naugurating the Year of the Eucharist in October 2004, Pope John Paul II encouraged adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,

“There is a particular need to cultivate a lively awareness of Christ's real presence, both in the celebration of Mass and in the worship of the Eucharist outside Mass…The presence of Jesus in the tabernacle must be a kind of magnetic pole attracting an ever greater number of souls enamoured of him, ready to wait patiently to hear his voice and, as it were, to sense the beating of his heart. “O taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Ps 34:8).”
- Mane Nobiscum Domine, Para. No.18.

 

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has always been a feature of St Luke’s Parish.  Prior to 2000 it took place on special occasions and especially on Sunday evenings.  From November 2000 this devotional practice was extended.  Currently it takes place each weekday after Morning Mass until 7:00pm.  Parishioners and friends of the parish undertake an hour or half hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament each week so as to ensure that the Blessed Sacrament is attended at all times.  The Late pontiff continues,

Eucharistic adoration outside Mass should become a particular commitment for individual parish and religious communities. Let us take the time to kneel before Jesus present in the Eucharist, in order to make reparation by our faith and love for the acts of carelessness and neglect, and even the insults which our Saviour must endure in many parts of the world. Let us deepen through adoration our personal and communal contemplation, drawing upon aids to prayer inspired by the word of God and the experience of so many mystics, old and new. The Rosary itself, when it is profoundly understood in the biblical and christocentric form which I recommended in the Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, will prove a particularly fitting introduction to Eucharistic contemplation, a contemplation carried out with Mary as our companion and guide.”
- Mane Nobiscum Domine, Para. No.18.

His holiness concludes,

“May all of you, the Christian faithful, rediscover the gift of the Eucharist as light and strength for your daily lives in the world, in the exercise of your respective professions amid so many different situations. Rediscover this above all in order to experience fully the beauty and the mission of the family.”
- Mane Nobiscum Domine, No. 30.

This prayer has been a source of great blessing and protection on the parish in the years it has been going.  Parishioners are encouraged to try to be faithful to the slot they offered and to try to find a replacement if they cannot fulfil it occasionally.  New adorers are always welcome.  Just ring the presbytery if you would like to offer your time before the Lord.