Fr. Gaberieli Saunivalu, ss.cc. led Friday Night Adoration and Benediction with Dcn. Benigno Palacios at Queen of Peace Church in Harlingen, TX.

The choir was led by Br. Nez Marcelo, who sang contemporary gospel songs like “Here in This Place” and a traditional Latin adoration hymn.

After reading Mt. 11:28-30 Fr. Gaberiele encouraged people to surrender their troubles to the Lord:

“Jesus invites us to visit him.”

Fr. Gaberiele and the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus

“As he sits in the midst of all of us.   You can bring all your worries, struggles, your personal problems.  He is willing for us to bring them to him.  Allow him to carry them.  Ask him to help us, to share in our suffering.” 

The liturgy alternated between English and Spanish.  

One parishioner told me how much she enjoyed spending time in quiet with the Lord.

The first Friday Adoration was followed by a potluck with the altar servers serving the homemade food with their parents and other volunteers- I imagine this was a 

brainchild of Fr. Bob Charlton, the pastor.   It was good to see this worship thriving and seeing people being fed body and soul.   

The fellowship part was important for  people getting to know each and for sharing.   I spoke with Nadia, a parishioner and Eucharistic minister, afterwards who spoke

 about how much this meant to her.   I also dined with a woman who shared about her  children, two facing major health challenges.

This is the Body of Christ nourished by Christ’s own Flesh and Blood.

Dcn. Benigno before the Lord

by Bill Gural