THE JOURNEY OF TRANSFIGURATION
“We used to be such good friends. How is it that you've moved so far away?” one man asked another. “Perhaps,” the other replied, “you have moved away. By standing still.” This exchange very well could have happened between Peter and Jesus, had Peter been allowed to erect tents to stay on the mount of the Transfiguration. He nearly succumbed to the temptation to stay in a place of wonder and light. But Jesus knew the hard truth: we are on a continual journey when we are walking the paths of God's will. It is not good for us to stay in one place on our faith journey. Equally unhealthy is staying put in times of joy and wonder to avoid life's difficulties, or to wallow in our trials and temptations and fail to be companions for our sisters and brothers who are also suffering—or celebrating! The pilgrim Church is required to do one thing on its Lenten journey: to walk continually with Christ as his Body born of water and the Spirit, seeking God's will, helping the reign of God to be known on earth, being led to the end of our journey, transfigured for all time into the company of heaven. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Second Sunday of Lent; Penitential Rite for Candidates for Full Communion
Monday: Presidents' Day
Thursday: St. Peter Damian
Friday: The Chair of St. Peter; Washington's Birthday, Abstinence
Saturday: St. Polycarp
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Dn 9:4b-10; Lk 6:36-38
Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20; Mt 23:1-12
Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20; Mt 20:17-28
Thursday: Jer 17:5-10; Lk 16:19-31
Friday: 1 Pt 5:1-4; Mt 16:13-19
Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
Sunday: Ex 17:3-7; Ps 95; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading -- The LORD said to Abram: All the families of the earth shall find blessing in you (Genesis 12:1-4a)
Psalm -- Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you (Psalm 33).
Second Reading -- God has called us to a holy life, not because of our works but according to grace (2 Timothy 1:8b-10).
Gospel -- Atop a high mountain, Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1-9).
Christ Jesus . . . destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:10b
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sacrificial giving nurtures the spirit of the giver and helps to build a better world. Thank you for your support and generosity.
Last Sunday's Collection: $4,681.00
Project Faith: $1,268
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Easter Vigil Choir
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; worship the Lord with cries of gladness; come before Him with joyful song.” Psalm 100:1-2
All are welcome
Please join us and be part of our very special Easter Vigil Choir. Practices will be on Sundays, from 6:00—8:00pm for the Easter Vigil Mass on March 22nd at 8:00pm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Liturgical Colors for Lent and Easter
Liturgies celebrated during the different seasons of the liturgical year have distinctive music, readings, prayers, and rituals. All work together to reflect the spirit of the particular season. The colors of the liturgy also help express the character of the mysteries being celebrated.
Lent: Purple symbolizes the season of penance, humility and renewal.
Palm Sunday: Red symbolizes the Passion of Jesus, blood and martyrdom.
Triduum: White symbolizes triumph, glory, light, and innocence.
Easter: Gold symbolizes joy.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 End of the Month Sale
Sr. Thomasina's Second Choice Shop
48 Wyker Road, Franklin, NJ
9:00AM to 2:00PM
Wednesday, February 20th
Saturday, February 23rd
All Coats $1.00...All Sweaters $.25...All Men's Shirts $.25
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attention 10th Grade
Confirmation Students
The Confirmation Interview Schedule will be posted on the CCD Website. You will also find a review page of Questions & Answers in the Confirmation Section under How Much Do You Know? The CCD Website link can be found on the Parish Webpage or you can go directly to http://www.iccreligiouseducation.com.
Reminder: Interviews are this week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings in the Rectory. Please arrive on time. Interviews are scheduled every ten minutes so plan accordingly. You are asked to notify Mrs. Allen at the Rectory if you are not going to be able to make your scheduled appointment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inclement Weather Weekday Mass Cancellations
In case of inclement weather, please call the Rectory, 973-827-9575, to check on the possible cancellation of the 7:00 AM Weekday Mass.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking Forward to a Spiritual Get-Away?
· 11 Day Trip to Lourdes and Shrines of France.
June 5-15, 2008 Sponsored by St. John Vianney , escorted by Fr. Matthew Twiggs. Call 973-208-1200.
· Religious Pilgrimage in Assisi, Italy, July 5-15 This pilgrimage is sponsored by the Assisi Music Festival. Join Msgr. Paul Bochicchio, Pastor of Holy Family Church, Nutley, NJ. with special Masses at The Basilica of St. Francis and the Vatican. For more information call Gregory Scime 908-277-1145
· Bethany Spirituality Center Pilgrimage to Italy, including Assisi, Siena, Florence and Rome, March 25-April 3, 2008 led by Sr. Pat Reid, OSF, and Rev. Bill Drobach, SA. Mass will be celebrated daily. Call 845-460-3061.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just for FUN!
· St. Monica's Church Presents
the Caribbean with Cunard Cruise Lines Queen Mary2.:11days-10 nights
April 6, 2008. Contact Carol Besak 973-875-4521
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayerful Journey Through Lent
+ Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every Friday during Lent from 7:30AM to 7:30PM
+ Stations of the Cross and Benediction takes place every Friday evening during Lent at 7:30PM
+ All Fridays in Lent are days of Abstinence no meat or meat products for everyone over the age of 14)
+ Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence (one full meal and abstinence for ages 18-59)
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will take place every Saturday after 9AM Mass and after Friday 7AM Mass.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lenten Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
will take place every Friday during Lent from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ending with a blessing. Sign-up sheets are located on a podium near the confessional area. Please sign up for a time you are available to assure that there is adequate coverage each hour. If you sign up for a specific hour but find that you are unable to attend, please call the rectory.
Exposition 7:30 AM - Benediction 7:30 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Recitation of the Rosary 7:30 AM
O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of His Passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LENTEN Retreats
 February 17-22nd Directed Retreat Days of Prayer and Quiet
March 19-23rd The Sacred Triduum Retreat
Celebrate the Christian Community's High Holy Days in an atmosphere of beauty, peace, and tranquility. Includes Easter Brunch!
Carmel Retreat, Mahwah, NJ
Call for Reservations/Information 201-327-7090
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Operation Rice Bowl
is the official Lenten Program of Catholic Relief Services. For 33 years, Operation Rice Bowl has called participants to pray with their families and faith communities; fast in solidarity with those who hunger; and give sacrificial contributions to those in need. The Operation Rice Bowl 2008 featured countries are Guatemala, Mali, India, Haiti, and Cameroon.
Donation boxes have been sent home with all CCD students and extra boxes can be found on the table in the center of the church. Your donations and offerings will make a difference to those in need throughout the world.
You can Make a Difference in the World
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sussex County St. Patrick's Day Committee
5th Annual Grand Marshal's Dinner
Saturday, February 23, at the Lake Mohawk Country Club. Cocktail hour at 6pm followed by dinner and entertainment. Honorees: Senator Robert E. Littell and his wife Ginnie, as Parade Co-Grand Marshals.
Saturday, March 8th celebrate Mass at Immaculate Conception Chruch at 8am, followed by a 10am. Traditional Irish Breakfast at the Irish Cottage Inn to honor Ginnie and Bob Littell. For information please call Mark
973-827-5228 or Dennis 973-827-9179
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Knights of Columbus, Council#1026, Wayne NJ will be holding their 12th Annual St. Patrick's Cocktail Party and Dinner Dance on Saturday, March 15th from 7-Midnight. For tickets call Tom at 973-519-7926
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christian stewardship is not just an ideal, but a way of life that strengthens our relationship with the Lord...a call to discipleship through the contribution of our time, talents, and treasure. Immaculate Conception Church encourages its parishioners to share God's gifts, not only with the Church, but also with each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Palm Sunday
This year on Palm Sunday, March 16th, Father will be processing into the church from the back blessing the palms for the congregation. The procession is symbolic of Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem when the crowd greeted Him like a king. We would like some Parishioners to carry palms and be a part of the opening procession at the beginning of each Mass. If you wish to be part of the procession, please call the Rectory office or sign up in the back of the Church, indicating which Mass you will be attending that Sunday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer for America
God of our Fathers, Shepherd of Thy people, Lord of free men's souls, bless Thou our nation with a valiant, Godly spirit, with a vision to see, with the courage to try, with the power to achieve, that, marching behind Thee, Thy people shall not perish.
