For the past 30 years, St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Schulte has hosted Eucharistic adoration, a practice that parishioners say has grown from an obligation to a valued part of their spiritual lives.

Jana Driscoll, a member of the parish, described how her involvement with adoration began as a substitute and eventually grew into several permanent hours each week. “Two hours on early Saturday morning turned into two permanent hours for me. I recently picked up a third,” she said. “About three years ago, I picked up two more hours early Sunday morning.” Driscoll added that missing her scheduled time now leaves her longing to return: “I can simply attest to the fact that the occasional times I have to miss, I am in desperate need to get back to my regular weekend schedule,” she said. “My soul longs for these visits. I cannot explain why or how the Holy Spirit has simply graced me with this need to be in the Lord’s presence. I can, without a doubt, state that the hours seem like minutes, and I yearn for more. I cannot imagine my earthly life without these visits.”

Fr. Curtis Hecker, pastor at St. Peter, noted that many people initially find it difficult to commit to weekly adoration but often come to see it as essential. “That hour, which at first may be difficult to commit to, quickly becomes an indispensable oasis of reprieve and the building block around which the rest of the week revolves,” he said. He also pointed out there are many resources available for those unsure about how to spend an hour in prayer: “So even if you don’t think you know how to fill a whole hour of prayer, it’s so much easier than you might expect.”

The parish marked its 30th anniversary of adoration earlier this summer with a rededication of its chapel. Adoration at St. Peter began in 1995 under Fr. Dan Spexarth and was initially limited in scope before expanding over time.

When St. Peter dedicated its new church building in 1997—including an adoration chapel—adoration times expanded further until perpetual adoration was instituted by Fr. Patrick York on July 17, 2002.

According to Fr. Hecker’s estimates, since 1995 St. Peter has offered approximately between 210,000 and 215,000 total hours of adoration.

Carol Siegrist and Sherry Robben helped organize initial periods of temporary adoration before perpetual adoration was established with strong support from parishioners willing to take regular shifts.

“We asked for more adorers in the bulletin, and people stepped up. They were very willing,” Robben said. “We worked as a team and became known as ‘the Praying Ladies.’”

Fr. York relied on them when moving toward perpetual adoration during construction projects at St. Peter: “We had a beautiful chapel but it was only being used one day a week,” he recalled.“I perceived that if we wanted to be successful in the building project and capital campaign then we had better start praying first with individual prayer in perpetual adoration...I looked at them and said ‘You all figure it out.’”

Both Siegrist and Fr.York emphasized that filling all available slots proved straightforward thanks largely due to commitment among parishioners.“We had no trouble filling the hours,” Siegrist said.“Both [Siegrist and Robben], in their own ways are hard say no too," added Fr.York.

Fr.Hecker described perpetual adoration as transformative for both individuals involved each week—168 separate participants—and for collective parish life.“Having perpetual adoration in a parish is an absolute game-changer," he stated."Not only does that benefit individuals offering those prayers,it also showers grace on entire parish."He cited nine vocations from within St.Peter since beginning perpetual adoration:"We are body Christ,and when one member grows holiness,it affects all those around them as well.I think one metric we could use measure effect is number priestly religious vocations have come our parish."

Hecker shared his own experience discerning vocation during high school through regular holy hour participation:“It was during these hours silence Lord able speak me invite consider priestly vocation.”

Other long-time participants echoed similar sentiments.Kelly Draut,a participant for over fifteen years,says she relies on peace found through devotion:“For me all my life’s most difficult questions are answered presence Jesus Holy Eucharist.My prayer life improved significantly,and learned importance being still simply listen.It never one-way conversation Jesus.I have come rely peace feel heart whenever step into chapel,could not imagine my life without it.”

Even after decades,Siegrist admitted feeling occasional reluctance before attending but affirmed positive impact afterward:“Sometimes wish didn’t have go.But feel much better after do.”

Fr.Hecker encouraged anyone considering participating try out hour-long shift:“If you are fence about whether take hour just try out.Give month.See what think.There really something be said consistent hour prayer,rather than just desire pray,but never acted upon.”

For those hesitant about committing full hour,York suggested shorter visits can help build habit:"Catch your breath spend some time our Lord,start developing habit prayerfulness.That might easier than jumping full hour."

Reflecting on broader impact across region,York concluded,“The Diocese Wichita is blessed have so many adoration chapels...It’s also blessing so many people hunger intimate relationship Lord which adoration fulfills.People responding magnificent way call Father be disciples Son by participating Eucharistic Adoration.It’s amazing.”