saint john of god parish

SAINT JOHN OF GOD PARISH
84 Carleton Avenue * Central Islip, New York 11722
Phone: 234-6535 * Fax: 234-7474 * Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stjohnofgodparish.org
Rev. Christopher Nowak, Pastor
Pastoral Staff
Rev. Humberto Contreras, Associate Pastor
Sr. Valerie Scholl, CSJ, Pastoral Associate / Admin.
Dcn. Ronald J. Gillette
Sr. Claudia Allen, CSJ, Apostolado Hispano
Dcn. Frank Gariboldi
Mrs. Maggie Martin, Religious Education
Mrs. Patricia Walsh, Cemetery Secretary
Mrs. Ana Sullivan, Parish Social Ministry Coordinator
Mrs. Eleanor Gould, Music Ministry
Parish Center: 234-6535
Religious Education: 234-4040
Outreach Office: 234-1884
Cemetery Office: 234-6535 x135
Parish Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 9 AM – 2 PM
(Mass Cards)
Emergency Sick Calls Any Time
Sunday Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil: 5 PM Chapel
Sunday: 8 AM Church
9:30 AM Church
11:00 AM Chapel
Weekday Masses
Monday – Saturday:
9 AM Church
Devotions
Miraculous Medal Novena:
Monday at 9 AM Mass
Sacraments
Reconciliation: Saturday at 4:00 PM in the Church
or by appointment. Please call the Parish Center.
Baptism: 1st and 3rd Sunday at 2 PM. Parents must register
at the Parish Center at least 1 month before the baptism.
Marriage: Those wishing to be married must make arrangements
at least 6 months in advance. Call the Parish Center.
Our Lady of Providence Regional School
Pre-K (4 yrs.) through 8th Grade
234-1113 or 234-6324
www.olprov.org
Principal: Mrs. JoAnn DiNardo
March 20, 2011 
Apostolado Hispano
234-6535 x 106
Equipo Pastoral Que Habla Español
Rev. Christopher Nowak, Pastor
Rev. Humberto Contreras,
Pastor Asociado
Hna. Claudia Allen, CSJ
Sra. Ana Sullivan,
Ministerio Social
Misas En Español
Sábado: 7:00 PM Capilla
Domingo: 9:30 AM Capilla
12:30 PM Capilla
Martes: 7:30 PM Capilla
Sacramentos
Bautizos en Español:
2ndo y 4tro Domingo de cada mes, 2 PM Los padres de los niños
deben ir a la oficina antes de inscribirlos. Llame 234-6535 x 106
para una cita.
Confesiones: Los sábados a las 4:00 PM
Primera Comunión y Confirmación:
Niños de 6 hasta los 17años deben asistir a las clases de
Educación Religiosa de acuerdo a su edad. Llame: 234-4040
Sacramentos Para Los Adultos:
(18 años en adelante) Llame 234-6535 x 106 para más
información. Las clases para los adultos son los domingos a las
11 AM.
Matrimonio: Inscribirse 6 meses antes de la fecha de al boda.
Llame: 234- 6535 para hablar con un miembro del Equipo
Pastoral que habla español.
Nuestra Señora de la Providencia Escuela Católica
Pre-K (4 años) hasta 8vo grado
234-1113 o 234-6324
www.olprov.org
Principale: Mrs. JoAnn DiNardo
Second Sunday of Lent
Mass Intentions for the Week of March 20th:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
5:00PM
8:00AM
– 9:30AM
– 11:00AM
– In honor of B.V.M.
– Thomas Brennan
– Lorraine Lizama
– Patrick A. Murphy
– Giulio Bazzuro
– Mary & Joseph McDonough
– Norris J. Thompson
– Those Enrolled in the
Society of Prayer
– People of St. John of God
– William Leach
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday, March 21st –
Dn 9:4b-10; Lk 6:36-38
9:00AM – Daily Mass –
Tuesday, March 22nd –
Is 1:10,16-20; Mt 23:1-12
9:00AM – Daily Mass
7:30PM – Misa en Español – (Capilla)
STEWARDSHIP 2011
CHANGE
Lent is all about
change and change is
usually not easy. In order to
change we have to leave
something behind. Today we
hear about a very old man
who decides to answer God’s
call. Abram experiences a
tremendous amount of change when he leaves
everything behind, risking it all for God’s
promise. Jesus changes, is transfigured, right
before the eyes of his disciples. The Lenten
scriptures issue the call for us to change, to be
transfigured, so that we, too, will soon share in
the glory of God. What is it that the Lord is
asking us to leave behind? Are we willing to
take the risk for the promise made by God?
