What is Eucharistic Adoration?
Eucharistic Adoration is visiting and spending time in quiet prayer with Jesus in the Eucharist. It is an expression of our love for Jesus, who loves us so much that He never wants to leave us and stays with us in the Blessed Sacrament. Nobel Peace Prize winner, Blessed Mother Teresa said, “I would not be able to work one week if it were not for the continual force coming from Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.” She attributed her many charitable works to her daily Holy Hour of prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
Come spend time in prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament every first Thursday of the month in the Day Chapel. Adoration begins immediately after the 9 am mass and continues throughout the day until 7:30 pm, concluding with Benediction immediately afterward. Everyone is welcome to stop by and spend any amount of time in prayer during these hours. There is a continual need for people to commit to a specific hour of Adoration each month throughout the year. If you are interested, please contact Andy and Sally Mosko 847-816-8599 or Miriam Preussner 847-486-2154.
Catholic Doctrine
The Eucharist is at the heart and center of the sacramental life. The Second Vatican Council referred to it as the summit and the source of the whole Christian life. The Eucharist not only signifies but actually contains the body and blood of Christ. At the Eucharist we gather together around a common table and partake of the banquet that Christ has prepared for us -- now and for all eternity.
Universal Meaning
The Eucharist also has a more universal meaning and significance. It is a reminder to everyone that we are one family under God and that our family solidarity is sustained and deepened by the ordinary things of life, especially through our eating together. We eat together not just for physical nourishment, but also to celebrate and strengthen the bonds of love and friendship that give our lives meaning, purpose, and direction.
Eucharist is one of the sacraments of initiation. Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ's Body and Blood for his transformation in Christ.
(from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, article 1275)
Ministers of Care
Ministers of Care bring the sacrament of Eucharist to the sick and homebound of the community in order to keep parishioners connected with our Sunday liturgies. It is our intent to bring the love and peace of Jesus Christ and the care and concern of the parish community to those in need.
Our Ministers of Care visit the hospitals on Sunday mornings and bring Communion to our parishioners who are ill or are confined to nursing homes. Laws regarding privacy in health care make it difficult to ascertain when our parishioners enter the hospital. In order to offer spiritual support we need your help. If you or another member of your family will be entering either Condell or Lake Forest hospital and wish to receive the spiritual support of our parish please call, or have a family member call, the parish office at 847-362-1005 to let us know. You may also inform the hospital during admission that you want your parish notified of your admittance.
First Communion (PREP)
Parents are the primary catechists in preparing children to receive the sacrament of Eucharist. The parish staff works closely with parents in this preparation during the child’s second grade year. Before a child is enrolled in the sacramental preparation program, he or she will have completed the first level of PREP at St. Mary of Vernon or the equivalent in another program. First Eucharist is celebrated by classes during May and June. Individual first communions are arranged through the PREP office. For more information, contact the parish office.