On the east wall of my office, there are two large images of Jesus that travel with me from parish to parish. One image shows Jesus standing in a boat, calming the wind and the waves. The other shows Jesus sowing seeds on ground. We are familiar with the stories from the Gospels.

For Catholics, the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. While our Lord is with and around us all day, every day, Eucharistic Adoration allows us a special opportunity to escape our busy, hectic lives and spend quiet time with Jesus.

 

Well before modern time, Eucharistic Adoration was a widespread practice in the Church. The Mass was in Latin, a language very few understood, and Communion was received on rare occasions, usually not more than once or twice a year. Eucharistic Adoration allowed the faithful to be close to Our Lord, meditate on His Real Presence, and honor and adore Him in a way not possible during Mass.

 

Meditating on the mystery of the Eucharist--thinking about our blessings, realizing that Our Savior loves us with a love that is perfect, all-consuming, never-ending--helps us hear Jesus as He whispers softly in our ear. Yes, clearing our mind of everyday clutter is difficult. However, on those occasions when we are successful, when we sit in the dimly lit chapel looking at the Eucharist and know that the Son of the Almighty God is here with us, not out there some place, but here with us, the feeling is indescribable.

 

Eucharistic Adoration is a unique opportunity to be with Our Savior. Life is given to us by God. Why wouldn't we slow down to thank Him for this life, for all that He has given, by spending time with His Son?

 

Please consider quiet time and prayer at St. Katharine Drexel Parish First Friday Eucharistic Adoration each month. Our parish First Friday Adoration is in our Chapel, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hello! My name is Jim Frank. I am the new Youth Minister at St. Katharine Drexel Parish. My wife Mary and I have been married for 32 years. We have 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren. Mary is a native of Sioux Falls, while I was raised in Cedar Rapids, IA. We both attended St. Mary's University in Winona, MN, which is where we met. Mary completed her education at the University of Iowa, and has been employed in the field of Nuclear Medicine for over 30 years.

 

Prior to my position as Youth Minister, I was employed by the Sioux Falls Catholic and Sioux Falls Public School Districts, both as an educator and as a coach for middle school football, basketball, and track. These past 11 years, I was employed by Memorial Middle School, as an educator and coach.

 

Why did I take the position of St. Katharine Drexel Parish Youth Minister? I have worked with youth and young adults as an educator and coach for the better part of my life. My background as a child is rich and ingrained with the Catholic faith, including 16 very fortunate years of an incredible and a very blessed Catholic education. My wife and I have been active in Religious Education programs in 3 different states. Now I have been given this incredible gift by God to be able to share, watch, and be a part of our Catholic youth's spiritual maturation process. It doesn't get any better than that, right?

 

It is and will always be a goal of our parish and our Youth Program to get as many parishioners and youth as possible involved, and to encourage them to remain and to stay active in their faith each and every day. That is a part of my job, and I look forward to being God's messenger in carrying forth this torch.

 

God's grace and blessing to all,

 

Jim Frank

Youth Minister