These questions are at the heart of the Lenten
journey of conversion.
Wednesday, March 23rd –
Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo, bishop
Jer 18:18-20; Mt 20:17-28
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LORD
Weekend of March 12th / 13th
9:00AM – Daily Mass –
2011 Sunday Collection
2010 Sunday Collection
Thursday, March 24th –
Jer 17:5-10; Lk 16:19-31
9:00AM – Daily Mass –
Friday, March 25th –
The Annunciation of the Lord
Is 7:10-14,8-10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38
9:00 AM – Daily Mass –
$ 7,993.00
$ 6,189.00
MASS ATTENDANCE
5:00PM (English)
—
117
7:00PM (Spanish)
—
112
8:00AM (English)
—
67
9:30AM (English)
—
92
9:30AM (Spanish)
—
345
11:00AM (English)
—
243
12:30PM (Spanish)
—
398
Saturday, March 26th –
Mi 7:14-15,18-20; Lk 15:1-3,11-32
9:00 AM – Daily Mass
5:00 PM – Vigil Mass
7:00 PM – Misa en Español
Restoring the Glory….
Sunday, March 27th – Third Sunday of Lent
Ex 17:3-7; Rom 5:1-2,5-8; Jn 4:5-42
8:00AM
9:30AM
9:30AM
11:00AM
12:30PM
– Mass – English
– Mass – English
– Misa en Español
– Mass – English
– Misa en Español
–
–
–
–
–
(Church)
(Church)
(Capilla)
(Chapel)
(Capilla)
to welcome…to worship…
to grow…to serve…
GIFTS OF TREASURE SHARED
Pledge Report:
$1,291,259.75
Total Paid to Date: $ 1,155,506.75
Balance:
$ 135,753.00
WE ARE SAINT JOHN OF GOD PARISH - COMMITTED TO FAITH, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY!
Bread & Wine Memorial for This Week:
In Loving Memory Of:
Mary & Joseph McDonough
Requested By:
Rose Brennan
ATTENTION ALL:
MASS TEAM CAPTAINS, LECTORS
and EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
For English Masses
SPECIAL MEETING
Remember in your thoughts and
prayers, the Sick of the Parish...
Caroline Acciarito
Joseph Acciarito
Jacob Aceiedo
Angelo Cristiano
Helen Boeke
William Campbell
Russell Carter
Sandy Comito
Gerri Eshun
Marie Ferdon
Ron Gillette II
Carol Hemmerich
Catherine Hennessy
Elaine O’Mara Hulbert
Karen Kelly
Eileen Lamanna
Kathleen Lamanna
Eddie Linz
Gerolyn Diaz Martinez
Judith McEvoy
Mike Meola, Sr.
Josh Mouzakes
Liz Mouzakes
Carmen Ramos
Janette D. Reilly
Grabiel Rivera
George Santiago
John Santiago
Marie Shay
Linda Smith
Stanley Tesoro
George Tintugo
Louis Vavosa
Joseph Vereline,Jr.
Mary Weber
Barbara Warfield
Timmy Warfield
Healthy Sunday
April 10, 2011
9AM to 12:30PM
Offering education and information
for your health and well-being
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE
AND DIABETES SCREENINGS
Our Lady of Providence School
Cafeteria
*Refreshments will be served*
631-465-6304
Saturday, April 9th—12 Noon
There will be a special meeting
for all Mass Team Captains.
Lectors and Eucharistic
Ministers in the Church.
Please make every effort to
attend.
