Transfiguration Parish

  We  are a Catholic community united by love, illuminated by the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We gather as a People of God seeking unity through the Holy Spirit to Worship through the Sacred Liturgy, Prayer and Sacraments, and to proclaim the Christian message which promotes Justice, Reconciliation and Service through Evangelization, Faith Formation and Discipleship

Transfiguration Parish is committed to continual growth in the Catholic Faith through a lifelong union with Jesus Christ, and in service to others through the ministry of the Church. We spread the Good News of His love and promote His Word through evangelization, education, reflection, and daily witness. As faithful stewards we pledge to direct and develop the spiritual, human, financial, and material resources of the Church. We respond to His love with gratitude and prayer, with compassion-ate service, generous sharing, reconciliation and equality for all.

Transfiguration Parish – South Site, Speigletown (Administrative Offices)
50 Hillview Drive, Troy, NY 12182
Phone: 518-235-0337
Fax: 518-235-8726
Office Hours: Monday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

Transfiguration Parish – North Site –
17 South Main Street, Schaghticoke, NY 12154
Phone: 518-753-4554  
Fax: 518-753-0456
Office Hours: Monday and Thursday,  9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Friday - Closed

Parish Life Director:
Deacon Christopher Keough
Deacon_Chris@transfigurationparish.net

Assisting Priest:
Fr. Dominic Ingemie:
dingemie1@nycap.rr.com

Deacon Charles Valenti: Deacon_Charlie@transfigurationparish.net

General Office Inquiries: general_office@transfigurationparish.net

Office Support:
Mary Clemente M.Clemente@transfigurationparish.net

Bonnie Coraldi:  B.Coraldi@transfigurationparish.net

Bulletin:  B.Coraldi@transfigurationparish.net

Baptismal Preparation: (contact office )
Phone: 518-235-0337 (So.Site)
Phone: 518-753-4554  (No. Site)
general_office@transfigurationparish.net

Director of Religious Education:      E.Thayer@transfigurationparish.net

Parish Nursing and Pastoral Care: P.Hebert@transfigurationparish.net

Special Activities and Fundraising: E.DeBonis@transfigurationparish.net

Knights of Columbus:
Bryan Purtell, Grand Knight
BryanP78@hotmail.com

• Alzheimer's Suport Group
• A Rosary Ministry
• Two by Two Faith Action Team
• Parish Nursing Program
• Prayer Chain Tree

WELCOME

No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church; no matter what your current family and martial situation; no matter what your personal history, age, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, physical condition; no matter what your self-image; you are invited, No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church; no matter what your current family and martial situation; no matter what your personal history, age, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, physical condition; no matter what your self-image; you are invited, welcome, accepted, loved, and respected here at Transfiguration Parish.

The site of the Saturday Mass will alternate each month.
In December it will be in Schaghticoke the entire month.
In January the Mass will be in Speigletown.

 
                 Saturday Vigil Mass – 4:00 PM (Alternate Sites by Month)
                        Sunday Masses – 8:30 AM in Schaghticoke
                                                       10:15 AM in Speigletown

  Tuesday Communion Service – 9:00 AM in Schaghticole
Thursday Communion Service – 9 AM in Speigletown
     

“Confession is an act of honesty and courage, and act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.”

– St. Pope John Paul II

     JESUS PRAYER
 

     In his homily for the first Sunday of Advent, Father Ingemie mentioned a couple of things that I want to comment further on. The first is the Little Blue Books that we have available again this year for Advent and Christmas. I began using the Little Blue Books many years ago when Patricia and I were still living in Vermont. For me, the books are a wonderful addition to my morning-prayer routine. Father mentioned the phrase that is on the bottom of nearly every reflection page, “Spend some quiet time with the Lord.”

     That phrase, “Spend some quiet time with the Lord,” leads me to the other suggestion Father Ingemie mentioned in his homily. He spoke about what he called, “Oasis” moments of time when we are not actively busy, such as me on Black Friday standing in line at Kohl’s for nearly an hour waiting to check out.  Yes, I certainly did wonder if I was crazy waiting in line for such a long time, but it did not occur to me that this would have been a wonderful “Oasis” moment when I could have recited a mantra to Jesus, a phrase which Father called a “Jesus Prayer.” I thought I could offer some possible “Jesus Prayers” for your “Oasis” moments.

