July 5, 2024

The Eucharist: God’s Greatest Gift

Family gives up sleep, makes time to rest with God

For Meg and Brian Bauer and their seven children, members of St. Michael Parish in Greenfield, a focus on eucharistic adoration brings them closer to Jesus. (Submitted photo)

For Meg and Brian Bauer and their seven children, members of St. Michael Parish in Greenfield, a focus on eucharistic adoration brings them closer to Jesus. (Submitted photo)

(Editor’s note: This story is a shortened version of the one that first appeared in The Criterion on April 5, 2024.)
 

By John Shaughnessy

As the parents of seven children ranging in age from 2 to 17, Meg and Brian Bauer always appreciate a night of good sleep. Yet once a month, they set that dream aside for something they consider more essential for themselves and their family.

On first Fridays at St. Michael Church in Greenfield, the members of the Bauer family take part in eucharistic adoration from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

“Sometimes, it’s my husband. Sometimes it’s me. Sometimes it’s our eldest daughter,” Meg says. “Often times, we’ll even take the younger ones with us, even if they end up falling asleep.

“It’s a good, quiet, restful period to try to listen to God, listen to Jesus, and be there in his presence—to make the effort to show up and be there with Jesus. I’m really thankful that my husband and I work to make that happen. But it does take effort to show up and be there.”

Their 12-year-old daughter Mary speaks for her siblings when she shares how her family has embraced the blessing of eucharistic adoration in their lives.

“For me, it gives an opportunity to know you’re in the presence of God completely in the Eucharist,” Mary says. “That’s your time where you can just freely listen to him and ask him for help.”

That monthly commitment connects to a daily ritual in the family life of the Bauers, who gather around a family altar in their home to pray together every night.

“We do special prayers for different things going on in our family’s life,” Meg says. “It helps raise and recognize the importance of prayer and seeing God in everyday life.” †

 

Read more from our special edition on the Eucharist

Local site Links: