Welcome
Pastor Rev. Daniel M. Caughey
Ash Wednesday Letter from the Diocese
2nd Sunday of Lent Matthew 17:1-9 When I sit down to answer emails or write a Gospel reflection or return a phone call, I sometimes wonder: Does any of this humdrum work matter? Maybe you ask the same thing about your daily labor. Today’s Gospel, the Transfiguration, offers a surprising answer.
Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a mountain. There, “his face shone like the sun face and his clothes become white as light” (Matthew 17:2). That detail regarding his clothes is worth considering.
We know Jesus’ body is inseparably united to the divine nature. But his clothing? That’s something made by human hands. It’s an artifact. And yet it shines with the same uncreated light. What does this detail mean? The early Church noted that Adam and Eve’s first act after the Fall was to make clothing. This clothing symbolizes all human labor that supports our dignity. In Jesus’ glorified garments, we see not just the redemption of our body, but of human effort to protect and uplift human dignity.
Parents, your family is your work. Baristas, plumbers, nurses, accountants — your labor, your emails, your phone calls, your spreadsheets — can all become radiant when offered to God in love. The question isn’t just do I believe in Jesus’ glory, but do I believe he can share it with the work of my hands?
Lenten Challenge: Identify the “artifact” you are making to uplift the dignity of others: your job, your home, your relationships. Consciously bring it to the Lord this Sunday at Mass. Offer it to share in His glory. It will begin to shine.
— Father John Muir ©LPi
STATIONS OF THE CROSS will be held at 5:30 pm on Fridays during Lent except Good Friday and will alternate between St. Paul/St. Bartholomew and St. Theresa/St. Malachy.
Stations begin on Friday, February 20th at St. Paul and St. Theresa. Stations continue on Friday, February 27th at St. Bartholomew and St. Malachy.
Opportunities for confession:
St. Malachy’s: Saturday afternoon 3:10—3:40 PM & Tuesdays, 6—7 PM (with Adoration)
St. Theresa’s: After these Masses: Sundays at 11 AM; Mondays at 5:30 PM & Wednesdays at 9 AM
St. Bartholomew’s: Saturday 3:15—3:45 PM (Oct—Mar) & when requested
St. Paul’s: Saturday 3:15—3:45 PM (Apr—Sept) Sunday, 10:40 AM
The Norwich Community Kitchen is serving dinners on Tuesdays at St. Bartholomew’s Parish Center, 81 East Main St., Norwich. Doors open at 4pm and serving starts at 5:00 pm. ALL ARE WELCOME!
The Knights of Columbus would like you to join them in reciting the Rosary and The Chapel of Divine Mercy at St. Paul’s Church on the first Wednesday of every month from 6—7 pm. Let’s pray for healing for our friends, family and the world.
2nd Sunday of Lent Matthew 17:1-9 When I sit down to answer emails or write a Gospel reflection or return a phone call, I sometimes wonder: Does any of this humdrum work matter? Maybe you ask the same thing about your daily labor. Today’s Gospel, the Transfiguration, offers a surprising answer.
Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a mountain. There, “his face shone like the sun face and his clothes become white as light” (Matthew 17:2). That detail regarding his clothes is worth considering.
We know Jesus’ body is inseparably united to the divine nature. But his clothing? That’s something made by human hands. It’s an artifact. And yet it shines with the same uncreated light. What does this detail mean? The early Church noted that Adam and Eve’s first act after the Fall was to make clothing. This clothing symbolizes all human labor that supports our dignity. In Jesus’ glorified garments, we see not just the redemption of our body, but of human effort to protect and uplift human dignity.
Parents, your family is your work. Baristas, plumbers, nurses, accountants — your labor, your emails, your phone calls, your spreadsheets — can all become radiant when offered to God in love. The question isn’t just do I believe in Jesus’ glory, but do I believe he can share it with the work of my hands?
Lenten Challenge: Identify the “artifact” you are making to uplift the dignity of others: your job, your home, your relationships. Consciously bring it to the Lord this Sunday at Mass. Offer it to share in His glory. It will begin to shine.
— Father John Muir ©LPi
STATIONS OF THE CROSS will be held at 5:30 pm on Fridays during Lent except Good Friday and will alternate between St. Paul/St. Bartholomew and St. Theresa/St. Malachy.
Stations begin on Friday, February 20th at St. Paul and St. Theresa. Stations continue on Friday, February 27th at St. Bartholomew and St. Malachy.
Opportunities for confession:
St. Malachy’s: Saturday afternoon 3:10—3:40 PM & Tuesdays, 6—7 PM (with Adoration)
St. Theresa’s: After these Masses: Sundays at 11 AM; Mondays at 5:30 PM & Wednesdays at 9 AM
St. Bartholomew’s: Saturday 3:15—3:45 PM (Oct—Mar) & when requested
St. Paul’s: Saturday 3:15—3:45 PM (Apr—Sept) Sunday, 10:40 AM
The Norwich Community Kitchen is serving dinners on Tuesdays at St. Bartholomew’s Parish Center, 81 East Main St., Norwich. Doors open at 4pm and serving starts at 5:00 pm. ALL ARE WELCOME!
The Knights of Columbus would like you to join them in reciting the Rosary and The Chapel of Divine Mercy at St. Paul’s Church on the first Wednesday of every month from 6—7 pm. Let’s pray for healing for our friends, family and the world.
________________________________ Please Note, Tuesday & Thursday Masses are now at 9:00 AM
Upcoming Events:
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