Catholic Spotlight

The fast-food company Kentucky Fried Chicken has asked Pope Benedict XVI for a Papal Blessing. No, not for a new program to feed the poor. No, not for a new grant to a Catholic charity. According to a recent article KFC president Gregg Dedrick “sent a personal letter to the pope asking for a papal blessing for the KFC’s new Fish Snacker Sandwich.” The company is offering the small sandwhich as ”ideal for American Catholics who want to observe Lenten season traditions while still leading their busy, modern lifestyles.’” This is the first time that KFC has offered fish to the national market.

As an interesting sidenote: Mr. Dedrick, before becoming president of KFC,  served as Executive Pastor and Chief Administrative Officer of his church: Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky.  A quick search of the site did not find any mention of the season of Lent.

I was raised a Catholic, and yet I really didn’t know what Perpetual Adoration was (much less a Chapel devoted to it) until about a dozen years ago.  I was reminded of this recently when I saw a notice in our church bulletin, which included a comment from a parishioner who was amazed that there was a chapel in our parish where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (except for Good Friday and Holy Saturday).  And, although I’m a newcomer to the parish, this chapel was established here 20 years ago.  So, it occurred to me that the parishioner’s comment was one of the reasons why this Perfect Gift is so unknown (perhaps ignored) by the vast majority of us.  We really don’t know what it is, how it works, and the benefits we receive.

The Real Presence Association, an incredible resource on this topic, gives us this definition:  Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is the adoration of Jesus Christ present in the Holy Eucharist. In the many Churches that have this adoration, the Eucharist is displayed in a special holder called a monstrance, and people come to pray and worship Jesus continually throughout the day and often the night. Christ’s great love for us was shown when he was crucified on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and give us eternal life. He loves us without limit, and offers Himself to us in the Holy sacrament of the Eucharist. Can we not give Jesus a few minutes of love and adoration in return?  (The Real Presence Association web site contains a wealth of information about the history, devotion, and graces associated with Perpetual Adoration, and so much more!)

Anyone who has ever spent time in an adoration chapel will surely attest to the fact that it is one of the most peaceful experiences you will have.  There are many graces to be obtained from this form of praise, worship, prayer, and supplication to Our Lord.  Each chapel has a schedule of volunteer “adorers” to be with Our Lord around the clock, a reminder of Christ taking his faithful apostles into the Garden of Gethsemane with Him, and asking them if they could not stay awake even one hour with Him.

But what is even more amazing than the fact that Our Lord has given us this Perfect Gift, is that so few of us take advantage of the gift… of visiting Him “in person”.  This brings to mind a story I heard years ago, in which a Catholic took a Muslim friend into a Catholic Church.  Upon explaining the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle, the friend was astounded that we believe that God is truly present there, whereby he exclaimed that if he knew that Allah were truly present in his Mosque, he would surely die of joy. 

If you have an Adoration Chapel in your area (perpetual or for a limited number of hours each week), make the effort to visit Our Lord.  Don’t pass Him by.  He is waiting for you… and what beautiful gifts He has waiting for you!

For more information on establishing an Adoration Chapel in your parish, please visit the Apostolate for Perpetual Adoration, or one of the many other organizations dedicated the spreading The Word.

God created man “in His image” and called His creation “very good” (Gn 1:27, 31). One of the fundamentals of Cathoilc Teaching on Life. Every person is beloved by God and all life is sacred.

U.S. Congress and State legislature are considering funding embryonic stem cell research using tax dollars. Embryonic stem cells can only be obtained by destroying the embryo. These cells are originally marked to be an entire organism. Obtained in the early stages of human development, it is claimed these cells are more flexible and therefore more powerful; this has not been proven. Research shows implanting these cells in an attempt to cure diseased adult organs, has only proven to cause tumors.

Adult Stem cells are available all over the human body, in bone marrow, placenta and umbilical cords. These stem cells can be obtained safely with no harm to the donor. These cells are scientifically proven to be more stable, created as our bodies “natural repair mechanism”. All cures to date have resulted from the use of adult stem cells. God in his infinite wisdom provides all that we need; “I have put before you today, life and good, and death and evil” (Dt 30:15). The Catholic Church is not opposed to science or the use of stem cells. However, as Catholics we have a responsibility to condemn the destruction of human embryos obtained for the sole purpose of research.

Creating solely to obtain what we want, then “discard” human life is a pragmatic approach to life, immoral and contrary to the Catholic faith. Creating human embryos outside of the marital conjugal act is contrary to God’s design for procreation and therefore immoral. The second of the two greatest commandments “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:37-40) clearly emphasize our purpose in life, to protect the sanctity of all human life.

We are continual bombarded with messages that attempt to desensitize society to violations and destruction of human life. It is the responsibility of every Good Catholic to know the Church teachings. There are many resources available to gain a full understanding of the Catholic churches teaching on Life. If you enjoy pod casts visit www.catholicexchange.com. There are great books available www.catholiccompany.com. Documents with statements by the Pope can be found at http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/.