Adoration Updates
With the start of school and the more structured life that the close of summer usually brings, I thought I might give an update on how our ministry of perpetual adoration is doing.
Before I do so, I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who has made Adoration a part of their (family) routine. Whether you signed up for a regular hour each week or signed up as a “substitute,” it’s been a noticeable change: there are far fewer times when I walk through the church that I see the monstrance covered, absent someone to adore our Lord. Thanks to all who have just stopped in throughout the day, too—after our first push for more adorers, I dare say it was almost crowded at times in the adoration chapel; that’s a great thing, in my opinion! We’ve made significant strides in the right direction!
Nevertheless, we’ve still got work to do to have a thriving ministry of perpetual adoration. By last count, when I looked at the available “open spots” on the parish website (bsps.org/perpetual-adoration), we have 48 SPOTS still in need of coverage EACH WEEK. A little quick math (forgive me, I’m a recovering engineer) and you’ll note that that’s still almost 30% of our weekly hours that need a scheduled adorer. Most of these hours are overnight hours, during which the chapel is locked to outside visitors. For the safety of those overnight adorers, we don’t widely advertise the code (we try to keep it such that one has to call the office in order to obtain it).
I know there are some people for whom overnight hours might be especially difficult. But if that’s not you: here’s your call to service! If you’re a night-owl or work second- or third-shift, why not come spend a little time with the Lord?! Young or old, experienced or completely new to the Church—it’s going to take us all! And there’s no better way to learn how to pray or spend an hour in silence with the Lord than to just get in there and do it.
For many, I know it’s not exactly easy to know what to do in adoration, especially in our world of activity and distraction. So while conversing with the Lord should be our primary focus while we’re in Adoration, here are some things that can make it “easier” to pass the time. Consider:
- Bringing a list of people or things to pray for. Pray a rosary and offer each Hail Mary for one intention.
- Bringing a journal to write your prayers out to the Lord.
- Reading the Bible or practicing the age-old art of lectio divina [“Ok Google: what is lectio divina?”]. If we’re not sure how to hear God’s voice, there’s nothing more certain than reading His Word!
- Spiritual reading—engaging the lives of the saints or spending some time with a spiritual classic can remind us of God’s presence and activity in the world as well as in us.
Honestly, how you spend your time in Adoration is secondary. What is primary is just that you spend time with our Lord. When I was in college, a priest told me: “If you want to be holy, spend an hour in Adoration every day and start coming to daily Mass; it will change your life.” I didn’t immediately take him up on that offer, but when I did, though the effects were not instantaneous or even perceptible to me at the time, the Lord did in fact change my life. He has a way of doing that, if we let Him.
If you’d like to schedule yourself for an open hour or sign up to substitute, please call the parish office or visit the website. I’m sure our Lord can’t wait to see you there!
Keep spreading joy!
Fr. Friedel
Save the Date! Our Annual Flu Shot Clinic will take place after all Weekend Masses on September 20 and 21. The Sunday Flu Shot Clinics will include coffee and donuts! Flu shots will be administered by HyVee pharmacy and they will have both regular and Hi-Dose available.
At the same time, attend our Mini Ministry Fair and learn about many of our ministries that help Blessed Sacrament parish. We are looking for volunteers to sing in the choir, help with the behind-the-scenes details of altar supplies and floral decorations, and help feed our priests! Look for information and representatives after each weekend Mass.
Do you have a recurring donation already set up and like to change the amount? Just download the ACH Form to the right, complete it and turn it in to the parish office.
From other parishes...
Christ the King Fall Bible Study
Please join us, as we study Luke: The Story of Salvation Fulfilled. This is an 8-week study produced by the Ascension Press in which we will explore the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as told by St. Luke the Evangelist. Meetings are on Thursday mornings from 9:15 AM to 11:00 AM in the Christ the King Parish Center, beginning on Thursday, September 11. Childcare is available for a small donation. All are welcome! This is a perfect place to begin if you are new to Bible Study. Participants will receive a workbook and have light reading with homework. The cost of the materials will be $30. Each week we will view a 30 minute DVD lecture with discussion following. For more information or to register, contact Kristin Luker at 217-341-8753 or KLuker@LukerDentalCare.com.
Attention Men (women, send this to men)!The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois invites men to a Leadership Summit with John Edwards from Just a Guy in the Pew on Saturday, Oct. 18, at St. Boniface Church in Edwardsville. This event will inspire single and married men to grow in faith, build leadership skills, and strengthen men’s ministry. Cost is $30 and includes materials, food, and drink; register here by Oct. 1.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki invites all couples who have been married 50 years or more to a special Anniversary Mass on Sunday, September 21 at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. This celebration honors your beautiful witness to the vocation of marriage. A light reception will follow Mass. RSVP by September 9 at dio.org/events, or contact Gracie Ortiz at gortiz@dio.org or (217) 698-8500. Let us honor your milestone of faith and love!
We invite everyone to participate in the Bible study Jesus and the Eucharist, a series of seven sessions that explores the mystery of the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith. The meetings will take place on Mondays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Library of the Cathedral School of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, Illinois, on September 8, 15, 22, 29; October 6, 20, and 27 (there will be no session on October 13 due to Columbus Day). All sessions will be conducted in Spanish only. All are welcome!
The SDCCW’s Catholic Women’s Convention will be held October 1st at St Paul’s in Highland, IL. All women are invited to attend! Deadline to register is September 14th. Last year, over 240 women from across the diocese attended. You don’t want to miss it! Registration forms may be found at https://dio.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-SDCCW-Convention-Registration-Form.pdf or in your parish office! Questions? Call SDCCW President Janet Zimmerman at 217-494-4743.
The KC Council #364 will be holding its annual Oktoberfest Saturday Sept 6th from 12:00 until 9:00 on the KC grounds, 2200 Meadowbrook Rd. It will feature German music, food, beer and including activities for the kids as well. Admission is $5.00, Kids under 12 free. For more information, please contact Dave Groesch at 691-1506 or e-mail dmgroesch@att.net.
Catholic Faith and Science Series Join us for this video series, where Fr. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D. walks us through the scientific evidence for God, philosophical proofs for God's existence, the historicity of Jesus' miracles and Resurrection, why an all-loving God would allow suffering, medical evidence for our transphysical soul, and more. This course will be facilitated by Fr. Brian Alford and is open to teens and adults.
Meeting twice monthly on Sundays, 6:15-7:30pm in the Cathedral atrium beginning September 28. The course is free, but a participant workbook will be sold for $10. Register by email to vcompton@cathedral.dio.org or by calling the parish office 217/522-3342.
Meeting twice monthly on Sundays, 6:15-7:30pm in the Cathedral atrium beginning September 28. The course is free, but a participant workbook will be sold for $10. Register by email to vcompton@cathedral.dio.org or by calling the parish office 217/522-3342.