Sunday, March 18, 2018

Parish Bulletin Article: "Children with Jesus Christ through Adoration": 3-18-18

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’  And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 18:2-4).
As I continue to share different experiences that I have seen with Eucharistic Adoration, the four verses above are quite impressive.  Little ones need 100% help to eat, drink and live.  Often, they quickly grow close to Jesus and learn how vital he is.
As a youth minister, we used to have a five-day retreat named “Discipleship Week” in Duluth.  Between 50-75 high school students, we always asked our students what the favorite part of the retreat towards the end of the week.  Most of them quickly answered, “Adoration.”  It was awesome for me to watch these young men and women entering daily Masses, a couple of nights with Eucharistic Adoration and Confession.
I also used to bring students to Camp Survive, another diocesan event that is filled with students around our diocese to the day.  And do you know what one of their favorite parts was for the week?  Usually, it wasn’t swimming, games, food or events.  It was often “Mass” and or “Adoration.” 
After I was ordained a priest, we had a cool event after our School Mass at St. John the Evangelist.  Do you know what we did?  Fr. Rich or I exposed Jesus through Eucharistic Adoration (as well as praise and worship and confession).  It was amazing to watch kids from kindergarten-sixth graders adoring our Savior, receive love, mercy and compassion, and beginning a better day at school.
Now I try to make each event that offered for our students around our Diocese of Duluth, as I can serve and enjoy how these young ones open their hearts to God.
Here are three recommendations and goals in my mind which will only support and encourage our parishes, school and parishioners.  First, our 40 Hours of Adoration will begin at 6:00pm at St. Thomas Aquinas on Tuesday.  It will start with exposition of Jesus Christ, a quick talk and a moment for reconciliation with two visiting priests and me.  We will also have a great musician to offer praise and worship.  It will conclude at 8:45am on Thursday morning (with our school Mass right after) with reposition and benediction.  During these forty hours, we have several opening slots, and we need each hour with you.  Please sign up!
Second, we need two hours to be covered during our weekly hours from Monday to Friday.  Please sign up!  (Speak with me, Carol Youso or Les Hendrickson).
Third, back in the day, we offered Adoration for 24/7, which means “perpetual Adoration.”  Now, it is time to invite and add more adorers as this would only grow our relationships with God and our spiritual offerings for our family.  I believe that we can easily find ten people in our parishes to enhance our weekly prayers and we will change it to 11:00am-11:00pm.  I will be signing up for Wednesday evenings from 10:00-11:00pm.  Who will join the 11:00am and 10:00pm crew?
(You adorers, fish for people to allow this movement forward to Christ).
Finally, I love one of my former cross-country running quotes: “When you don’t go forward, you go backward.”  While he meant this for a sport, this also connects to Jesus Christ. 
Experience Eucharistic Adoration, as you will go forward, and your life will change!           
God Bless. 
           

            

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