EXPLORE THE SUNDAY GOSPEL
The Transfiguration of Jesus
Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by
themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
"Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for
Elijah."
He hardly knew what to say, they were so
terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
"This is my beloved Son. Listen to
him."
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw
anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen
to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the
dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
MEET OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
St. Josaphat (Feast Day November 12)
c. 1580 – November 12, 1623
St. Josaphat was born John Kuncevic in about 1580 in a village of the Province of Volhynia (then a part of the Polish Kingdom, now modern-day Ukraine). His parents belonged to the Eastern Rite Church of Kyiv (Ukraine) which was then separated from Rome. When John was just a child, his mother explained the icons in church. Years later he told a friend that he felt a spark of fire leave the wounded side of Christ (pictured in the icon) and enter his own heart, which was filled with joy. This event influenced the rest of his life. Within him grew the desire to suffer for his Savior.
John’s father sent him to Wilno, where the topic of reunification of the Eastern Rite Church with the Roman Catholic Church was a hotly debated topic. In 1595, the local bishops held a synod and voted to unite with Rome. In the meantime, John made his profession of faith, then entered the Basilian Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Wilno and took the name of Josaphat. He was ordained a priest in 1609, and eventually became the Bishop of Plock. He at once called a Synod to revitalize his diocese where he pursued the reunion of all with Rome. This was met with hostility and Josaphat suffered much slander. Josaphat was eventually removed from Plock and cruelly killed on November 12, 1623. He was forty-five years old. Josaphat’s death brought a movement toward Catholicism and unity.
TAKE TIME TO CHAT
· Why do you think Jesus transfigured himself for Peter, James and John?
· Share a time when you have encountered Jesus.
· Take a moment to reflect on this phrase from today’s Gospel: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." What do you hear God saying to you in your heart?
· St. Josaphat tried to be a good leader and do the right things, even though people didn’t agree with him. Share a time when you did the right thing even if others disagreed with you.
FAMILY FUN
Marshmallow and Toothpick Creations
Marshmallows
remind us of the cloud in today’s Gospel.
Grab some marshmallows (mini ones work great) and toothpicks. Putting toothpicks in the marshmallows and connecting them to other toothpicks and marshmallows, your family can create towers, buildings, cities, or whatever your imagination inspires! Feeling competitive? Have a challenge to see who can build the tallest structure. For younger children, consider using full-sized marshmallows and straws.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Marshmallow and Popcorn Balls
Transform
these simple ingredients into something dazzling!
15 cups popped popcorn, which is ½ cup popcorn kernels popped
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine
5 cups miniature marshmallows
¾ tsp. vanilla extract
cooking
spray
Pop the popcorn and remove any kernels that did not pop. Place popcorn in large bowl that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Prepare a large baking dish or piece of parchment paper. Heat butter and marshmallows over medium-low heat until melted, stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. (Optional: also add ¼ tsp. salt for a kettle-corn flavor) Pour mixture over the popcorn, tossing or stirring to make sure all the popcorn is coated evenly. Let mixture cool enough to touch. Spray cooking spray on your hands and form a cup of popcorn into a ball. Place each ball in the baking dish or on the parchment paper. Continue until you use all the mix, spraying additional cooking spray on your hands as needed. Munch and enjoy!
FAMILY PRAYER
Litany of the Sacred Heart
Select one person be the leader; all others read the responses in bold.
Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison
Christe Eleison, Christe Eleison
Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, our Father in heaven, have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, united in substance to the Word of God, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, sacred temple of God, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High One, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, wellspring of all virtues, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke you, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, atonement for our sins, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with insults, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, obedient unto death, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, victim of sins, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in you, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in you, have mercy on us
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints, have mercy on us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, spare us, Lord.
graciously hear us, Lord have mercy on us
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like to yours.
Let us pray:
God our loving Father,
grant wisdom to those who govern us,
compassion and courage
to those who work to defend human life,
and safety and care to every human being.
For you alone who formed us in our mothers' wombs,
and who call us home to heaven,
are God, for ever and ever. Amen.
LITURGY LINK
At Mass, when we pray the Our Father, we ask God to forgive us our “trespasses.” This word means “offenses” or sins.
FAMILY CHALLENGE
In today's Gospel, God the Father tells us to listen to his Son. This week spend 3 minutes each day in silence listening to God. Begin by quieting yourself and simply asking God to be with you and speak to you. Share your experience with your family at the end of the week.
FUN FACTS
The largest popcorn ball in the world weighed over 9,000 pounds and was 24 feet around. It is located in Sac City, Iowa.