Father Chris
CHOIR Rehearsal SCHEDULES:
Adult Choir Wednesday
7:30PM in the Chapel:
March 23rd
April 6th
April 13th
April 20th
April 27th
May 4th
May 11th**
May 8th
May 25th
June 1st
June 8th
June 15th
June 22nd
Children’s Choir Thursday
7:00-8:00PM in the Chapel
March 24th
March 31st
April 3rd Sing
April 7th
April 14th
April 21st**
April 28th
May 1st
May 5th
May 12th
May 19th
May 26th
June 2nd
June 5th
** NO REHEARSAL
Sing
Sing
Religious Education Office
Mrs. Maggie Martin, Director
Telephone: 631-234-4040-Email: [email protected]
Office hours for week of March 21:
Monday, Mar. 21
Tuesday, Mar. 22
Wednesday, Mar. 23
Thursday, Mar. 24:
Friday, Mar. 25:
Saturday, Mar. 26:
Sunday, Mar. 27:
1:00pm – 6:00pm
11:00am – 4:00pm
1:00pm – 6:00pm
CLOSED
CLOSED
10:00am – 12:30pm
CLOSED
Schedule of Classes: Week of March 21:
Mon., Mar. 21:
Level 8 7:00 – 8:15pm
RCIC 7:00 – 8:00pm
Regular Session/Chapel
Wed., Mar. 23:
Levels 1 – 7
4:45 – 6:00pm
& Regular Session/Chapel
Sat., Mar. 26:
Levels 1 – 7 & Miss Sandy
8:30–9:45am/10:30–11:45am
Regular Sessions/Chapel
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, March 23, 5:00pm – 6:30pm First
Holy Communion Religious Articles Sale We
will be selling religious articles for First Holy
Communion in the school hall. Cash is
preferred, but checks payable to St. John of God
are acceptable. Items are cash and carry and will
be available ONLY on March 23.
“The Passion Narratives”
All are welcome to join us as we break open
sacred scripture and reflect on the Passion of Jesus
Christ. Two sessions will be offered in order to
accommodate all that would like to make this a
part of their personal observance of Lent.
Contact Maggie Martin at 234-4040 to register.
Monday evenings
from 5:30pm – 6:45pm
Discussion & video in the School Library
(March 14, 21, 28, April 5 & 12) OR
Tuesday mornings
from 9:45am – 11:00am
Discussion & video in the Chapel
(March 15, 22, 29, April 5 & 12)
Second Week
Jesus Taken Captive, Jesus Before Council,
Peter’s Denial, Jesus Delivered to Pilate, The
Death of Judas
Read Matthew 26:47-75 / 27: 1-10, Mark 14:4372 / 15: 1, Luke 22: 47 -71 / 23: 1, John 18: 1-27
The discussion will include:
Who led the large crowd to Jesus in the garden?
What sign did he use to betray Jesus? Why was
Jesus arrested? What does this say about His
relationship with the chief priests and elders?
How do the different Gospels portray the scene?
Which Gospel does the film most closely draw
from? Does the visual help you to better
understand Jesus and His relationship to the
Father?
How did the disciples respond? How did Jesus
respond?
After the arrest, how did Jesus’ followers feel?
What did they do? Who remained closest to Jesus?
How would YOU have responded, given the
circumstances and known punishment of that time?
Who best represents YOU in the narratives?
What is the significance of Peter’s denial in context
of the Last Supper?
Which Gospel gives an account of the death of
Judas? What do you feel when you watch this
scene compared to reading about it?
If you attended last year, please do not
hesitate to join us again this year. Each time we
break open the Word, it speaks to us for the times
that we are currently experiencing. Our Lord,
Jesus Christ gave His life for our salvation. Let us
take time during Lent to reflect on that great
sacrifice. .
“The Acts of the Apostles”
In the Easter Season, Maggie Martin will offer a
scripture study course on “The Acts of the
Apostles”. It has been suggested that we offer
this 5 week course leading up to Pentecost on
Tuesdays, beginning May 10 from 11:00am –
12:15 pm in the Chapel. Your input would be
appreciated. If interested, please contact Maggie
Martin at 234-4040.
Telephone: 234-6324
Visit us at: www.olprov.org
Mrs. Jo Ann DiNardo, Principal
A Piece of Providence
Registration
Registration for new families
is now open. If you would
like to register, please call
the school at 234-6324 or
call for an appointment to get a tour.
Open House
If you missed our Open
House, tours can be
arranged by appointment.
Call the school office at 2346324 (9:30AM to 2PM) if you are interested.
OPEN HOUSE
Report Cards
Report Cards went home with
the students last Wednesday.
On Thursday, parents had the
opportunity to meet with their
child’s teacher to discuss their progress.
The Kindergarten classes at Our
Lady of Providence have been
working very hard on a variety of
different topics in their classes. They
celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday by
reading his books and completing the theme
by making a lovely hat!
The Kindergarten classes have also
been studying measurement and
are using things like plastic frogs,
rulers, and cubes to measure.
Mrs. Wolter worked with the 6th grade to put
together a play in honor of Black
History Month. The play taught
students how African American’s
fought for their civil rights.
