Bishop Schneider returns to US; discusses reception of Holy Communion {Update 2}

Bishop Athanasius Schneider distributes Holy Communion at Assumption Grotto in 2008

On EWTN this past week was His Excellency, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC - an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Maria Santissima in Astana, Kazakhstan. Bishop Schneider sat down with Fr. Mitch Pacwa to discuss a topic he has become well known for: Reverence for Our Eucharistic Lord, especially during reception of Holy Communion.

In the first half hour of the video, we hear how his German family ended up in that part of the world and how growing up behind the Iron Curtain affected understanding of the faith, especially the Eucharist. At a time when religious freedom is threatened here in the United States, it is good to see how other Catholics have struggled to practice the faith in the face of government oppression.  It gives us an appreciation of the freedoms we do have, and hopefully a desire to take full advantage of them in living out our Christian lives, and working to protect our liberties.

Bishop Schneider knows many languages. As a patristics scholar, this has given him access to texts that many others would not have.  He used these language skills to understand how Holy Communion was received in the early Church, since it is often brought up in discussions.  For example, people argue that early Christians received Communion in the hand, but His Excellency goes into greater detail on how they received in the hand.  It is very different from how we receive today.  In fact, kneeling and receiving on the tongue is a much simpler process than what occurred in the early Church.  He discusses this, and other things in the interview.

His Excellency spent time at Assumption Grotto in 2008 where I had opportunities to photograph him and converse briefly with him.  In 2009, the opportunities would present themselves again when he spoke at the Call to Holiness conference, an apostolate of which I am now a board member.

Bishop Athanasius Schneider is an interesting subject worth careful study. He is not dynamic, but his passion comes through loud and clear.  Students of virtue, which is hopefully all of us, should observe how he discusses the most sensitive subject of reception of Holy Communion.  This is a man who underwent culture shock when he went to Germany as a teen and witnessed people receiving Communion in the hand.  It crushed him, and his mother wept at the sight of the casual way in which the Eucharist was handled.   He was shielded from this practice in Kazakhstan where Communion was often received infrequently, and in secrecy.

Bishop Schneider is very devoted to Our Lady.
His episcopal ring contains the Miraculous Medal.

How does he discuss the subject?  Bishop Schneider knows people do not have the understanding he does.  When he talks about the issue he does not mock, ridicule, speak condescendingly, or joke at the expense of those who receive Holy Communion in the hand. Some have argued: He can't because he's a bishop, so we will argue this way on his behalf. These people do not understand the bishop, nor the virtues he exemplifies.  He uses his deep knowledge to reason, calmly, and in a way that is inviting for others to listen and learn.  He gives us that knowledge so we may reason calmly with others.

I have never been able to reconcile defending the Eucharist while attempting to verbally beat others into submission on this subject.  What Bishop Schneider gets, that others do not, is that people were born into this practice, and it is all they know. Or, people desiring to be humbly obedient were forcefully pushed into receiving in the hand against their own sensibilities, eventually embracing it unaware that it came into it's own through illicit means.   Reverence for the Eucharist should lead us to be mindful of the dignity of others.  Harsh rhetoric and demands only cause damage and make people defensive against the desired practice.  We would do best to pray for people to be enlightened and be patient as God works on their minds and hearts with what we present.

Some reject these things out of hand, but we must remember that once the seeds have been planted they take time to sprout.  Our job is not to force germination as this is against nature (God gives to all, free will).  We can keep the soil moist, taking care not to let it dry out; and take care to not oversaturate it (sometimes it's best to present things to people, encourage them to pray on it and let them ponder it over time).

Hopefully, more bishops will follow the lead of the Holy Father, who now places a kneeler out for those in his Communion line.  Bishop Schneider mentions in the interview that other bishops have set this practice up in their cathedrals. Here again, a gentle example is being set with some bishops and priests following, but not without catechesis.

If you want to learn more from Bishop Schneider, I suggest getting his little book, Dominus Est – It Is the Lord! Reflections of a Bishop of Central Asia on Holy Communion.  Even if you feel strongly about receiving Communion in the hand, read the book any way. I've not met anyone who didn't walk away feeling closer to Jesus in the Eucharist by learning this man's life story and the struggles Catholics endured to live the faith behind the Iron Curtain.  It can only make you appreciate how easy we can practice our faith here in the United States. In his homily at EWTN on the same day as the interview below, Bishop Schneider spoke on the effects of persecution on people's faith.

