Welcome to the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration Website

New Abbess is elected

We are very grateful to our to our spiritual assistant, Father Bob McCreary, OFM Cap, for his guidance as he prepared us for the election of our Superior by means of a retreat. As the Solemn day of our Chapter of Elections approached, our prayers to the Holy Spirit intensified.

Our Chapter of Elections opened with a Mass of the Holy Spirit. This Mass was concelebrated by our Bishop Richard Lennon with Father Lawrence Jurcak, the Vicar of Religious and Father William Wiethorn, OFM Cap, Delegate of Religious and the Administrator of our Parish as con-celebrants.

We are extremely grateful for the gracious and wise guidance of our dear Bishop during our Chapter of Elections and also for Father Jurcak's assistance.

As the Holy Spirit descended upon our Lord Jesus at His Baptism, so His Presence was evident also  during this Chapter of  Elections in appointing the Superior He chose for us.

With hearts full of gratitude, we happily announce that on the vigil of the Baptism of the Lord, Saturday, January 9, 2010, Reverend Mother Mary Thomas was elected our new Abbess. With  deep appreciation for her many years of  service to our community as abbess, Sister Mary James was elected our new Vicar. Our constitutions state that "the Vicar, as first Councilor, is a strong support to the abbess, and her  principal assistant in all that concerns the well-being of the community." In her new role as Vicar her invaluable role as abbess will be most advantageous. Sister Mary Joseph, Sister Mary Clare and Sister Maria were also elected as councilors, completing the governing body of our community.

As the Bishop burned the Ballots immediately after the election, our dear Mother Mary Thomas recalled the story of the occasion when our Holy Mother Clare was praying with our Holy Father Francis at the Portiuncola. the neighbors, thinking the forest was on fire, came running, but when they arrived they realized that it was not a physical fire they witnessed, but the fire of the Holy spirit burning in the hearts of the Friars and Sisters assembled at prayer. We all silently agreed as we listened to our dear Mother's first exhortation.

Another Sister recounted later that the fire that our dear Bishop presided over looked like the fire blessed by the priest on Holy Saturday; and that it could symbolize the fire of the Holy Spirit consuming our ballots, burning in our hearts and uniting us as we solemnly agree in the election of our new abbess. We celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit as we gladly witness His work in us. We thank God for our new abbess and our new councilors .

Welcome to our website.  Our Order is a religious institute of the cloistered contemplative life, observing Papal enclosure, dedicated especially to adoration of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  Our vocation gives witness to all people of the primacy of God, His nearness and His love, for our profession dedicates us wholly to the Lord and His worship.  This witness is most clearly given when our life together expresses our unity in spirit and ideals.  By fidelity to our vocation we can become mirrors of Christ to one another and a luminous sign in the church, showing forth the Kingdom of God.

OUR NEW GIFT SHOP opened just after Thanksgiving in 2007!  There has been such a wonderful response that we are redecorating a larger room just off the main lobby to accomodate more visitors.  The Gift Shop features all kinds of beautiful gifts and crafts, especially hand-made Rosaries which are  lovingly created by the Sisters.  We will also have beautiful religious items from all over the world.  Stop in and browse around.  Very soon, we hope to have our Gift Shop up and running on our website!  Stay tuned!

Please browse around our website and enjoy your tour!  If you would like specific prayers for your intentions, we invite you to visit our "Prayer Request" page and fill out the form provided.  May God bless you! 

InformationandPrayerRequest@thepoorclares.com

24 hours a day, year round, we are at the feet of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, to pray for you, your families, and all your intentions and those of the whole world. Do not hesitate to call or email us with your petitions. God is so merciful, no matter how miserable or difficult your life situation may be, He is waiting for you to ask for His love and mercy 
Prayer Request Line:  216.361.0783

August 4, 2009 will be the 150^th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney, the Cure d’Ars.  This saint was a wonderful model here on earth of a true pastor at the service of Christ’s flock.  Since his example is used to encourage the faithful, and especially priests, to imitate his virtues, the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI has established that, for this occasion, a special Year for Priests will be celebrated from June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010, in which all priests may be increasingly strengthened in fidelity to Christ with devout meditation, spiritual exercises and other appropriate actions.  Please pray for all priests, that they may be strengthened and purified to lead the people of the Church.

Vocation Prayer

God of all nations, we are grateful for all Catholic missionaries, who bring the great treasure of faith to many lands.  May the Good News of Jesus, which shaped their lives, continue to shape our lives today.  Bless every diocese with priests and religious to follow in their footsteps.  Amen.