Keep up to date with current
events and individual class
information by visiting our
school website at www.olprov.org. Our
website can be translated by scrolling down
FUNDRAISING - -SHOP TIL’ YOU DROP!
There are many ways to help Our Lady
of Providence just by shopping!
Visit our School Store at http://
olprov.propell.com to see some items you
can purchase as class souvenirs -mousepads, mugs, and shirts. Sign up at
Stop and Shop and Boxtops for Education
so we can benefit from your shopping for
food. Lastly, register at Boxtops for
Education marketplace and shop at
JCPenney’s & other great stores!
Please register at Stop and Shop
(www.stopandshop.com/aplus) so the
store will give us a percentage of the
money you spend on groceries. You do
not pay any EXTRA money but they will
give the school a donation based on
sales. You can shop at any Stop and
Shop. YOU MUST REGISTER AT THE
BEGINNING OF EACH SCHOOL YEAR.
Just go to their website
www.stopandshop.com/aplus put in
your information and your Stop and
Shop card number. It is so easy!
Box Tops for Education & Campbell
Soup Labels & Empty Inkjets.
Please place the above
items in the collection
basket or drop them off at
the Parish Office. Box Tops for
Education are many products Please
check your purchases for the box tops.
We also collect Labels for Education.
We get 10cents for each Box Top
Coupon. With your help, we have
received over $4,600.00 since we
started collecting. Thank you for your
continued support. It is greatly
appreciated. EMPTY INKJETS ACCEPTED!
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
234-6535, ext. 103
In the Gospel, Jesus is transfigured
and a voice from Heaven said, “This
is my beloved Son, with whom I am
will pleased. Listen to him.”
Christian living is about being touched
by Jesus and in bettering the lives of others.
We don't “build tents”, we feed the hungry,
clothe the naked, touch the downhearted, visit
the lonely, encourage the discouraged, and
bring the tenderness of Christ to persons who
are destitute and forgotten.
St. Vincent often said: “Let us love
God, my brothers, let us love God. But let it
be with the strength of our arms and the
sweat of our brow.” In this way Christ touches
others through us.
Do we listen to Jesus when he asks
us to take care of our brothers and sisters
who are suffering? You gift to the Society of
St. Vincent de Paul will help the poor to
celebrate the grace of God’s love this Easter.
ATLANTIC CITY
resorts CASINO
PARISH OUTREACH OFFICE
Telephone: 234-1884
Ana Sullivan, Coordinator
Our FOOD PANTRY
is very low or out of
the following items:
-Oatmeal
--Rice (1 or 2Lb.)
-Canned Potatoes --Canned Fruit
-Pasta Sauce (24oz) -Tomato Sauce
-Canned Vegetables (Small Cans)
-Pancake Mix & Syrup
Thank you for your continued generosity in
keeping our shelves from going bare.
THRIFT SHOP
BAG SALE $5:00
Starting
March 21st.
All Winter Clothes
On Sale!
April 25th
(Monday)
Departs: 9:00AM
(CIFD West Parking Lot)
Donation: $37.00 per person
$22.00 Casino Return
Must be 21 Years or Older
Tickets or Information:
Irene Miller at 234-8593
Benefit For: Society of Saint Vincent
WANTED
We need volunteers willing
to help us in the Thrift Shop,
Food Pantry and at the Desk.
We will train. For more information, please
contact the Outreach office.
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
SE BUSCAN
Necesitamos voluntarios dispuestos a ayudarnos
en la tienda de Mercado Barato, Despensa de
Alimentos, y en el Mostrador. Vamos a
entrenar. Para obtener más información,
póngase en contacto con la oficina del Centro
Comunitario.
From Father Chris:
Your Favorite and
Most Meaningful Prayer
Here in the Bulletin to Share.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we each shared
our favorite and most meaningful prayers,
spiritual poems, and religious articles with the
entire community. If you would like to do so
please submit your prayers, poems, and
articles to Fr. Chris by bringing them to the
Parish Office or emailing them to:
[email protected]. or [email protected].
Please keep in mind that depending on space,
content, and the amount of prayers submitted,
that not all may make it into the bulletin. You
can submit them anonymously or with your
name.
Prayers:
A Soldiers Prayer
Look, God I have never spoken to you before
But now I want to say “How do you do?”
You see God, they told me You didn’t exist
And like a fool I believed all this.
Last night from a shell hole I saw Your sky,
I figured right then they had told me a lie.
