Newport - Fort Loramie Pastoral Region

St. Michael Church

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Book Study Weds. mornings 10:15 am St. Mike's Place
RCIA Tues. evenings 7 to 8:30 pm St. Mike's Place starting ...
Monday evenings 7 to 8:30 pm Starting Sept. 14 St. Mike's Place
Basics of the faith 11 weeks Starts Sept. 3, 6 to ...

A written message to all of you from Father Shoup

Fr. Steve’s message August 6

Happy Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

The Story of the Transfiguration of the Lord: All three Synoptic Gospels tell the story of the Transfiguration. With remarkable agreement, all three place the event shortly after Peter’s confession of faith that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus’ first prediction of his passion and death. Peter’s eagerness to erect tents or booths on the spot suggests it occurred during the week-long Jewish Feast of Booths in the fall.

According to Scripture scholars, in spite of the texts’ agreement it is difficult to reconstruct the disciples’ experience, because the Gospels draw heavily on Old Testament descriptions of the Sinai encounter with God, and prophetic visions of the Son of Man. Certainly Peter, James, and John had a glimpse of Jesus’ divinity strong enough to strike fear into their hearts. Such an experience defies description, so they drew on familiar religious language to describe it. And certainly, Jesus warned them that his glory and his suffering were to be inextricably connected—a theme John highlights throughout his Gospel.

Tradition names Mount Tabor as the site of the revelation. A church first raised there in the fourth century was dedicated on August 6. A feast in honor of the Transfiguration was celebrated in the Eastern Church from about that time. Western observance began in some localities about the eighth century.

On July 22, 1456, Crusaders defeated the Turks at Belgrade. News of the victory reached Rome on August 6, and Pope Callistus III placed the feast on the Roman calendar the following year.

Reflection: One of the Transfiguration accounts is read on the second Sunday of Lent each year, proclaiming Christ’s divinity to the Elect and baptized alike. The Gospel for the first Sunday of Lent, by contrast, is the story of the temptation in the desert—affirmation of Jesus’ humanity. The two distinct but inseparable natures of the Lord were a subject of much theological argument at the beginning of the Church’s history; it remains hard for believers to grasp.

Prayer: At the Transfiguration, Father, You showed Jesus in glory, a glimpse of what His disciples would see in His risen life. Bless us in our humanity, with an awareness of Your presence, leading us to share in Your divine life even in our daily struggle. Help us to deepen our knowledge of the Law and the Prophets, channels of Your grace throughout history, and signposts for our journey. Amen.

Information for you:

1. James Utz’s funeral mass is today at 10:30a at St. Michael Church. His brother, St. Michael parishioner, Mike, died yesterday afternoon. Mike’s funeral arrangements are pending at Gehret Funeral Home. Please keep both families in your prayers.

2. Ss. Peter & Paul Pastoral Council has voted to cancel the annual Turkey Festival this year. They are planning to have a raffle and carry out chicken dinner in place of the festival.

3. Week Day Masses: Tuesday 8:00a at Newport; Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 6:30p and Friday at 8:25a at Ft. Loramie. Confessions from 5:30p-6:00p on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday at Ft. Loramie.

4. Catechists are needed in St. Michael’s elementary and Jr. Hi. programs and in the Pastoral Region’s High School Program. Please call the parish religious education center and speak to Melissa Hoying or Wendy Gerstner regarding volunteering.

Newport - Fort Loramie Pastoral Region