On the first Sunday of each month after the Noon Mass, the Knights of Columbus at Grotto host a Holy Hour for Vocations, with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
I'll try to get these reminders out on the Thursday or Friday below so you can plan to stay. Not only can offer the Holy Hour up for Vocations, but you can offer up the sacrifice of your time.
This has been a custom at Assumption Grotto for many years now so you might consider putting it on your calendar. It follows the Noon Mass so if you normally go to 9:30, there is time to catch breakfast out, or some social time in the gym where we have hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage and other goodies every Sunday with few exceptions.
CHILDREN AND ADORATION
There is a transcript of an excellent interview with Fr. Antoine Thomas of the Congregation of St. John who has a special grace in helping children with adoration. This entire interview is worth reading whether you have children or not because Father's words apply to everyone. And, unless we become like children....you know the rest.
From a 2005 Zenit interview of the priest who created Children of Hope - a program that helps children to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Bringing Children to Christ in Eucharistic Adoration
Father Antoine Thomas Develops a Program for Kids
PRINCEVILLE, Illinois, OCT. 5, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Thanks to a French priest's vision and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, hundreds of children are engaging in Eucharistic adoration and experiencing the real presence of Christ.
Father Antoine Thomas, 46, a priest of the Congregation of St. John, has been working in youth ministry for 15 years and began leading children's holy hours more than 10 years ago.
Now he has started a program, Children of Hope, that helps others lead adoration for kids.
The priest, who came from Paris, shared with ZENIT how children can embrace and be enriched by spending time with the Blessed Sacrament in their schools and parishes, and what adults can do to encourage the practice particularly during the forthcoming Year of the Eucharist.
Q: Why is it important for kids to engage in Eucharistic adoration?
Father Thomas: Jesus said, "Let the children come to me"; I think we had better obey and bring him the children.
Pope John Paul II said back in 1996: "I urge priests, religious and lay people to continue and redouble their efforts to teach the younger generations the meaning and value of Eucharistic adoration and devotion. How will young people be able to know the Lord if they are not introduced to the mystery of his presence?
"[...] By learning the words of the prayer of the heart, they will be closer to the Lord, who will accompany them in their spiritual and human growth. ... All interior life needs silence and intimacy with Christ in order to develop.
"This gradual familiarity with the Lord will enable certain young people to be involved ... and to take a more active part in Mass; for young boys, to be near the altar is also a privileged opportunity to hear Christ's call to follow him more radically in the priestly ministry."
The Holy Father continues to stress this importance today.
What we learn as children will remain in us and help us to stay close to Jesus......[continue reading at Children of Hope]
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