Nazareth Catholic Community
25 February 2024 ~ Second Sunday of Lent
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
This Sunday our gospel reading is about the Jesus’ Transfiguration. Here we hear how… Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. 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.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
We may never experience anything as powerful as Jesus’ Transfiguration. Yet, every day in countless and seemingly small ways, God does break into our world and our daily lives. Every time we experience a moment of peace, joy, reconciliation or forgiveness, God is with us. Every time that we reach out to help another person is a moment of transfiguration both for ourselves and for those we help. Each time somebody shows care and concern for us, is a moment when God is reaching out to us.
May we open our hearts so that we may hear Jesus speaking to us. May we slow down and look for moments of small and important times of transfiguration in our own ordinary daily lives.
- What needs to be transformed in your life in order to listen to Jesus?
What would it cost you and what would it look like for you?
Closing Prayer:
God of Light, as we continue our Lenten journey together, we thank You for the gifts of encounter on the mountaintop with You. Thank You for inviting us to our own transfigurations with the divine light of Your face. Help us to be aware of the radiance You bring into our daily lives so that we may be a reflection of You in the world. Let our faith and good works light a new light in the hearts of our community and those we serve. Amen.
Lenten Peace,
Sr. Donna
This Thrsday Night: State of the Heart with Sr. Donna
Thursday, February 29, 2024
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Linehan Chapel
Sr. Donna will lead a conversation on the "State of the Heart". This is a practice from our first Sisters of St. Joseph in 1650 France in which they reflected on their experiences of God and on their interactions with others in big and small ways. By this practice they were able to live a more conscious and meaningful life as they went about their day serving God and their "Dear Neighbor". Isn't that what we all want, to live a more conscious and meaningful life?
So join us Thursday evening to practice the "State of the Heart" who knows where God will take us?!
William H. Shannon Chair in Catholic Studies Presents: Sr. Lucy Kurien
Workshop: Serving Humanity & Nature Each Day: A Way of Life at the "Mother's Home" Ashram, India
Medaille Hall, Formal Lounge
Have you wondered how your passion “to make the world a better place” can become a reality? Join us for an interactive student workshop with Sr. Lucy Kurien, who faced this same question as she witnessed abused and destitute women, children, and men suffer injustices. Inspired by her determination, the “Mother’s Home” Ashram that she founded spans three states, sponsors Youth Peace Camps across India, Africa, and the U.S., and directs the Interfaith Association of Service to Humanity and Nature. Explore the transformative power of service and love with Sr. Lucy as you share your passion to face down injustice and promote life-affirming community.
Lecture: Walking Joyfully to Justice Together: The Story of the "Mother's Home" Ashram, India
Thursday, March 7, 7–8:30 p.m.
Keynote speaker for the 2023 Spiritual Directors International Essence Conference, Sr. Lucy Kurien began life far from such a prestigious setting. Born in the state of Kerala, India, with little access to education, Sr. Lucy moved at the age of 12 to Mumbai for a better education and at the age of 19 joined the Holy Cross congregation. Over time, her desire to work directly with the poor grew. Traumatized by the death of a woman who had sought her help, Sr. Lucy founded “Mother’s Home” Ashram in 1997, despite few financial resources. Today “Mother’s Home” serves destitute women, children, and men, regardless of caste or religion, across three states in collaboration with the Interfaith Association for Service to Humanity and Nature, which Sr. Lucy founded in 2017.
Lunch and a Movie! Saturday March 9. Tickets are limited!
We have purchased a limited amount of tickets to see Cabrini on Saturday, March 9, 12:30 PM. The movie is about Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, who was the first United States citizen to be canonized a saint. Frances Xavier Cabrini founded 67 institutions dedicated to caring for the poor, the abandoned, the uneducated and the sick. To view the film trailer and learn more about Mother Cabrini, see the links below. Tickets will be given to those who RSVP on a first come first serve basis! Cost is free for Nazareth students. Lunch, movie and transportation from campus included.
Lunch and a movie!
Saturday, Mar 9, 2024, 11:00 AM
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Mid-Week Mass: Every Wednesday @ 12:30 PM
Every Wednesday, from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM, for our Mid-Week Mass in Linehan Chapel. This Mass is a wonderful way to find grounding and peace during the busy week!
Mass and Meal OFF CAMPUS! TUESDAY, March12th!
Mass and Meal OFF CAMPUS! TUESDAY, March12th!
RSVP Today! Home cooked food!
Sister Donna and the Sisters of St. Joseph she lives with have invited us to their home to celebrate Mass and enjoy a home cooked pasta dinner!
Meet at GAC 151 at 5:30 PM and we will travel together to St. Boniface parish where Sister Donna lives (only 10 minutes from Nazareth). Or you can find the directions below and meet us there. Mass will be at 6:00 PM followed by supper.
We want to make sure we have enough food! Let us know if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are available.
Mark your calendars for the next Mass and Meals this semester:
Thursday, April 11
Thursday, May 2
Mass and Meal OFF CAMPUS! TUESDAY, March12th!