God, bless our America! Hear our prayer for our united peoples, grant guidance to our leaders, protection to our sons, and teach each of us Thy way of life in good will and peace.
Amen. ~~by Cardinal Francis Spellman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marriage Encounter
Why settle for a good marriage when you can have a great marriage? You can make the leap from good to GREAT on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend? Here married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones for 44 hours and focus only on each other. Register now for the March 7-9, 2008 weekend in East Hanover, NJ. Call 1-800-499-6552.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please remember to pray for our parishioners and friends who are ill:
In Nursing Homes: Ceil Williams, Pauline Trofimuk, and Anna Elekes
At Home: Loraine Schenker, Maria Woppel, Diane Sidoli, Robert Zeuner, Evelyn Caljean, Danielle Dionisio, Thomas Dionisio, Jr., Steven “Itchy” Novak, Flo Yurchak, Mary Carmody, Harold & May Dickey, Debbie Yodice, JoAnn Ritz and Lisa Stine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please continue to keep all those serving in the military in your thoughts and prayers especially:
Jamison Micke, Stephen Saski, Jr., Christopher Faber, SFC Morgan McHose, LCPL William Mathes, LCPL Ernest Mathes, Karen Hassler, Tom Oroho, Mas. Stephen McKenzie and CPL Matt Lindquist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Altar Server Schedule for
February 16-17 and 23-24
2/16 5PM ASica, ERadics
2/17 7:30 Williams, Oroho
9:00 KMorano, JDragon
10:30 GKnapick, RHolowienka
12:00 NCarafello, Kcarafello
2/23 5PM JMcKeever, JMcKeever
2/24 7:30 Willilams, Oroho
9:00 NMoscalow, JPayne
10:30 DPeck, JohnFriend
12:00 EBriggs, CBrossman
***Reminder*** If you are unable to serve at your assigned time, please call someone to arrange coverage. If you cannot, call Mrs. Morano as soon as possible. Please call Mrs. Morano to schedule service for Easter Sunday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TRANSFIGURED BY GOD
All of us are people who ultimately do want to be transformed, to be somehow transfigured. Yet we're afraid that if we allow ourselves to be transfigured, everyone will know us for who we really are. Perhaps few of us can believe that who we really are could be more loveable than who we want people to think we are.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INSIDE THE READINGS
The transfiguration of Jesus in today's Gospel is a key element in the evangelist's identification of Christ. Peter has declared, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). But Jesus immediately points out that he will suffer at the hands of his enemies and finally be put to death (16:21). He is the Messiah, but also the Suffering Servant foretold by Isaiah (Isaiah 52:13 C 53:12). He asks of his followers a willingness to suffer: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24).
The Transfiguration scene takes place on a mountain, regularly in Matthew a place of divine revelation. The voice of the Father again identifies Jesus, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (17:5). "Listen to him" is an addition to the words that God spoke at Jesus' baptism. He is identified not only as the Son of God, but also as the prophet of whom Moses wrote, "A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen; to him you shall listen" (Deuteronomy 18:15).
In the Transfiguration account Matthew essentially follows the text of Mark's Gospel, his principal source, but with some interesting additions. He points out that Jesus' "face shone like the sun"(Matthew 17:2). Another addition by Matthew is Jesus' care for the frightened disciples. Jesus touched them and said, "Rise, and do not be afraid" (17:7).
Matthew also has Jesus using the word "vision" to describe the experience of his transfiguration. Apocalyptic visions give insight into the future, into heavenly realities. "When [Gabriel] came near where I was standing, I fell prostrate in terror. But he said to me, 'Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the end time' " (Daniel 8:17). The Transfiguration vision prepares for the fulfillment of Jesus' promise, "For the Son of man will come with his angels in his Father's glory" (Matthew 16:27).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
If you happen to find yourself feeling as if you're no longer who you once were, and if you feel that some kind of dying is starting to overtake you, you may very well be in the process of being transfigured by God.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Second Sunday of Lent commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, © 2008 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 2/17/08
“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
Mother Teresa

---

While you are visiting the Immaculate Conception web site, be sure to sign in our guest book!!