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Jan 6, 2019 | The 23rd Times

By January 3, 2019 No Comments

Worship at St. John XXIII

Intro by: Michael Mullin

The Old Testament clearly tells us that God has actively and deliberately directed people to Him by establishing covenants with them. The first was with Adam in the Garden of Eden, an agreement broken by Adam’s sin. The next was made with Noah, who found favor with God and was saved from the flood because he was a righteous man. Subsequent covenants were made with Abraham who had shown faithfulness in obeying God’s command, and they were passed on to Isaac and Jacob with a promise that those who obeyed would be shown the “new testament of Jesus Christ”. Later covenants established with Moses highlighted the Ten Commandments as well as other laws for a pious and obedient life. The last covenant in the Old Testament was made to David, required his faithful love of God, and spoke of the coming of the Messiah in the role of King. Following that the Lord said “ I will make a new covenant…I will be their God, and they will be my people”.

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This New Covenant promises not only forgiveness and eternal life , but also spiritual fufillment and intimacy with God in this present life. It is a sacred contract signed in the Blood of Jesus, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured for many for the forgiveness of sins”. But for us to share in the benefits of the New Covenant we must remember that it is offered with the expectation that each of us desires to grow the strengths on which a closer relationship with our Saviour can be founded. Our parish mission statement commits us to do all we can possibly do to assist our members to more fully live out the message of Christ. In recognition of that committment we have structured a program titled “Our Covenant at St. John XXIII”. In it we stress 5 areas of potential member engagement and action to increase our worthiness as recipients of God’s love and mercy: WORSHIP, GROW, SERVE, CONNECT, GIVE. Over the next 5 weeks you will read about, and hear about, each of those areas in the hope that they may provide a stimulus that leads you to the actions that can produce a stronger relationship with our Lord. Thanks be to God…

by: Deacon Rich Klish

2019 will inaugurate a new era of WORSHIP at St. John XXIII. On January 7, we will begin Eucharistic adoration at the St. Luke Adoration Chapel. The Chapel was completed late last year and dedicated by Bishop Frank Dewane on November 18. Along with the opening of the Adoration Chapel, our former Community Room has been converted to Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel. Here’s some background about the two facilities:

St. Luke Adoration Chapel

Eucharistic adoration involves the Blessed Sacrament being adored by the faithful. Adoration happens when the Eucharist is exposed in a monstrance – a sacred vessel designed for display of the Sacred Host. Adoration is based on the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Host.

Our chapel seats a maximum of twenty, and is equipped with a security system and a telephone. It has beautiful stained glasses windows, depicting the miraculous healings of Our Lord as related in the Gospel of St Luke. The artist Jim Piercy designed these windows. The Sacred Host will be displayed in a monstrance, designed by the artist Chris Scala. The chapel will be used exclusively for adoration, so no Masses, weddings or other worship services will be offered there.

Starting on January 7, the Chapel will have adoration from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, and from 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturday. The facility will be open and available during those hours, for those who scheduled a time and for those who want to drop in. All are welcome to spend some time sitting with Our Lord. During adoration time, we would like to have a minimum of two adorers (and preferably three) for each hour.

To make this happen, we seek the involvement of parishioners who would volunteer to spend an hour a week (or even more!) in adoration. Depending on response from the parish community, our parish would eventually like to offer Perpetual Adoration – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information on the Adoration Chapel, please visit our parish website at www.johnxxiii.net – click on Ministry, and then on Adoration Chapel Ministry.

Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel

This Chapel will be used for daily Mass, and for some weddings and funerals. It can also be used for various types of communal prayer: the rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet