Each year on the first Sunday of Lent, the Gospel tells the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. On the second Sunday of Lent each year, we always hear the story of our Lord’s Transfiguration, the moment the disciples see Christ’s divinity.
 
The Transfiguration follows our Lord’s first prediction of His death and His teaching about the costs of discipleship. The Transfiguration is a promise of our Lord’s glory, the Resurrection. The Transfiguration occurs in the presence of just three of Jesus’ disciples: Peter, James and John. These disciples were among the first whom the Lord calls and who accompany the Lord to the Garden of Gethsemane.
 
Like all mysteries of the Faith, the Transfiguration contains an inexhaustible treasury of meaning. Its immediate purpose was to fortify the Apostles who were to witness the demoralizing Agony in the Garden and Passion. The Gospel is assigned to the Second Sunday of Lent because tradition tells us that it occurred 40 days before Good Friday. However, the actual feast day of the Transfiguration is Aug. 6^th.
 
A transfiguration is when something changes in a very notable way, usually from a lowly state into a much greater state. It was a glimpse of Christ’s Divine Nature. It was an absolutely supernatural event created by God the Father.
 
The famous words of St. Peter, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!” How often we should echo those same words. Every time we enter a church, attend Mass or one of the sacraments, or meet up with an old friend, enjoy a family gathering …, with a short prayer of thanksgiving.
 
Maybe this can be a good Lenten practice for us, as we end our day, remembering the good things that occurred, or the times at peace and quiet, or with someone we love or just the joy of being alive. Thank God for those moments with our heart crying out, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!”
 
 
Monday is the Solemnity of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of New York. As a solemnity, Mass is treated as a Sunday Mass. The Masses offered that day will have a Gloria and a Creed.  The 9:00 AM Mass will be a Solemn Mass in honor of St. Patrick, with Irish hymns. Following the Mass in Toner Hall, there will be hospitality. Come and celebrate our Patron Saint before you head down to the parade. And of course next Sunday is the Pearl River Parade. Everyone is invited to march with Saint Margaret’s Parish and School. We will meet in the parking lot at Pfzier at 12:30 PM. Please note there will be no 5:30 PM Mass on Sunday March 23rd.
 
Then on Wednesday, March 19th (believed to be St. Joseph’s birthday), we will celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the Patron Saint of the Universal Church. Two solemn feasts in a row, two great saints to model our lives in Lent.
 
We warmly welcome The Rev. Thomas Keyes from the Archdiocese of Boston and The Rev. William Donnelly from the Diocese of Rochester, NY who will be with us this weekend to celebrate Mass and tell us about the work of Unbound, a lay Catholic sponsorship ministry that helps children and elderly in 17 developing countries.