The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 27 January 2013 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York From the Desk of Msgr. Tosi--- Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at Him. (Luke 1:1-4/4:14-21) Today the parish will observe the start of the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week - January 28 to February 1st. This annual observance enables us to rededicate ourselves to the mission of Catholic school education while making known once again the value and fine quality of Saint Luke School. Our parish school offers an excellent academic program in a safe and caring environment; many programs to develop the God given gifts of the students and a variety of after school activities. The academic achievements of our boys and girls are something we can be proud of; assistance and attention is given to every student so that they can achieve their full potential. And yet the heart of Saint Luke School is not a course or program or its academic accomplishments. The heart of our school has always been and continues to be Jesus! Like the people in today s gospel - the eyes of the entire school community are on Jesus - the eyes of all looked intently at Him. I wish to express thanks to all who work so hard to make Saint Luke School such a success - the faculty and administration, especially the principal, Mrs. Barbara Reiter; the parents and of course the boys and girls themselves! I am also grateful for the support of the parish community for the school. Over and over again you have shown your encouragement of Saint Luke School by sharing time, talent and finances with the school community. In so many ways you make Saint Luke School such an important part of parish life - for over 100 years! Our school continues to grow in enrollment and is blessed with a secure financial outlook. Saint Luke School enjoys a good reputation in the neighborhood - the result of hard work and dedication on the part of so many. A most sincere thank you to all. And yet we cannot rest on past achievements or present success. Together we must strive to ever improve our school - centered on Christ; guided by the Holy Spirit and blessed by the Father. So - come visit the school this coming week; encourage those you know to send their children to the school and spread the Good News about Saint Luke School. We truly practice this year s theme: Catholic Schools - Raise the Standards! God bless. Let us pray for one another, 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. Page 1
SUNDAY COLLECTION January 20 $ 9,644 Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Mailed 1,988 Envelopes Received 624 BEREAVEMENT GROUP --- The Bereavement Group meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 7:30pm in the Rectory. The bereavement ministry is an outreach to those who have experienced the death of a loved one. Through prayer, scripture and faith filled sharing this ministry seeks to bring healing to those left behind. If you are interested in joining us once a month, please call the rectory at 718-746-8102. ****************************************** To all those who contributed to the second collection last weekend to help defray the cost of heating the parish buildings. A total of $3,351 was collected through your generosity. Thank you and God bless. ************************************ FLUSHING FIRST FRIDAY CLUB --- Will meet on Friday, February 1, 2013 at 12 noon at Verdi s Restaurant. The speaker will be Father Richard Long, St. Cecilia s Parish, Brooklyn. Cost $25 per person. ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL 2012 --- The parish has recently received the final report on the 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal. The report is yet another example of the goodness and generosity of the parishioners. Even with the Capital Campaign for Saint Luke Parish, a total of $69,162.15 has been received toward the parish goal of $90,950. A most sincere thank you to those who supported the Appeal. It is of great assistance to the parish as we are required to meet our goal to the Diocese. The parish has written a check from Campaign funds in the amount of $21,787.85 to cover our goal. A final request: if you have not completed your pledge or wish to help us cover the check sent - please send your payment/gift directly to the parish. Your assistance in this matter is most appreciated. God bless. Msgr. Tosi ************************************ 8th ANNUAL DIVINE MERCY CONFERENCE - March 2, 2013 from 9am to 5:30pm at Cardinal Spellman H.S., Bronx, N.Y. Registration open at 7:30am. A tribute to Fr. Benedict Groeschel,CFR presented by Joe Campo & Chris Bell. Holy Mass, Main Celebrant Fr. Mariusz Koch, CFR. Confession and Q & A Panel of Divine Mercy Experts. For information and registration please call1-800-462-7426 or register online at www.thedivinemercy.org/ bronx. Sponsored by the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception (MIC) and Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR). Page 2
COME VISIT THE PLAYGROUND --- Once again the new school playground will be open for you to visit this Sunday, January 27th from after the 7:30am Mass to 2:00pm. The playground is a big hit with students of all ages. The memorial to the Dominican Sisters consisting of the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes formerly located in the convent garden. Memorial stones in memory of or in honor of a loved one are available. See today s bulletin on how to obtain a memorial stone for your loved one. We thank those who have already donated a memorial stone. Their generosity helps to make this memorial possible. You can join them in this most worthy activity. Other dates to visit: March 17 - April 14 - May 12 - June 16 **************************************************************************************** LENT ALREADY? Christmas hardly seems over as we prepare to begin the Season of Lent this month on Ash Wednesday, February 13. This season of the church year provides the opportunity for conversion and change of heart. Lent calls us to examine our relationship to God and one another. Lent challenges each of us to make the practical changes needed to improve both of these relationships. By the discipline of Lent we renew the grace of our Baptism. So - don't waste this time of grace. Forty days may seem like a long time. Yet as most days they pass quickly. This year Ash Wednesday will be celebrated in the School Hall. I am grateful to both Sister Katherine Burke, C.S.J. and Mrs. Barbara Reiter for adjusting both the Religious Education Program and the school day so as to make the School Hall available for parish use. The schedule for the Distribution of Ashes on Ash Wednesday, February 13, is as follows: 7:00am - 8:30am - 10:30am - 12 noon - 2:00pm - 4:30pm - 7:30pm. Thank you for your cooperation, patience and good spirit. And Easter? Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, March 31, 2013. Page 3
RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION --- Continues here at Saint Luke. As work progresses it is exciting to see the future taking shape before our very eyes. Even with a delay on outside work for a few days due to the bitter cold of this past week, work moves forward on the interior of both the church and former lower church. Demolition on both levels has almost been completed with preliminary construction work already beginning. Hopefully the end result will be even more than originally hoped for as we started this daring venture. With God - and your goodness and generosity - all things are possible. Once again, thank you for your understanding, patience and cooperation as we gather for Mass in the School Hall and rectory basement. We truly appreciate even more the beauty and value of our parish church. God bless. **************************************************************************** PRE-BAPTISM PROGRAM --- When preparing for the Baptism of your child, parents must attend a Pre-Baptism Class for their first and second child only. Godparents are welcome to attend. The class is held once a month usually on the third Monday night of the month in the rectory 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 February 10 & 24 February 11 March 10 & 17 March 18 April 14 & 28 April 15 May 19 & 26 May 20 June 9 & 23 June 17 All baptisms are taking place in the School Hall until July 1st due to the renovation of the church. Permission letters will be given to those who wish to baptize their child in another church. However, they still need to attend the Pre-Baptism Class which is required in order to give the letter of permission. Page 4 For more information, please call the rectory at 718-746-8102. VOCATION CORNER --- You are the body of Christ and individually members of it. Are you being called to strengthen His body through a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or the consecrated life? Contact the Vocation Office at (718) 827-2454 or email: vocations@diobrook.org.
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION--- With the start of the new year, the ongoing restoration of the church will move inside. Work will begin on the interior of the upper church and conversion of the former lower church. In order to facilitate this much needed work, the church will be closed beginning January 5th, 2013 until the completion of the work no later than July 1st, 2013. During this time Mass will be celebrated according to the normal schedule in the following locations: Weekday Masses (Mon. - Tues. - Wed. - Thurs. - Fri.) - 7:00am/8:30am & 12 Noon Masses in the Rectory Basement Meeting Room N.B. The rectory will open for Mass a half hour before the Mass is scheduled to begin and will close immediately upon completion of Mass. Weekend Masses (Saturday and Sunday) - All Masses on Saturday and Sunday will be celebrated in the School Hall. This includes the 8:30am Mass on Saturday morning. N.B. Confessions will be held in the School Hall from 3:30pm to 4:30pm on Saturdays. First Fridays : The monthly Eucharistic Devotion held on the First Friday of each month will not take place while the church is closed. This includes both the 8:30am Mass on First Fridays and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Both will NOT be celebrated. Funeral Masses: Arrangements have been made with the neighboring parishes to use their church for the funerals which would normally be held here at Saint Luke. The priests of Saint Luke will celebrate the funeral Masses held in other churches. The organist and cantor will also provide the music ministry. The Funeral Home will assist the family in making the necessary arrangements. Baptisms: Weddings: will be celebrated in the School Hall on the scheduled Sundays of each month. Letters will Be provided to the parents who wish the baptism in another church. Parents should call the Rectory to make the necessary arrangements including attendance at the required class. No weddings are scheduled for the church during this time. Your continued cooperation, patience and understanding is most appreciated. Working together we can complete the work and soon return to our beloved church. Page 6
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BRING A NEW FRIEND! ST. LUKE MOMMY & ME INVITES YOU TO BRING A NEW FRIEND FOR A FREE TRIAL!! WHEN: TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2013 9:30AM to 11:00AM WHERE: ST. LUKE SCHOOL HALL Grow, Learn, Explore & Laugh All in a safe & nurturing environment A PLACE WHERE MOMMY & BABY GROW TOGETHER!! (DADS, GRANDPARENTS, CARETAKERS ALSO WELCOME.) Page 11
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THE FOLLOWING FOUR PAGES (15-18) ARE THANK YOU LETTERS RECEIVED FOR YOUR GENEROSITY TO THE GIVING TREE --- Page 15
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SCRIPTURE READINGS Mon. - Heb 9:15,24-28; Mk 3:22-30 Tues. - Heb 10:1-10; Mk 3:31-35 Wed. - Heb 10:11-18; Mk 4:1-20 Thurs. - Heb 10:19-25; Mk 4:21-25 Fri. - Heb 10:32-39; Mk 4:26-34 Sat. - Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 WE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH: JENNIE ROMANO LOUIS FIAMMA RITA SCHIAVELLO GRACE GAMBY THOMAS GEORGE BREEN GILBERT CUS BABY EMMA SERBER UNITA JANEK SHAWN GRAHAM CHANTEL JOHNSON ANNA VANGI AND FOR THE DECEASED PETER PEPE MARY JEAN PAPPALARDO MARIE CATALDO JOSEPHINE GUGLIELMETTI LUCIA CIAGLIA ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 28, 2013 Monday, January 28 7:00 Lucy & Enrico Tosi 12:00 Erasmo Varlese Tuesday, January 29 8:30 Blewitt & Ferguson Family 12:00 Carmela Marzuco Wednesday, January 30 7:00 Daniel Cazzorla 12:00 Mariano Mendes Thursday, January 31 8:30 Michael & Carmela Galea 12:00 Joseph, Ana & Alesandro Trdoslavic Friday, February 1 7:00 Bianca Floretta (1st Anniversary) 12:00 Mario & Frank Vosilla Saturday, February 2 8:30 Ann McHugh *********************************** MEMORIALS The Altar Bread is given in loving memory of MAUREEN O CONNOR (1st Anniversary) requested by her daughter. The Altar Candles are burning in loving memory of UMBERTO, ANTONIO & SABATINO MARTELLI requested by Christine & Patricia. Page 19
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