Weekly Update from Fr. van Dooren 6.12.26
Dear members and friends of our parish family,
I am writing on a very special day in the lift of this parish! It isn’t an ancient feast or saint’s day, but it comes close. It is the ten year anniversary of our beloved Grace Kobryn as administrator of the parish! For ten years, Grace has lovingly and competently led the administrative side of our parish life, and we have been so blessed by her ministry and work. Thank you, our dear Grace!
As I mentioned in last week’s sermon, we now turn to what is commonly and affectionally called “Ordinary Time.” Our Boys and Girls choirs take their summer break, and the liturgy is simplified somewhat, which is all part of the healthy balance of feast days, fast days, active days and calm days. We call this time from the Feast of Pentecost to the season of Advent, "Ordinary Time", not because it is mundane or simple, but because the weeks are counted or ordered using ordinal numbers. For example, this coming Sunday is the Third Sunday after Pentecost.
This Sunday’s sermon text will come from our Old Testament passage from the book of (Exodus 19:2-8a). The Israelites have landed at Mount Sinai after their dramatic deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Later in the story, Moses climbs the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments, which is the famous part of the story. But Sunday’s passage highlights a beautiful and significant moment before the great events of the Commandments, the Golden Calf, and the ensuing dramas that followed. I am honored to be the preacher with this special story as my text.
And this Sunday at 1:00 PM in the Holy Family Chapel, Donn Mitchell will speak about his new book, Eleanor Roosevelt's Nightly Prayer: The Religious Life of the First Lady of the World. Copies of the book will be available for sale at a discount and the author will sign them. All are welcome!
In March, our very own Matei Varga performed Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20, K. 466 with an orchestra in Geneva. This concert aired on Swiss television, and now, everyone can view it on YouTube. Click here to view a wonderful concert.
EAG's Grand Bazaar returns today (Friday, 2-7) and tomorrow (Saturday, 11-6) here at The Church of the Transfiguration! Find upscale/designer/vintage clothing; theatre costumes, books, and memorabilia; art; fine and costume jewelry; unique decorative items; quality household items including serving pieces, glassware, silver, porcelain, and ceramics; and one-of-a-kind items of interest. All proceeds support the charitable work of The Episcopal Actors’ Guild (helping NYC performers in times of need). Join us rain or shine!
We celebrate Pride Sunday on Sunday, June 28, and Fr. Cheng will be our celebrant and preacher. After the 11 am mass, there will be a small pizza reception at 1:30pm for those who will march at 4 pm and for those who want to support and cheer. This year, we are planning to march as a campus with members of the Episcopal Actors’ Guild and Houghton Hall Arts Community. All are welcome to participate, but we are asking marchers to sign up in advance here to comply with the city's guidelines.
The Holy Rosary will be prayed in the Family chapel at 9:30am this Sunday. We will pray the Joyful mysteries.
We continue to live-stream each Sunday’s mass at 11:00am, and a link is sent out each Sunday morning at 8:00am. We live-stream on Facebook and YouTube. Please email the parish office (parishoffice@littlechurch.org) if you would like to pray the morning and evening offices with us by Zoom.
Thank you for your continued faith, support, and love for the parish.
Fides Opera
With loving wishes,
Fr. van Dooren