A small chapel in a Blue Mountains church is quietly fulfilling a long-held desire of its parishioners to spend more time in prayer and Eucharistic Adoration.
The Adoration Chapel at St Canice’s in Katoomba, housed in a room next to the sanctuary in the main church building, was completed in 2024 and now has a steady stream of people using it through the day and night.
The chapel can fit no more than eight people, but the intimate and prayerful space has a tabernacle on a small altar, with a crucifix above. It also houses a relic of the True Cross, first-class relics of St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila, and relics of the Parish patron St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, as well as those of Pope St John Paul II and St Teresa of Calcutta.
The Adoration Chapel at St Canice’s can hold up to eight people. Image: Supplied
Since the chapel was completed it has become an important part of the prayer life of the parish – it has strengthened awareness of Eucharistic Adoration and encouraged a deeper commitment to prayer and Catholic faith. It has also provided another way of welcoming people into the life of the parish.
Eucharistic Adoration was first introduced to St Canice’s by the former parish priest Fr Carlos Walker, who set up a small room for it beside the sacristy about eight years ago.
When the current Parish Priest Fr John McSweeney took over in 2020 he strongly supported its continuation and agreed to a permanent space dedicated to Eucharistic Adoration.
The chapel was opened in 2024 and is available for adoration 24 hours a day during weekdays. Image: Supplied
Under Fr John’s leadership the Parish Pastoral Council organised for the design and construction of a new chapel, with support from the Parish Finance Committee. Parishioners were shown the plans and asked for their input before construction started. Many chose to donate money, and together with existing parish funds the chapel was completed in July 2024.
The chapel is open for Adoration 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday.
“It was very much a parish-supported project,” said a parish spokesman.
“One of its greatest benefits is simply that people know there is a place they can come at almost any hour to sit quietly in the presence of Our Lord.
The chapel has several relics, including first-class relics of St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila. Image: Supplied
“There is something very special in knowing that whether it is 1am or 1pm you can come to St Canice’s and spend an hour – or simply a few quiet minutes – with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.”
The chapel’s roster system means adorers can book a regular time to come, which also ensures the Blessed Sacrament is never left unattended.
As a result, there is a steady flow of people coming to the chapel through the day and night.
The spokesman said that the success of the chapel was largely because of the dedication of the coordinators who maintained the roster and ensured the chapel was available to everyone.
“Equally important has been the ongoing encouragement and support of our parish priests, Fr John, Fr Peter Lamont and Fr Jessie Bolorio,” he said.
To visit the chapel contact the coordinators at upperbluemountainsadoration@outlook.com
The chapel is an example of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Prayer and Formation. Visit Synodality to find out more.
