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Eucharist

We must proclaim that this communion is the magnificent plan of God the Father (Pope John Paul II, The Church in America, 33).

In the words of the Mass the priest says, “On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread … ” This was the night before his passion and death. In this dark hour of loneliness and abandonment, Jesus made a new and everlasting covenant with all who believe. At this moment in time, Jesus gave us “the most precious possession which the Church can have in her journey through history – the Eucharist” (Ecclesia de Eucaristia, 9). When all seemed lost and he was about to leave this earth, Jesus accepted God’s will to be the sacrifice for our sins.

The Eucharistic Sacrifice is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, 11). The Eucharist is the outstanding moment of encounter with the living Christ (Pope John Paul II, The Church in America, 35). The Eucharist is an immense gift. Everyone is invited to participate actively and worthily at St. Joseph on  Sundays, Holy Days and throughout the week.

We also invite you to participate in Eucharistic Adoration – Information Below

ADORATION SCHEDULING

First Communion

Children in school and the Parish School of Religion are prepared to make their First Communion during the second grade. Please contact Mary Doerr at 636-441-0055 Ext. 301 or mdoerr@stjoecot.org for more information.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

“To be alone with Jesus in adoration and intimate union
with Him is the Greatest Gift of Love.”

-Mother Teresa

PACK THE CHAPEL!

Commit to 30 minutes of prayer each week

Visit the Adoration Chapel at your chosen time

Anticipate hearing His voice!

Schedule your Eucharistic Adoration today.

ADORATION SCHEDULING

Questions?  Send an email to adoration@stjoecot.org

Adoration For Holy Vocations

Holy Hour For Holy Vocations

There two specific holy hours that offer structured prayer for holy vocations to the priesthood, and religious life. All are welcome to join in prayer Monday morning following holy mass at 8:00 a.m. and Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

“Dear Lord, raise up from our families and friends dedicated and generous leaders who will be Your hands, Your feet, and Your voice serving as spiritual fathers, brothers and sisters.”

Please pray and sacrifice for Holy Vocations. They are not free!

Communion to the Homebound

If you are homebound (either Long term or Short term) we would like to visit and pray with you. Extraordinary Ministers take Communion to the sick, elderly and shut-ins each Friday morning or whenever requested. Anyone who has a desire to minister to shut-ins and is available on Friday mornings is welcome to join this group.

For Additional Information, Please Contact

Mary Ellen Bruenderman
314-566-6170
maryellenbr@outlook.com

Eucharistic Adoration

Come, visit Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament

“Once we believe Christ is really present in theHoly Eucharist, it is only logical to conclude that we should worship Him.” (Servant of God, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.)

Mission Statement:

Through Eucharistic Adoration, it is our intention to provide our fellow parishioners a practical way of offering to God adoration which is due Him as our Creator, giving Him thanks for our redemption and all that we have, making reparation for our sins and the sins of mankind, and petitioning Him for the constant help we need. – St. Joseph Eucharistic Adoration Committee

Schedule

Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Temporary Hours until further notice) beings Monday morning at 8:30a.m. – 6:15a.m. Tuesday, 8:30a.m. Wednesday – 6:15 a.m. Thursday, and Friday 8:30a.m.-7:45 a.m. Saturday.

If you would like to commit to a holy hour, desire another hour, or for more information contact:
Sharon at 636-447-3673 or Michelle at 636-300-3029

Inquiries: ADOREHISREALPRESENCE@CHARTER.NET

Eucharistic Adoration E-mail and Telephone Number Request

To Adorers and Substitutes:

To keep you better informed of anything pertaining to Eucharistic Adoration (weather closings, holyday and holiday hours) it is our hope to make up an e-mail system which would help simplify contacting adorers.  E-mail addresses will be kept confidential and used only for this purpose.  If you have an e-mail address, please send your name, day, hour of adoration, and e-mail address to ADOREHISREALPRESENCE@charter.net.

