Eucharistic Adoration: Spending Time With The “Reason For The Seasons” This Advent

With Advent beginning and the Christmas season around the corner, many of us are left wondering how we can best welcome the Infant Jesus into the depths of our hearts. Amid the hustle and bustle that too easily smothers out the peace of Advent, we need to take serious steps to make sure we prepare our souls to receive the glorious message of Christ’s salvation and celebrate His Holy Birth. One such step is by spending time with the True Presence of Christ in Eucharistic Adoration.

“Going to adoration is a great way to prepare your heart to welcome the Christ Child,” says Debbie Pfeifer, a member of the Adoration Committee who handles the scheduling. “When you spend time with Jesus in adoration, you spend time with the ‘reason’ for the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Amid the noise, hustling, and bustling of that time of year, it helps you spend time in silent recollection. It gives you such a deep connection with Him!”

For the past 20 years, our parish has had the beautiful blessing of Perpetual Adoration, meaning that Jesus has been exposed in our Adoration Chapel 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is currently organized by a dedicated Adoration Committee, which is headed up by Duncan Taylor. Only God knows the countless graces and favors that have been showered down upon our parish family and the world around us because of this Eucharistic blessing in our midst.

“One time, Fr. Larry Richards (a priest featured on Dr. Ray’s show on the Eternal Word Television Network) gave a Lenten retreat at our parish and said that wherever there is a Perpetual Adoration chapel, abortion will not remain in that area,” Debbie says. “And in fact, our local abortion clinic has closed! Going to adoration can also help those who are grieving. Over the years, I have received calls from people all over the diocese, requesting to come to adoration at our parish because they have lost a loved one, and they just need to spend time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.”

While in adoration, adorers are free to pray in any reverent way that helps them grow closer to the Heart of Christ, humbly exposed in the monstrance.

“In Adoration, you can pray a Rosary, enjoy doing some good Catholic reading, or just sit and gaze at Him and let Him gaze at you,” Debbie says. “You can bring your own prayer books, or make use of some of the good Christian books which are available in the small library in the chapel. I really just enjoy being with Jesus when I am there and praying for guidance. Sometimes I do my Bible study homework in adoration, and when I ask the Holy Spirit to open my heart and mind to the Word, it definitely happens.”

All parishioners are encouraged to visit Jesus in adoration at any time, for any length of time that they are able. However, there is a great need for regular adorers to commit to an hour or serve as substitutes.

“If you are able to give an hour, this enables us to keep the Adoration Chapel open 24 hours a day, for those who may want to come in time of need,” Debbie says.

All parishioners are encouraged to visit Jesus in adoration at any time, for any length of time that they are able. However, there is a great need for regular adorers to commit to an hour or serve as substitutes.

Those who would like to sign up for an hour of adoration may do so at https://www.cathedralctk.org/perpetual-adoration. You may also refer to the schedule posted outside the St. Kevin Perpetual Adoration Chapel and contact any one of the hourly coordinators listed there to indicate your interest. Hispanic parishioners can contact Spanish-speaking coordinator, as well.