From The Pastor 08-07-2016

This past week we celebrated some important feasts in the liturgical life of the Church. Monday was the Feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguouri. He was the founder of the Redemptorists Fathers and was very influential in our understanding of moral theology. He emphasized that in the spiritual life we should neither fall into rigidity nor laxity. We are called to have balance in our lives by having a healthy discipline yet recognizing the unconditional love and mercy of God.

This past Thursday, August 4, the Church celebrated the Feast of Saint John Vianney. He is the patron saint of parish priests. Through many long years toiling in the small village of Ars, France, he was able to bring people to the Lord by his faithfulness to the Sacraments (he would spend as many as 18 hours at a time in the confessional) and through the simplicity of his preaching and lifestyle. August 6th is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

According to an old tradition the transfiguration took place 40 days before the passion of Jesus. That is why we always have the story of the transfiguration of Jesus on the Second Sunday of Lent, roughly 40 days before Good Friday. Why August 6th? On September 14th , we celebrate the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross, 40 days after the Feast of the Transfiguration. The rich legacy of the Church’s liturgical life brings us round and round to the beauty of our Catholic Faith! Cherish it!

Father Al