I also have a blog which is intended to collect things from, and on, Bishop Schneider, but it is in need of updating.  Many videos and texts have come out since I last updated it.  If you are aware of something that is not in that blog, drop a link in the comment box here.

Bishop Schneider was in New York, as well, during this visit.  People may feel free to drop in links for those events in the comment box here, as well.

UPDATES

Update 1: In this post. Fr. George David Byers discusses how he was traumatized by the changes in the 60's - something I have heard from others who were taught never to touch the Eucharist as had been the case for centuries, only to be told he now had to receive in the hand.

Update 2: Deacon Greg Kandra also has a post on the subject of reception of Holy Communion.  Go read: I've changed my mind; It's time to bring back the altar rail. 

Update 3: Fr. Jay Finelli offers a testimonial from his own parish where he installed an altar rail, then gave people a choice to use it... or not.

---

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

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New Photos: Assumption Grotto at Night; 40 Hours Devotion Update

Assumption Grotto Parish in Detroit on a Fall Night (November 20, 2010)

Today was the second day in our 40 Hours Devotion.  Upon learning that it would run until 9:00pm, I decided to go later in the day.  I took my camera intending to capture what was going on inside the Church when I captured some outdoor shots. 

FORTY HOURS DEVOTION UPDATE



Grotto's pastor, Fr. Eduard Perrone, during Benediction
at the 9:00pm end of Adoration for the day.



There has been a change this year to how the Forty Hours Devotion is being carried out.  Fr. Perrone is using the 1962 Missal.  This morning, he celebrated the Missa Pro Pace (Mass for Peace) at the Sacred Heart side altar in purple vestments - something we will all have to wait to see again until next year.  This information did not make it into the bulletin, but should next year, because he plans on doing it again this way.

There is another change you will be interested in.  The closing will be a solemn high Mass called a Mass of Deposition.  There will be a Eucharistic Procession and the Litany of the Saints will be sung in Latin.  Members of the Assumption Grotto Choir and schola will be singing this closing Mass at 3:00pm.  

Of course, the ushers will be providing a pancake breakfast tomorrow, which ends at 2:00pm.  

A few more photos for your viewing pleasure....

FURTHER READING

• 40 Hours with Jesus Christ (Fr. William Saunders)
• 40 Hours Devotion (Catholic Encyclopedia)
• St. John Neumann on 40 Hours Devotion (Air Maria)
• Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (Fr. William Saunders)
• The ultimate resource page on Eucharistic devotion (The Real Presence)
• Pope Benedict XVI on the new "Eucharistic Sprintime" and St. Juliana of Cornillon (Zenit)
• See a post from St. John Cantius on their 40 Hour Devotion - Closing Ceremony (click the link at the bottom to go to the photographs - much liturgical eye-candy) NEW

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

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Update on 40 Hours Devotion

CORRECTION TO EARLIER POST

In yesterday's post on 40 Hours Devotion, I had given some errant closing times for Friday and Saturday.  I do apologize. 

Exposition went until 9:00pm tonight, and it will also go until 9:00pm on Saturday. 

Please take part in this devotion which is rarely offered,  but slowly re-emerging with the popularity of Eucharistic Adoration. 

See yesterday's post for details and informative links about 40 Hours Devotion.  I have also added one more link to the St. John Cantius website where they have a brief explanation, and photos. 

• 40 Hours Devotion Friday-Sunday at Assumption Grotto  

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

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40 Hours Devotion Friday-Sunday at Assumption Grotto

When I first arrived at Assumption Grotto on Pentecost of 2005, it seemed like not a week went by the entire year that I didn't learn something new about Catholicism.  Those things weren't "new", they were just new to me.  Like many who grew up in the 70's, 80's and after, Eucharistic Adoration was something I had not been exposed to until 2005.  I had never participated in a Corpus Christi procession - another form of Eucharistic devotion.  But there was something else that was in the treasury of surprises I encountered at Assumption Grotto:  40 Hours Devotion.   This can take on various forms, from continuous 40 hours, to approximately 40 hours over a 3 day period.  At Grotto it will be running this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (see hours below). 

There are some well written pieces that I have listed below on this devotion, and it's history. Learn about it.

Please come to Assumption Grotto this weekend and spend time with the Lord.  Right after, and before a Mass, there are often an abundance of people.  However, times like 2-5pm on Fridays, or late morning, through early afternoon Saturday, are low on people. 

