Pope John Paul II once said “Our essential commitment in life is to grow spiritually in the climate of the Holy Eucharist”.  Here at OLOF, there are two ways we are privileged to do this.  The first is to participate in the holy sacrifice of the mass.  The second is by spending time with our Lord in the Adoration Chapel.  Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is a real spiritual treasure for our parish.

     If you’ve not yet visited our Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, let me invite you to walk down the hall from the narthex.  When you step through the last door on the right, you step into the Real Presence of Jesus.  For there, the Most Blessed Sacrament is exposed in a monstrance on the altar and honored with the worship of adoration, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  That’s what Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is – continuous prayer and worship of Christ himself, present there with the very same reality as He sits eternally at the right of the Father in heaven. 

     Our Lord asked “Can you not spend just one hour with Me?”  It’s natural to wonder at first how to spend a whole hour in adoration, what to do.  You may bring your own prayer books; you can also use the books in the chapel, read the bible, pray the rosary, or just sit, relax, and enjoy the sweet peace that comes from just being in His presence.   There you can put the noise of this world aside and come be with Him in silence.  Allow Him to speak to, and change, your heart.

     There is a story about a protestant minister who visited a Catholic church and was being shown around by the priest.  When they came to the Tabernacle and the priest told him how it housed the Living Body of Christ.  The minister said, “That’s strange the church was empty when we came in.  If my congregation believed what you Catholics believe, they’d be right here, right now, kneeling in the presence of the Risen Christ, maybe even prostrate on the floor.  Where are all your Catholics?”  Where, indeed?  Do we really believe?  Jesus is waiting, right now as always, in the chapel for us to come and adore Him.  Why do we keep Him waiting?

Our parish has committed itself to offer Our Lord at least one adorer, preferably two, each of the 168 hours of every week.  On behalf of the adoration team leaders, let me urge you to help us fulfill this parish commitment.  There are Hours Available and we do plead for more people (outside parishioners welcome) to step up and begin to deepen their relationship with the Lord by simply spending one hour each week in His presence.  Your life will simply never ever be the same again.  You can pick any hour that works best for you.  Yes, this is a commitment, but you are not signing your life away.  We know that life happens (people get sick, go on vacation, etc.).  We have substitutes and leadership in place to help you find a replacement on these occasions. 

     Finally, "Why do Eucharistic Adoration"? Why should you spend time visiting with Jesus in the Eucharist?  Simply because Jesus himself invites you. He said it so warmly, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened. Come to me and I will refresh you" (Mt. 11:28).   Now the real question is “Why not Eucharistic Adoration?”  Our Lord is calling.  Sign-up now