    “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me” – This is the Jesus Prayer Father Ingemie offered in his homily. It is a wonderful way to recognize our need for Christ’s mercy and forgiveness with a simple prayer of penance. All of us are in need of Jesus’ merciful love which flows upon us whenever we take the time to turn to Him in prayer.
“Come Lord Jesus, Come” – This is perhaps the most appropriate Jesus Prayer for the Advent Season as we prayerfully anticipate Jesus coming into our lives. This mantra recognizes the Jesus who came into the world nearly two thousand, nineteen years ago in the little town of Bethlehem. “Come Lord Jesus, Come” also invites Jesus into our lives today and every day as we recognize the risen Jesus who walks with us every moment of our lives. Finally, “Come Lord Jesus, Come” waits in prayerful anticipation of the second coming of Jesus at the end of time when our salvation will be fulfilled.

    “My Lord and My God” – This Jesus prayer are the words St. Thomas spoke to Jesus when Jesus appeared to the apostles the second time after his resurrection. We remember Thomas who was not present when Jesus first appeared, and how he would not believe Jesus had risen as he exclaimed, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” I repeat Thomas’ words to myself at every Mass during the consecration when the priest elevates the body and blood of Jesus, “My Lord and My God.”  
 
    Jesus Prayer mantras are often associated with contemplative prayer when a person attempts to block out all worldly concerns, and just silently open their minds and heart to Jesus in prayer. The mantra is repeated over and over to Jesus as the individual tries to eliminate all distractions, and just be with Jesus. We are all well aware of the many distractions added to our lives during the month of December, so maybe this Advent is a good time to block out everything else, and “Spend some quiet time with the Lord. God bless.

God Bless   

Deacon Chris 

Advent Prayer

Heavenly father, your Son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us, a great sign of your love.

Guide us as we strive to walk in that love together as a parish family this Advent.

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, bring us closer to each other and to your Son. 

Give us the grace and strength we need every day. Help us to always trust in you.
 
Lord Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts.

As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us.

Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter.

May our hearts be open to you, Jesus.
Amen.

The Daily Prayer for PriestsThe Daily Prayer for Priests

By St. Therese of the Child Jesus

O Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests;
For your unfaithful and tepid priest;
For your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields.
For your tempted priests;
For your lonely and desolate priests;
For your young priests;
For the souls of your priests in Purgatory.
But above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me:
The priest who baptized me;
The priests who absolved me from my sins;
The priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion;
The priests who taught and instructed me;
All the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way (especially …)
O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart,
And bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.

Amen.

I found this in a book written by Father Ronald Rolheiser titled, “Sacred Fire, A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity.”  This begins chapter six in the book which is titled, “Drawing Strength From Prayer.”  I think it is worth sharing.
 

Deacon Chris

The Difference
 
By Grace L. Naessens
 
I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish, I didn’t have time to pray.
 
Problems just tumbled about me and grew heavier with each task;
Why doesn’t God help me, I wondered; He answered, “You didn’t ask.”
 
I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn’t show me – He said, “But you didn’t seek.”
 
I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock;
God gently and lovingly chided, “My child, you didn’t knock.”
 
I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

Prayer for Persecuted Christians
 
O God of all the nations,
the One God who is and was and always will be,
in your providence you willed that your Church
be united to the suffering of your Son.
Look with mercy on your servants
who are persecuted for their faith in you.
Grant them perseverance and courage
to be worthy imitators of Christ.
Bring your wisdom upon leaders of nations
to work for peace among all peoples.
May your Spirit open conversion
for those who contradict your will,
that we may live in harmony.
Give us the grace to be united in truth and freedom,
and to always seek your will in our lives.
 
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us!

     I found this in the book, “Everything Starts from Prayer, St. Mother Teresa’s Meditations on Spiritual Life for People of All Faiths.”  In the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta:     

     “Wherever they are, the Missionaries of Charity start the day’s work with the same prayer from their community prayer book: 
 

Dear Lord, the Great Healer, I kneel
before you, since every perfect gift
must come from you.  I pray, give skill to
my hands, clear vision to my mind,
kindness and meekness to my heart.
Give me singleness of purpose, strength
to lift up a part of the burden of my
suffering fellowmen, and a realization
of the privilege that is mine.  Take from
my heart all guile and worldliness, that
with the simple faith of a child, I may
Rely on you.
Amen. 