I recommend dressing in layers and bringing something that may be a little warmer.  Some days we are graced with warmth, and other days the heater may be a little slower to kick in.   

I have had many older parishioners tell me that in the "old days", 40 Hours Devotion would go from parish to parish on different weekends through the year, and people and priests from other parishes would come, especially for the closing ceremony on mid-Sunday afternoon.  There are different traditions, with some having them just before the Triduum, and others around Corpus Christi.  Assumption Grotto has held 40 Hours Devotion usually the 2nd weekend in November, but it got bumped for a number of reasons to this weekend. 

TIMES 

The Grotto News simply says:

Forty Hours Devotion begins Friday, November 19th after the 7:30 a.m. Mass and closes at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 21st with a procession, litany and benediction. Confessions will be heard after the Noon Mass til 3:00 p.m.

Correction on Nov 19, 2010: Closing time for Friday and Saturday is 9:00pm.  See my latest post which has a low-quality video of the 7:00pm evening Mass taking place at the Sacred Heart side altar.  Adoration continued after the 7:00pm Mass until Benedict and closing for the evening at 9:00. 

CHOIR TO SING NOON MASS & 3PM CLOSING
I should note that the Assumption Grotto choir will be singing the noon Mass.  The choir always sings during the beautiful closing ceremony, which involves a procession within the parish church.  It includes the Litany of the Saints, sung in Latin. 

PANCAKE BREAKFAST TO HOLD US OVER
The Grotto News also draws our attention to something else that comes on 40 Hours Devotion weekend (conveniently, for those staying until the 3:00 closing):

Sunday, November 21st, the Ushers will host a Pancake Breakfast after the 9:30 a.m. Mass until 2:00 p.m.. Join us for a delicious breakfast Benefits will go to the parish. Adults $6.00, children $3.00.

FURTHER READING

• 40 Hours with Jesus Christ (Fr. William Saunders)
• 40 Hours Devotion (Catholic Encyclopedia)
• St. John Neumann on 40 Hours Devotion (Air Maria)
• Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (Fr. William Saunders)
• The ultimate resource page on Eucharistic devotion (The Real Presence)
• Pope Benedict XVI on the new "Eucharistic Sprintime" and St. Juliana of Cornillon (Zenit)
• See a post from St. John Cantius on their 40 Hour Devotion - Closing Ceremony (click the link at the bottom to go to the photographs - much liturgical eye-candy) NEW

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Thoughts on Forty Hours and Eucharistic Devotion

Closing ceremony from 2007

(click for more pics from last year - I did not photograph this year's ceremony)

The closing ceremony for the 2008 Forty Hours Devotion was held this afternoon at 3:00pm. Considering that there have been so many activities of late at the parish, I think the turn out was good.

The closing ceremony, which comes at the end of the three day vigil, involves readings, homily, the Litany of Saints (chanted in Latin), and a procession, followed by Divine Praises and Benediction. It lasted about 45 minutes and we had a good pot-luck dinner afterward.

Fr. Perrone had the honors this year of leading this ceremony, and delivered a beautiful homily. I am glad to report that Father has agreed to email me the text of that homily. He is also providing me with his homily from the 9:30am Mass which I missed, but had heard was very good. Stay tuned.

I went up the choir loft to assist - something that felt refreshing having been away from choir now for about half a year. While I was up there looking down at Fr. Perrone cradling Our Lord in the monstrance I got overwhelmed with a sense of joy and gratitude to God for the gift of such a pastor. It hit me all at once, that it is because of his devotion to the Eucharist that, through the grace of God, I was able to develop a devotion to the Eucharist. I momentarily pondered my spiritual life without all of this beautiful fanfare that has done so much to give me an appreciation for this great gift.

All of those thoughts flashing through my head as I watched the procession were such a contrast to the flashbacks of my days in "St. Suburbia" as we sometimes call it, where these things like Forty Hours Devotion, and even adoration for that matter, were absent. My life was not the same.

I recall my first trip to Assumption Grotto on Pentecost of 2005. I went back on Corpus Christi after having assisted at some weekday Masses. I had never seen a Eucharistic Procession until that day and I was amazed with the devotion of the people. I could see pure love for Our Lord in the Eucharist, in a way that was totally foreign to me.

What impresses me most about Grotto, is that for many, family life revolves around parish life, not the other way around. In fact, it's more: Family life is integral to parish life. This is visible in people's willingness to come with their families to such events. It's not possible for every family to participate in every event, but there are always many involved - together. These families understand that the faith is passed on by example. When children witness Mom and Dad spending time in adoration, they learn. Grotto children, in my humble opinion, are among the most patient and well-behaved kids I've ever been exposed to at any church (though parents always feel it could be better).

