Catholics participate in Eucharistic Adoration
Jennifer Baker of Uniontown visits the chapel at St. John the Evangelist Parish Center in Uniontown at least four times a month for devotion to the Blessed Sacrament in a practice known as Eucharistic Adoration. “It’s a time to reflect on your life and circumstances,’ said Baker, a member of St. John Parish. “I look forward to it. Almost immediately, a sense of peace comes over you. It’s a personal time between you and God. … I’m honored to spend time alone with Jesus.’
Catholics in Fayette County have been practicing Eucharistic Adoration almost daily since Sept. 8, 2003, the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, when the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg gave permission for the observance at the request of priests in a geographic section of the diocese known as Deanery 6. This section runs as far south as Point Marion, as far east as Farmington, as far west as Masontown and Maxwell, and as far north as Grindstone.
Catholic volunteers commit themselves to at least an hour a month to participate in the adoration, which takes place at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Uniontown in a quiet chapel in the parish center, located on Pennsylvania Avenue.
“The Eucharist is the center of who we are as Catholic Christians, and so to anchor our lives around this important sacrament in Mass and private devotion is central,” said Molly Vassar, pastoral minister.
Sister Karen Buco of the Sisters of St. Francis places the Blessed Sacrament, which Catholics believe is the body of Christ, on the altar of the chapel at 7 a.m. It remains there until 9 p.m., when a Eucharistic minister reposes it.
“Without the sisters and the Eucharistic ministers, it would be impossible to have adoration,’ said Dorothy Roger, who has been coordinating the effort for Eucharistic Adoration since it was proposed in 2002.
The Blessed Sacrament is never alone. At least one person is there at all times, and Catholics from participating churches volunteer to spend one hour a month in the chapel.
Some do more.
For example, Baker, Sister Roberta Voytek and Mary Catherine Wallace act as substitutes when someone is unable to make an appointed time or find a replacement. Wallace is an hour manager for the 7 to 10 a.m. shift, handling scheduling problems when they arise. In addition, Wallace has her own set time each month.
“I think of a visit to the Blessed Sacrament as going to see my best friend, the one I can pour my heart out to without saying a word,’ Wallace said. “But for the most part, I sit quietly and just ‘be’ in the presence of God. I try to listen to what he wants to tell me. It’s the best thing that has ever come into my life.’
Eucharistic Adoration takes place at the chapel 22 days a month, which includes most weekdays as well as the third Saturday and fourth Sunday of the month.
A schedule of Eucharistic Adoration is posted on the door of the parish center for those who simply drop by and want to participate, a practice that’s also encouraged.
On Thursdays, however, the Blessed Sacrament is moved from the chapel to St. John Church’s sanctuary from 3 to 7 p.m. The church is at street level from the back entrance, where handicapped parking is also available.
Kiel said the parish center contains a telephone for emergencies. The church is installing a handicapped-accessibility ramp into the building, and it also plans to renovate the chapel, including new carpeting, ceiling and refinishing the pews.
In the 15 months since Eucharistic Adoration began, Roger said, participants signing a guest book have recorded 7,500 visits. There are probably more, as not everyone signs in.
In addition, Roger noted she’s been contacted by two other deaneries in the Greensburg Diocese – New Kensington and Greensburg – as well as Greene County in the Diocese of Pittsburgh about beginning their own adoration.
“It’s what I always wanted, to get this to grow,’ said Roger.
The Eucharistic Adoration committee is also revisiting local churches to recruit more volunteers, taking speaker Alice Yezbak and sign-up sheets. Roger reported that 40 volunteers recently were added from St. Therese Parish in Uniontown.
“Our goal is perpetual adoration,’ said Roger.
“It helps us to have a greater awareness of Christ’s presence in our lives,’ said Kiel. “People have greater faith by spending more time in prayer, and a lot of prayers are being answered.’
Roger spoke of a woman whose daughter was declared cancer free and another whose daughter and son-in-law were finally able to adopt a child.
“And so many people have called and told me they feel closer to the Lord,’ said Roger, who speaking of her own experiences remarked, “I have a lot of prayer answered in the chapel. I love to sit and look at the host. I’m a true believer of the real presence. Sometimes I sit quietly and allow the Lord to speak to me, and he will. But it’s everything to me. It’s my life.’
As word of the Eucharistic Adoration continues to spread, participants hope to reach those who have been shy about making a commitment.
“We get so comfortable in a routine of life, people are afraid to add to their monthly routine,’ said Kiel. “But once they do it, they become accustomed to it and do not want to give it up.’
Vassar said people often come to her for spiritual direction, asking questions about adoration like “How do I stop my thoughts from racing, from being distracted?’
She tells them: “Be patient with yourself. Treat your racing thoughts like little children. When you’re in church and your child fidgets, you don’t yell. You answer the question and then settle back down until the next question.
“Do the same thing with yourself. If your thoughts are racing – like making a list for the market – allow it. That’s done and now it’s back to prayer. Whatever you do, you don’t give up. Don’t say I’m no good at this. The thing to do is to be patient with yourself and keep returning. … Jesus doesn’t care that you’re distracted. What he cares about is that you’re here.’
The chapel at St. John Parish Center will be closed Dec. 23 through Jan. 2. Eucharistic Adoration will resume Jan. 3 at 7 a.m. For more information, call 724-438-3366.