‘Renewed and Restored’ worship series begins with holy hour

ANNANDALE – Enveloped in soft light and prayerful silence, adorers at Immaculate Conception Church Aug. 13 were led to discover an immutable truth: Jesus’ love and healing serves as the perfect end of a busy week.

The evening holy hour included Eucharistic Adoration, praise and worship music, readings, reflection, reconciliation and fellowship. It was designed as the inaugural event of the “Renewed and Restored” worship series, said Megan Vanslot, director, diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Rather than a catechism workshop, the event was designed to “slow down our busy lives enough to encounter Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to a deeper relationship with the Lord,” she explained.

The interior of the church was dimly lit by flickering candles inside luminaries lining the center aisle and the setting sun, which cast multicolored beams through the window behind the altar in the light blue sanctuary. Father Michael Tabernero, parochial vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, unveiled the gold monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament and set it before the empty tabernacle bookended by two white stone angels, both kneeling in adoration of their king.

As members of the parish’s Festival of Praise softly strummed guitars and led the congregation in praise and worship songs, Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Pierre Toussaint read the Gospel of a woman suffering from a hemorrhage for 12 years who pressed through the crowd, eager to touch Jesus’ cloak so that she could be healed. “Jesus told her, ‘Courage, daughter, your faith has saved you,’” Father Toussaint said.

As some members of the congregation sang or silently kneeled before the Blessed Sacrament, others took the opportunity to exercise their faith by visiting with prayer teams and going to the sacrament of reconciliation. Following the holy hour, a small bonfire burned on the church’s patio, beckoning participants to join in fellowship.

Participants were heartened by the program of renewal and restoration of Christ’s transformational love.

Eric and Eileen Warren, members of the parish, accompanied their daughters Mary, Kate and Shannon to the event. “It’s been a long day,” explained Eric, “and it is important to be here.” His wife added, “We always come to the Festival of Praise events, and this gives us such peace and the freedom to pray as a family.”

“This is the perfect way to end the week,” said Linda Rofrano, a member of St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington, who added she was grateful “to thank God and go to confession.” When asked what attracted them to the event, her husband, Doug, smiled warmly and nodded towards the altar, then said, “He did.”