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Perpetual Adoration

Revised: May 2020

Holy Family Catholic Church
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Ministry Guidelines

****
Welcome to Holy Family Perpetual Adoration
The Adoration Board/Day Captains:

​Monday: Sue Kilby – rfksk@aol.com
  • Tuesday: Matt McConnell – mattmcconnell37@gmail.com
  • Wednesday: Deb Kilcline – djkilcline@gmail.com
  • Thursday: Paul Dallavalle – mpdalla@starpower.net
  • Friday: Ron Van Nest – RonVanNest.OFS@gmail.com 
  • Saturday: Mary St. Denis – rickstdenis@hotmail.com
  • Sunday: Cindy Daily - cindy.daily@verizon.net 

The Holy Family Oratory Committee wants to invite parishioners to enjoy prayer time with Jesus and take a break from their busy schedules by spending time at our parish Oratory. Here is some information about the Oratory and ways to get involved in this ministry of prayer.

     Our Oratory is a small room that seats about 10 people in chairs with kneelers.  In the Oratory is also a little religious library from which you can borrow a book to read while praying in the oratory, and also a place where people place intentions for you to perhaps remember in prayer while you are there.  

     There is some stained-glass in the oratory which is designed to look like the windows in the old chapel, and there is an altar made of beautiful wood.  But the focus of the Oratory is the Monstrance, (a metal stand in which is a consecrated host, JESUS, displayed behind glass.)  The word "monstrance" derives from the Latin verb meaning "to show," for, indeed, it is Jesus whom we "show" in the Monstrance and in the Oratory.

     So your time in the Oratory is to be a time when you can be close to Jesus in the Communion Bread which has been blessed at mass, the Blessed Sacrament:  Jesus, that which Jesus said would be his Body and his Blood at the Last Supper.

      Therefore, time spent in the Oratory is a time spent in prayer, and sometimes we may want a very private and solitary time with the Lord in the Oratory....but the Oratory is also a public place of prayer for the whole parish:  So that there may sometimes be a fidgetty baby, or a child, or simply several other people in the Oratory....So that we can't promise that the Oratory will always be a place for completely private prayer and pristine silence for you, BUT we CAN always also offer you the privacy of our old chapel, along Central Ave, if there is a day when you just seek quiet and solitude before the Lord and the Oratory has a number of worshipers present.


    In the end we again invite you to take a look at signing up for Adoration.  We ask you to take notice that there are some open hours during the week, BUT if the only convenient hours for you are ones which are already signed up for by others, to know that YOU ARE WELCOME TO SIGN UP FOR AN HOUR EVEN IF ONE, TWO OR THREE OTHER PEOPLE ARE ALREADY SIGNED UP FOR THAT HOUR. 
God bless you and let's get praying!   Fr. Andy  



1. How to become an Adorant:
 
Anyone who is interested in becoming an Adorant can visit the following website to sign up as an Adorant or a substitute or both, click here: https://adorationpro.org/holyfamily.  Individuals can commit to one hour a week or a group can be formed for Adoration.  As a substitute you can go to Adoration when you are available.
 
DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO USE ADORATION PRO:
ADORATION PRO:
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR AN HOUR/BECOME AN ADORANT:

Step 1: Go to www.adorationpro.org/holyfamily
 
Step 2: Click “Weekly Commitment”
  • Current commitments are listed by day and hour (starting with Monday midnight, 12:00 AM) and to protect privacy are noted by “Adorer” rather than actual names. Every instance of “Adorer” represents one person who has signed up for an hour; e.g., if Adorer occurs three times in on hour there are three adorers schedule for that hour.






Step 3: Click “Sign Up”
  • If you don’t have a specific time in mind, or if you have flexibility in your schedule, we kindly ask that you consider signing up for an hour which none or only one scheduled adorer.

Step 4: Read the full agreement and guidelines

Step 5: Enter First name, last name, Email address, and phone numbers. Then click “Signup”
Congratulations. You are signed up. If you would also like to sign up as a substitute please follow the prompts. You may then close the page.
 
You should receive a confirmation email with your holy hour. If you also elected to be a substitute you will also receive a separate email for that also.
 
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THESE EMAILS PLEASE CHECK YOUR JUNK/SPAM FOLDER. MAKE SURE YOUR EMAIL WILL ACCEPT EMAILS FROM: www.adorationpro.org/holyfamily             
 
HOW TO BECOME A SUBSTITUE ONLY:
Step 1: Go to www.adorationpro.org/holyfamily
 
Step 2: Click on “Become a Sub”
 
Step 3:  Enter name, email address, phone numbers and available/times and click “Sign Up”
 
Congratulations. You are now a substitute. You should receive a confirmation email. You may then close the page.
 