I feel so fortunate to be in a parish like Assumption Grotto, among priests who pass along the faith without ambiguity, and in it's entirety. I pray that Our Lady will keep Grotto under her Mantle for generations to come.

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Forty Hours Devotion at Assumption Grotto - Day 2 of 3

This was taken about 6:30pm on Saturday, November 8th. Tomorrow, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament as part of the Forty Hours Devotion will continue until the closing ceremony at 3:00pm.

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Forty Hours Devotion at Grotto this Weekend

One of the most beautiful events at Assumption Grotto is it's annual Forty Hours Devotion. A flyer in the bulletin this past weekend explained:

The 40 Hours Devotion remembers that traditional "forty-hour period" from our Lord's burial until the resurrection. The Forty Hours Devotion nurtures the love of the faithful for our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, three special dimensions have also surrounded this devotion: the protection from evil and temptation; reparation for our own sins and for the Poor Souls in Purgatory; and deliverance from political, material, or spiritual calamities. Here the faithful implore our Lord to pour forth His abundant graces not only for themselves, but also their neighbors, not only for their own personal needs, but for those of the world

Please come to Assumption Grotto for this beautiful devotion, rarely seen today.

There is a potluck as well at the closing ceremony, which is at 3:00pm Sunday. You may want to come to the Noon Mass and do some afternoon adoration, then stay for the potluck.

PDF flyer of the event with details

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Photopost: 2008 Election Eve Adoration Vigil

The 2008 Election Eve Adoration Vigil at Assumption Grotto in Detroit had greater turnout than I expected. For the 7:00pm Mass which was concelebrated, I would estimate that there were roughly 200-250 people. Normally, the weekday evening Mass will net about 40-50 people. It was great to see so many people and I'm sure God appreciated the diffiulties some had in getting there on a work/school night. This is especially true considering that we are a commuter parish. And, there were so many kids and young people there for that Mass. People travel great distances for the Grotto experience. I know many wanted to be with us and couldn't be. There's no doubt in my mind that their prayers were joined with ours wherever they were.

I fully expected that by 11:00 or Midnight, we would see numbers taper off down to about one handful of people. Boy, was I wrong about that. The low of the night was about 25 at 3:00am, with up to 40+ in attendance through 11:30pm.

Quite a few people remained with Our Lord all night - perhaps 10-12, with only a few short coffee breaks (I think I made 4 or 5 pots in the vestibule).

I never did take any more pics after the Mass.

I felt somewhat sad after Benediction was done around 6:25am, watching Our Lord being reposed back into the Tabernacle. At the same time, I was glad that we would soon be able to receive Holy Communion at the 6:30am Mass.

I know a lot of stuff happened out there. Tell me about the prayer vigils and events at your parish for the election. Drop a note in the combox. But, it may take a while for me to post it. I just voted a short time ago and I'm heading into bed for a couple hours before take my Mom in for bloodwork.

EDIT: Who needs sleep? I will continue to update this as I find a few minutes.

Ok - here are some late breaking headlines:

• ARCHBISHOP BURKE TALKS TO INSIDE THE VATICAN ON EVE OF ELECTION
• American Papist, Tom Peters, has an open thread, and many late breaking news stories of interest to Catholics.
  
  
  

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Adoration Vigil at Sts Cryil & Methodius - October 29-30

Yesterday, I spoke about the upcoming Election Eve Adoration Vigil that will be held at Assumption Grotto, following the 7:00pm Mass on November 3, until the 6:30am Traditional Latin Mass. Adoration will be available throughout the day that Tuesday, as it is every day in our chapel. There was some discussion about having the daytime adoration in the parish church, but I'm not sure if this will be the case, or if it will be held in the chapel as it is daily.

I want to draw attention to other events. I will be adding this to the combox of that post I mentioned above because I would like to get a listing of parishes having such events so people may support them.

Here in metro Detroit, my attention was drawn to another parish which is having Adoration and it is being held a few days ahead of the one at Grotto, which makes it possible for people from the two parishes to engage in both.

Sts Cryil & Methodius in Sterling Heights, Michigan is holding a vigil on October 29-30.