 
A good prayer to start our days.  God bless   
 

Deacon Chris  

Last summer, Bishop Edward Scharfenberger announced the launching of the “Re-Igniting Our Faith Campaign.” The purpose of the campaign is to help strengthen our parishes for the future. In the coming weeks there will be more informa-tion and opportunities for every household within our parish to hear about the campaign. The funds raised will focus on the needs of our parish, as well as some diocesan-wide initiatives, mainly being, support of the priests’ retirement, increased vocations, and addressing new innovative ways of promoting evangelization within our parish and in our community.
    We hope that every parishioner will take the time to learn about the campaign to help fulfill our parish mission and vision.
    Recently a letter from Deacon Keough was mailed to every registered family/parishioner at our parish introducing the “Re-Igniting Our Faith Campaign.” More information will follow regarding this exciting opportunity to benefit our parish and its programs.
    For more information on the overall campaign, please visit the “Re-Igniting Our Faith” Foundation’s website: https://re-ignitingourfaith.org/

The Sacrament of the Sick conveys several graces and imparts the gifts of the strengthening of the Holy Spirit against anxiety and fear for those who are ill or who for those who have the potential for illness (e.g. the elderly). IT IS NOT ONLY FOR THOSE AT THE POINT OF DEATH. If you or a loved one would need the benefits of this great Sacrament, please contact the Parish Offices or any of the Parish Clergy to make arrangements.

FIRST RECONCILIATION
December 15 at 10am in Speigletown


CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

The Christmas Pageant will be presented on December 24 at the 4:00 Mass in Speigletown. Children in grades K – 3 are invited to participate in the pageant, youth in grades 4 and up participate in the choir.
Practice will be at 7:00PM at Speigletown on Thursdays  December 6, 13, and 20. All participants will need to be at the Speigletown site December 24 by 3:15.
If you have any questions, please contact Beth Thayer at 235-0337.  
 

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY

All new and improved this year!
The Children’s Christmas Party
December 9th 2:30 - 4:30PM
Games, Crafts and more!
 
Everyone and anyone is welcome!!!!
A fun day for all your relatives, friends & neighbors

FAITH FORMATION

Faith Formation Sessions for 2018 – 2019 have begun. If you have not yet registered it is not too late! See Beth Thayer after the 8:30 or 10:15 Mass to register your child. If you have questions call Beth at 518 235 0337.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a program to assist the youngest members of our congregation in hearing the Word of God. This program is open to children who are
Pre-K, K and First Grade age. When a child is in the Second Grade they need to be fully participating in the Mass as they are preparing for First Eucharist.
 

CAN AND BOTTLE DRIVE CONTINUES

Thank you for your continued support of our Bottle and Can Drive. Please consider asking neighbors and family members to collect for our youth ministry. 

Thank you for support in the past and your continued support in the future.
Contact Beth Thayer 235-0337 or e.thayer@transfigurationparish.net

          As you know, the Church is experiencing a shortage of priests. As a result, there have been times when priests have not been available to celebrate Saturday Vigil Masses or Sunday Masses. 
   
          In order to address the needs of the faithful in light of the shortage of priests, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has approved a liturgy known as the Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest. This liturgy is based on the Liturgy of the Hours which has been prayed by the faithful for centuries and it includes the regular Mass readings. It may also include the distribution of the Holy Communion, depending on availability of consecrated hosts. It is important to note that the Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest fulfills the obligation of the faithful to attend the Saturday Vigil or Sunday Mass. This liturgy can be conducted not only by a deacon, but also by a trained layperson.    

          While the Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest liturgy is not a Mass, it is a practical solution to the priest shortage. Yet it is more than that. This liturgy is another opportunity for the laity to share their gifts and talents with others. It is another opportunity for the laity to fulfill the privileges and responsibilities which they assumed at their baptism. The Church has been enriched by the many ways the laity has taken part in the life of the Church.   
 
          Attending a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest may not be as spiritually fulfilling as attending a Mass, but we must accept the fact it is a part of our prayer life in today's Church. Let us not forget that God is present in this liturgy, as well as He is in the Mass.
      
          Let us pray for an increase in vocations, but let us also pray that God sends His grace upon both clergy and laity during this time of challenge.