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THESE EMAILS PLEASE CHECK YOUR JUNK/SPAM FOLDER. MAKE SURE YOUR EMAIL WILL ACCEPT EMAILS FROM: www.adorationpro.org/holyfamily              
 
HOW TO FIND A SUBSTITUTE:
Step 1: Go to www.adorationpro.org/holyfamily
 
Step 2: Click “Find a Sub”
 
Step 3: Enter “subpass” into the password field then click “Login”
 
Step 4: Contact potential substitutes via email or phone.
 
ONCE YOU HAVE SUCCEEDED IN FINDING A SUBSTITUE, PLEASE INFORM ALL OF THE ORIGINAL RECIPIENTS OF THE REQUEST THAT YOU HAVE FOUND A SUBSTITUTE AND THEIR ASSISTANCE IS NO LONGER NEEDED.
 
We are always looking for new Adorants and would love new people to join this beautiful ministry.
You may contact your day captain listed above for any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
 
ADORANTS AND ADORATION SUBSTITUTES: It is extremely important to keep all contact information current. Please advise YOUR DAY CAPTAIN of any and all changes in reference to your contact information or your hour. This will ensure we have an updated roster, substitute list, and email list at all times.

2. What is Eucharistic Adoration?
It has been the consistent belief of the Catholic Church from the very beginning  that the bread and wine consecrated at Mass truly become the Body and Blood of Christ; and that, as the Catholic Catechism states, this “Eucharistic presence of  Christ [which] begins at the moment of the consecration…endures as long as \the Eucharistic species subsist.”  (CC#1377). In other words, the Eucharistic Christ then continues to be present in our midst beyond the Eucharistic liturgy when the consecrated host is either reposed in a tabernacle or exposed on the altar.

3. Why Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament?
If we can adore the Eucharistic presence of Christ when reposed in a tabernacle, why do we then need to expose the Blessed Sacrament on an altar? It is not essential for exposition to take place to have Eucharistic adoration, yet people report experiencing a greater sense of intimacy with Jesus and attentiveness of mind and heart to prayer when they are able to actually “see” our Eucharistic Lord. But the best reason for having exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is simply that God wills it. During His Eucharistic discourse, Jesus made this unmistakably clear: “Indeed,  this is the will  of My Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son, and believes in Him, shall have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day” (John 6:40).
 
4. Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Holy Family- Location and Access
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is available in the Adoration Oratory located in the back (Northeast) corner, ground level of the Spiritual Life Center, directly below the parish library.

The Oratory is open 24 hours a day- 7 days a week. As dictated by the Easter Triduum the Oratory will be closed part of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The Oratory is closed on Holy Thursday evening after the 6 pm hour. The Oratory reopens Easter Sunday at 12 am (midnight).

For security reasons only schedule Adorants are allowed to have access during non business hours.
Admittance to Oratory:
All visitors are welcomed during parish office hours:
Monday thru Thursday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 12:00 Noon
Please advise visitors to ring the buzzer located at the front entrance of the main church for Oratory access.
Any visitors looking for admittance NOT during the parish office hours please let them know the Chapel is opened for visitors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for prayer. Please do not open door.
A sign is also posted on the outside of the back door leading to the garden stating all this information.
Please observe the following procedures:
  • Scheduled Adorants please access the Oratory using the exterior door located in the Meditation Garden at the rear of the building.
  • Adorants should plan to arrive at least 5 minutes before their scheduled hour is to begin.
  • Arriving Adorants will press the key pad for access.
  • New arrivals should sign-in on the sheet located on the desk in the rear of the Oratory.
  • Please remember that if the next Adorant does not show up, please blow out any candles and cover Monstrance.
  • If you are doing an hour with someone else and for whatever reason you won’t be able to make your hour please notify them. If you have an hour by yourself and you won’t be able to make your hour you should try to notify the Adorant on the hour before you and the Adorant on the hour after you that you will not be there.

5. Security of Adorants in the Oratory
In addition to the security for the Meditation Garden door, Adorants should be aware of the security policy regarding the door in the rear of the oratory that leads into the lower-level hallway.
  • The door is always open. This will allow anyone in the building for another purpose to take advantage of spending some time with the Blessed Sacrament.
  • A turnkey lock can also be used if an Adorant feels more comfortable. If the lock is used, PLEASE unlock after you leave the Oratory.
    • Please do not use the lock if church activities are being held in the building. We would like to be as welcoming as possible to all visitors.
  • If at any time the Adorant is uncomfortable or feels threatened because someone whom the Adorant doesn’t recognize continues to try and gain entry, the Adorant should use the white telephone in the Oratory closet to dial 911.
  • The exterior doors that provide access to the Religious Education wing of the Spiritual Life Center will normally be locked except during scheduled religious education classes or parish events, e.g., Bible Study, Book Club, Parish Council etc..
6. Using Restrooms
Restrooms can be accessed by exiting the Oratory through the hall door and turning right.

