"In the Darkness There is Light"
by Mike Werth

I have been asked to share a few of my experiences and thoughts about our Chapel of Perpetual Adoration & how it has affected my life. I work in the basement of the Law Enforcement Center, so it was not uncommon for me to walk to St. Joseph's Church on my lunch hour to pray and visit with Jesus. I saw the Perpetual Adoration sign go up, but had no idea what it was, and walked past it for several years.

There are many to whom I don't need to explain the great pain of losing someone, through death or divorce. And for many, like me earlier, that time is yet to come. When Diane left me and the children to move in with someone from California, who she met over the Internet, I was devastated. I remember when I cried, the voice of sobbing almost scared me because I couldn't believe it was coming from me. The cry came down from so deep within my soul. Words fail me in describing the depth of that pain and the grief that is almost blinding. It was the closest I have come to experiencing the depth of the cry that comes from a mother that has lost her child.

I tell you this, because, as it has been said so many saints, that it is in our darkness that we can see the light. Someone told me about the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, and because I knew the Eucharist was exposed, I went. Oh what a relief. How often He lifted my grief. He did not take it away, but He helped me bear it, as He bore the grief of betrayal and loss on the Cross. It was in the Chapel that I could see the light in the darkness, the presence of Christ. However, I found another source of light that I did not expect, Christ's compassion extended through the presence of Adorers. It was such a comfort -- such a miracle of Christ that these people were in here, 24 hours a day, every day praying for me, and others in the community that were in need. It helped me feel like I didn't have to carry the burden alone, that there were actually people who cared so much that they would spend their time in the chapel, praying to Jesus, Mary and Joseph for our petitions. It was so wonderful, so relieving -- it was a light in the darkness. I was further moved when about two months later I attended the annual Mass and potluck meal for the Adorers. The Mass was at St. Mary's. I thought to myself, why they just didn't have it in the chapel. I figured there would only be about 20 -- 25 people. When I went to the Mass, there were over 200 Adorers. Was I ever surprised when I saw how many people -- how many people, give up a part of their lives for those of us who need their prayers.

I have to say that I probably didn't get all my prayers answered the way I wanted them answered, but then God's kingdom "is not of this world" and for good or evil, God allows us, Diane, free choice. I can say that things are getting easier. I could have just as easily been plunged into darkness and despair, but all the people praying for me, and the presence of Jesus helped lift the burden.

If you know of someone who is in deep pain or if it is yourself, here are two things you can do. Encourage the person to go to the Chapel of Adoration to talk to Jesus. It is truly in the deep darkness that when you enter that Chapel, you can 'feel' the presence of Jesus and all His love and compassion for you. Second, go and pray for those of us in our community who are in need. Often we feel powerless in our society because we have neither the power, skills or money to help those in need or pain. I assure you, with all my heart, that the prayers you say for others before the Blessed Sacrament, imparts more power and help than you could have imagined of your best works.

Mike Werth
Adorer in Hays, Kansas
"Perpetual Eucharisitic Adoration Newsletter" Oct. 2001, Hays, Kansas (Lil Basgall Coordinator)