In the Real Presence of Jesus Christ

New adoration chapel is an inviting space for prayer.

Story by Karen A. Avitabile

“WHAT WE REALLY WANTED WAS A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND HAVE AN INTIMATE SPACE WITH THE LORD.” – Father John Dietrich

A meeting room on the backside of St. Matthew Church in Forestville has been transformed into a new chapel, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, that was completed and dedicated in November by Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne. 

Father John Dietrich, pastor of St. Matthew-St. Gregory the Great Parish, began planning for the establishment of the chapel since his arrival here in 2018. 

“What spurred me to think of having a chapel were those windows,” he says.

The stained-glass windows that Father Dietrich speaks fondly of graced the original church building constructed in 1917. The new church was rebuilt on the property in 1987, with many artistic and historical components from the old church incorporated into the current one. These windows surround Blessed Sacrament Chapel.  

The new chapel, which seats about 30 people, will be used for weekly adoration, a devotional practice of adoring and praying in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist that is displayed in a monstrance. Occasionally, Mass will be celebrated in the chapel as well, Father Dietrich says. 

Currently, parishioners are signing up to commit an hour of their time for adoration in the chapel. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays a monstrance is placed on the altar in the chapel to allow people to sit or kneel in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

The pastor points out that a lot of work went into refurbishing the meeting room into a chapel. New pews have been installed. The tabernacle in the chapel has been refinished. In addition, a mural of The Last Supper, which represents the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, was painted flat against one of the walls. 

The crucifix on the altar has been restored, too. “It was cleaned and repainted, and it fits perfectly,” Father Dietrich says. 

New signs which read, St. Matthew Church and Blessed Sacrament Chapel, are on order and will replace the current signage on the property. 

St. Matthew Church, at 120 Church Ave., Forestville, offers one-hour exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday after the 7:30 a.m. Mass. Monthly adoration is held on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., which includes holy hour from 6 to 7 p.m. 

St. Matthew Church is part of St. Matthew-St. Gregory the Great Parish, which includes  St. Gregory the Great Church, located at 235 Maltby St., Bristol. Adoration at St. Gregory Church takes place on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to take part in adoration at both churches.

“The parish wanted the chapel,” Father Dietrich says. “These parishioners are devout people who spend many hours in prayer.”