Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 13 April 2014 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York

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1 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 13 April 2014 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York From the Pastor -- Passing from one divine feast to another, from palms and branches, let us now make haste, O faithful, to the solemn and saving celebration of Christ s passion. Let us behold him undergo voluntary suffering for our sake, and let us sing to him with thanksgiving a fitting hymn: Fountain of tender mercy and haven of salvation, O Lord, glory to you! (Byzantine Vespers) With today s celebration of Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, the church begins the solemn celebration of Holy Week and the Triduum culminating in the glory of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus on Easter. Allow me to extend a most sincere invitation to you - and through you - to your family, friends and neighbors to join us here at Saint Luke for this most holy week. Christ s Paschal Mystery of His suffering, death and resurrection celebrated in solemn rites is not just a commemoration of past historical events - like a play - but in the liturgy of the church it is the Lord s present invitation to experience the gift of salvation in Christ. The church s liturgy enables us to once again be present to the sacred mysteries of our salvation. Yet Holy Week involves more than solemn ritual. Holy Week involves internal conversion and change of heart. Holy Week calls each of us to journey with Christ through His suffering and Death to Easter joy. How? Through prayer, fasting and works of charity this week is made holy as we embrace our cross; die to sin and self will and rise to a renewal of the new life of our Baptism. Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free. God bless! Let us pray for one another, RECONCILIATION MONDAY, APRIL 14 Confessions in all parishes of New York City and Long Island On the Monday of Holy Week, April 14th, The Sacrament of Penance will be available in all the parishes of New York City and Long Island between 3pm and 9pm. Check each parish for specific schedules. Here at St. Luke, priests will be available for confession from 1pm to 5pm. There will be a Penance Service at 7pm followed by individual confessions in English & Italian. To provide further opportunities for the Sacrament of Penance we include the schedules of our neighboring parish: Holy Trinity: 3-5pm & 7-9pm St. Mel: 3-5pm and 7-9pm (English & Italian) St. Michael: 9-10am; 11am-noon; 3-5pm and 6:30pm to 8:30pm (English, Spanish & Chinese) St. John Vianney: 3-9pm (English & Chinese) St. Andrew: 3-9pm (English & Spanish) Mary s Nativity: 9-9:30am; 4-4:45pm Saint Ann: 1-4pm and 6-8:30pm (English & Spanish) Page 1

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3 In observance of Holy Week and Easter Week there will be NO meetings from Friday, April 11 until Sunday, April 27. Meetings will resume on Monday, April 28. ************************************ Comitato Festa Di Maria SS. Del Romitello Borgetto in collaborazione con la Chiesa di San Luca Processione Del Venerdi Santo 18 April :00pm Liturgia della croce 7:00pm Procession per le vie di Whitestone Per informazione chiamare la sede del club *********************************** TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE. Luke 23:43 Meditations on the 7 Last Words of Christ April 18th at 12 noon Saint James Cathedral Basilica 250 Cathedral Place Brooklyn, NY SOME IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR HOLY WEEK -- Stations of the Cross, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Lenten Classes will NOT be held during Holy Week. This includes both the Monday night Stations in Italian and the Friday afternoon Stations in English. The Holy Week schedule is printed again in this week s bulletin and found at the doors of the church in the small Holy Week brochure. ************************************ RETIRED PRIESTS COLLECTION - EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 20 On Easter Sunday, the Diocese will be taking its annual collection for the Retired Priests of the Diocese. Collected funds are used for the support of our Retired Priests and provide health and other welfare benefits for our Senior or Disables Priests. Support or services provided to our Retired and Senior Priests include allowances for living expenses, medical, dental, vision and short term disability coverage benefits. Please be as generous as you can to support and provide the needed care and services that our Senior and Retired Priests deserve. Page 3

4 COLLECTIONS April 5 & 6 $10,896 Envelopes Mailed 1,948 Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Received 596 GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION A Pontifical Collection Christians around the world are united in a special way during Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Our hearts, minds and prayers are also especially aware of the Holy Land. Our parish, once a year on Good Friday, is called on to support Christians in the Holy Land. Many Christians in the Holy Land depend on the collection for their lives. As a pontifical collection requested by Pope Francis, the annual Good Friday Collection offers a direct link for parishioners to be witnesses of peace and to help protect the Holy Places. When you donate on Good Friday, you are supporting Christians in the Holy Land. Franciscans and others in the Holy Land are housing and feeding the poor, providing religious formation and education, maintaining shrines and parishes, and conducting pastoral ministry. For more information, visit The Good Friday Collection is requested by the Holy Father. Please be as generous as your abundance allows. Page 4