It is also important to have current telephone numbers.  Please check your telephone number on the sheets above the sign-in table. If the number listed on the sheet is different from your current number, please contact us with the correct telephone number at the e-mail address above or call:

Sharon, 636-447-3673

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION WEATHER ALERTS

If weather conditions make it unsafe to drive, Our Lord Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, will be reposed.  Reposing the Most Blessed Sacrament will be determined by the closing of St. Joseph School or early dismissal.  If St. Joseph’s School is closed, or dismissed early, it will not be necessary for you to go to your holy hour. School closings will be announced on various TV & radio stations as well as the internet. To obtain this information go to channels, 2, 4, 5, or KMOX radio or their internet service.

EXPOSITION WILL BEGIN AGAIN AT 7:00 A.M. THE FOLLOWING MORNING.

As you are aware, unfavorable weather conditions are not always as predicted. If Our Lord has been reposed due to possible severe weather, and if the conditions for driving are safe, it is our hope that you will keep faithful to your holy hour and adore Our Lord reserved in the tabernacle.  Exposition in the monstrance is not required for Eucharistic Adoration.

*What is the difference between Eucharistic Adoration and Eucharistic Exposition?

Eucharistic Adoration is prayer before the Blessed Sacrament housed within the tabernacle. Eucharistic Exposition is the ritual by which the Blessed Sacrament is displayed outside the tabernacle in a monstrance or ciborium for public veneration by the faithful. Quoted from: (Thirty-One Questions on Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy United State Conference of Catholic Bishops)

There may be times that it may be necessary to call or contact adorers by telephone or e-mail.  If this happens it will be important that we have your current telephone number and/or e-mail address. (e-mail addresses will not be published on list)  Please check your name and number on the list above the sign in table, if your telephone number is different, contact us at: ADOREHISREALPRESENCE@CHARTER.NET with the correct number, or by telephone call: Sharon, 636-447-3673

Without your faithful commitment, exposition would be impossible, as it is necessary to have at least one adorer present while the Most Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance. Eucharistic Adoration gives you, your family, our parish, as well as the surrounding community, many graces and blessings. When we adore Him, whether exposed in the monstrance or reposed in the tabernacle, we are stating our belief that this is Jesus Christ in His Real Presence.

Your continued devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament may be the means Our Lord will use to bring others to know and adore Him too.  Thank you for your faithfulness.

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Adoration of the Real Presence of
Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament

“Beneath the veil of the
Eucharistic Elements is contained
the Invisible Head of the Church,
the Redeemer of the world,
the Center of all hearts,
through Whom all things are
and through Whom we exist.”
(Pope Paul VI)

The Eucharist is the most excellent of all the sacraments because it contains Christ Himself.

There are many names associated with Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.  The most common titles are: the Holy Eucharist, the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Real Presence, and Holy Communion.  Regardless of how we may refer to  Him, the fact remains that this is the Living  Glorified Christ veiled beneath the appearance of what looks like bread in the fullness of His Divinity and His Humanity.

How is Christ made present?

He is made present with His body, blood, soul, and divinity through the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

It is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament. (Catechism 1375)  It is the Word of Christ (this is My Body, this is My Blood) through the action of the Holy Spirit that Christ is made present for us on our altar to be consumed as food for our soul and remaining present for us in our tabernacle to adore. As Catholics we must believe this Truth, and it is our duty to come to His Real Presence and adore Him.

The ministry of priests is necessary to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, making Christ really and truly present.

Why is the Eucharist reserved?

“Eucharist is reserved in churches or oratories to serve as the spiritual center of a religious community or a parish community, indeed of the whole Church and the whole of mankind, since it contains, beneath the veil of the species, Christ the invisible Head of the Church, the Redeemer of the world, the Center of all hearts, ‘by Whom all things are and by Whom we exist.”‘
(Pope Paul VI, Mysterium Fidei)

Reservation of the Holy Eucharist is also necessary to administer to the needs of the sick and homebound.

What is Adoration of the Eucharist?

Acknowledgment that, because the whole Christ is really present in the Blessed Sacrament, He is to be adored in the Eucharist as the Incarnate God. (Modern Catholic Dictionary)

Why Eucharistic Adoration?

To adore God, to offer Him praise and thanksgiving, to make reparation for our sins and the sins of the mankind, and to petition Him for constant help we need.

When is Eucharistic Adoration?