Had I taken time to see things You made
I’d have known they weren’t calling a spade
a spade.
I wonder God if you’d shake my hand,
Somehow I feel that You will understand.
Funny I had to come to this Hellish place
Before I had time to see Your face.
Well I guess there isn’t much more to say,
But I am sure glad, God, I met You today.
I guess the zero hour will soon be here
I am not afraid since I know You are here.
The signal! Well God, I’ll have to go,
I like You lots, this I want You to know.
Look now this will be a horrible fight,
Who knows I may come to Your house tonight?
Though I wasn’t friendly to You before,
I wonder, God, if You’d wait at Your door.
Look, I am crying! Me shedding tears!
I wish I had known You these many years,
Well I have to go now, God, good-bye!
Since I met You, I’m not afraid to die.
Found on the body of an American soldier killed in action
Mark Your Calendar
 March 25th — Soup Supper – 6:30PM
Knights of Columbus Hall — Process to Church for
Bilingual Stations of the Cross.
March 31st — Holy Hour – 7:00PM
(English) in Church.

 April 4th — Penance Service – 7:00PM
(English) in the Chapel
 April
7th — Seder Supper – 7:00PM
(English) in Small Cafeteria of the School
 April 16th — Vigil of Palm Sunday –
Masses in Chapel: 5:00PM English
7:00PM Spanish
 April 17th — Palm Sunday –
Masses in Chapel: 5PM English / 7PM Spanish
English Masses: 8AM / 9:30AM Church
11AM — Chapel
Spanish Masses: 9:30AM / 12:30PM Capilla
12:30PM — Iglesia
 May 9th, 10th, 11th — Parish Mission
with Father Cedric Watch the bulletin for
more information
Thank you!
Level 7
2011 Annual Blanket
& Coat Drive
The students in Level 7
Religious Education
classes would like to
thank the parishioners
for their
overwhelming generosity.
This year’s drive was the largest
collection yet!
Thank you to all for
your commitment
to our community.
All Are Welcome To:
A Lenten Soup Supper
Offered by St. John of God Parish & the Knights of Columbus
Friday, March 25, 2011—6:30PM
At Knights of Columbus Hall
At 7:45PM we will process to
St. John of God Church for
bilingual Stations of
the Cross at 8:00PM
Todos Están Bienvenidos:
Una Cena De Sopa
Patrocinado por San Juan de Dios y Los Caballeros de Colon
Viernes, 25 de Marzo—6:30PM
Salón de los Caballeros de Colón
A las 7:45 vamos a
caminar en procesión al
templo para El Vía Crucis
bilingüe as las 8:00PM
Price: $5 per chance or
5 chances for $20.
Drawing and Winners
PRIZES:
Announced
1st prize: 42” Flat Screen T.V.
May 6, 2011
2nd prize: Lap Top Computer
3rd prize: Kindle
4th prize: GPS
Somos La Parroquia de San Juan de Dios - comprometidos a La Fe, La Familia, y La Comunidad!
RESTAURANDO LA GLORIA
Para Acoger….Para Alabar
Para Crecer….Para Servir
Cantidad total de los Compromisos
$ 1,291,259.75
Cantidad total de los Pagos
$ 1,155,506.75
CENA DE SOPA, PROCESIÓN
Y
EL VIA CRUCIS
CAMBIO
Cuaresma es cambio y cambiar no es fácil.
Para poder cambiar debemos dejar algo atrás. Hoy
escuchamos acerca de un hombre muy viejo que
decide responder al llamado de Dios. Abram atraviesa por una tremenda cantidad de cambios cuando todo lo deja y lo arriesga por la promesa de
Dios. Jesús cambia, se transfigura, justo delante de
los ojos de sus discípulos. Las escrituras en Cuaresma nos llaman a cambiar, a ser transfigurados,
para que también nosotros pronto participemos en
la gloria de Dios. ¿Qué nos pide Dios dejar atrás?
¿Estamos dispuestos a arriesgarlo todo por la promesa que Dios hace? Estas son las preguntas centrales en el camino de conversión de la Cuaresma.
LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA
Lunes:
Dn 9:4b-10; Lc 6:36-38
Martes: Is 1:10, 16-20; Mt 23:1-12
Miércoles: Jer 18:18-20; Mt 20:17-28
Jueves:
Jer 17:5-10; Lc 16:19-31
Viernes: Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Heb 10:4-10;
Lc 1:26-38
Sábado: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Lc 15:1-3, 11-32
Domingo: Ex 17:3-7; Sal 95 (94); Rom 5:1-2, 5-8;
Jn 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42]
ENCONTRANDO EL CIELO
Quién no ha encontrado el cielo –aquí abajo–
No lo encontrará arriba–
Los Ángeles alquilan la casa junto a nos,
Doquiera nos mudemos–
VIERNES, 25 DE MARZO, 6:30 PM
Este viernes a las 6:30 PM, habrá una cena de sopa en el salón de los Caballeros
de Colón, 62 Avenida Carleton. Después,
vamos a procesar los tres bloques a
nuestra Iglesia y el Padre Chris, nuestro
Pastor, va a conducirnos en el Vía Crucis
bilingüe a las 8:00 PM.
Venga y traiga a un amigo.
Avisos de los Cursillos de Cristiandad
Para las mujeres el Cursillo de
Cristiandad tendrá lugar en abril los
días 14-17. Llame a 631-664-3765 para
más información. Cada domingo después de la misa a las 9:30 AM, hay
una reunión de los hombres y
mujeres que ya hicieron el Cursillo.
Vale la pena hablar con ellos.
Movimiento Familiar Cristiana
Católica
Si quiere mejorar la relación entre
la familia y Dios debe recibir información
sobre este movimiento. Favor de llamar a
Hilda y Javier Rivera a 870-9842 o
Alberto Y Margarita Roman a 682-4986.
LOS JOVENES
Cada viernes a las 7:00 de la noche, los jovenes
se reúnen en la cafetería. Si está entre 14 años y
21 años están invitados a participar. Venga y
traiga a un amigo.
From Fr. Chris N.:
The common theme of today’s readings is metamorphosis or transformation. The
readings invite us to work with the assistance of the Holy Spirit to transform our lives by
renewing them during Lent, and to radiate the grace of the transfigured Lord around us by our
Spirit-filled lives. The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain reminds us that the way of the
cross leads to resurrection and eternal life, and that the purpose of Lent is to help us to enter
into those mysteries.
The second reading, from St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy, explains the type of Lenten
transformation expected of us. Today’s gospel describes Jesus’ transfiguration during prayer on
a mountain. This transfiguration moment gives the disciples the encouragement they need to
continue on. The transfiguration offers us a message of hope and encouragement. In moments
of doubt and during feelings of despair, the expectation of our transformation in heaven helps us
to reach out to God and listen to His consoling words: “This is my beloved son/daughter in
whom I am well pleased.”
We need these 'mountain-top’ experiences in our own lives to encourage us along on our
journey through Lent and our journey of conversion. We can share experiences like those of
Peter, James and John when we spend some extra time in prayer and help others sacrificially
during Lent.
God’s Blessings Always, Fr. Chris N.
De Padre Chris. N.:
El tema común de las lecturas de hoy es metamorfosis o transformación. Las lecturas nos
invitan a trabajar con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo a transformar nuestras vidas por renovándolas
durante Cuaresma y irradiar la gracia del Señor transfigurado alrededor de nosotros por
nuestras vidas llenas del Espíritu. La transfiguración de Jesús en la montaña nos recuerda que el
camino de la cruz conduce a la resurrección y la vida eternal y que el propósito de Cuaresma es
ayudarnos a entrar en estos misterios.
La segunda lectura de la carta de San Pablo a Timoteo, explica el tipo de la transformación
Cuaresmal esperado de nosotros. El Evangelio de hoy describe la transfiguración de Jesús
durante la oración en la montaña. Este momento transfigurado da a los discípulos el ánimo que
necesitan para continuar. La transfiguración nos ofrece un mensaje de esperanza y animo. En los
momentos de duda y durante los sentimientos de desesperación, la expectativa de nuestra
transformación en el cielo nos ayuda extendernos a Dios y escuchar a Sus palabras consoladoras,
“Este es mi Hijo/hija muy amado en quien tengo puestas mis complacencias.”
Necesitamos estas experiencias de la cima de la montaña en nuestras propias vidas para
animarnos en el camino por Cuaresma y en nuestro camino de la conversión. Podemos
compartir las experiencias como las de San Pedro, Santiago y Juan cuando pasemos alguno
tiempo extra en la oración y cuando hagamos un sacrificio en gastar nuestro tiempo por ayudar a
los otros durante Cuaresma.
Bendiciones de Dios Siempre, Padre Chris N.