5 Holy Week Evening of Prayer Offered on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of Holy Week at 7:30pm. The evenings will focus on the scripture passage: And He (Jesus) loved them to the end. (John 13:1-15) Taken from the Gospel of Saint John, the passage introduces the narrative of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus the source of our salvation and the greatest revelation of the Lord s love a love that lasted to the end. Monday, April 14 7:30pm Reconciliation Service Sister Maryann Seton LoPiccolo, S.C. Bishop s Delegate to Religious for the Diocese Tuesday, April 15 7:30pm Deacon Kevin McCormack Principal of Xaverian High School Deacon of the Diocese of Rockville Centre Host of his own Radio Show Wednesday, April 16 7:30pm Rev. Joseph T. Holcomb Pastor Saint Andrew Avellino Church, Flushing, N.Y. Sacred Triduum and Easter Join the parish community in celebrating the Sacred Liturgies of the Lord s Passion, Death and Resurrection. These celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday commemorate the saving deeds of our salvation in Christ. Please consult the upcoming bulletin for a complete listing of liturgies and prayer opportunities for Holy Week and Easter. All Lenten Offerings begin the first full week of Lent and end the week before Holy Week. Page 5

6 MISSION STATEMENT As a community of believers in Jesus Christ and in Communion with the universal church, we strive to follow the Lord s command to love God and one another. Rooted in word and sacrament, we grow together as a Eucharistic community inviting all to the Good News of Jesus. DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY On Sunday, April 27, the Second Sunday of Easter, the church celebrates the gift of Divine Mercy. Due to a scheduled wedding for the day our usual Divine Mercy devotions will not be held. For those interested, we wish to inform you of Divine Mercy celebrations in nearby parishes. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church Sunday, April 27 at 3:00pm Church of St. Josaphat Sunday, April 27 at 3:00pm **************************************************************************** NOVENA TO ST. ANTHONY The annual Novena in preparation for the June 13th feast of Saint Anthony began Tuesday, March 18th immediately following the 12 noon Mass and will continue every Tuesday following until the celebration of Saint Anthony s feast day - Friday, June 13th. **************************************************************************** THANK YOU -- To all those who contributed to last weekend s special collection for fuel. Through your generosity, a total of $4,399 was collected to help defray the cost of heating our parish buildings. Thank you and God bless! Page 6

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8 MINISTRY TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND The care of parishioners who are sick and homebound is very important to the life of any parish and the ministers who participate in their care are clear signs that the community remembers those who no longer can attend church services because of age or illness. St. Luke Parish is very fortunate to have Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who are devoted to the sick and homebound, some in their own homes and some in the Queens Rehabilitation Center. The ministers are very generous with their time as they visit the sick and homebound praying with them and bringing them holy communion. If you know of someone who is in need of a minister s visit with holy communion, please contact Sister Theresa at (718) or (718) and arrangements will be made as soon as possible. **************************************************************************** BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP A Bereavement Support Group provides a safe place where people who are grieving the loss of loved ones can share their experiences with others who are in similar situations, who have similar concerns and who are better able to understand the grief process. Our Bereavement Group at St. Luke Parish currently meets on the first Tuesdays of each month in the Pastoral Center (formerly the lower church) at 7:30pm. The next meeting of the Bereavement Group will take place on Tuesday, May 6th at 7:30pm in the Pastoral Center. If you need further information or if you are interested in attending the bereavement sessions, please contact Sister Theresa (718) who facilitates the group and who also offers Bereavement Counseling where needed. ADULT CONFIRMATION PREPARATION Are you a baptized Catholic who has received First Communion but has never been confirmed? You are invited to attend a six week program to prepare for Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday, June 8. Classes begin Monday, April 28 at 7:00pm in the Pastoral Center. Call Sister Katherine Burke, C.S.J. at (718) for additional information. Page 8

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14 Msgr. Dillon Council Knights of Columbus News -- Save the Dates! Knights of Columbus Communion Mass & Breakfast Join the Knights for their annual Communion Mass & Breakfast on Sunday, May 4th at Saint Luke Church. The Knights will gather at the 10:30am Mass and invite all to join them. A breakfast buffet will follow in the Pastoral Center and ALL proceeds will benefit the St. Luke s Youth Group. The breakfast will be available after the 11:45am and 1:00pm Masses as well. Admission: $20 per adult; $5 children ages For reservations, please call: Ralph Cefalo: ; Anthony Belviso: ; Eddie Weisenburger: nd Annual Kickin Off the Summer With The Knights Barbeque-Picnic Saturday, June 14th from 12 noon to 5:00pm on the Great Lawn at St. Luke Church. Stay tuned for more info! And don t forget...if you wish to donate baby items at any time, please call Eddie Weisenburger at (917) or John Ho at (646) Those much needed items will be donated to the Sisters of Life in Manhattan, and The Bridge to Life in Flushing. Please help provide hope to women and help them say yes to life! Page 14

