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

DUE TO THE IMPENDING WINTER STORM WHICH IS FORECASTED TO BE SEVERE, MASSES SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY JANUARY 20, 2019 AT TRANSFIGURATION PARISH ARE CANCELLED.  THE SATURDAY VIGIL AT 4:00 PM IN SPEIGLETOWN WILL PROCEED AS SCHEDULED.

BISHOP SHARFENBERGER HAS DISPENSED THE FAITHFUL FROM THEIR OBLIGATION THIS SUNDAY.



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 January it will be in Speigletown the entire month.
In February 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

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

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

– Martin Luther King

MINISTERING IN TIMES  SPIRITUAL DISTRESS
 

     On Saturday January 12, Patricia and I attended a workshop at the Pastoral Center that was offered through the Diocesan Office of Pastoral Care. The topic for the workshop was, “Ministering in Times of Spiritual Distress,” and the presenters were Father Joseph Mali and Sister Kitty Hanley. The workshop was attractive because the subject matter was certainly relevant to our times, and we had both heard Sister Kitty before and knew she is an excellent speaker and teacher. We had not heard Father Mali before, but learned that he is also an excellent presenter.
 
     At first glance, one might think that the title of the workshop might indicate that it should be attended only by clergy or professional people. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Ministering in times of spiritual distress is for all of us as disciples of Christ who are called to spread the good news and care for one another. It is a ministry of loving service when we ask a sister or brother in Christ, “What do you want me to do for you?” I want to share some of the notes I took during the workshop.
 
     Father Mali started his talk by telling us that during times of crisis or spiritual distress we have to look into the darkness to find hidden treasures. We need to find a way to turn spiritual distress into a blessing. Father used St. Teresa of Calcutta as a perfect example. Mother Teresa looked into the darkness to find the hidden treasures of the poorest of the poor in India. Amid the sickness, poverty, and desolation of the slums of Calcutta, St. Teresa of Calcutta found blessings from God.
 
     Father Mali also give us a wonderful reminder to call upon our inner strength and faith in God who is always with us. We need to be active listeners, not only listening to what a person is saying, but also observing what their body language might be saying without words. Father cautioned us not to impose our own life experience on another, but to try to enter into their space and make an emotional connection with them without judging them.
 
     Sister Kitty spoke to us about the meaning of the word distress. It comes from a Latin word which means, “to pull apart.” Spiritual distress can separate us or pull us apart from the love of God and one another. Sister talked about two situations, consolation and desolation. Consolation comes during those wonderful times when we unequivocally know that God is present to us. What should we do during times of consolation? Sister Kitty said we should enjoy it! Rejoice that God is with us!
 
     Times of desolation are times of spiritual distress. It is times when we do not feel God’s presence or God’s love in our lives. What should we do during times of desolation? Sister told us we have to hang in, hang on, and endure. We should not try to, “pretty it up” and know that we have to name our desolation and face it with faith in God. Ministering in times of spiritual distress involves ministering with great love. Whenever there is great love, hope can be born again.
 
   I share words Sister Kitty opened her talk with as we prepared to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord that weekend. Sister Kitty said, “By our Baptism we have been claimed by God. God will not, and cannot unclaim us.” It gives me great hope to know that I have been claimed by God. God has claimed you too. 

    God Bless.
   Deacon Chris 

 
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  

YOUNG CHRUCH MASS
January 27 at 6:30 pm in Speigletown
Grades 7– 10

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

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.

          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.