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Welcome to our Christmas newsletter for

'Children of the Eucharist'
 

Bethlehem! The city where Jesus was born in fulfilment of the Scriptures, in Hebrew means “house of bread.” It was there that the Messiah was to be born, the One who would say of himself: “I am the bread of life” (Jn 6:35, 48). In Bethehem was born the One who, under the sign of broken bread, would leave us the memorial of his Pasch. On this Holy Night, adoration of the Child Jesus becomes Eucharistic adoration. We adore you, Lord, truly present in the Sacrament of the Altar, the living Bread which gives life to humanity. We acknowledge you as our one God, a little Child lying helpless in the manger!
– St. John Paul II

 

Dear friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers, your generosity, and your friendship and support in 2017 and over the past 6 years.  All of you and your family members, our friends and benefactors will be remembered in each of our prayers this Christmas season.  And in thanksgiving for your goodness to us, Holy Mass will also be offered for all of your needs and intentions. 

Wishing you all many special graces and blessings this Christmas, and New Year.  You all remain in our daily prayers and we humbly ask that you keep praying for us, too.  May the Infant Jesus continue to bless you and keep you close to His Sacred Heart always.

United in the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, 
Antoinette

 


'Children of the Eucharist'

40 hours Adoration retreat...
 
...takes place in St. Mary's, Knock Shrine
 

Starts at 19:00 on Friday 26th January 2018 until 13:00 on Sunday 28th January 2018
 
Price: €150.00 for 2 nights B&B, with all meals included
            €75.00 for 1 nights B&B, with all meals included

            There are single rooms, twin rooms and a few quadruple rooms available.

Please kindly RSVP by 10th January 2018.


It's a great time of prayer which will allow you to enter deeper into the silence of the Lord’s Eucharistic heart.
 

We hope to see you there!
 


40 Hours Adoration Retreat

 at the Drummond Hotel in Ballykelly, Co. Derry - 10th to 12th November 2017
 

As we live in such challenging times, the theme of the retreat was to pray "IN REPARATION FOR THE SOUL OF OUR NATION".

This was a truly powerful, uplifting weekend of prayer, praise, worship and devotion, made before the Blessed Sacrament in solemn exposition for 40 hours, led by Fr. Lawrence Joseph CFR. 

The number 40 has always signified a sacred period of time: the rains during the time of Noah lasted 40 days and nights; the Jews wandered through the desert for 40 years, our Lord fasted and prayed for 40 days before beginning His public ministry. The 40 hours devotion remembers that traditional "40-hour period" from our Lord's burial until the resurrection.  In the Middle Ages, the Blessed Sacrament was transferred to the repository, "the Easter Sepulcher," for this period of time to signify our Lord's time in the tomb.

Our 40 hours Adoration retreat began with a Solemn Mass of Exposition, which concluded with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The Blessed Sacrament remained on the altar in a monstrance day and night for the next 40 hours.  Over the weekend 60+ COTE leaders and supporters gathered for personal and public prayer in adoration of our Lord. The Blessed Sacrament was reposed in the tabernacle for the daily Mass, and then returned for exposition after Mass. At the end of the devotions,we concluded with Mass, Benediction and final reposition of the Blessed Sacrament. 

Antoinette gave us an enriching talk on scripture and Fr. Lawrence gave a series of insightful homilies and was available for confession during the weekend too.

A very special addition to our retreat was a beautiful holy hour for children.  Approximately 25 children and young teens gathered to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, led by Antoinette.  Before they left. Fr. Lawrence blessed them with 1st class relics of newly canonised St.'s Jacinta and Francesco.

The 40 hours Adoration retreat not only nurtured all of us who attended and nurtured our love for our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament but, a huge amount of prayer was dedicated to the protection from evil and temptation for our country; the reparation for the sins of our nation and for the poor souls in purgatory; and deliverance from political, material and spiritual calamities for which, there are so many in these times. We truly implored the Lord to pour forth His abundant graces not only for our own personal needs, but for those of the whole country.
 


COTE students in Dundalk welcome His Excellency Archbishop Eamon Martin

There was a lot of very excited young girls and boys in Dundalk recently when it was announced that, His Excellency Archbishop Eamon Martin was coming to visit and join them as they adored Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  The 2nd class students of the Holy Redeemer Parish had a huge and hearty welcome for Archbishop Eamon and were thrilled at his request to come and see them participate in the COTE programme.  His Excellency thoroughly enjoyed his visit and and the opportunity to watch the children engage with Jesus in the Eucharist.

 
 “In truth I tell you, anyone who does not welcome the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Luke 18:17).  