St. Joseph’s schedule of Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance begins Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. and continues through Saturday morning at 7:45 a.m.  However, entrance to the chapel may be obtained on the remaining days without exposition so that you may adore Our Lord reserved in the tabernacle. The door code may be necessary to enter.

Who can come?

Everyone is welcome to come before Our Lord Jesus Christ during Eucharistic Adoration.  Bring your children, they are our future adorers. Jesus said: “Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 19:14)  Invite family members, neighbors, and friends to join you.  Your joy with the Lord may be what others are looking for.

“You have made us for Yourself O Lord and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”
(St. Augustine)

What am I to do during Eucharistic Adoration?

This is your personal time with God.  There are no set prayers. As you approach the Adoration Chapel, sign the book on the table.

After entering the chapel, you may offer a prayer of Adoration to begin your Holy Hour.  Spend this time in silence, contemplating that you are in the presence of God. Converse with Him.  You can read Sacred Scripture, or other spiritual reading, pray the rosary, or the chaplet of Divine Mercy.  There are blessed rosaries on the table, and a variety of reading material for your convenience.

You may desire to offer your holy hour for a special intention.   There are Spiritual Bouquet cards and postcards on the table that you may send to whomever you are praying for.  If you choose, there is a book to write prayer intentions. During your Holy Hour we also ask you to include prayers for our Holy Father, Holy Vocations to the Holy Priesthood, Consecrated Religious Life, Holy Marriages and persevering grace for those vocations we now have.  Keep in mind, without validly ordained priests there is no Eucharist.

If I commit to an hour, what should I do if I am unable to come to my hour of Eucharistic Adoration?

There is a list of substitutes on the sign-in table who may be able to sub for you if for some reason you are unable to come to your holy hour.  Please take a list home with you and keep it in a handy place so if the need arises  you will have access to their names, the time when available,  and telephone numbers.   If you are unable to enlist the aid of a substitute, please call a day captain, their names will be on the back side of the substitute list.  If you share the hour, and that person will be there, there will be no need to enlist the aid of a substitute.

Please do not take your time with the Lord lightly.  He has called you to be with Him, and regardless of how many share your hour, treat the hour as if you are the only adorer present.  God loves each of us and desires our individual and undivided attention.  Each one of us is special to the Lord.website chapel map.jpg

Where is Eucharistic Adoration?

Here at St. Joseph Parish, we are blessed to have a Chapel specifically for Eucharistic Adoration.  The chapel is located behind the sanctuary. (The Altar area) There are glass doors that separate the chapel from the main body of the church.  You may enter the chapel by the doors on southeast side of the church near the cemetery.  After 3:00 p.m. a code is needed to enter.  This code may be obtained by contacting the parish office or a committee member.

To all of our faithful adorers of the Most Blessed Sacrament

We wish to thank you for being faithful to your commitment to your Holy Hour. Without your faithfulness, exposition would be impossible, as it is necessary to have at least one adorer present while the Most Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the Monstrance.  It is our hope, through your continued support and example, others may come to know, love and serve the Lord with a desire to spend time with Him too.

“To visit the Blessed Sacrament is a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ Our Lord.” (Paul VI)

Please visit Our Lord.  There is always a need for faithful adorers, please consider committing to a specific hour of Eucharistic Adoration.

“I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mk 9:24)

For door code:

Parish office:  636 441 0055 ext. 100

Door code and more information contact:

Sharon Schultz: 636 447 3673

Inquiries:

ADOREHISREALPRESENCE@charter.net

Helpful websites to visit:

www.therealpresence.org/
www.lifeeternal.org/
www.vatican.va/
www.archstl.org/adoration
www.usccb.org/
www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/euchmenu.htm
www.childrenoftheeucharist.org/
www.childrenofhope.org/
www.MarianCatechist.com

SUBSTITUTION FOR EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

We begin by thanking you for your faithful commitment to adoring Our Blessed Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  Without your faithful commitment, Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament would be impossible, as it is necessary to have at least one adorer present while the Most Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance.

We cannot stress enough the importance of your faithfulness to your Holy Hour.  Whether you are alone during your hour, or if there are others who share your hour, it is important that you are present at your committed time.  It is your personal time with God, and each of us is special to the Lord.

