Experience His Peace and Love During 40 Hours of Adoration: “Go to the Heart of Jesus”

It was an intense time of suffering and anguish for Sheryl and Ray Saturnino. Their fourth child was born with epilepsy, and he was experiencing multiple seizures every day. One night, after a particularly difficult day, Sheryl told her husband they needed to find an adoration chapel.

“I needed to cry to the Lord,” Sheryl says. “As we face the storms of life, whether it is a sick child or a difficult time in a relationship or any concern whatsoever, go to the heart of Jesus in the tabernacle.”

In Eucharistic Adoration, we have the honor to visit with Christ, Who is truly present in the Eucharist.

“If people only understood that this is actually Jesus — Jesus is there and truly present,” Sheryl says. “The Eucharistic Miracles show us that the Eucharist is the heart of Jesus. He is present in tabernacles around the world keeping His promise to be with us until the end of time.”

Parishioners have regular opportunities for Adoration at St. Patrick, and recently we as a parish participated in 40 Hours of Adoration during Lent and Advent. Now we will also have this opportunity as we prepare for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Our next 40 Hours of Adoration will start with Mass at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 4. Adoration will begin at 7 p.m. and continue to Sunday, June 6, with a procession into church at the beginning of the 11 a.m. Mass.

“Parishioners can sign up for an Adoration time through Flocknote or by contacting the parish office,” Sheryl says. “We try to have two people for each hour, and you can also just drop in. We need to cover all the hours so that Jesus is never alone.”

For Sheryl, Adoration has been part of her life since she was 9 years old when her family moved across the street from a Catholic church.

“Adoration is really close to my heart, and it’s such a privilege and a joy to talk about Adoration,” Sheryl says. “I have strong memories of going to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament as a child. It’s where I went for solace, where I went for peace.”

Eucharistic Adoration is similarly important to Ray. When Fr. Ryan Mahar was preparing for his ordination with 24 hours of Adoration in the church last year, Ray was one of the faith community members who accompanied him in prayer during the night.

“Ray is always ready as a Knight of Columbus to help with the Adoration,” Sheryl says. “The Knights provide security for parishioners who adore in the middle of the night as parishioners go from their cars to the chapel.”

If you have any doubts about the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist, Sheryl would encourage you to read about Eucharistic miracles and to spend time with Christ in Adoration.

“I want everyone to experience the comfort that God provides in Adoration,” Sheryl says. “I hope people will stop in to enjoy that peace and love and know that they’re important to the Lord. He’s waiting for each of us."

If you would like more information about Adoration and 40 Hours of Adoration at St. Patrick, reach out to the parish office at 530-273-2347. Adoration is currently available on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the first Sunday of each month from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the third Sunday of each month from 2 p.m to 6 p.m.