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The historian Eusebius, in his Life of Constantine, tells how that emperor ordered the erection of a complex of buildings in Jerusalem “on a scale of imperial magnificence,” to set forth as “an object of attraction and veneration to all, the blessed place of our Savior’s resurrection.” The overall supervision of the work—on the site where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre now stands—was entrusted to Constantine’s mother, the empress Helena.

We just had a very successful visit with Bishop LaBelle. It was his first time with us, though he’s been to our facility before with the Goshen congregation. I wanted to offer a few thoughts on his time.

The Transfiguration is not to be understood only as a spiritual experience of Jesus while at prayer, which three chosen disciples, Peter, James, and John, were permitted to witness. It is one of a series of spiritual manifestations by which God authenticated Jesus as his Son. It is at one with the appearance of the angels at the birth and at his resurrection, and with the descent of the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism. Matthew records the voice from heaven saying, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).

Bishop Phil LaBelle will be visiting us on July 12th. This is his first visit to All Saints’ although he’s been to the Goshen congregation before. This is a large diocese, almost 100 churches, so we can expect to see him every three years. That is the canonical requirement. In the intervening two years someone from diocesan staff will make a visit. Recently that has been the Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Cristi Chapman.

Mary of Magdala, a town near Capernaum, was one of several women who followed Jesus and ministered to him in Galilee. The Gospel according to Luke records that Jesus “went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out . . .” (Luke 8:1-2). The Gospels tell us that Mary was healed by Jesus, followed him, and was one of those who stood near his cross at Calvary.

I served in Northern Indiana at Gethsemane Episcopal Church in Marion, a small town in the center of the state. A few miles south of us, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was located in Gas City, a smaller town. It had been founded at the height of a boom in natural gas in the 1890s. Welsh miners organized the parish with the expectation that the gas supply would never end. Great prosperity was expected, but after a decade the gas wells dried up. Gas City remained a very small town dwarfed in size by the slightly larger town of Marion.

Thomas Ken was born in 1637. Throughout his life he was both rewarded and punished for his integrity. His close relationship with the royal family began when he became chaplain to Princess Mary of Orange at the The Hague. Ken was appalled at the Prince of Orange’s treatment of his wife, and rebuked him publicly.

I think by now most of you will know that the long-delayed property sale has gone through. I received an email from Sonia Grunberg, our Realtor, on Friday, January 16th. The final amount is a bit more than $300,000 which will go to the diocese. I want to thank Sonia for the diligence with which she pursued this sale and for her work finding those interested in a purchase. I would also thank the various members of the Bishop’s Committee and Building Committee whose time, work and energy have turned this long potential idea into a reality.

Next to Patrick, Brigid is the most beloved of Irish saints. Born at Fauchart about the middle of the fifth century, she may have met Patrick as a young girl. She was said to be the daughter of Dubhthach, poet laureate of King Loeghaire, and was reared in a Druid household. She decided early in life to dedicate her life to God alone as a Christian. She received a nun’s veil from Bishop Macaile of Westmeath.