Dear Friends in Christ,
Saint Teresa of Calcutta tells us, “The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time that you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in heaven, and will help bring about an everlasting peace on earth.” Every day our chapel is open before the first Mass at 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM in the evening. Many churches are locked because of vandalism and worse possible desecration. Our camera is now operative in the chapel which not only allows us to see what is going on in the chapel at any moment, but also to review a recording of activity in the chapel. Very important is the adoration that takes place every Friday. The Most Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance for adoration from the end of the 9:00 AM Mass until 7:00 PM in the evening. Church law does not permit the Blessed Sacrament when exposed on the altar to be left alone. It is an abuse! There have been times when I have gone over to the chapel for a visit and find that no one is there with our Lord. Sometimes, Deacon Andy, who carries out Benediction of the Holy Sacrament, is offering a blessing to an empty chapel! There is nothing on earth as powerful as being in the presence of God. It is a lack of catechesis and lack of faith that would allow a nominal Catholic to refrain from Mass attendance. It is too hit or miss when it comes to adoration. People sign up, but there are often blank hours. At my last parish, we had people sign up for permanent, weekly holy hours. So, if I would sign up for 11:00 AM, that would mean I would have that hour every Friday. I would want there to be two people at every time slot. Also, one could be a substitute so that should someone know in advance that they cannot be present for their usual hour, the substitute could fill in. Our Pastoral Council is encouraging more zealous devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament. This is a way that we can be sure that every Friday, a penitential day in the Church, our Lord is adored and loved. Please pray about this. What could be more important? One of our sacristans, John Harry, is willing to receive the names and organize this endeavor. If you would like to have a regular Hour of Love, please call John at 856-309-5286 or leave your information with Cindy at the Parish Office. Prior to her conversion to Catholicism, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton wrote to her sister in law about the Holy Sacrament: “How happy would we be, believed what these dear souls believe: that they possess God the Sacrament, and that He remains in their churches and is to them when they are sick! … The other day, in a moment of excessive distress, I fell on my knees without thinking when the Blessed Sacrament passed by, and cried in an agony to God to bless me, if He was there-that my whole soul desired only Him.” He is truly present. Will we be present to Him? Sign up and commitment an hour to the Incarnate Word!
God bless you,
Father Szolack