3 minute read
Time Spent in Eucharistic Adoration Puts Our Relationship with Jesus First
In Matthew Chapter 26, Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, before His crucifixion. Peter and the two sons of Zebedee fall asleep — Jesus asks them, “So, you could not keep watch with me for one hour?”
How fitting it is that we have the opportunity to keep watch with our Lord 24 hours per day, from Tuesday to Saturday, at St. Philip Neri. Eucharistic Adoration means the Blessed Body of Christ is exposed in what’s called a monstrance — the Blessed Body of Christ cannot be left alone when exposed.
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Back in 2007, John de Jong had a desire to start adoration at our parish. Then, it was held in a room near the offices for a period during the day on Fridays. Over the years, adoration grew one day at a time, and the chapel was added when the new church was built. The program has grown over those years to include overnights, as well.
Adoration begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and ends before the Saturday Vigil Mass. Many of the hours have two committed adorers. There are about 100 people who commit to at least one hour each week. Tom Torrense and Tony Antonangeli cover most of the overnights, from midnight to 5 a.m.
“We are blessed to have so many committed adorers,” says Sabina Fernandez, who coordinates adoration and also covers the Thursday 5 a.m. “Without them, we couldn’t cover all of these hours.”
Currently, the chapel is only open to committed adorers, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the threat of the virus has passed, it will be open again for those who’d like to stop in at any time for a few moments. The door has a code and is always kept locked.
When the church was closed last year, in the wake of the pandemic, the Adoration Chapel was also closed. On June 14, 2020, the chapel reopened, and committed adorers very much looked forward to returning.
“That was hard,” Sabina says. “There were a lot of people who asked to stream adoration. They really missed adoration.”
John de Jong, who helped to start Eucharistic Adoration at our parish
There is always space for more adorers, and Sabina hopes parishioners will consider signing up for an hour — she knows what a blessing adoration has been in her life. In addition, Sabina will help find a substitute if you are not available for your hour on a given week. She has a list of nearly 350 people who she may contact when a substitute is needed or if an hour needs a committed adorer. All of the sign-ups are handled online. Sabina says it would be helpful to have an hour with a friend, so you can cover for one another when needed.
For Sabina, being a busy mother of three, adoration is a quiet time that offers a valuable opportunity for personal prayer. If for some reason she can’t attend her hour, she feels Jesus is there waiting for her.
“Adoration is a time when Jesus is truly there with us,” Sabina says.
Sabina spends her time praying in thanksgiving, then prays a Rosary, following a meditation from St. Teresa of Calcutta.
Parishioners who have a committed hour have found that they grow spiritually, forging a bond with Christ in the Eucharist.
“Committing to a slot helps prioritize Christ at the center of our busyness,” says Lara Savage. “Not only are we blessed to receive an hour of quiet reflection and peace in an ever-chaotic world, but we also believe the parish to be honoring God by welcoming Jesus and staying with Him as He dwells among our Church family in a truly present way.”
“This is a private time with God,” says Joyce Crabtree, who has been a committed adorer for more than five years. “It has helped me through some challenging times in my life and I am at peace in the chapel.”
“It brings comfort and peace of mind,” says Mike Gallagher. “Be candid in your conversations with the Lord. He listens and responds in kind.”
Sabina hopes to eventually start Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays.
“Adoration is such a blessing to our parish,” Sabina says. “We have people that have been doing this since the beginning.”
Our Adoration Chapel
