Imagine for a moment that you had the opportunity to sit face to face with Jesus Christ— to ask Him anything you wanted; to tell Him everything that is on your heart; to simply sit and shower Him with praise and adoration for Who He is and what He has done for you. Imagine for a moment that someone told you that Jesus Christ, in the flesh, was sitting at Holy Family waiting for you to hang out! Would you run to Him? How eager would you be to have a chat? Can you imagine knowing that Jesus Christ was there, and you had the personal opportunity to visit Him?
Well, we’ve got great news for you! He is there — in the literal flesh! And He is waiting for you!
Sure, the Jesus Christ — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist — does not look like what our mind’s eyes see when we picture a face-to-face chat with Jesus. It can be hard for our human minds to grasp the reality of Christ’s True Presence, but it doesn’t make it any less real. Jesus Christ’s True Presence in the Eucharist is just as real as if He were sitting in a chair. And every Friday from after the 12:05 p.m. Mass until 5 p.m., the Eucharist is exposed for adoration. Jesus is here, and He is waiting for you.
Maureen Petty, who currently coordinates our parish’s Eucharistic Adoration program, has made a regular habit of weekly adoration for over 35 years. She began by joining her parents who committed to an hour of adoration at St. John when they established regular adoration there.
“I joined my parents, and when they couldn’t make their hour, I served as their alternate,” Maureen says. “Then, when they passed away, I continued to keep that hour. The time with Christ became invaluable to me.”
So, three years ago, when Fr. Carvajal entertained the idea of beginning regular Eucharistic Adoration here at Holy Family, he asked Maureen if she would help. She jumped at the chance.
“It wasn’t even a question,” Maureen says. “I knew how much my time in adoration meant to me, and being able to help make that a part of our parish life was a tremendous blessing.”
Over the past three years, the ministry has grown, and Maureen says she believes regular Eucharistic Adoration has had an impact on the life of our parish as a whole.
“We have regular adorers as well as people who stop in when they can, and watching the impact of it has been wonderful,” Maureen says. “People are there praying the Stations of the Cross. Others are praying the Rosary or other such prayers. And some people are simply sitting in silence enjoying time with the Lord. It is incredible to see.”
For her part, Maureen says that when she goes to adoration, it is the best part of her day!
“To be right there in Christ’s presence, to calm my mind and simply work to listen to Him, to sit and just be with Him— it is extremely special,” Maureen says. “I feel utterly blessed”
Maureen encourages all of us to take time out of our Fridays to spend with Jesus in adoration.
“It is life-changing!” she says. “I think many people don’t know what to do when they’re at adoration, so they hesitate to go. But really, you can do whatever. Pray however you like. Just come and be with the Lord. I can promise you that once you do, you will not be the same.”
In addition, during adoration, at 3 p.m., Chris Lauderdale leads us in the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and after that, he and Fr. Mike Pratt lead a group of young adult parishioners into the streets where, together, they minister to the homeless.
It has become such a fulfilling and fruitful ministry!
If you are not currently a committed adorer, stop in on Friday. Spend five minutes or an hour chatting with the Lord. He is here for you, and He wants to spend time with you!
If you are interested in committing to an hour of adoration, contact Maureen Petty at 918-671-2538.
