Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Mission Statement
The mission of Adoration is simple yet so necessary for the welfare of mankind: To thank and adore our Savior Jesus Christ for His sacrificial love for us and to make reparation for sins and offenses against His most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Through Adoration we bring about a greater love of the Trinity. We bring praise and thanksgiving, our sins and brokenness, our prayers and pleas, all of which bring comfort to our Lord and His Mother. Eucharistic Adoration is an intimate, face-to-face encounter with Jesus Christ. It builds stronger marriages, unifies families, and increases vocations to the religious life. Eucharistic Adoration brings untold blessings to our parish and to those who come to adore!
Adoration is Sacrificial
Our weekend adoration depends on hourly “relay teams” of committed weekly adorers to continue our ministry. It is a sacrificial offering of love to commit to a specific hour each weekend, and is encouraged to give yourself the personal discipline of regular adoration. This also helps adorers to be faithful to their scheduled hours, because they know that Jesus cannot be left alone in the monstrance.
During His Eucharistic discourse, Jesus said “Indeed this is the will of my Heavenly Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him, shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day” (Jn 6:40)
Mother Teresa of Calcutta said “When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.”
Our History or Patron Saint
We have had weekend adoration at our Lady of the Atonement for over 30 years. We are blessed to have an adoration chapel connected to the main sanctuary. Beginning in 2019, our beautiful Sacred Heart Chapel is open 24x7. All are welcome to visit and pray at any time.
Our patron saint is the most perfect of all saints: St. Mary, Holy Mother of God.
Why? She is Queen of all Saints, Queen of the Universe, and was the first Living Tabernacle of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Weekend Adoration Ministry
The restlessness and stress of daily life too often keep us from experiencing the peace which The Lord offers us.
This peace can be found through an intimate relationship with Jesus in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. We are fortunate to have this opportunity at Our Lady of the Atonement in the Sacred Heart Chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed every weekend beginning each Friday at 7:45 AM and ending on Sunday at 6:15 AM.
In order for the chapel to remain open for anyone who might want to spend time with Our Lord, we must have at least one person committed to each hour. Please prayerfully consider committing to spend one hour each week to be with Our Lord in adoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why do you need someone for every hour?
A. When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed it can never be left alone.
Q. What happens if something comes up so I need to miss on occasion?
A. We have adorers who are available to substitute. The substitute contact list is provided to everyone who is committed to an hour.
Q. Does it matter if I am there for my scheduled hour as long as I come for an hour sometime during the weekend?
A. Yes. Because the previous person to your hour cannot leave until you show up, you would be inconveniencing the person following you if you are not there on time.
Q. What happens if I have to leave early or will be late?
A. If you have a partner, you can make sure that they will be there the full time. If you do not, then it might be best to find a substitute for that weekend.
Q. How long is my commitment for?
A. Adoration is a year round program. Our adorers commit for year round adoration.
Q. What do I do during adoration?
A. You can pray devotions such as the Rosary, you can bring spiritual reading, or you can just be there in the presence of Our Lord and Savior.
Q. If I have a partner, can’t I just assume they will be there if I have to miss?
A. No. If everyone assumes their partner will be there, then it will eventually happen that no one will be present for the hour. You must always coordinate with your partner if you cannot make it.
Q. I see you need specific hours filled but I can’t make those hours. Can I still sign up for another time?
A. Yes, you can sign up for any hour that is most convenient for you.
Q. I cannot commit at this time to a specific hour. Can I still come to Adoration?
A. Yes, anyone may come during the times of adoration.
Q. Will I have a partner?
A. We try diligently to have at least two people committed to each hour so that everyone has a partner. However, as people move and their commitments change, some hours can be left with only one person. We have sign up drives at least twice a year to make a push to fill any gaps.
Q. How do I sign up?
A. Call or email the adoration coordinator listed on the adoration page and she will register you and provide you with the information you will need.