From the bulletin October 19, 2008 bulletin

Adoration * Oct 29-30
For the love of Our Country and for the election of a Pro-Life President and Pro-Life Congress,we will have “Around-the-Clock Adoration” on October 29-30.

Adoration will begin after the 9:00AM Holy Mass on Wednesday, October 29, and continue all night in the Chapel. Specific details are outlined on the poster in the vestibule.

It is necessary to sign-up for specific hours so please sign-up on the sheet in the vestibule if you are interested in committing at least one hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament to beg Our Lord to bless us with Pro-Life Leaders in these perilous times.

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

First Friday Adoration at Assumption Grotto

During Exposition on the Marian feast of Assumption, the "Seat of Wisdom" statue behind the monstrance is uncovered, unlike First Fridays when it is covered.

If you are local and reading this at lunch time, think about heading over to Assumption Grotto where there is Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until somewhere in between 6:30 and 7:00pm. Benediction will happen before the 7:00pm Mass, which is often a Traditional Latin Mass.

I suggest going not only because it is a First Friday. We have talked about the need for all Catholics to treat this period prior to the election with the intensity of Lent, with prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and other sacrifices. Go to adoration and offer the time up for a good outcome to the election.

I personally know many Catholics and other christians who are fasting daily or at least abstaining from something, and people are making every effort to get to weeknight or weekday Mass.......6:30am and 7:00pm are two options for working people, and there is always the pastor's Mass at 7:30am.

If you can't make it to Church for adoration, set some time aside at home today for a holy hour. Turn off the TV, the radio, and read some Scripture, then drift off into meditation. Pray a Rosary. Just give your time to God. That is true love, especially when you give God your time when you least feel like it. Don't have an hour - give him 30 minutes, or 15 minutes. Break it up if you must. Everyone should spend at least 15 minute daily in personal prayer at a minimum.


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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Assumption Day at Assumption Grotto Update: 7:00pm Solemn High Mass and Adoration

The birettas are being readied for the 7:00pm outdoor Mass on the Feast of the Assumption. That's right, I said birettas, as in plural. I just got word from Fr. Perrone, that - weather permitting - it will be a Solemn High Mass, with all the splendor and majesty.

This should be interesting given the tight quarters inside the Grotto sanctuary. It gives me yet another reason to capture it all this year. Last year was the 175th anniversary of the parish, and this year the first Solemn High Mass celebrated in over 40 years, or perhaps the first ever. I don't know the history, but I will try to find out.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on August 15, 2005

Update on Adoration

Fr. Perrone's message back to me on the specifics of Adoration is as follows:

Exposition will be in the church after the 9:30 a.m. Mass until the 3:00 p.m. outdoors Blessing of the sick, at which time the Blessed Sacrament will repose outdoors at the Grotto. Exposition will close there after the Benediction.

Do take advantage of time to sit in total silence before the Eucharist, either between the 9:30am and 3:00pm slot, or after Our Lord is placed down by the Grotto. Dominus Est: It is the Lord!

As a reminder to those who have never been to Adoration, there is a protocol in terms of reverence to be shown.

The first sign of reverence is total silence. This is truly a beautiful thing in ancient Catholic devotion for modern culture where cell-phones, iPODS, TV's, Blackberries, and other devices keep our minds constantly occupied to the point that God asks, "Hello? Is anybody there?" We simply cannot hear His voice among the other noises. Traditional Catholics aren't prudes in not talking in Church or during adoration. They are simply giving Him their full attention.

Another sign of reverence is posture. How many will enter in Church and acknowledge everyone around them, but never acknowledge the Lord? In apostolic times, many disciples would fall to their knees before Jesus. Why not acknowledge Him by genuflecting with the right knee before we look to anyone else and enter a pew?

What to do when you see a Eucharist Procession?

If you should hear the bells chiming in threes and you see a procession with the Blessed Sacrament under a canopy or ombrellino, go down to one or both knees if physically able until the Blessed Sacrament passes. When entering and exiting pews or rows, a double-genuflection is in order. This is where you go down on both knees. Many will bow their heads upon kneeling or bow profoundly from the waist. If you cannot kneel, make a profound bow.

Regular Holy Hour Opporunities at Grotto

It is recommended that Catholics make a regular holy hour in Adoration, even if you can make it only once weekly. Ask one of the sisters you will see around Assumption Grotto about the Adoration Chapel there at the convent - hours and days. Remember what Our Lord said to his apostles: Won't you watch one hour with me?

