…”Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. The Gospel account gives us some great reminders for holy living. First, it is good for us to be here. How important it is to realize how blessed we are every time we come together with the Lord around God’s Table. Second, Christ continues to call us out of our fears, worries, and concerns. Third, it’s important, better said it is essential for us to Listen to the Lord. Christ is trying to raise us up to a fuller life and a deeper joy in Christ. How can we be most mindful of the blessing to be here…listening and attending to the Lord….who desires to transform and lead us to a fullness of life in Christ.
…This weekend I am at our seminary in Wickliffe for The FEST. As I write this, I am surrounded by so many of our members from our parish community who are working, along with others from across the diocese, to create a day of faith, family and fun for thousands across our region. Please join us for some of the best Christian artists (Laura Story, Matt Maher, Crowder, for King and Country) along with great crafts and activities for kids, lots of displays and great resources for every age. It’s really a great family day….all for FREE. For more information and/or a schedule of the day go to: www.theFEST.us.
…Many thanks to all from our parish who are helping bring The FEST to life and volunteering on FEST day. I shared with 25 of our Saint Ambrose students, who came out to help stuff Mom’s Gift bags, that when most of us need help, we turn to our family. It’s a blessing beyond words to see so many from my family – our parish family – helping and supporting this diocesan effort. I am so grateful.
…While it’s good to be putting The FEST together this week, I look forward to getting back to SA and making sure we are ready for a great pastoral year. As you can imagine, everyone is working on calendars and plans to make sure we all have opportunities to come together for prayer, learning, service, and community.
…Speaking of calendars, I hope you will mark yours to join us for two special events next week as we say thank you to Tom Bonezzi. Someone said the other day, “I’m sad to see Tom leaving us.” I actually stopped them and said that he is stepping away from leading our music ministry so he can discern God’s call in his life. We are his parish family – we are his Church home. It will be our joy to watch him “listen” and respond to God’s call. So – next weekend – we will have two opportunities to say ‘thank you’ for his great work and efforts to plant deep into our hearts the songs of God’s mercy, love and peace. On Saturday, we will gather at 8 pm in the Church for a ‘concert’ of some of the special songs we have sung together which Tom has written for our community. On Sunday, the entire music ministry will come together at the 12 noon Mass, followed by a parish reception in Hilkert Hall. Please join us for inspiring music and an opportunity to give thanks to God for Tom’s ministry in our community.
…BTW….Tom is leading our music ministry for the Mass at The FEST on Sunday night at 8 pm. It’s a special blessing for them to celebrate the wonderful music ministry they have formed – together. Join us for the FEST Mass.
…There’s another big day coming up on the calendar – August 25, 2017…this would have been Fr. Hilkert’s 100th birthday. There will be a special Mass on Saturday, September 25, 2017 at 4:30 pm. I’ve invited Father Carlin to join us as the homilist for the Mass. We will have birthday cake in Hilkert Hall after Mass. Watch for more details.
…It’s hard to believe that school is starting soon. Special prayers for all our students in their final week(s 2) of summer vacation. May God bless all of our teachers, school administrators and staff. May God bless you and guide you in your important work.
…BTW, we will have a Back to School blessing on the weekend of August 20. May Jesus the Master Teacher guide each of us to a deeper wisdom and enduring truth.
… This is also a great week to sign up for PSR (1-8) and our Journey with Jesus Sunday morning PreSchool (age 3-4-5). Janet Majka and her team are working very hard to make sure all of our young people have the best possible faith formation.
…We are very blessed to have Jenna LaGuardia working side by side with Janet and our Catechetical Team to strengthen our efforts with our junior high students (grade 6-7-8). Jenna is coordinating our Junior High PSR program and working to develop more opportunities for all our junior high students to come together for fun, friendship and mostly, strengthening their faith. Watch for more details about the essential and important work Jenna is coordinating for our community.
…Lisa Homady and Jane Baldwin are a dynamic duo for our parish community coordinating many of our care and compassion, service and spiritually programs and ministries. We are blessed by their dedication and leadership. They are bringing their teams together on August 7 for a Garden Party and cookout. They will share friendship, good food, and important conversations about how we can continue to be a garden of God’s grace and an oasis of God’s mercy for our members and community. They can always use your ideas, suggestions and help. Feel free to contact Jane and Lisa to learn more (jbaldwin@StAmbrose.us and Lhomady@StAmbrose.us).
…We have been blessed….so many of our Saint Ambrose School students did amazing last weekend in the Invention Convention… with many going on to nationals!! Great things are taking place at SAS. We also had a number of new students enroll for the upper grades. All are welcome. Call Breanne to learn more 330.460.7318.
…It is good for us to be here…together…at Saint Ambrose. While I’m blessed to be working on The FEST, I really am eager and excited – thrilled and hopeful – about all the good things taking place in our community. We are so blessed. YOU are such a blessing. Be assured of my prayers and great thanks.
