique way.

Benefits that parishes have experienced from the practice of regular Eucharistic Adoration include: growth of spirit and spiritual life in the parish; stronger marriages and happier families; increase in vocations; increase in Mass attendance.

Exposition. The ceremony in which a priest (or deacon) removes the Sacred Host from the tabernacle and places it in the monstrance for adoration. A song, incensing of the Blessed Sacrament, and an opening prayer (e.g., a litany of the Sacred Heart) are generally part of the ceremony.

Benediction. A Eucharistic devotion in which those gathered are blessed with the Blessed Sacrament. A priest, vested in alb, stole, and cope first incenses the Blessed Sacrament. A benediction song (e.g., Tantum Ergo) is usually sung during the incensation. A prayer is then said prior to the blessing. Following the prayer, a “humeral veil” is placed around the priest’s shoulder. With the humeral veil covering his hands, the priest goes to altar, picks up the monstrance and blesses the people with the raised monstrance in the form of a cross. After the blessing, the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the tabernacle. The Divine Praises are sung or recited (or a suitable song is song)

·Genuflect one knee (or bow if unable to genuflect) when entering and then when leaving or anytime you pass in front of Jesus exposed in the Montrance on the Altar.