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.

“Do not forget that true love sets no conditions; it does not calculate or complain, but simply loves.”

St. Pope John Paul II

THE GAZE OF MERCY

     I have just finished reading a fascinating book titled, “The Gaze of Mercy, A Commentary on Divine and Human Mercy.” The book was written by Father Raniero Cantalamessa who some of you will recognize as the preacher to the papal household, a position he was appointed to by Pope St. John Paul II in 1980. Father Cantalamessa provided me with a new perspective on the mercy of God, which begins with God’s unconditional love for His creation.
Of course, we all know Jesus is the Son of God who became incarnate and made His dwelling among us. Father Cantalamessa discusses the gaze of Jesus as it pertains to Jesus’ encounters with Matthew and Zacchaeus. Now, we know that Matthew and Zacchaeus were both tax collectors, and it is safe to say tax collectors were among the most despised by the Hebrew people. From the scriptures, we know that Zacchaeus oppressed the people by over-taxing them for his own profit, and we can assume St. Matthew did the same.
     Father Cantalamessa stresses that Jesus openly called Zacchaeus and Matthew even though, in the eyes of the Jewish hierarchy, they were considered unclean, sinners Jesus should not associate with. Father remarked upon the gaze of Jesus, which I suggest was Jesus looking directly into their eyes and into their very souls with His unconditional love and mercy. Can you just imagine that gaze of Jesus? Perhaps you can. It is the very same gaze of Jesus that looks into our eyes and souls in the sacrament of reconciliation. The unconditional love and mercy of God!
     The Gospel of Luke gives us another example of the loving gaze of Jesus in the chapter on St. Peter’s denial of Jesus. After Peter denied knowing Jesus for the third time, St. Luke writes, “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.” Jesus gazed at Peter with the love and mercy he gives us all. It is not a gaze of condemnation, but a gaze of unconditional love.
      What do we do with Jesus’ gaze of mercy and love? We share it with others! May we always live our lives in The Beatitudes found in chapter five of Matthew’s Gospel, and may we focus today on the Beatitude that proclaims, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

God Bless   

Deacon Chris 

“RE-IGNITING OUR FAITH CAMPAIGN”
 

    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/

 

RE-IGNITING OUR FAITH CAMPAIGN RECEPTIONS

There are four receptions scheduled in October to give parishioners information about the “Re-Igniting Our Faith Campaign.” The sessions will provide an outline for the campaign along with information regarding the use of the funds raised during the campaign. Seventy percent of all the money raised will be returned to Transfiguration Parish. All registered parishioners/families will be provided a packet of information to help them prayerfully consider the level of their participation. The Receptions are scheduled for the following dates:

 
   Saturday, October 6 after the 4:00 pm Mass in Schaghticoke
   Sunday, October 7 after the 10:15 am Mass in Speigletown
   Thursday, October 18 at 6:30 pm in Speigletown
   Tuesday, October 23 at 6:30 pm in Schaghticoke
 
   Please RSVP for the reception you will attend at 518-235-0337.

Sacrament of the Sick

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.
 

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  

2018 BISHOP’S APPEAL
“SPREADING THE JOY OF THE
GOSPEL – IT STARTS WITH YOU!”

This Appeal supports all the vital ministries and programs through-out the Diocese of Albany. It is our opportunity to reach out in sup-port of all the people of God beyond the boundary of Transfiguration Parish. You can make a one-time gift or make a pledge that you can pay in installments throughout the year. Your gift directly helps our parish to pay its share of the important work of the diocese. Let us strive for 100% participation: not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice!

The 2018 Bishop’s Appeal is our opportunity to unite together as one Catholic family, to answer the challenge given to us by Jesus Christ to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the afflicted, and to promote justice for every person. In these next two weeks, please take the time to prayerfully reflect on the gifts that you have been given by God and respond to the Bishop’s Appeal as generously as you possibly can.

REMINDER

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

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

          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.
 

FAITH FORMATION REGISTRATION

Registration packets were handed out during the last few sessions. They can be placed in the collection basket in an envelope marked Faith Formation. If you need a new packet several have been placed at the entrances of the church, forms are available on the parish website, or call the office to have one sent 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 communion.

 
SPORTS SUNDAY
September 23 8:30 Mass

We will celebrate the athletic abilities of our parishioners. We are asking all the athletes of the parish young and old to wear their favorite team shirt to Mass. During the Mass there will be a blessing of the athletes followed by a hospitality hour in the hall. Invite all coaches and teammates to join us in asking God’s blessings on your athletic endeavors in the year to come.

 
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. Bags and notices will be available at all church entrances

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