How Well Do We Believe “It Is Good That We Are Here?”

At last week’s big reveal of our new parish name, Transfiguration of our Lord, instead of just revealing the name when I made announcements, I checked in to see how many parishioners already knew the name, for example by going to the website when it is available online Wednesday afternoon to see if the name was announced in the bulletin first. Simply, I invited parishioners to call out the name after a three count.  Sure enough, lots of people knew!

As I related in the homily, we can’t help but connect the Transfiguration to Beacons of Light, for when we have taken the biggest step of Beacons of Light—when we have become one parish—that is when we will take the name “Transfiguration.”   Even though by the narrator’s telling Peter “…did not know what he was saying,” for us Peter’s words “it is good that we are here” can be a wonderful call to action.  

One of our challenges and calls regarding the Transfiguration is to see Beacons of Light for all its promised glory and not make Beacons into the shadow of the cloud that surrounded the apostles causing pronounced fear.  We have not only entered the cloud, as in the Transfiguration from Luke proclaimed last weekend, but we have brought great luminosity to that cloud through all that we have helped Jesus accomplish through us so far!!  Thanks to parishioners who are hope and light about Beacons of Light and are eager to embrace the Transfiguration, the change, that Beacons brings!

Below is Fr. Dave’s contribution about how he is inspired by our new name. 

Sincerely and with Love in Christ,
Fr. Pat
 
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Reflection by Fr. Dave

Personally, I have been moved by the Spirit over the many months of pondering the new name of our merged parish to consider Transfiguration of Our Lord as my preference.   When it was narrowed down to two, St. Crescent and Transfiguration of Our Lord, it became apparent that the latter has potential for taking people beyond the surface, e.g. the  dictionary definition of “transfiguration,” through catechesis and spiritual enlightenment.   Praying over our Parish Vision Statement and how this name assists us in living it out, reinforced in me that the People’s Choice become my own.  Though many comments focused on the action--change we are making in merging into one, i.e. from five parishes to one, this choice   has to carry us into the future, an appropriate choice  for generations to come.   

Now that we announced March 15^th-16^th   that  Transfiguration of Our Lord is the new name of our eventual merged parish, we are challenged to embrace what the Spirit has inspired, whether it was our preferred name or not.  Because I accepted to be the lead of a committee for the “Roll Out” of our new name, I began to compile the highlights of why I believe this name was chosen. 

• Represents change we are going through as Crescent Parishes  merging into one parish;  this name highlights our transforming through merger as well as our continual growth   as a unified parish (ever-unfolding, ever-evolving). 
• As disciples we are called to continuous change of our hearts and minds as a People; God’s call sets us apart, as missionary disciples (evangelization).
• Keeps our focus on Jesus as the Fulfillment of the past (Law – Moses-- and the Prophets -- Elijah), on how we encounter him in the present and who carries us through the future, to eternal life;   a dynamic relationship with Jesus:   leading, teaching, encouraging (calming dispelling fears), moving them / us forward (up the mountain, down to the valley), revealing his eternal presence, revealing his will for us, his vision of continuing his mission and ministry in our world into eternal life.
• As we echo the disciple Peter’s response  “It is good  that we are here,”  we allow Jesus to fine-tune our response according to his will and to affirm the decision to merge and to name ourselves “Transfiguration Parish;”  whenever and wherever we gather to worship may we say  “It is good  that we are here.”  
• Also we hear the Voice:  “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him,” which highlights the prominence of Scripture at Worship and personal prayer, throughout our journey together as Transfiguration Parish.
• As Transfiguration Parish we accept the call to discipleship as expressed in our Parish Vision Statement…  growing as disciples of Jesus and following His example of love and compassion, welcoming all to our diverse and unified Catholic Community, sharing vibrant celebrations of the eucharist, engaging in life-long faith formation and offering ourselves in service to others.

 
I leave you with this thought:  the Disciples did not readily understand the experience of the Transfiguration but came to understand it through the Paschal Mystery, i.e. the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, at / after Pentecost, through the Holy Spirit.    In the time from now until merger, may the Lord help us to understand why we were led to choose this new name of our merged parish;  let us rely on the Holy Spirit as we merge and embrace our new life as Transfiguration Parish.  As we embrace the name “Transfiguration” we intentionally journey together, desiring to be of one mind and one heart in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please contact me if you have any questions, further reflections or want to volunteer to help with the “Roll Out.”

Fr. Dave Lemkuhl
Parochial Vicar