Mount Tabor: Our Glimpse of Heaven on Earth · 06/08/2017  · Mount Tabor: Our Glimpse of Heaven...

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Mount Tabor: Our Glimpse of Heaven on Earth For the past three weeks, we have heard the teachings of Jesus about the kingdom of heaven to crowds and to his disciples. The readings for this weekend take us to Mount Tabor with Peter, James, and John in the mystery of the Transfiguration. This marks the apostles final step in their formation as apostles. They were chosen by Jesus to witness the horrors of the cross, but Jesus knows they require one last grace-filled lesson before experiencing Calvarys terror. Throughout his public ministry, Jesus shows a fondness for the mountains of Palestine. He goes to the mountains to pray, to instruct, and in the end, to die on Calvary. But Jesus visits these hills for the same reason as did Abraham, Moses, and David – because their summits are holy. Throughout history the Father of creation chose to gather his chosen people in a mountain setting to receive their prayers and sacrifices, and to reveal to them his wise and loving care. In this scene at the Transfiguration, Jesus adds Mount Tabor to the highest rank of those holy peaks of Israel. For on Mount Tabor, Jesus reveals to his chosen disciples the glory of his divinity by allowing it to shine in a brief instant through his transfigured humanity. Their entire surroundings change, and without leaving this world, they are participants in a glimpse of the kingdom to come. Mount Tabors highest honor would only later be eclipsed by that of Calvary. As we contemplate this scene, we can appreciate how on Mount Tabor all the elements of the future kingdom are present. First of all, the apostles experience the Blessed Trinity as they hear the Fathers voice along with the bright cloud of the Holy Spirit announcing Jesusfavored status. Secondly, present along with the divine communion of the Blessed Trinity is Holy Israel in the figures of Moses and Elijah who converse with the apostles. They announce the favored status of the chosen people through the acknowledgement of Jesus as the fulfillment of their messianic hope. And finally, the Church is present in the person of the apostles themselves as they represent the new and universal people of God, formed just prior to Pentecost in the presence of Jesus, Mary and the apostles. What an incredible experience! This past weekend at the coffee hour, a parishioner shared with me his belief that the Transfiguration is one of the most powerful manifestations of our faith as Catholic Christians. And indeed, it is. For in the scene of the Transfiguration, the disciples witness what we will experience in heaven: both the old and new people of God brought graciously into communion with the Blessed Trinity. If we meditate on the Transfiguration, we can fully appreciate why Peter, James, and John did not want to leave the mountain. For perhaps in just a moment at this encounter, they witness themselves already in heaven! But only for a moment, because Calvary still awaits them. Thanks be to God! Deacon Ray August 6, 2017 Feast of the Transfiguration 1355 Hatch Road Webster, NY 14580 (585) 671-5520 www.ChurchofHolySpiritWebster.org

Transcript of Mount Tabor: Our Glimpse of Heaven on Earth · 06/08/2017  · Mount Tabor: Our Glimpse of Heaven...

Page 1: Mount Tabor: Our Glimpse of Heaven on Earth · 06/08/2017  · Mount Tabor: Our Glimpse of Heaven on Earth For the past three weeks, we have heard the teachings of Jesus about the

Mount Tabor: Our Glimpse of Heaven on Earth For the past three weeks, we have heard the teachings of Jesus about the kingdom of heaven to crowds and to his disciples. The readings for this weekend take us to Mount Tabor with Peter, James, and John in the mystery of the Transfiguration. This marks the apostles final step in their formation as apostles. They were chosen by Jesus to witness the horrors of the cross, but Jesus knows they require one last grace-filled lesson before experiencing Calvary’s terror.

Throughout his public ministry, Jesus shows a fondness for the mountains of Palestine. He goes to the mountains to pray, to instruct, and in the end, to die on Calvary. But Jesus visits these hills for the same reason as did Abraham, Moses, and David – because their summits are holy. Throughout history the Father of creation chose to gather his chosen people in a mountain setting to receive their prayers and sacrifices, and to reveal to them his wise and loving care.

In this scene at the Transfiguration, Jesus adds Mount Tabor to the highest rank of those holy peaks of Israel. For on Mount Tabor, Jesus reveals to his chosen disciples the glory of his divinity by allowing it to shine in a brief instant through his transfigured humanity. Their entire surroundings change, and without leaving this world, they are participants in a glimpse of the kingdom to come. Mount Tabor’s highest honor would only later be eclipsed by that of Calvary.

As we contemplate this scene, we can appreciate how on Mount Tabor all the elements of the future kingdom are present. First of all, the apostles experience the Blessed Trinity as they hear the Father’s voice along with the bright cloud of the Holy Spirit announcing Jesus’ favored status. Secondly, present along with the divine communion of the Blessed Trinity is Holy Israel in the figures of Moses and Elijah who converse with the apostles. They announce the favored status of the chosen people through the acknowledgement of Jesus as the fulfillment of their messianic hope. And finally, the Church is present in the person of the apostles themselves as they represent the new and universal people of God, formed just prior to Pentecost in the presence of Jesus, Mary and the apostles. What an incredible experience!

