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'We Are a Church On Fire': Eucharistic Adoration Transforms Acushnet Parish
South Coast Today ^
| 2/19/11
| Linda Andrade Rodrigues
Posted on 02/21/2011 6:59:57 AM PST by marshmallow
ACUSHNET — A little church in a small town, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church was facing tough times. The congregation was dwindling, and Mass attendance was at an all-time low. The empty confessional was collecting dust, and donations were dismal.
But then the unthinkable happened.
Today, St. Francis Xavier is one of the most vibrant parishes in the diocese with standing-room only Masses, confessional lines, a busload of parishioners participating in the March for Life, and an abundance of freewill donations that will make them debt-free by April.
"Jesus is on the property," said Mary Cardoza, the spark that inflamed the parish. "We are a church on fire."
'I was always a zombie catholic'
Brought up in a Catholic family, Mary Cardoza attended Catholic schools.
"I had one foot in the world and one foot in the Church," she said.
But although she fulfilled her Sunday obligation, she never participated in church activities and often rebelled against the laws of the Church.
"I was always a zombie Catholic," she said laughing.
When she turned 40, she decided it was time to cultivate a relationship with God.
"You only go to Him when you are in trouble," she said.
She began meeting with a group for moms after church, who began teaching her about the faith.
It was on a group pilgrimage to the Divine Mercy Chapel in Stockbridge, where she had a life-changing experience. A message board of activities listed "Eucharistic Adoration".
"What's Adoration?" she asked the group. "Jesus is really in the Eucharist," they answered. "But what do you do?" she asked. "You talk to Him," they said. "Okay, so I go in there, kneel down and something happens — a spiritual experience. I'm on fire for an hour,' she said." I knew without a doubt Jesus was in........
(Excerpt) Read more at southcoasttoday.com ...
TOPICS: Catholic; Worship
KEYWORDS: eucharisticadoration
To: marshmallow; BenKenobi
2
posted on
02/21/2011 7:00:36 AM PST
by
marshmallow
("A country which kills its own children has no future" -Mother Teresa of Calcutta)
To: marshmallow
The Blessed Sacrament is humility itself.
To: marshmallow
We are never too far away from the Lord for Him to reach us. We only think we’ve gone too far.
4
posted on
02/21/2011 7:09:33 AM PST
by
Bryanw92
(We don't need to win elections. We need to win a revolution.)
To: marshmallow; betty boop
Adoration is a must in dealing with the pains we face in this world.
I don’t know where my life would be without Adoration.
I was glad to hear mention of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge Mass,it is a very holy beautiful shrine, I have witnessed incredible events at Adoration there.
Betty boop and other FR’s have been there as well
5
posted on
02/21/2011 7:18:12 AM PST
by
stfassisi
((The greatest gift God gives us is that of overcoming self"-St Francis Assisi)))
To: All; marshmallow
I go to adoration it is just beautifully peaceful. I say the Divine Mercy. I have seen the results of my pray. The whole experience has transformed a more deeper walk with Christ.
Praise Jesus!
6
posted on
02/21/2011 7:29:55 AM PST
by
johngrace
(God so loved the world so he gave his only son! Praise Jesus and Hail Mary!)
To: stfassisi
I want to go there when the weather is nice. Thanks for sharing! I read the websites for that site.
7
posted on
02/21/2011 7:32:37 AM PST
by
johngrace
(God so loved the world so he gave his only son! Praise Jesus and Hail Mary!)
To: marshmallow
I LOVE LOVE LOVE our little Oratory here in Pittsburgh. It has had perpetual adoration for several years but I only started going this past December. Now, I’m addicted to silent time in the Lord’s presence. I find myself rearranging schedules & constantly finding ways to fit in time with Jesus. And I take my 3 year old with me. Also, I am planning to take her to Stockbridge sometime this summer (she adores St Faustina).
My point is that something, indeed, happens in your heart when you spend time with Christ. More parishes need to do this.
To: marshmallow
"On the day he received all his sacraments — Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation — Watts said that he experienced a miracle."
"As I bent over the font to be baptized, I felt the Holy Spirit, like a wind, rush over my back and neck and across the water," he said. "When I looked down at the water in the font, I saw the water ripple. I not only felt but heard the Holy Spirit, who sounded like a breath in my ear."
"When my Confession was over, I exhaled an exhale I had not felt for as long as I could remember," he said. "I felt as light as a feather, as though all those sins I had been holding on to for all of those years had been removed in one fell swoop."
Praise Jesus!
9
posted on
02/21/2011 7:44:25 AM PST
by
johngrace
(God so loved the world so he gave his only son! Praise Jesus and Hail Mary!)
To: marshmallow
Pray for the conversion of zombie Catholics to the Catholic Church.
To: Carpe Cerevisi
Amen to your prayer.
Adoration is such a gift.
Such a peace.
Such a blessings.
I truly believe the Lord stayed with me one evening as I drove home from the Stations of the Cross and an hour of Adoration, because I drove (accidently) off the road, down into a rain-soaked traffic circle, shifted into second gear and drove back up out of the mud onto the road. My second geat NEVER worked after that.
Thank you, Jesus, for bringing me home safely that night.
11
posted on
02/21/2011 9:13:50 AM PST
by
Salvation
("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
To: marshmallow
12
posted on
02/21/2011 9:17:22 AM PST
by
Salvation
("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
To: johngrace
I want to go there when the weather is nice Let me know when you're thinking of going,perhaps I will go on that day as well. It's only an hour from where I live.
Here is photo of Adoration inside the Chapel of Divine Mercy...
;
13
posted on
02/21/2011 5:34:25 PM PST
by
stfassisi
((The greatest gift God gives us is that of overcoming self"-St Francis Assisi)))
To: stfassisi
Why I would enjoy that very much. I will remember when I plan it. I would look forward to being there with you. I believe this spring or summer. I have seen Divine Mercy sunday on EWTN at this site. Thousands of people. Thanks!
14
posted on
02/21/2011 5:48:47 PM PST
by
johngrace
(God so loved the world so he gave his only son! Praise Jesus and Hail Mary!)
To: All; marshmallow
15
posted on
02/21/2011 8:30:08 PM PST
by
johngrace
(God so loved the world so he gave his only son! Praise Jesus and Hail Mary!)
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