When I joined the staff at St. Paul last year one thing that weighed heavy on my heart was bringing families in front of the Eucharist.  I have had my share of experiences taking my own children to traditional adoration and wasn't always met with the most welcoming environment.  I GET it, when I have time in adoration I find solace in the quiet, contemplative time in prayer.  When I ran across a Pew Research study in the summer of 2019 that outlined what Catholics believe about the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, I was stunned.   Only 60% of weekly Mass attendees believe, and only 25% of monthly Mass goers share the same belief (source below).  Mission accepted - the desire to spread the message of not only Christ FULLY present in the Eucharist was solidified, but also the necessity for us to spend time in adoration was made abundantly clear! 

And so last year as our parish began the annual 40 hours, a few brave families processed up, sat their wiggly children at the feet of Christ and in a leap of faith began a tradition.   The numbers of families have been steady and growing.  Since returning from COVID the number of parishioners praying along side our families from the pews has grown, and if you are one of them thank you, the support and encouragement our families feel is such a gift! 

So tonight, as once again our parish begins our annual 40 hours of Eucharistic Devotion, we will once again begin with family adoration.  If you have a wiggly, giggly, little one, an unsure teen, or a young adult at home, please join us!  We look forward to praying in thanksgiving and gratitude with you! 

Coming up: 

Family Adoration - Tonight 10/18/2020 - Meet in the gathering space between 6 and 6:15pm.  

Trunk or Treat -  Next Sunday 10/25/2020 - 5:30-6:30pm  - Sign up here to decorate your trunk to pass out goodies!  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050b44aaac22a1fb6-2ndannual

​Jen 

,When I was an exhausted new mom of 2 handling the night shift of a colicky baby alone while my husband worked midnights I struggled to fit in a shower, let alone prayer time.  It just wasn't working.  I felt guilty, but I often fell asleep in our daughters room while rocking her baby brother in the rocking chair.  Out of this sleep deprived season of life "rocking rosaries" were born.  There were nights I made it through 2 or 3 rosaries rocking ....... patting and praying - and nights I barely made it through 2 decades - but a habit was born and a love for the rosary was started in my own children.   

This is the part where I inspire you and tell you that we pray a family rosary every night, and even the littlest follows along - but I'd be lying!  The rosary as beautiful as it is can be so hard for families - add in a few rambunctious boys and no 2 efforts to pray it are the same!   I've built this devotion into our morning commute - contained children are much easier to lead in the rosary and we've found a few favorite rosaries to stream in the car.  With October being the month of the rosary there is no time like the present to introduce your family to it, and find a way that it can fit into your day or week.  

Check out this adorable (and informative) video from Brother Francis on Formed! 

https://watch.formed.org/brother-francis-1/season:1/videos/the-rosary-a-special-way-to-pray

Have a great week! 

Jen