Spiritual Pillar Update

Adoration is the worship of the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass. It is the Holy Eucharist displayed so that everyone can see it and be in the presence of Christ, allowing us to contemplate and pray quietly. Adoration is a wonderful way to acquire a sense of peace and comfort in times of need or discerning God’s Will. Dedicating prayer time for the intentions of others, praying the rosary, meditating on the Gospels or just sitting silently and listening to what Jesus may have to say to us are ways to spend time with Jesus. As St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “Time spent in the presence of Jesus is the best time you will spend on earth.” We look forward to having you all participate in this devotional opportunity. 

Looking ahead, we are planning and preparing to host Life in the Eucharist (LITE), a Lenten retreat for all three parishes. This retreat has five guest speakers focused on five topics over five weekends. The topics of each session are: the Eucharist as Nourishment, the Eucharist as Reconciliation, the Eucharist as Transformation, the Eucharist as Abiding Presence and the Eucharist as Mission.

We are incredibly excited to hold these weekly LITE retreats during Lent. If you are interested in presenting on one of these topics or being a part of the planning, please call the Parish Office and you will be connected with a member of the Spiritual Pillar Committee. We will be back in January to talk about further details about Lenten LITE Retreat.
 
But Advent is just around the corner! We invite you to “Come and Let Us Adore Him!” Besides the usual weekly opportunities, there will be a special National Night of Prayer for Life on Sunday, December 8th from 8:00 pm to 11:30 pm in the Basilica in-person and online. The rosary will be prayed every hour on the hour with Eucharistic Adoration, in unison with parishes nationwide, from coast to coast. If you or a ministry team would like to volunteer and lead a rosary, please call the Parish Office.

This event honors the Feasts of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) and the Apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to    St. Juan Diego (Dec. 9). Everyone is invited to participate, as we ask Our Blessed Mother to protect life, defend the Church, restore religious freedom, and protect the family. 

40 Hour Adoration will also be available Friday, December 13 starting at 8 am to Saturday, December 14 until midnight at the Children of Fatima Chapel in the Parish Life Center.
And don’t forget the Advent Penance Service scheduled for Wednesday, December 11 at 6:30 pm preceded by two hours of Adoration at the Basilica. Advent/Christmas schedule will be arriving in your mailbox shortly.

Please feel free to contact any Pillar or Parish Council member with questions or comments. Our Pillar Team looks forward to updating you again.