Bringing People to Jesus!
By Claudia Bracken | Parishioner
St. Francis parishioners will share their personal accounts of how the Eucharist has impacted their spiritual journey and life. We know they are not alone. If you wish to share your story for publication in the Bulletin regarding your encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist during Mass or during Eucharistic Adoration please submit your witness to fidel@sfassisi.org. You have the choice to remain anonymous if you prefer.
Have you heard what Father Jim has been saying during his Sunday and weekday sermons lately? He said, “Bring Jesus to people and bring people to Jesus.”
One Wednesday, after an intense meeting with some of my friends at church, I was walking out with one special friend and we stopped at the office window to visit with Father Jim and other parishioners. They were discussing construction progress of the new rectory, all smiles from Father Jim.
Before leaving church, I decided to visit Jesus in the Adoration Chapel and mentioned to my friend that I just wanted to make a short visit. We were both very emotionally overwhelmed from the meeting we were in. Praying in Adoration before the face of Our Lord Jesus eases the difficulties and trials in my life. I also wanted to pray for my friend.
My friend said, “I have often gone to the door of the chapel and looked in, but never entered.”
Well, I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to take her by her arm, invite her in and pray with her. I quickly informed her of proper respect due to the Holy Eucharist upon entering the adoration chapel when Jesus is exposed. I also shared with her a few of the immense joys and answered prayers that I have received and how Our God has never been outdone in His generosity and mercy to me.
For the few minutes I was in Adoration with my friend, I felt Our Lord was paying attention to me…to my friend…listening and loving us, taking our burdens upon His Cross.
On leaving the chapel, the look on my friend’s face was priceless. As I was driving home, there was so much joy in my heart that all I could do was to praise God for His Greatness; for loving us in this way! I cried the rest of the way home as I’m sure my friend did also.
So, I urge all who are reading this, to never pass up an opportunity to spend time with Jesus. He is there in the Chapel, waiting for us to stop in and say hello, to offer a Divine Mercy Chaplet, say a decade or two of the Rosary, to praise Him in any way, or quietly sit in His presence. It brings me closer to Our Lord by just spending time with Him in quiet prayer.
Make a visit - Bring a friend!
TAKE ACTION
Make a plan to visit Jesus this week:
The chapel is open anytime the parish office is open (Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-4pm, and Fridays 8:30am-1pm). You can have “tabernacle” time.
Adoration (Jesus is exposed in the monstrance) in the chapel is on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30am-4pm.
Bring a friend!
