Thursday, October 14, 2010

SIDNEY DEANERY — St. Mary and St. Boniface parishes in Piqua are marking the 20th year of 24-hour adoration at St. Clare Chapel, and the anniversary will be celebrated at both parishes with a week of activities.

 
“Being in the chapel is a special time with Jesus Christ,” said Father Martin Fox, pastor.
 
Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr will offer Mass at St. Boniface Church Sunday, Oct. 31 at 2 p.m., joined by area clergy. At the end of the Mass, the archbishop will lead a eucharistic procession from the church to the chapel. A reception in the Father Angelo Caserta Center will conclude the day’s festivities.

Missionary of the Blessed Sacrament Father Larry Villone will conduct a eucharistic conference at St. Mary Church on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 4 and 5, 7 p.m. Each evening’s talk will be preceded with music and conclude after one hour. Thursday’s talk is “Why Do We Have To Pray?”  Friday’s talk is “Is Pride Becoming An Obstacle To Your Spiritual Growth?”
 
Priests will be available afterward for the sacrament of reconciliation. Father Villone will also preach at all Masses at both parishes on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8.

The idea of setting aside a chapel for continuous adoration of Jesus started in May 1990 when then-pastor of St. Boniface Church, Father Angelo Caserta, and a group of parishioners, contacted the Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament. The order has have helped hundreds of parishes start a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. Members of both parishes quickly filled every hour of the week.

On Dec. 1, 1990, a Mass in St. Boniface Church was followed by a procession with the Eucharist to St. Clare Chapel in the basement below. “There our Lord remains, always welcoming all who seek Him, 20 years later,” said Father Caserta.