So how exactly do we become little and stay that way, in addition to prayer and grace of course?  Well, Jesus gives us a big hint: look at the little children and imitate them.  Let’s take a look at what makes them so loveable, so much so that the Almighty God Himself chose to enter the world as one and set them up as our model. 
 
They’re simple, uncomplicated, and not yet jaded by the world. When you tell a child something, they generally believe it and still have that beautiful ability to be wowed.  Sometimes when we take the children into the chapel to greet Jesus, they at first look around to see where He is.   When we point to the Blessed Sacrament exposed and briefly explain how Jesus is really and truly alive right there, their eyes widen with awe and a huge smile of belief spreads across their faces.  Do we receive Holy Communion or approach every tabernacle with that same kind of amazement? 
 

They trust and love unconditionally.  Ever notice that you don’t have to convince children that they are loved?  And when they do something wrong, they have no problem asking for mercy and believing that they will be forgiven.  They also forgive easily, don’t stay mad for too long, and have a wonderful innate gift of compassion.  For those of you who have ever been comforted by a child, you know what we’re talking about.  How freely and easily they express their own love and affection!  Is it any wonder that Our Lord also wants to be compassionated by little ones? 

 
They’re joyful, free, pure in heart and know how to have fun.   Children can often become restless during mass.  But, do we take the time to pray with them and explain to them how to pray?  Take the time...for even after just a couple of minutes – for no time is wasted with doubts and lengthy explanations – children will invent a game of putting their “I love You” to God on lots of different things in creation, in their own lives, and in the life of Jesus.  They can’t wait for their turn to come to thank God for all the wonderful things in their life...their family, their school, their toys and even chocolate and ice-cream!  Do we enjoy our prayers with that same innocence and freedom? 
 
They’re dependent.  Children are constantly seeking out their parents for everything, just as Our Lord longs for us to do:  “I want you to be like a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, who can move neither a foot to take a step, nor a hand to work, but expects everything from his mother.  In the same way, you will stay close to Me like a baby, always praying me to assist you and to help you… in sum, expecting everything from Me”.  (Jesus to the Servant of God, Luisa Piccarreta) 
 
They’re not perfect.  Children fall, they make mistakes, but they bounce back really quickly, not taking themselves as seriously as we adults do sometimes.  And when they do have a hard time getting up off the ground, they cry out to Mam and Dad for help…knowing they can’t do it on their own and looking for comfort from the right source.  What parents don’t love still being needed by their children? 
 
 
Invitation to all adults and children!
 

Come and join us at the 6th Annual Pilgrimage of the Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration to Knock Shrine which, takes place on Sunday, April 29th 2018.  


Full children's programme led by 'Children of the Eucharist' available in the Hub from 11:00.  Let us know if you are bringing your children or a bus this year.  

 

All are welcome!

 


This month on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (or the nearest date available to this special day), thousands of children in the COTE programme around Ireland and the UK consecrated themselves to the Precious Blood of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in front of the Blessed Sacrament or at the end of Mass, led by our COTE leaders.  Praise the Lord and thank you Mother Mary for making this happen!



CONSECRATION TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
 
O Precious Blood of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I consecrate myself and all the days of my life to your love and worship.  I place myself and my loved ones in a special manner under your powerful protection, begging that your blessing may always rest upon us.
 
Most Precious Blood, be our light in the darkness, our strength in temptation, our consolation in sorrow, our passport to heaven and the eternal object of our praise and love.
Amen.

 
Our Lady of Medjugorje, Message of 2nd December 2017

"Dear children, I turn to you as your mother, the mother of the just, the mother of those who love and suffer, the mother of those who are holy. My children, you too can be holy - this depends on you. Those who are holy are those who immeasurably love the Heavenly Father, those who love Him above all. Therefore, my children, always strive to be better. If you strive to be good you can be holy even though you may not think so of yourselves. If you think that you are good, you are not humble, and arrogance distances you from holiness. In this peaceless world full of threats, your hands, apostles of my love, should be extended in prayer and mercy.

And to me, my children, give the gift of the rosary, the roses which I love so much. My roses are your prayers pronounced with the heart and not only recited with the lips. My roses are your acts of prayer, faith and love. When my Son was little, he said to me that my children would be numerous and that they would bring me many roses. I did not comprehend Him. Now I know that you are those children who are bringing me roses when, above all, you love my Son, when you pray with the heart, when you help the poorest.

Those are my roses. That is the faith which makes everything in life be done through love, not knowing arrogance, and always ready to forgive; never judging, always striving to understand one's brother. Therefore, apostles of my love, pray for those who do not know how to love, for those who do not love you, for those who have done evil to you, for those who have not come to know the love of my Son. My children, I ask this of you because, remember, to pray means to love and to forgive. Thank you."
On 6th September 2017, our dear friend Fr. Chris Donlon gave a beautiful homily in Medjugorje which, focused on the work of Children of the Eucharist.  You can listen to the homily at the link below:

http://marytv.tv/?page_id=192

Simply go to the section 'English Homily in Medjugorje' and choose the date 06/09/2017 to listen to Fr. Chris.
 

