Congrats: Grace Amelia Swift was baptized March 13, 2011. Below, Laticia holds Grace over the baptismal font to be baptized while Brian Venua and Walter Reynolds altar serve. For more about the baptism CLICK HERE.
Thanx Anthony and Walter: Anthony and Walter Reynolds have been donating their time and talent to help around the Church. This past week they took home a chalice and the metal tops placed on the altar candles. The brought them back this week all shined up. They also took home last year’s palms to burn and crush for Ash Wednesday next year. Thank you two for your generous donation of time and talent. Both Anthony and Walter plan to be confirmed May 29, 2011.
Transfiguration: The second Sunday of Lent highlights the Transfiguration. During the Transfiguration Jesus became bright as light. At some point in our lives we have experienced a transfiguration. It is when something so spiritually profound happened in your life that made you know, without a doubt, that there was a God. Please see the Homily about Penance below.
Confirmation: The Archbishop’s office emailed me this week and told me the Archbishop will be here in Bristol Bay Memorial Weekend. We have several people to be confirmed. I ask that those to be confirmed at Holy Rosary be sure they will be in town Sunday, May 29, at 12:30 PM for the confirmation service. The confirmation for Saint Theresa in King Salmon will be Saturday, May 28 at noon.
IMPORTANT: Those to be confirmed, by March 20, must have a letter written to the Archbishop and a sponsor. Let me know is I can help with this. Fr. Scott.
First Communion: First Communion will be with the Archbishop at 12:30 PM, May 29, 2011 at Holy Rosary and Noon, May 28, 2011 at Saint Theresa in King Salmon.
Around the Mission: Please CLICK HERE for a summary of my travels this past week.
Scrutiny: The first scrutiny will be during mass on the 3rd Sunday in Lent. All those to be confirmed, with their sponsors, should attend. They will be called forward for the Scrutiny. There are three scrutinies, which are bestowed the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent.
Terminology for Adults in RCIA:
Catechumen: Refers to the un-baptized. These people are seeking full communion into the church, i.e. baptism, confirmation, first communion
Candidate: Refers to a baptized Christian, not necessarily baptized Catholic. These people are seeking Confirmation and First Communion.
The Elect: Refers to both the Catechumens and the Candidates for RCIA.
Terminology for Catholic Teens:
Not Really Named: Because it is the normal route to confirmation, a teenager, baptized Catholic, and who has celebrated First Communion, does not really have a special name except maybe, “those to be confirmed.”
Have a fantastic week and see you Sunday...Fr. Scott
Homily and Readings
2nd Lent Sun A DLG 2011, Mtn Gen 12:1-4; 2 Tim 1:8-10; Mat 17:1-9
When I was in middle school my friend Tedd invited me to climb the South Sister in Oregon. It is part of the Cascade range. We got up early, drove for about 40 minutes, and started out in the dark. Tedd’s dad brought a packsack. We traded off carrying it. By the time we got close to the top of the mountain, the pack was getting heavy. We wondered, What was in this thing?
We all finally reach the top and the pack was opened up. Tedd’s dad had included a bottle of Champaign, for himself and his lawyer friend. Tedd and I were too young to even drink it. The two men celebrated the beauty of the view and the exhilaration they experienced during the climb.
Climbing a mountain is transforming. It brings one closer to God, literally. It is spiritual to be up on top a huge mountain. All of God’s creation is out before you. It is awe-inspiring.
In the bible, great things happen on mountains. In fact, Jesus and Moses have life changing experiences on mountaintops. Although life changing, there experiences are a bit different.
Moses goes up Mount Sinai alone. Jesus climbs Mount Tabor and takes companions with him who share in the experience. The face of God is hidden from Moses. Jesus is given to us as the face of God for the world.
On My. Sinai, Moses receives a code of law and is told to make sure the people obey it. On Mt. Tabor, Jesus receives a proclamation of God’s love and we are told to listen to him. While Moses’ face shines, Jesus’ whole body is transfigured with light. Moses descends the mountain to enforce the law; Jesus comes down to die that we might live.
The God who came to Moses on Mount Sinai wanted us to fulfill the letter of the law. The God who came to us on Mount Tabor wants us to have hearts that listen to the gospel of love.
By listening to the gospel of love and by opening our hearts to the Holy Spirit, we gain the power to transform the world. That is what sacrifice is about during lent. It is not suppose to be a grim season of self-denial. It is about sacrificing for forty days so we can grow more deeply in love with the God who loves us.
The penance we receive during confession is meant to help us sort out what really matters. Does everyone remember what penance is? Penance repairs certain damages that our sins have caused, such as restoring the reputation of someone we have injured, returning money that we have stolen, or rectifying an injustice. During Lent, Penance is intended to cast some light in the darkness of our lives. It is meant to focus on the relationship that gives meaning and purpose for this world and the next.
Sunday Mass is meant to be a weekly mountaintop experience for us. On this weekly mountain, we hear God call us by name and confess his love for us. It is a place to be re-energized. That energy transfigures us…it makes us brighter. During Mass, we not only climb up the Mountain, we receive the tools and faith to actually move mountains (545 Words).
Genesis 12:1-4
The LORD said to Abram: "Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you. "I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you. Abram went as the LORD directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
2 Timothy 1:8-10
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Matthew 17:1-9
After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
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