February
17, 2007
Who
are you wearing?
Financial
Report
It’s been a year since we lost the revenue from the rental of
our convent building. We believe we’re very close to signing a
new tenant so keep those prayers coming! Despite the loss of $18,000
a month, we (meaning you!!) pulled off a financial miracle this past
year. Our 2006-07 Parish Financial report is printed in the center of
this week’s bulletin. and online
here.It’s an encouraging thing to read.
Mardi
Gras
Our
Mardi Gras was a marvelous success with over 400 in attendance.
Thanks to Vince Buzzeo and his dedicated planning team for producing
a night filled with fun, food, faith, friendship and family.
Thanks too to all who donated food, prizes and other services to make
the evening a financial success too.
e-mail Father Ralph:
Past
Columns:
February 10: Just Say No
February 3: The Power of
the Cross
January 27: How I Turned
Out
January 20: Being Safer
January 13: Conversations
in 2008
January 6: Matthew's Magi
December 30: Matthew's
Magi
Christmas 2007
Homily
Columns from 2007
Columns
from 2005
Columns
from 2004
Columns
from 2003
Columns from 2002
Last
week we put up our first symbol
to remind us of the gospel where Jesus rejects sin and Satan and where
we do the same in our baptismal vows. (I got a chuckle out of the different
“interpretations” people had of the symbol -- no, it wasn’t
a “no cell phone” sign!!)
This week’s symbol is a “white garment”.
In the transfiguration, the gospel tells us that Jesus’ clothes
“became white as light.” And in the baptismal rite, children
are clothed in white garments. Here is what the priest or deacon says
when acknowledging this garment:
‘You have become a new creation, and
have clothed
yourselves in Christ. See in this white garment the
outward sign of our Christian dignity. With your family
and friends to help you by word and example, bring that
dignity unstained into everlasting life.”
Leaving a garment unstained is
of course a challenge. When we put on a fresh clean shirt it almost seems
that pasta sauce or grape juice want to find that fresh garment! The devil
has a way of trying to mess us up too. For example, how are your Lenten
practices going so far? Did you get “messed up” yet? If so,
the devil wants to tempt you to give up. “Oh well, there’s
always next year!,” the tempter tells us.
But the story of the transfiguration
is about the Father strengthening his Son for the trials that are yet
to come. Jesus literally “glows” in the love of the Father.
He’s strengthened to come down the mountain to face his eventual
arrest, trial, and death. Jesus maintains his “dignity unstained”
despite the horrific ways he’s treated. This is a story that strengthens
us too as we live out our baptism. No matter what the trials ahead, we
know we are clothed in the same Christ who will get us to our resurrection.
Clothe yourself again in Christ this week.
