NEWARK VALLEY — Devotional opportunities are in ample supply throughout Blessed Trinity/St. Patrick parishes — particularly at the start of each month.
This Aug. 4, First Friday eucharistic adoration will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Newark Valley’s St. John the Evangelist Church, with the final hour to feature prayers for vocationsThe next morning, a First Saturday Mass will take place at 9 a.m. at St. James Church in Waverly.
These monthly events are attended by numerous parishioners from the four Tioga County churches: St. John the Evangelist, St. James, St. Patrick in Owego and St. Margaret Mary in Apalachin. According to Katie Gillio, interest in them has grown thanks to the dedication of Blessed Trinity/St. Patrick clergy over the past several years.Bishop (Salvatore) Matano has sent us very holy priests,” said Gillio, whose family has belonged to Blessed Trinity/St. Patrick since 2013. Currently, Father Jeffrey Galens serves as pastor and Father Steven Lewis as parochial vicar for the parishes, which are located in the Diocese of Rochester’s southeast corner.
Tioga County parishes feature many eucharistic initiatives
In addition to First Fridays at St. John the Evangelist, Blessed Trinity/St. Patrick offers eucharistic adoration every Tuesday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at St. Patrick and every Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. at St. James. There also are several opportunities for rosary recitation and confession during the week, as well as occasional Latin Masses on Saturdays.
Parishioner Maria Howard noted that regular adoration has had a deep impact on her spiritual life.
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Adoration just changes you over time. For me, it wasn’t some sudden thing,” she said. “God works on your heart over time, and I just grew with the help of people.”
Blessed Trinity/St. Patrick offers special eucharistic events in addition to the regularly scheduled ones. On June 11, an annual Corpus Christi procession featured more than 120 people walking through the streets of Owego, honoring the Blessed Sacrament through prayer, readings and Benediction.
In addition, Gillio noted that a 40-hour eucharistic devotion — featuring a guest speaker, Holy Hours, praise-and-worship music, and Liturgy of the Hours — is scheduled for Oct. 5-7 at St. Patrick Church. Gillio added that a series of talks is being planned, in conjunction with the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival, on how men can improve their spiritual lives.
In addition, Gillio noted that a 40-hour eucharistic devotion — featuring a guest speaker, Holy Hours, praise-and-worship music, and Liturgy of the Hours — is scheduled for Oct. 5-7 at St. Patrick Church. Gillio added that a series of talks is being planned, in conjunction with the ongoing National Eucharistic Reviva.