Eucharistic adoration is the act of praying before the very presence of the Lord, exposed in the monstrance, a specially crafted stand designed to hold a consecrated host. Many parishes within the Diocese of Gary have adoration hours and most have designated adoration spaces or chapels. Faithful in Northwest Indiana continue to have a variety of opportunities to pray alone in silence or join others during special adoration nights hosted by parishes throughout the diocese.
St. Paul in Valparaiso will have a Praise and Worship Adoration Night on July 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the main church. The theme will be “God’s Love.” Mark Chargualaf, youth minister, explained the parish has held a few of these events in the past, and stated that they have been very well received.
“It is a mix of both young and old,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for the parish to come together to worship.”
With the support of the pastor Father Doug Mayer and associate pastor Father Roque Meraz, these nights of adoration and praise and worship help the parish family spend meaningful time with Christ. In addition to these events, the church offers adoration every first Friday of each month.
“This reaffirms our parish’s commitment to providing opportunities for our parishioners to be present with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament,” Chargualaf said.
Chargualaf believes with all of the distractions in people’s everyday lives, it is hugely important to take time to be still and sit in the presence of Christ.
He said, “While we try to help guide people's prayer, especially our young people who are just beginning to cultivate their personal prayer lives, Jesus always moves how He chooses. So, each person gets out of the night what Christ wants them to, if they open themselves up to his promptings.”
The faith communities of Holy Martyrs Parish and Our Lady of Consolation are preparing to host its next “Renewed” event, an evening of Eucharistic adoration and praise and worship. The service dedicated to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will take place again July 18, 7-8:15 p.m., at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville.
Renewed adoration nights began in August 2024 and are held one Friday evening each month. The goal is to create a space where people can encounter Christ through Eucharistic adoration, reflection, silent prayer and a guided prayer experience that renews their faith.
“Adoration is so important because it gives us the opportunity to sit in God's presence,” said Melissa Novak, director of discipleship and evangelization for the parish. “As we spend time with Him, we are filled with His peace. Too often in prayer, we do all the talking – but prayer is also about listening.”
To help facilitate this, the reflection offered by the priest before adoration, as well as the worship songs throughout the evening, are prayerfully chosen to guide people into meaningful silence and deeper communion with God. Part of Renewed includes a prayer experience that connects to the theme of the evening.
“Prayer experiences are meant to foster a deeper connection with Christ,” Novak said. “For example, one month Father spoke about surrendering to God and people were given felt hearts. They were allowed to come to the base of the altar during adoration and place their heart in a basket, symbolic of surrendering their heart to God, while saying a prayer of surrender.”
She added, “Another time, the reflection was about sharing the light of Christ with others and participants were invited to come forward during adoration to light a candle and pray for someone who they felt called to share the light of Christ within their own lives.”
Associate pastor Father Steven Caraher has led each Renewed night, but while he is away for a few weeks studying at a seminary in Detroit, the parish asked Father Declan McNicholas to speak. His reflection for this month is titled ‘Transformed by God’s radiant love.”
Kathy Wozniak, a parishioner at the Merrillville parish, shared she found the Renewed holy hour to be an extremely moving experience. Through Renewed she came to know that she is a beloved of Jesus, as is everyone.
“I left that night with a deeper love for Christ, along with a desire to learn more about Him,” Wozniak said. “My heart was filled with profound peace and joy. I want to feel all of that again. That is why I come back to Renewed every month, to feel the love and peace and joy.”
All are welcome to attend the event on July 18 at Our Lady of Consolation. Next month’s date is Friday, Aug. 29.
The Knights of Columbus Council 5929 will lead a Candlelight Adoration on Thursday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick in Chesterton. This service started about two years ago as suggested by Father Jon Plavcan. The pastor felt the evening prayer was something the Knights of Columbus could assist in, along with others who dedicated to Eucharistic adoration.
“I feel that Eucharistic adoration is important as it strengthens our relationship with God, alive and present in the Blessed Sacrament,” said Father Plavcan. “It is extremely important to go to adoration and have a moment of silence for our spiritual growth and the whole church.”
Candlelight Adoration is celebrated with candles to create an atmosphere for prayer, and depending on scheduling it takes place at St. Patrick once a month.
Six reasons to come to Eucharistic adoration:
1. He is really there! (John 6:35)
2. Day and night Jesus dwells in the Blessed Sacrament because of His infinite love for you. (Matthew 28:20, Jeremiah 31:3)
3. Each moment that you spend in His Eucharistic Presence will increase His Divine Life within you and deepen your personal relationship and friendship with Him. (John 15:5)
4. Jesus will give you all the graces you need to be happy! (Revelations 7:17)
5. Jesus is infinitely deserving of our unceasing thanksgiving and adoration for all He has done for our salvation. (Revelations 5:12)
6. Each hour you spend with Jesus will deepen His Divine Peace in your heart. (Mt 11:28, 5:7, Jn 14:17)
(catholicnewsagency.com)
Caption: Father Doug Mayer, pastor at St. Paul in Valparaiso, blesses with incense the monstrance in which the consecrated host is exposed for veneration during a mission concert in 2022. Eucharistic adoration was held as singer/songwriter and evangelist Daniel Overreuter played guitar and led the faithful in singing "Amazing Grace" and other hymns. (Marlene A. Zloza/NWIC file photo)