Tuesday, Mar 12, 2024, 05:30 PM
314 Gregory Street, Rochester, NY, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Busy Person Retreat and Spring Break Service Retreat!!
Pope Francis in his 2024 Lenten message invites each of us to “rethink our lifestyles” and to examine our role in society and the contribution we can make to its betterment. He tells us that we are “capable of altering the daily lives of individuals and entire neighborhoods, in the ways we acquire goods, care for creation and strive to include those who go unseen or are looked down upon.” In other words, to choose to be a Disciple, a follower of Jesus!
Pope Francis invites us to ask ourselves: “Do I want a new world? Am I ready to leave behind my compromises with the old? Am I seeking and ready to take on these risks?”
Traditionally, Lent is a time to review our lives and to individually face the need for personal conversion. In addition, Pope Francis is challenging us to seek to change the world, and to be a sign of hope in the world, especially for those, “sisters and brothers near and far who cry out and ask us to walk with them.”
These hoped for changes in the world begin with changes in each of us. These are not the kind of changes to make in isolation. So, we have prepared some opportunities to help you be the change and hope you desire and our world longs for.
The first opportunity is a Lenten Busy Person Retreat.
The Busy Person’s Retreat is designed for a busy college student. It is a unique opportunity for an individual to deepen their relationship with God in a way that fits into their busy lives and schedules. You will receive your own Sister of Saint Joseph who has experience in being a Spiritual Guide and she will accompany you in this Busy Person Retreat.
Throughout the retreat, you and your Sister Spiritual Guide will devote yourselves to a half an hour of personal prayer and reflection using the retreat booklet I have for you and then, you’ll meet for about a half an hour together. You and your Sister Spiritual Guide will arrange your schedules together to meet for four sessions over the six weeks of Lent.
I look forward to having you join us for this life giving and faith expanding experience! Reach out with any questions or to sign up for the retreat by Monday February 19, 2024.
Another opportunity is to go on a Service Mission Retreat with the Sisters of
Saint Joseph Volunteer Corps during the March break.
Here you will experience:
- Living in an intentional community with the Sisters of St. Joseph,
- Faith sharing and prayerful reflection,
- Hands-on community service,
- An opportunity to discern your life’s direction.
The community live-in experience is at my home in Rochester’s South Wedge from Sunday March 17th and you would return to campus on the morning of March 23, 2024.
Some of the service sites include:
- Health care to those who are uninsured
- Care for children with disabilities in a Day Care or Foster Home,
- Care for women and their children in a Catholic Worker Community
- Working with students in an urban elementary or middle school
- Serving guests in an urban food center
RSVP below or contact Sr. Donna or Jamie with any questions.
Sign up for the Lent 2024 Busy Person Retreat
Sunday, Feb 18, 2024, 07:00 PM
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Sign up for the Spring Break Service Retreat with the SSJs
Sunday, Mar 17, 2024, 09:00 AM
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Palm Sunday: March 24, 2024 - Mass at 7:00 PM
Holy Thursday: March 28, 2024 - Mass at 8:00 PM
Good Friday: March 29, 2024 - Service at 12:30 PM
Easter Sunday: March 31 - Mass at 2:00 PM
Lent 2024: Time to Refresh
During Lent 2024, receive FREE daily reflections to your inbox featuring writers from the Ignatian network who help us answer the questions: "This Lent, how arre we being refreshed and consoled in our lives, in our Church, and in our work for justice?"
Click below to subscribe!
Do you like to sing? Do you play an instrument? Our Mass Choir is for you!
Rehearsal every Sunday before Mass at 6:00PM. in Linehan Chapel
Come again or for the first time!
If you play an instrument bring it along!
Questions? E-mail Our Choir Director: Gabriella Hamel, ghamel0@mail.naz.edu
Nazareth Catholic Community Pastoral Team:
Pope
Gabriella Hamel
Choir Director and Accompanist
Erin Teasdale
Choir Director
Ella Falcone
Choir Director
Braeden Ross
Choir Director and Accompanist
Jill Eckert
Skylar Guerzon
Sacristan
Zoe Howland
Sr. Donna DelSanto, SSJ
Campus Minister for Discernment and Vocation
Fr. Michael Upson
Sacramental Minister
Fr.Michael.Upson@dor.org
Jamie Fazio, M.Div.
Fr. Matthew Temple, O.Carm.
Fr. Richard Briclker
fr.richard.brickler@dor.org
Fr. Robert Kennedy
Sacramental Minister
Nazareth University Catholic Community
Wednesday Mass: 12:30PM
Gluten free hosts available upon request - Please contact Jamie Fazio.
For the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please e-mail one of our priests to schedule an appointment.
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div. (he/him/his), Catholic Chaplain, Office: GAC 160
The Nazareth College Catholic Community is part of the Nazareth Center for Spirituality. All are always welcome!
Email: jfazio1@naz.edu
Website: http://www.naz.edu/center-for-spirituality/catholic-community
Location: Linehan Chapel, East Avenue, Rochester, NY, United States
Phone: 585 389 2308
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/35057526410/