7. Inclement Weather, Emergencies
In case of inclement weather it will be YOUR decision to attend Adoration. YOUR SAFETY IS OUR FIRST CONCERN. PLEASE DO NOT GO OUT UNLESS YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE IN DOING SO.  As always, if an Adorant does not show up for their hour, please cover the Montrance and blow out the candles. In case of any emergencies concerning the closure of the Oratory, you will be notified by email.  FYI: Attempting to find substitutes during inclement weather is not necessary.

8. Procedure for Opening the Oratory if no one is there:
Please uncover the Monstrance.  Do so carefully and reverentially.  Please re-light the candles on the altar. In the closet, there is a lighter that you can use.  If one or more candles have burned out, please insert a new oil canister in the candle. The oil canisters are also located in the closet.

9. Substitutes
Everyone’s life includes illness, family emergencies, business travel and vacations. Some of them can be planned, others can’t. The best way to plan for such events is to communicate and coordinate with those who share your hour and/or those who are scheduled for the hours before and after yours.

It is the Adorant’s responsibility to arrange for substitutes. Please go to Adoration Pro (https://adorationpro.org/holyfamily) to help assist in locating a substitute. The password to find a substitute is: subpass.

If you have a partner during your hour, make sure you keep the partner’s telephone number handy and advise them in advance if you know you cannot make your hour.

If you do not have a partner during your hour, we encourage you to notify the person before and after you that you will not be able to make it.
If you have an emergency and must leave the Oratory early, please cover the Monstrance and blow out the altar candles.

10. Other Information
We encourage all Adorants to bring their cell phones with them and use those phones to receive any emergency calls from home.  A black phone is located in the Oratory closet for outgoing calls only. 

Reading material to assist you in making the most of your hour is available in the Oratory bookcase located in the closest. Feel free to use any of the material during your hour. However, so that all of our Adorants may have use of the materials, we request that you return the material before you leave.  Please do not remove anything from the Oratory.

To reinforce the sanctity of the Oratory Chapel, a sign is posted in the hallway to remind passersby of the need to be respectfully quiet in that area, however, it is a gathering area for many parish activities and your patience is appreciated.

11. Courtesy
Each of us is being given the opportunity to spend an hour with our Lord, Jesus Christ – an hour to share and to listen. Make the best of your hour by using common sense and help others to make the most of their hours through courtesy and consideration.

12. Thoughts on Prayers before the Blessed Sacrament
Catholics have had a long tradition of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, both as it is reserved in the tabernacle and as it is exposed in the monstrance. In an article titled, "Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament," Rev. John Hardon, S.J., explains the history of this practice and the reasons for it. An excerpt of this article follows and is reprinted with the author's permission.

“One practice of Catholic piety that represents a real development of doctrine in the history of the Church is the practice of praying before the Blessed Sacrament, either exposed on the altar or reserved in the tabernacle…Jesus Christ is really, truly and substantially present in the Blessed Sacrament not only during the Mass or at Communion time, but all the time, as long as the Sacred Elements remain. The most fundamental reason why prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is so meritorious is because it is prayer arising from faith in the cardinal mystery of Christianity, which is faith in the Incarnation.

The final, and in a way, most important reason why prayers before the Blessed Sacrament are so important is that when we pray before the Eucharist we have before us in human form the principal reason for our existence, which is the all loving God…”

13. History of Holy Family Adoration
Holy Family Church started Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in 1997 with approximately ten (10) hours. Over the years we have increased our adoration hours to 60 hours a week which is where we were in 2009. A major goal of our Adoration and prayer ministry was to expand our hours to perpetual adoration that will encompass every hour of every day.

Our church took on a major expansion and with it came the opportunity to have a space dedicated to perpetual adoration. Planning for accomplishing perpetual  adoration began in earnest in July 2009, and ended with the dedication of Holy  Family’s New Spiritual Life Center, including the new Perpetual Adoration Oratory (small chapel), on December 6, 2009.  Over 250 parishioners have committed to a scheduled hour of Adoration or to being an Adorant substitute. This is truly a major accomplishment and one that we should all be proud of in that we now have a spiritual oratory in which to pray, meditate, and honor our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
This ministry is shared by all of us. If at any time you have any suggestions, comments, or concerns do not hesitate to contact any of the board members.
“… To act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with our God…”
 
God Bless,
The Adoration Board







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