Pastor’s Corner
June 27 – 28, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Eucharistic Adoration is a long tradition in the Catholic Church and in our parish. In recent years it has declined in popularity and commitment from willing Catholics to spend an hour before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration. The need for us to guard from letting the world consume our lives, even to the point of neglecting our faith, is even more important today than in the past. The presence of evil and darkness is ever-present in our world and we must pray for the light of Christ to overcome it.
“Eucharistic adoration is the act of worshiping God as He is present in the consecrated Eucharist. Since the Last Supper, when Jesus broke the bread and distributed the wine, saying, “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood,” Catholics have believed that the bread and wine are no longer merely baked wheat and fermented grape juice, but the actual living presence of the Second Person of the Trinity. Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, in prayer and devotion, is exactly the same as spending time before the living God. Adoration occurs whenever someone kneels in front of a tabernacle that contains the Blessed Sacrament, genuflects toward a tabernacle, bows before receiving the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, or, in a more focused way, when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration.” (Our Sunday Visitor)
In the Gospel of Matthew we hear “…Could you not keep vigil with me for one hour?” Matthew 26:40. We need people willing to give an hour in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Please call Tom Myers at home 337-896-3340 or cell 337-962-6085 if you are willing to commit to an hour in adoration. What a great way to spend (give) an hour to our God during this slower time.
During this time of uncertainty and distress, it is even more important to spend time in adoration asking God to bless our community, state, nation, and world. Spending an hour in adoration can bring peace, comfort, and reassurance to those feeling overwhelmed by what is happening with COVID-19. The Lord our God can strengthen us to trust in Him during the most difficult of times.
I eagerly await the blessings to come once we get past this time in our lives. Throughout salvation history the people of Israel went through trials, tribulations, exile, and uncertainty only to have a time of prosperity and joy as their reward. I can already see many blessings bestowed upon our community, our state, our nation, and our world. People are slowing down and realizing what is truly important. Families are spending time together, sharing meals and have conversations again. Let us not overlook the blessings of this time to rush to the end we desire.
One of the most important graces that God showers upon the earth, through your Holy Hour, is that of His great Mercy, according to Blessed Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. In other words, your Holy Hour opens up the floodgates of His Mercy onto everyone in the world. (www.ourcatholicprayers.com/holy-hour-value.html) For more information on the graces received from praying a Holy Hour visit this website. You would be surprised to know how you can help bring the world back to God.
Grace and Peace to all of you,
Fr. David
