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Prayers answered during 25 years of perpetual adoration in Algona

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
(Email Katie)

ALGONA – St. Cecelia Parish will celebrate 25 years of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament May 26-31.

“We are grateful to all who have maintained a prayerful presence for 25 years in our Perpetual Adoration Chapel - a great asset not only to the St. Cecelia Parish but to our local community and the whole world,” said Lorri Larsen, pastoral minister at St. Cecelia’s.

More than 200 St. Cecelia parishioners and area parishioners participate each week.

“It is 24 hours a day, seven days a week and there is at least one person in the chapel each hour and sometimes more,” said Larsen. “Some people have more than one hour.”

Father Thomas Nash was pastor at St. Cecelia’s in July 1984 when perpetual adoration started in the parish.

“The people who pray in the chapel and ask for prayers really feel that their prayer is answered,” said the pastoral minister. “A lot of prayers have been answered – health and family situations. We pray for global issues, the war, abortion and all kinds of topics.”

The celebration will begin with weekday Masses to be held at 5:30 p.m. with special homilies on the Eucharist by area priests.

“It is a weeklong celebration,” said Larsen. “We are grateful to the area priests who are coming to share in our celebration.”

Father Randy Schon, pastor at Wesley St. Joseph, St. Benedict and Livermore Sacred Heart, will celebrate Mass on May 26 with his homily being centered on Eucharist and Justice.

The homily at Mass on May 27 will focus on Eucharist and Service and be given by Father Merle Kollasch, pastor at Pocahontas Resurrection of the Lord and Rolfe St. Margaret.

Father Brian Hughes, pastor at Estherville St. Patrick and Armstrong St. Mary, will celebrate Mass on May 28 and his homily will center on Eucharist: An Encounter with the Risen Lord.

On May 29, Father Bill Schreiber, pastor at Humboldt St. Mary and Gilmore City St. John the Evangelist, will celebrate Mass. His homily will focus on Eucharist: Bread of Life and Source of Community.

The celebration will continue on May 31 at 5:30 p.m. with the opening of Benediction in the church followed by the liturgy of the word. Father Ed Girres will give the homily centered on Eucharist: Adoration and Blessing.

There will be a procession with the Blessed Sacrament around the block to the Memorial Garden with the close of Benediction in the garden.

Attendees are invited to an outdoor parish picnic after the close of Benediction, weather permitting. Families are asked to bring blankets to sit on. Tables will be set up for those who cannot sit on the ground.  

The picnic will include pork patties, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and chips along with refreshments.

The Catholic Daughters of America and the Knights of Columbus will prepare, grill and serve.

“We are appealing to all Catholics in our area or in the diocese who want to do this,” said Larsen. “We have people who come and take an hour from parishes other than our own. People can come to one of the events or all.”

  Anyone interested in participating in perpetual adoration at St. Cecelia’s should contact the parish office at (515) 295-3435.