If the situation arises that you are unable to come to your assigned Holy Hour for Eucharistic Adoration you may need to enlist the assistance of a substitute.  For your convenience there is a list of substitutes on the sign-in table who may be able to assist you if there is a need. Keep a copy of the substitute list at home. However, before contacting a substitute, and if there is another scheduled adorer or adorers who share your hour, please ask them if they will be at the Holy Hour in need.  Above the sign in table there is a list of all adorers and their telephone numbers make a note of those who share your Holy Hour and keep it with your substitute list. If you are unable to come to your Holy Hour, contact them before contacting a substitute.  If they will be at the hour, it will not be necessary to enlist the aid of a substitute.  Also, check your telephone number, if it has changed please contact us at: ADOREHISREALPRESENCE@CHARTER.NET or by telephone: Sharon @ 636 447-3673.

Please sign the book, whether you are just visiting or at your committed time.  Please enter your name, or names, and the time you arrive and depart in the appropriate space in the book.

Thank you again for your faithfulness.

“To visit the Blessed Sacrament is a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ Our Lord” (Paul VI, MF66)

A simple guideline to follow if you are in need of a substitute due to various circumstances:
  1. Have a substitute list at home.
  2. Make a list of the person or persons who share your hour. This information is found on the list above the sign in table; keep this note at home with your substitute list.
  3. Check with the person or persons who share your hour, if they are certain to be at the hour in need; do not enlist the aid of a substitute.
  4. If they are unavailable, or if no one else is scheduled for your hour, refer to the substitute list.  (list is on the table by the sign-in-book)
  5. If you are unable to enlist the aid of a substitute, contact the captain of the day whose names are on the back of the substitute list.  If you are unable to contact the captain of the day, do not leave a message as they may be away for vacation, contact another captain.
  6. All scheduled adorers and visitors please sign the book.
  7. If you have changed your telephone number, please contact a captain with the correct number or e-mail us at ADOREHISREALPRESENCE@CHARTER.NET

Thank You

God bless you and your family,
St. Joseph’s Adoration Committee

Suggested Prayers

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end.  Amen.

Fatima Prayers

My God, I believe, I adore, I trust, I and I love Thee! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust and, do not love Thee.

O Most Holy Trinity, I adore You! My God, my God, I love You in the Most Blessed Sacrament!

O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly, I offer Thee the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles throughout the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifferences by which He Himself is offended.  And by the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners.  Amen

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I long for You in my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  As though You have already come, I embrace You and  unite myself entirely to You.  Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.

Prayer for Holy Vocations

Eternal Father, please send the Holy Spirit to encourage men and women to follow Your Holy Will. May the men You are calling to the Holy Priesthood, respond with a generous heart,  serving Holy Mother Church as  they sanctify their lives, and those whom they serve. May those You are calling to the Consecrated Religious Life, respond too, with a generous heart, remain faithful to their vows, as they aid in the sanctification of many. May  men and women You are calling to the Married Life be faithful to their holy covenant, devoted to the well being of their spouse and family, while working tirelessly for their sanctification, leading those You have entrusted into their care  to Eternal Life with Christ. May those You are calling to the Consecrated Single Life stay focused on Eternal Life as they live sanctified lives with Christ. Invoking the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we ask this through Our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son.  Amen. (Pray: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be) 

Based on a prayer by Pope John Paul II

O Father, raise up among Christians abundant and holy vocations to the priesthood, who keep the faith alive and guard the blessed memory of Your Son Jesus through the preaching of His word and the administration of the Sacraments, with which You continually renew Your faithful. Grant us holy ministers of Your altar, who are careful and fervent guardians of the Eucharist, the sacrament of the supreme gift of Christ for the redemption of the world. Call ministers of Your mercy, who, through the sacrament of Reconciliation, spread the joy of Your forgiveness. Grant, O Father, that the Church may welcome with joy the numerous inspirations of the Spirit of Your Son and, docile to His teachings, may she care for vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life. Sustain the Bishops, priests and deacons, consecrated men and women, and all the baptized in Christ, so that they may faithfully fulfill their mission at the service of the Gospel. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen. Mary, Queen of Apostles, pray for us. (From the Vatican, 5 March 2006.  BENEDICT XVI)

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