Pope John Paul II, in a 1980 letter entitled Dominicae Cenae, stated that "only within the breathing space of adoration can the eucharistic celebration indeed be alive; only if the church and thus the whole congregation is constantly imbued with the waiting presence of the Lord, and with our silent readiness to respond, can the invitation to come together bring us into the hospitality of Jesus Christ and of the Church, which is the precondition of the invitation."

He also says that "true Communion can only happen if we hear the voice of the Lord, if we answer and open the door (of our hearts to him.) Then he will enter in with us and eat with us...Let us be generous with our time in going to meet him in adoration...and let our adoration never cease."

"The adoration of the Lord in the sacrament is also an education in sensitizing our conscience...Anyone who gazes upon the face of the Lord will see in his face the mirror of our [lifestyle], a reflection of what sin is, and their conscience will be purified in a way that is the precondition for every social reform, for every improvement in human affairs. For the reform of human relationships rests in the first place on a reinforcement of moral strength...Thus eucharistic adoration is an education in active love of one's neighbor...We can only understand love by sharing in it, by loving."

St. John's - and the cluster parishes have banded together in an effort to make Perpetual Adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament a reality based at St. John's. In the old convent (white building - use rear entrance) - east of the church building - there is a Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Thus far the schedule does not include 24/7 coverage for adoration to make it "total, complete, and perpetual." If you would be interested in helping to "fill in" the vacant spots on the schedule call Bea - 725-4011; Joann - 443-9343