CTC has its first female permanent members

The Companions of the Transfigured Christ (CTC) Community celebrated our 18^th anniversary in August on the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6).

This August 3–5 anniversary was a special weekend for us for many reasons. Our covenant and consecrated members spent the weekend on retreat at Tabór House, CTC’s centre in Belmont. Sr Angela Ann Zukowski MHSH directed the retreat.

Sr Angela helped the community through her engaging reflections, dynamic sharings, and her funny stories to recognise our community’s call to become disciples with a truly deep faith; a faith that can stand up to all of the trials of this modern era; cultivate the seven spiritual habits of the 21^st century individually and collectively; share the light of Tabór with others through the ministry of accompaniment.

During the Mass liturgy to celebrate the feast day, four covenant members made the bold step to commit to living out the community’s charism for the rest of their lives.

It was also a historic day for CTC, as three of these four members are the first females to become permanent covenant members. There was great joy as they all received their crosses that would be worn as a sign of this commitment.

Archbishop Jason Gordon was the Mass celebrant, and was making his first visit to CTC since his installation last December. The Mass was held at the Providence Girls High School hall.

In his homily, he described the Transfiguration as an important turning point in the life of Jesus. He shared that although baptism initiated Jesus into ministry, it was the Transfiguration that initiated Jesus into His journey to the cross.

He added that this initiation could be understood as an initiation into the Father, the Abba experience: “This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to Him”.

The Archbishop also shared his firm belief that this is the same type of transformation that is needed today in the Church; a transformation that allows each person, like Christ to experience their belovedness.

People need to know like Jesus that they are beloved, he said, adding that it is only the beloved disciple who makes it to the cross and faces it. The Archbishop also encouraged us by affirming CTC’s role in making this transformation a reality.

Our members need to first experience this transformation, then we must share that experience with the world. The world needs this spirituality, a spirituality that is willing to embrace the cross because it is only through the cross that we will find salvation.

We thank all who celebrated our feast day with us, and all those who continue to pray for and support the life and work of CTC. Please continue to remember our community in prayer, and we will pray that the light of Tabór will illumine your darkest hours, and that the transfigured Christ will lead you out of darkness into His wonderful light! – Mikkel Trestrail