by Bill Maloney
Last month, my parish hosted its annual Stewardship Fair.
As I sat at my table, ready to share information regarding planned giving opportunities available to parishioners, I spotted our eucharistic adoration ministry. It reminded me of the several conversations I have had with my wife about how we need to pick a time and begin eucharistic adoration again.
For several years, we held down a Sunday evening time in the adoration chapel at Queen of the Holy Rosary in Overland Park. Basically, this is a date we had with Jesus and often we extended the date by stopping for ice cream on the way home.
The ride home was also a time of faith sharing, discussing the rosary meditation or a Sunday homily we listened to from one of our favorite priests. It was a peaceful way to end our weekend and ready ourselves for the week ahead.
The pandemic changed that. The adoration chapel was closed down and our date night with Jesus was over. Through the early months of the pandemic, we prayed the rosary together on Sunday nights, but over time, we strayed from that habit as well.
The good news is that God is always waiting to welcome us back and he sure did on our first trip back to eucharistic adoration.
Our new date night with Jesus is now Wednesday at 8 p.m. That night, the Divine Mercy chaplet ministry meets to pray and have eucharistic adoration at 7 p.m. The group ends their adoration at 8 p.m. and the monstrance is processed back to the chapel as they sing “Holy God We Praise Thy Name.”
The lyrics are so powerful and peaceful — “cherubim and seraphim, in unceasing chorus praising, fill the heavens with sweet accord: Holy, holy, holy Lord.” That hymn moves my heart. What a way to begin adoration. I know we will not be late each week.
I believe the Holy Spirit guided us back not only to adoration but to this particular time. The rest of the time was also full of “Holy Spirit moments.”
A young mother came in with her two children to pray. I prayed for her and for whatever needs she was carrying. Another man came in briefly and touched the crucifix so reverently.
The man we share the hour with beautifully prostrated himself before the Blessed Sacrament before he left. I was also touched by the man who came after us. He is the father of four young children. What a witness of faith he is giving to his children.
Prayer is a pillar of stewardship and eucharistic adoration is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with Our Lord. I am blessed to witness others with such devoted prayer lives.
This month, each household will receive a letter from Archbishop Naumann inviting you to submit prayer intentions. I encourage you to mail in your prayers or go online to: archkck.org/prayer intention. The archbishop will pray for your intentions in his private chapel throughout this next year.