This past weekend at the coffee hour, a parishioner shared with me his belief that the Transfiguration is one of the most powerful manifestations of our faith as Catholic Christians. And indeed, it is. For in the scene of the Transfiguration, the disciples witness what we will experience in heaven: both the old and new people of God brought graciously into communion with the Blessed Trinity.

If we meditate on the Transfiguration, we can fully appreciate why Peter, James, and John did not want to leave the mountain. For perhaps in just a moment at this encounter, they witness themselves already in heaven! But only for a moment, because Calvary still awaits them.

Thanks be to God!

Deacon Ray

August 6, 2017 Feast of the Transfiguration

1355 Hatch Road Webster, NY 14580 (585) 671-5520

www.ChurchofHolySpiritWebster.org

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The Sanctuary Candle will burn in memory this week for

Peggy Zornow

by family

Newly Baptized:

Gabriella Marie Rizzo Adeline Josephine Kron

Last Week’s Stats:

Donations: $7302 Total Attendance: 615

Confirmation

Have a student going into the 8th grade? Don’t forget to sign them up for our Confirmation prep program! Why is confirmation important? It is usually the last of the three sacraments of Initiation that we, as Catholics receive, sealing us in the Holy Spirit and strengthening us on our Christian journey. Without Confirmation, we are missing a major tool that God has given us on our pathway to Him. In accordance with the Diocese of Rochester, Confirmation prep is a 2-year program in which candidates deepen their knowledge and love of their Catholic Faith through retreats, classes, service, sacraments, and community. For more information or to register your student, please go to our parish website under Sacraments/Confirmation-prep or contact Rebecca Olek at [email protected] or 585-671-5520.

Faith Formation

Registration for all next year's classes is now open on the Parish Website. Please consider enrolling your child in the following programs:

Family Faith Home Program: Grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. The fee for this program is $45.

First Reconciliation and First Communion: For those entering Second Grade and up. The fee for this program is $45.

Confirmation: For those enter ing 8th grade - this is a two year program. The fee for this program is $45.

For those interested in weekly Faith Formation Classes, these will continue to be provided through St. Joseph's Church in Penfield for the 2017-2018 school year.

All fees go to cover the programs books and materials. Please contact Rebecca Olek at [email protected] or 585.671.5520 if you have any questions.

Yard Sale August 12, 2017

Incarnation Episcopal Church Corner Whalen and Five Mile

Line Road 9am - 2pm

Do you have STUFF around your house that you’d be willing to donate? Do you have toys, kitchen stuff, small furniture, lawn stuff, tools, dishes, pots/pans, sports equipment, lamps, appliances, you name it we’ll take it!

PLEASE NO ELECTRONICS or ITEMS OVER 40 POUNDS.

We will come and pick up your stuff between August 7th and August 11th. Contact Mike Schifano at [email protected]

Question: W hat is Stewardship?

Answer: W hile a definition certainly cannot explain all there is to stewardship, it can provide direction for our work in this important area of the Church.

"Stewardship is based on the spiritual principles of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus; and where it has been implemented, both givers' and receivers' lives have been changed. Stewardship is a way of life, a way of thanking God for all our blessings by returning a portion of the time, talent and treasure allotted to us. Stewardship engenders a spirituality that deepens our relationship with the Lord. Stewardship involves intentional, planned and proportionate giving of our time, talent and treasure. Stewardship addresses both individual parishioners as well as parishes themselves."

God is Talking....Are YOU Listening?

September 15th - 17th, 2017~~Women's Retreat September 22nd - 24th, 2017~~Men's Retreat

There is still time to register. Topic is: "Prayer: How can we move from saying prayers to truly living a prayerful life?" For more information or to register, please contact Roseanne Hazard at 585-872-5692 for the Women’s Retreat; Joe Sakmyster at 585-671-2651 for the Men’s Retreat or Nancy Lynch at 585-394-5700 for either one.

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Liturgical Assignments for August 13, 2017

Saturday 4:30 PM Sunday 8:30 AM Sunday 11:00 AM

Presider Fr. Jim Schwartz Fr. Jim Schwartz Fr. Jim Schwartz

Altar Servers Matteo Capezzuto Vincenzo Capezzuto David Lynch

Gabriel Calcagno Jerry marchand Christina Veloski

John Keenan Cassidy Kress John Sheba

Lectors Andrew DeLuca Michael DeLuca

Joe DePaolis John Marchand

Bill Keenan Mary Reardon

Communion Ministers

Barb Lamendola Roger Miller Mark Poore Barb Trottier Andrea Zanowick

Michel Cassagnol John Fraysier Jamie Gudyka Jeff Rembold John Veloski

Joe Aschenbrenner Susan Fay Lori Klafehn Phil Latulipe Cecilia Samikkannu

Greeters Brian Weaver Gary Hosenfeld

Chris Rembold Mike Schifano

Bill Kelley Nick Meleca

Ushers

Joe Aschenbrenner Gary Hosenfeld Tony Costanza Mark Poore John Donato Ralph Dimmick Dan Cupido Vinnie Pellegrino