Eucharistic Assemblies 2017

Three Eucharistic Adoration Assemblies 2017 were organised by the Meath Diocesan Adoration Committee with the help of the local parish adoration committees in Tullamore, Navan and Mullingar.  Hundreds of adorers attended each gathering including Bishop Michael Smith, many priests, religious and lay people from all over the Diocese of Meath, including many of our own COTE leaders.

 

The theme for the three Assemblies was Mission: “ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying; Who should I send? Who will go for us? I said: Here I am. Send me.”  
(Is 6:8)



Antoinette was invited to speak about the work of COTE and addressed over 800 people over 2 weekends in Navan and Mullingar.  Those gathered at the assemblies were thrilled to hear how the ministry has grown and continues to grow.  Without doubt, the growth of COTE is a fruit of all their prayers and hours spent in front of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  We thank you Lord for all these faithful adorers!

 

Jesus speaks to the hearts of the children especially during the quiet time in Adoration. 

Here's just a sample of the things the children have shared with us...


- A 6th class girl felt Jesus healing her heart, after being bullied by her peers

- A 6th class boy felt Jesus show him the light from heaven and he saw a vision of his deceased cousin.

- A 6th class boy heard his deceased Granny say to him 'I am close to you...'

- A P4 boy told us 'It was like Jesus jumped into my heart'

- A P4 girl told us 'I was in the stable watching Jesus being born'

- A P4 girl told us 'I prayed that Jesus would put some of his strength into the souls of mean people around the world.'

- A P4 girl told us 'I prayed that Jesus would give the poor people around the world everything we have'.

- A P4 boy told us 'I asked Jesus to help me not to sin anymore.'

- A 2nd class boy said 'I want the love of Jesus in my heart for Christmas'

- A 2nd class girl told us 'Jesus said death is hard if you believe it is, but if you believe in me it's not...'

- A 2nd class boy told us how relieved he was after speaking to Jesus.

- A 2nd class boy told us 'I love talking to Jesus and never knew I could, as easy as this!'

- During the month of November, honouring our dead, a P4 boy said he had a vision of 2 white doors opening, he invited Jesus in and they sat at a white table.  Everyone he knew was present and the angels were there too. They all chatted.  Even Santa was there.  Then he looked up and he noticed white stairs coming down through the roof  and standing on the stairs were his grand uncles and grand aunts. 

We shouldn't underestimate what the Lord reveals to little children.

And it's not just the hearts of the children that Jesus touches...one teacher told us he felt something change inside him...everyday we see the hearts of teachers, SNA's, priests and all our volunteers being enveloped with the love of Jesus radiating from his Eucharistic Heart.  What a gift He is to us all!!!

 

"What is the fact of the Eucharist?
It is that the same Jesus Who was born on earth not only became man but remains man. He not only came into the world, He is in the world. In a word, He came to stay. The Eucharist is Christmas prolonged, because faith tells us that once God became man, He decided to remain man. From all the reaches of past eternity, God had only been God. But having once taken on human flesh, into now the future reaches of eternity, God will always remain man. And this God-Man is here; Bethlehem is wherever there is a Catholic Church or chapel in which Christ is present. These are the two facts that we commemorate on Christmas day".

– Servant of God John Hardon


Some of our Champion Adorers...

COTE is growing from strength to strength nationwide but particularly in Ulster.  Here are some of schools around the Claudy area who were featured in 'The Net', the Derry Diocesan newspaper recently.  His excellency Bishop Donal McKeown joined these students for Adoration last year.  Adoration is very strong among the old and young in this area.  So its not surprising that, the COTE programme is being initiated in lots of new schools and areas up North. Praise God!


 

Let your heart delight in the love your God has for you, personally, individually. No soul ever in ardent fervor desires to unite herself to our Lord in Holy Communion, as our Lord desires to unite him­self to her. So Holy Communion is a delight to your Infant Savior; because he loves you, oh, how immea­surably! He tells you in his heart to heart interview that he has become a little Infant so that you may love him with a human love without fear. He wants you to confide in him, approach to him with a con­viction that his Great Majesty is annihilated that you may no longer see in him but a little Child, with a body and soul just as you have. And the mystery of love is this: that he unites his Body to your body and your soul to his Soul, so that yours may be a member of his very own.

St. Katherine Drexel

Copyright © 2017 Children of the Eucharist, All rights reserved.


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