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

First Sunday of the Month: Holy Hour for Vocations

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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Catholic Answers Live: Children's Hour - Monday 7:00pm EST

Don't skip over this post because you're an adult!!!

Matthew 18:1-4

1* At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, 3* and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I was listening to Catholic Answers Live on internet radio on my laptop Thursday between 6-8pm EST when a child called in asking a question. After that question was answered by apologist Jimmy Akin, the host, Jerry Usher, mentioned that on Monday during the second hour, he will be having the children's Q & A.

That second hour from 7-8pm will feature guest, Fr. Antoine Thomas who has worked wonders with assisting kids in appreciating our Eucharistic Lord. Father, with his French accent even has a way to help adults see the faith through childlike eyes. I realized that when he spoke to adults at the EWTN Family Celebration (you can order the DVD at EWTN in this link). He starts out as if talking to children, but as an adult who listened to him, his message got deeper and more profound, yet was very simple. His grace and love just shines right through, but he doesn't pull any punches about what parents should be doing to help their kids understand Jesus in the Eucharist.

ON EWTN INTERNET RADIO
You can listen to it live on Monday night in the 2nd hour of Catholic Answers live on EWTN Radio at 7:00 eastern standard time (see time in NY and compare to your area of the world at this website). You can listen to it anywhere in the world over internet radio - on desktops and laptops, provided you have a decent connection speed. Just put your mouse over "Radio" at the top and click on "Listen Live".

Catholic Answers Live is available on many Catholic radio stations, including Ave Maria Radio out of Ann Arbor Michigan. Read below to learn how to listen live on EWTN radio on the internet.

PODCAST AVAILABILITY
You can also catch it for about a week after by going to EWTN's multimedia page for podcasts and downloading the MP3 file for listening at a later time. They have an XML code that can be used to subscribe for podcasts so you can sync it and leave it on your iPod.

Catholic.com also collects a week's worth of Catholic Answers Live podcasts.

DVD'S BY FR. ANTOINE THOMAS
If you can't listen to the show, and even if you can, I highly recommend that parents purchase some of the DVD's of Fr. Antoine Thomas, and use it along with taking time with your children to go to adoration chapels. There is no better way to help them understand the Eucharistic Lord, than to spend regular time, even if it is only 15 minutes, to visit Jesus and simply adore Him. The best prayer of all is where we ask for nothing, but give Him our all.

DVD's are available from the Children of Hope online catalogue. These videos are a "must have" for parents wanting to deepen their children's awareness of Jesus in the Eucharist, as well as their own. You can also get some of these DVD's from the EWTN catalogue.

US & CAN PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPELS

If you would like to know where you and your children can adore Jesus in the Eucharist, go to this website for listings of perpetual adoration in the US and Canada. Perpetual adoration means it is continuous around the clock.

There are many more parishes like my own which offer limited adoration daily. Assumption Grotto offers adoration Monday through Saturday, and on the first Sunday of the Month. It is held in a small side chapel and you will need to call before you go to get entry instructions. It is open from around 9:30 until 6:30pm at which time Benediction takes place. On "First Fridays", adoration takes place in the parish church. Funerals and weddings can make it start late or end early. From the Grotto News:

We need more people to be Adorers. If you can commit to one hour per week or be a sub when someone is absent, please call Sr. Gemma at the Convent (527-4416) or Phyllis at the Rectory (372-0762)

Is adoration at your parish and not listed in the listing for perpetual adoration? List it here in the comment box. Let us know if it is perpetual or limited in hours. Provide an address or google-map link so people can find it. Feel free to list adoration times and places from other countries.

Another option is to set the filter to adoration in the "additional look-up options" at Masstimes.org. Select your country and follow the prompts. It may not be completely up to date, but could give you some leads on something near your home.

More info on Eucharistic Adoration at RealPresence.org

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40 Hours Devotion beings today!

This is really a big deal and I alreay spoke about that in another post on 40 Hours Devotion.

I want to add something a friend and a fellow Grotto parishioner sent me in an email. I had sent out emails asking people to make a serious effort to get to 40 hours devotion, and if possible to pack the house in thanksgiving at the 3:00 closing ceremony, followed by a pot-luck dinner.

Mary writes:

A Papal audience sure must be an awesome
gift of grace, but what about 40 Hours Devotion
and a personal audience with the One of whom
he is representative on earth, Christ the King!

"Wherever your treasure is, there
you will find your heart."
Do you know where your heart is?

Hope He will see you there!
Please spread the Word..

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