Mike Schifano Mike Cunningham Tom Gervasi Jim Britz Joe DePaolis Dick Berardini Dirk Keymel Peter DelGiorno

Angelo Magagnoli Ron Maggio Joanne Andresky Dan Calendo John Fallon Phil Latulipe Roger Hazard

OUR LADY OF FATIMA INDULGENCE

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the apparitions in Fatima, Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence opportunity throughout the entire year. “To the faithful who visit with devotion a statue of

Our Lady of Fatima solemnly exposed for public veneration in any church,

oratory or proper place during the days of the anniversary of the apparitions, the 13th of each

month from May to October 2017, and there devoutly participate in some celebration or prayer

in honor of the Virgin Mary.” The faithful must: * pray the Our Father, recite the Creed and invoke Our Lady of Fatima. To obtain any plenary indulgence, one must also: *Go to confession (20 days before or after) *Receive Holy Communion *Be interiorly detached from all sin *Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father The statue and suggested prayers will be available in the church on the 13th of each month.

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Readings for the Week of August 6, 2017 Sunday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14/Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9/2 Pt 1:16-19/

Mt 17:1-9 Monday: Nm 11:4b-15/Ps 81:12-17/Mt 14:13-21 Tuesday: Nm 12:1-13/Ps 51:3-7, 12-13/Mt 14:22-36 or 15:1

-2, 10-14 Wednesday: Nm 13:1-2, 25--14:1, 26-29a, 34-35/Ps 106:6

-7ab, 13-14, 21-23/Mt 15:21-28 Thursday: 2 Cor 9:6-10/Ps 112:1-2, 5-9/Jn 12:24-26 Friday: Dt 4:32-40/Ps 77:12-16, 21/Mt 16:24-28 Saturday: Dt 6:4-13/Ps 18:2-4, 47, 51/Mt 17:14-20 Next Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a/Ps 85:9-14/Rom 9:1-5/

Mt 14:22-33

Mass Intentions for the Week Monday 8/7 - Weekday 9:00am † Fr. Michael Costanzo by Ralph Palmer

Tuesday 8/8 - St Dominic, Priest 9:00am † Ed Matuck by wife

Wednesday 8/9 - Weekday 9:00am † Fr. Michael Costanzo by Rosetta & Lee

Campanella

Thursday 8/10 - St Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr 9:00am † Vincent Rutigliano by family

Friday 8/11 - St Clare, Virgin 9:00am † Fr. Michael Costanzo by Robert & Joanne

Way

8:00pm Rosary and Holy Hour

Saturday 8/12 - Weekday 8:30am † Joseph Fiore by Ann Marie Gaffney

4:30pm † Michelle Collins by Ricky & Barbara Trottier

Sunday 8/13 - 8:30am † Carmel Caruana by Willing Family

11:00am † Vincent Rutigliano by family and All the Parishioners of Holy Spirit

Parish Information Mailing Address . . 1355 Hatch Road, Webster, NY 14580

Office Hours . . . . Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm

Phone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585-671-5520

Email.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Fax . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585-671-7262

Website . . . . . . . . . www.ChurchofHolySpiritWebster.org

Facebook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ChurchofHolySpiritWebster

Pastor: Rev. James Schwartz . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Parochial Vicar: Rev. Justin Miller

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Pastoral Associate: Deacon Ray Garbach

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Financial Director: Patrick Vogt . . [email protected]

Secretary: Shari Magagnoli . . . [email protected]

IT/Maintenance: Marc Magagnoli

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Director of Music: Gabriel Pellegrino

. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Faith Formation/Youth Minister: Rebecca Olek

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Parish Council: Bill Keenan . . . . [email protected]

Knights of Columbus: John Veloski

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil: 4:30pm

Sunday: 8:30am and 11:00am

Weekday: Monday - Friday 9:00am, Saturday 8:30am

Rosary: W eekdays at 8:30am , Sat. after 8:30am

Mass, and Sunday before 8:30am Mass

Adoration Schedule Monday: 2:00 - 9:00pm, Our Mother of Perpetual Help

Devotion 8:00pm

Tuesday: 9:30am - 9:00pm

Wednesday: 9:30am - 4:00pm

Thursday: 3:00 - 9:00pm

Friday: 9:30am - 9:00pm, Divine Mercy Devotion

3:00pm and Holy Rosary Hour 8:00pm

Saturday: 8:30am - 2:30pm

Sunday: 2:00 - 9:00pm

Sacraments Confessions: Saturday 2:45pm - 4:00pm

Weddings: Notify the Office at least 9 m onths

prior to the wedding date.

Baptisms: Notify the office at least one m onth

before desired date.

Church of the Holy Spirit

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