“A new parishioner in 2017, I recall the many months of talk about an Adoration Chapel at St. Mary’s. With little knowledge of Adoration, except for the limited hours of First Fridays, which I will add, I did not attend, I remember thinking ‘How can they think that people will come to Adoration 24/7’? As the discussions became plans and I realized that they knew something that I clearly did not, I gave thought to participating when requests for committing to an hour began. One of my goals over several preceding years was to grow in my faith – but of course not by doing anything too difficult.
What a beautiful chapel I found, upon entering for my first scheduled hour! My first many weeks in prayerful contemplation were, well, they were long and hard. I have never been good at sitting still. Meaning no disrespect, I remember sometimes it felt like the longest hour of the week. Learning to sit in solitude with no agenda except to listen to God – and pray, and read beautiful religious books, soon became my favorite hour of the week. My time in the presence of Our Lord became a refuge – during good times in my life and complicated, disheartening times.
Some time after receiving gifts of amazing grace, in two particular instances – both related to painful times in my life, something very powerful occurred to me. These graces bestowed upon me were not things I had been praying for – or even thought I needed. In fact, the graces were gifts of strength and courage to do things that God had now called me to do. True grace cannot be described, only felt. The peace that my soul continues to find in life, despite the difficult and uncertain times in which we live, has brought an inner calm and more patience with others in my life. These powerful treasured gifts, I realize, are the result of spending quiet time with Our Lord – loving Him and listening.” – Ruth K.V. Recchia
