Happy Feast of Transfiguration! Happy Flambeau Rama weekend!!

​Last weekend we celebrated Butternut community’s Pioneer Day. This weekend we celebrate Flambeau Rama in Park Falls. It brings family and friends together, and it is time of celebration and joy. Most of the time we would like hold on to those moments, but the reality is that we have to move on with our life.
 
I remember my trip to Holy Land. One of my favorite places was the site of the transfiguration. We went most of the way by bus, then walked. Once you get up to the mountain top the view is spectacular. At the mountain top there is a beautiful church of the Transfiguration. The scene of the Transfiguration is depicted in a beautiful mosaic. It was a totally beautiful and prayerful experience. I really hated to turn around and leave the mountain.  Even though I would have liked to stay longer there, I had to follow the rest of the group and schedule.
 
Peter, James and John felt a huge rush on the top of a mountain in the Gospel. They saw Jesus there transfigured. His face shone like the sun.  His clothes were dazzling white.  Moses and Elijah were also there. Peter said to Jesus that it is good for us to be here, let us pitch some tents for everyone, so we can hold on to this experience. But they couldn’t do that. They had to leave the mountain and rejoin the people of the world; people searching for the mountain; people searching for the experience of God.
 
Dr. William Stidger once told of a lovely little 90-year-old lady named Mrs. Sampson. Mrs. Sampson was frail, feeble, even sickly. But Dr. Stidger said that when he was discouraged he always went to visit Mrs. Sampson. She had a radiant spirit that was contagious. One day he asked this 90-year-young woman, “What is the secret of your power? What keeps you happy, contented and cheerful through your sickness?” She answered with a line from a poem, Silver in the Sun, “I had an hour of glory on a wind-swept hill.” Bill Stidger said, recounting this experience, “I knew she had been in touch with God and that was the whole reason for her cheerfulness.” Listen again to her words: “an hour of glory on a windswept hill.” It sounds very much like the experience Peter, James and John had on the Mount of Transfiguration.
 
We may have high moments and low moments in our lives. We have to hold on to the high moments and share them with others. Let us gather at the mountain of the Lord for the celebration of the Eucharist. It is the place to celebrate faith and be fed, then we have to go back to those who are searching.
 
The Flambeau Rama celebration is also time to spend time with family and friends. Let all the celebration become a moment of nourishment. In the midst of all busy-ness, let us find time to celebrate our faith. Happy Flambeau Rama weekend!
 
Thank you! Marilyn Koshak and all those who worked with her for fundraising for Pipe and Organ. Also special thanks to all those who made generous donations. Thank you!
 
Thank you! St. Anthony Council of Catholic Women for donating money  towards the air conditioning in the Padua Center. Your generosity and ministry greatly appreciated. Thank you!