Dear Disciples of Christ at Holy Spirit, St. Helen’s, and St. Mary’s,

“What is a 40 hours and what does it mean that our parishes will be hosting such a thing?” Glad you asked. Forty Hours Devotion is a special exposition of the Blessed Sacrament over a period of three days. It is similar to a parish renewal or mission, but with more time for personal prayer, and fewer talks. It is a time to be alone in prayer with Jesus but also for the community to come together for prayer. Traditionally, the Blessed Sacrament would be exposed on the Altar and there would be uninterrupted prayers and adoration for a period of 40 hours. 40 is an important biblical number that should bring to mind such events as the 40 hours Jesus spent in the tomb. His 40 days in the desert, and the 40 years of Israel in the desert. Our 40 hour devotion will take place starting Friday, November 21st and cumulating on the Sunday, November 23rd which is the Solemnity of Christ the King. The location will rotate between our three parishes starting at St. Helen on Friday, moving to St. Mary on Saturday, and then finishing on Sunday at Holy Spirit.

Friday and Saturday morning we will open with an 8:00am Mass. Following Mass the Eucharist will be exposed on the Altar and there will be several hours (9:00am to 6:00pm) for you to come in for personal prayer and adoration. We will be asking some people to sign up for an hour to ensure we have people present at all times. But we ask just an hour. Anyone can come in during this time and pray. Adoration on Sunday will start following the 11:00am Mass.

In the evening, the Mission aspect of the 40 hours will come forward. From 6:00pm to 7:00pm, priests will be available for confession. At 6:00pm everyone is invited for a public praying of the Rosary followed by half an hour of music led by our choir groups. At 6:55pm, the children present will be dismissed, like on Sunday, for a Children’s liturgy. Our Mission Speaker will begin his talks at 7:00pm. After the Mission Talk, our Deacons will lead us in Benediction. Friday and Saturday we will have light refreshments. Sunday things will be a bit different. We will begin adoration following the 11:00am Sunday Mass and in the evening the Rosary will be at 4:00pm with the final Mission talk at 5:00pm. Why? Because we will conclude in the Holy Spirit Hall with a Potluck Supper.

Our 40 Hours Theme will be, “Hearts Anchored in the Eucharist.” It is easy to feel adrift in the world we live in today. Technology is changing at an incredible speed, there is unrest in our own country and around the world. Innocent people are being murdered, even school children. What can give us stability? What gives us our sense of purpose and reason for life? The answer is in Christ. We need to anchor our hearts in Jesus through the Eucharist. I hope to see you at some or all of our 40 Hours. More information about it and how you can participate will be forth coming the next several weeks.

In Christ’s Love, Fr. Ian