Testimony of Cathy

From the time of my First Holy Communion as a seven-year-old, I have always
believed that it is truly Jesus that I am receiving. My parents were devout Catholics
who prayed the family Rosary daily, attended Mass and weekly Benediction. I saw
myself as having Catholic blood running through my veins.

When it came to being on the Roster for Adoration here in our Parish, though I
valued the spiritual gain of this practice, I thought that an hour out of my week would
be a pretty tall ask. My husband and I live in the fast lane keeping up with our five
children and 12 grandchildren, 10 of whom live in Mandurah. I believed I was far
too busy for this commitment and someone else who was less busy and with more
time on their hands could fill up the roster. In the midst of a rather chaotic schedule
a small Voice echoed in my heart, “Can you not spend one hour with me?”
I wrestled with this thought and pushed it away from my conscious mind. I was sure
that someone else less busy could fill the roster. And so I resisted! One morning
after daily Mass, Gerald Mackin approached me with a very direct invitation.
Cathy, would you like to do an hour of Adoration. We need someone to cover one of
the hours. God didn’t let me off the hook. He had pursued me.

Some weeks my hour alone with Jesus is the only time I get to stop! It has become
my time of rest, my place of refuge, my sanctuary.

At first I felt uneasy about how I was going to fill in a whole hour, so I started with the
prayer I was familiar with, the Rosary! I was grateful that I had time to pray the
Rosary, using Scripture references to help me think of the Mysteries without rushing
through the decades! I bring to the chapel my Adoration Bag with my folder of
favorite prayers. Herein are prayers of protection for all my family and for friends
who are sick or in special need. I read a little book I have which opens up
conversation with Jesus. I tell Jesus all my worries and difficulties.

Initially I kneel in Jesus Prescence and then I sit quietly. I look at Jesus and I
imagine His eyes looking intently at me. My favorite image of Jesus is the Divine
Mercy image which was painted to the instructions given by Jesus to St Maria
Faustina. The time goes very quickly and I am grateful for the serenity this Sacred
Hour brings to me. It is like my boat is anchored and the sea around me is calmed.
Mark 4:35. When Jesus calmed the storm, it was only after the Apostles
called to Him.

Is Jesus waiting for us to call to Him? Was Jesus really asleep or was He waiting for
His Apostles to realize they needed Him to save them.
Sitting with Jesus is bringing me into a heart relationship with HIM.