“The significance of being a Star on the Mantle is in my mind, beginning that more formalized relationship with the Comunitá, and what that means to me is a more formalized and directed living out of the call of Eucharistic adoration and praying for peace in all of those different facets,” Konrade said.
St. John the Baptist is geographically about 50 miles from the center of the United States, which makes the location significant, said Konrade.
“The divisions are, in some ways, tearing the country apart in the middle,” he said. “I see this as, hopefully, a stepping stone to, in a very public way, communicate to the community, to the diocese, the significance of Eucharistic adoration, Marian devotion, and prayer for peace.”
Beloit’s rural population numbers about 4,000, with more and more Catholic families moving to the area, Konrade said. The parish currently has Eucharistic adoration from Tuesday morning through Friday morning, but Konrade thinks it likely that the hours will continue to expand toward one day having perpetual adoration.
“Throughout my priesthood, I’ve seen, again and again, the fruitfulness of parishes that commit themselves to the dedication of Eucharistic adoration,” he said.
A partnership between the Comunitá and St. John the Baptist was first explored by the Adoratio Foundation, a charitable organization in Beloit that was established to build Catholic thought, culture, and devotion in the area. They presented the opportunity to Bishop Gerald Vincke and Father Konrade as part of the effort intentionally to pray for peace in connection with others throughout the world.
Credit: Source link