Silence is rare in our busy lives. Sometimes our prayer receives the same treatment as everything else on our to-do list. For the last few years at St. Peter, our parishioners have shown that quiet time with Our Lord is a priority. Eucharistic Adoration at our parish has grown from one hour a day to over 70 hours each week thanks to the parishioners who commit to a weekly Holy Hour.
Katy Dornbos coordinates the adoration schedule. Adoration has been a gift in her life, helping her to grow spiritually, and she is grateful to have this opportunity at our parish.
“I’m so thankful and constantly in awe of all the people that sign up to do this every week,” Katy says. “It’s such a gift, their witness of signing up. I think we have about 160 people involved regularly, and more who just pop in.”
If you’re feeling stuck in your prayer life or find it difficult to set aside time for prayer, then adoration might be exactly what you need. Whether you stop in unscheduled or commit to an hour each week, you are certain to receive profound graces.
“I noticed that I don’t have a lot of time for silence, so first I just love that adoration is quiet and there is nothing else going on,” Katy says. “It prepares a good foundation for receiving from God.”
Eucharistic Adoration is unique because it provides a place of silence while being physically in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. If you choose to spend an hour with Christ, it might be difficult when you first start out.
“One helpful thing that I was told is that once you sense the Lord with you, you don’t have to move on from there,” Katy says. “If you pray one Hail Mary and sense the Lord there, stay. That’s what surprises me about adoration — sometimes I think I need to pray a certain way but He meets me in the circumstances of my life.”
If an hour feels long, Katy suggests splitting it up between spiritual reading or Scripture, and quiet, receptive prayer. With practice, you’ll find you don’t need to structure your time as much.
“Don’t be afraid of the silence,” Katy says. “It’s kind of awkward and it can get boring, but that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Don’t try to fill your time. Expect God to show up and He will.”
Families with young children might be hesitant to come to adoration, but all are welcome. Adoration is a wonderful opportunity to teach young children.
“Bring them up close, even if it’s just for three minutes,” Katy says. “Go all the way to the front. It’s a real gift to the people there to see a child encounter the Lord in the Eucharist.”
During renovations, Eucharistic Adoration will be held in the St. Mary Conference Room which is located near the elevators. Adorers should watch for further communication via email regarding adoration hours, where to park, and how to enter the building.
Starting Tuesday, May 30, Adoration will be held in St. Mary Conference Room from
7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday. To sign up for an hour of Adoration, visit saintpeterlincoln.com, call the parish office at 402-423-1239, or contact Katy Dornbos at kldornbos@gmail.com.
