Dear Parishioners,

      These past weeks and months have brought significant change to our parishes and to many parishes throughout the Archdiocese. The past couple of years of planning and talk about our own situation in our own Archdiocese have consumed much of our time and energy and if you’re like me, perhaps it has distracted you from other things going on in the Church.

      The bishops of our country have begun what they call a Eucharistic Revival, and to be honest, I have almost completely forgotten about it. So I thought I’d highlight a few things we can do to revive our own Eucharistic faith.

      The Eucharist, of course, is the gift of the Body and Blood of Christ Jesus, given to us at each celebration of the Mass, and present in the tabernacle to remain with us always. Because the Eucharist actually is Jesus, the bishops of the United States want to point us to this incredible gift as the way to revitalize our Catholic faith in such difficult times.

      One way that we can grow in Eucharistic faith is by worthy reception of the Eucharist at mass. If a special guest was coming to your home you would clean up and likely decorate in order to welcome and honor your special guest. Jesus is that special Guest, Who in the Eucharist comes to the home of our soul. We prepare best to receive this Guest by repentance and prayer. Going to Confession cleans up the home of our soul and prayer prepares our soul for His arrival. Worthy reception of the Eucharist allows the grace of God to fill our souls and revive our faith.

      Another way we can grow in Eucharistic faith is to adore Jesus present in the Eucharist. Our parishes offer opportunities for Eucharistic adoration, but even if the Blessed Sacrament is simply in the tabernacle, prayer in the Eucharistic presence of Jesus is incredibly powerful. It is there in the silence with Jesus that we come to know Him like the disciples did in Scripture. Sitting quietly in adoration is exactly what the disciples did when they sat at His feet listening to Him speak.

      As we continue in this time of national Eucharistic Revival, these two simple practices can help each of us grow more deeply in love with Jesus, always present to us in the Eucharist.

Have a blessed week,

Fr. Jim Theby

Eucharistic Adoration Times

Monday, 1st & 3rd,  8:30 am – 6:00 pm          St. Charles Borromeo

Tuesday, 8:30 am - 8:00 pm           St. Peter

Nocturnal Adoration

Held the third Saturday of every month from 8 p.m.- midnight at St. Charles Borromeo. Join our Hispanic community in the church for a beautiful night of Adoration of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. All are welcome!