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16 BAPTISM PROGRAM When preparing for the Baptism of your child, parents must attend a Pre-Baptism Class. Godparents are welcome and encouraged to attend. The class is held once a month usually on the third Monday night of the month at 7:30pm. The Baptismal Liturgy is usually celebrated on the second and fourth Sunday of the month at 3pm. No Baptism can take place until the church receives a copy of the child s Birth Certificate as required by the diocese. If you are planning a Baptism, please note the following dates: Baptism Sunday Baptism Class May 4 & 18 May 12 June 8 & 22 June 16 July 13 & 27 July 21 August 10 & 24 August 18 When considering godparents, please understand that a Godparent should: 1. be a firm and enthusiastic believer, ready, willing, and able to help his or her godchild live a Christian life. 2. be at least sixteen years old. 3. lead a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken. 4. have received all three of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. 5. not be the child s parent. For more information and to schedule a baptism appointment, please call Sister Theresa at (718) *************************************************************************** CONGRATULATIONS -- Please keep this couple in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Marriage here in our parish. Sunday, April 27 at 3:00pm FRANCESCO B. TAORMINA & VANESSA CALAMITA Page 16

17 ARE YOU A REGISTERED PARISHIONER? If you wish to register in the parish, please stop by the Rectory Office during regular office hours to fill out a census card. You can fill it out on the spot or take it with you and return it by mail or in the Sunday collection basket. After the card is returned you will be registered and begin receiving weekly offering envelopes. For each car, truck or van, running or not The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will give back to our church $50/$100 per vehicle. Maybe you don t have a vehicle, but a family member, friend or neighbor has an old or neglected vehicle in their driveway that they would like to dispose of. Call the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul at (718) This past week we have received a check for $150 from The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul for cars donated. Thank you to those who remember the parish when they donate used vehicles to the Society. Page 17

18 OLBS Easter Carnival 202nd Street entrance, between 25th & 36th Avenue April 12 from 12pm to 4pm. Fun for the whole family Games, raffles, prizes, face painting, bounce house *************************************************************************** Divine Mercy Concert Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Parsons Blvd., Jamaica invites you to attend a Divine Mercy Concert featuring Bob Rice on Friday, April 25 at 7:30pm and a healing service on Saturday, April 26th at 7:30pm. All are welcome. Join us for prayer, great music and praising the Lord. **************************************************************************** Worldwide Marriage Encounter Jesus lives with us and in us through his Body and Blood; and He lives in our Sacrament of Marriage. Restore communication, renew commitment and rekindle the romance in your marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend in your area is April 25-27, Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: wwme.org or call (877) NYS-WWME option 2. **************************************************************************** TABOR RETREAT CENTER 60 Anchor Avenue, Oceanside, N.Y. Invites you to treat yourself to some quiet, reflective time away from your usual busy schedule. For more information please call or TaborRetreats@juno.com. **************************************************************************** Poppenhusen Institute Springtime Youth Workshops th Road, College Point Beginning Saturday, April 5-Saturday, June 28. Space is limited. For more info please call (718) or see website poppenhusen@juno.com. Page 18

19 SCRIPTURE READINGS Mon. - Is 42:1-7; Jn 12:1-11 Tues. - Is 49:1-6; Jn 13:21-33,36-38 Wed. - Is 50:4-9a; Mt 26:14-25 Thurs. - Ex 12:1-8,11-14; 1Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15 Fri. - Is 52:13-53:12; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1-19:42 Sat. - Gn 1:1-2:2; Gn 22:1-18; Ex 15:1-6,17-18; Is 54:5-14; Is 55:1-11; Bar 3:9-15,32-4:4 Ez 36:16-17a,18-28; Rom 6:3-11; Mt 28:1-10 WE PRAY FOR THE SICK: FRANCIS McKENNA ANNA PUMA ELIZABETH LEA MELKUN TIMOTHY BOYLE ELIZABETH ANN SAVINO GRACE GAMBY PATRICIA GAMBY JOHN BOYLE GEORGE MARONE AND FOR THE DECEASED *********************************** MEMORIALS The Altar Bread is given in memory of SR. CATHERINE T. REILLY, O.P. requested by Marilyn Rice. The Altar Wine is given in memory of FERNANDO & CARMELLA MARTELLI requested by their family. The Sanctuary Lamp is given in memory of MARIA D ONOFRIO requested by Matilda Pacione and Mario. ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2014 Reconciliation Monday, April 14 7:00 Raymond Carew 12:00 Gina & Alfredo Sciorilli Tuesday, April 15 8:30 Enrico & Lucy Tosi 12:00 Carmela & Mario Nardella Wednesday, April 16 7:00 Matthew & Connie Stanzione 12:00 Ana & Carlo Trdoslavic Holy Thursday, April 17 10:00 Morning Prayer 7:30 Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper Good Friday, April 18 10:00 Morning Prayer 3:00 Liturgy of the Passion 6:00 Liturgy of the Passion (Italian) 8:00 Liturgy of the Passion Holy Saturday, April 19 10:00 Morning Prayer 8:00 Easter Vigil *********************************** COLLECTIVE INTENTIONS MASS The next Collective Intentions Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, April 27 at 10:30am At this Mass we pray for ELAINE VIEWIG JOSEPHINE GALANTI The Altar Candles are given in memory of TAK FONG HO requested by Claudia & Frank Morelli. Page 19

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