The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ 2 June 2013 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York From the Desk of Msgr. Tosi--- It s Carnival Time - the 3rd Annual St. Luke Carnival that is - which opens this week on Thursday, June 6th and runs four days till its closing on Sunday, June 9th. I do hope you will visit the Carnival which has once again become an important and much anticipated part of our parish life. Much work and enthusiasm has resulted in what promises to be four days of fun and enjoyment for the whole family and people of all ages. Live entertainment each night; many new rides; lots of food; new vendors offering arts and crafts items and so much more will be available. So come on over to the schoolyard - meet neighbors and friends - and bring a few people with you. While truly a fun raiser, the Carnival is also a fundraiser for our parish and school. The funds raised are much needed and will help the parish meet many outstanding financial obligations (bills)! This year more than ever the Carnival hopefully will provide financial help! I do hope you will come visit - and please pray for good weather. God bless! Let us pray for one another, JUNE -- THE MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART This coming Friday - June 7th - is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Saturday, June 8th is the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. With these two celebrations we honor the heart of Jesus and Mary as symbols of the love with which each holds for us. If only we understood the great love of Jesus for each of us we would be ever thankful and desire to love Jesus in return. June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Let us rejoice that our God loves us! And let us strive to love God. May Mary in her motherly love lead us to Christ. Page 1
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. ARE YOU GOING TO RESTORE THE STATIONS? Thank you to those who have donated the restoration of a station. As of May 29, 2013 one station remains. If interested, please call Msgr. Tosi. Again, Msgr. requests any color photos of the stations before they were white washed. Our intention is to restore the Stations to their original colors - so color photos would be of great assistance. **************************************************************************** Funeral Arrangements Update - The body of Emanuele Peluso was returned home to Italy on Monday, May 27th. The departure was from JFK Airport in New York arriving at Catania Airport in Italy on Tuesday, May 28th at 10:25pm. The Funeral Home in Italy then transported him to Vittoria (Ragusa). We have asked the Italian Consulate for an estimate of the funeral expenses in Italy. Any further information will be published in next week s bulletin. **************************************************************************** Father Bruno -- From June 6th to June 21st, Fr. Bruno will be returning to Rome in order to defend his dissertation and complete his Doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Lateran University. Fr. Bruno has written on the political and social thought of St. Augustine of Hippo in a work entitled, Political Augustinianism: A Study of the Interpretations of Augustine s Political Thought From 1900 to the Present. He will be defending this work in front of the dean and members of the theology faculty, in what is the last step before obtaining his degree. Your prayers are kindly requested for Father Bruno that he may successfully defend his dissertation, complete his degree, and return safely back to Saint Luke s. **************************************************************************** Due to the set up and finish of the Parish Carnival, NO meetings will take place from Monday, June 3rd through Monday, June 10th. Meetings will resume on Tuesday, June 11th. Thank you for your cooperation! Page 2
SUNDAY COLLECTION May 25 & 26 $ 9,217 Envelopes Mailed 1,959 Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Received 432 NOVENA IN HONOR OF SAINT ANTHONY The annual novena in preparation for the feast of Saint Anthony has begun after the 8:30am Mass on Saturday mornings in the School Hall and continues until a special feast day Mass to be celebrated on Saturday, June 15 at 8:30am. This change in our regular novena schedule is necessitated by the repair of the church and allows us to accommodate all those who wish to attend the novena. Of course, June 13 remains the feast of Saint Anthony. Mass will be celebrated in his honor on the feast day as well. ************************************ CLOTHING DRIVE The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is sponsoring a Clothing Drive on Sunday, June 30th from 8am until 1pm. The truck will be parked across from the school in the school yard for easy access. Your donation of gently used clothing will be greatly appreciated by those in need who are aided by the Society. SCHOOL OF RELIGION 2013-2014 REGISTRATION Registration and re-registration for grades 1-8 Religious Education classes will be held: Thursday, June 13 3:30pm-5:00pm Wednesday, June 19 3:30pm-5:00pm Please call the Religious Education office at (718) 746-3409 for additional information. ************************************ THANK YOU -- To all those who serve the parish as part of its Music Ministry. Special thanks to the members of the Adult Choir as they mark the conclusion today of another year adding to the beauty and prayerfulness of the liturgy while helping us sing! We are most grateful for their generosity and enthusiasm. Thanks also to Jessica, our Director of Music and Loneda, our organist for their service throughout the year. Thanks also to the Youth Choir and the Italian Choir for sharing their gift of music and song with the parish family. The choirs will return in September after a much deserved vacation in July and August. VOCATION CORNER --- You give them something to eat. Do these words of Christ challenge you to give your all for Him as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life? Contact the Vocation Office at (718) 827-2454 or email: vocations@diobrook.org. Page 3
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Come and Celebrate St. Anthony with the Knights Pasta Night on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. St. Anthony Rosary at 6:00pm followed by Pasta dinner at 7:00pm. Half the proceeds to benefit The Robert DiLibero Foundation. Admission: $15.00 per person; Children 7-12 $10.00. Night features buffet of pasta al olio (spaghetti in garlic and oil) and pasta with meatballs, soda, coffee, tea and dessert and a great time. Also... Kickin Off The Summer With The Knights - Saturday, June 29 Come join the Msgr. Dillon Council Knights of Columbus as they cook a barbeque-picnic to help raise funds for Autism awareness, which is a growing disease throughout the Queens region. Barbeque will include hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, chicken kebobs, corn on the cob, watermelon, Italian ices, soda and beer. Event will feature a face painter, animal balloons, water sprinklers, Zumba, potato sac races and other children s events, a DJ, raffles, 50/50 and a great time for all. Where: Sisters of Mercy (St. Alfonsus Formation House) on corner of 22nd Avenue and Parsons Blvd. in Whitestone. Admission is $25 per adult; $15 for kids 11-18; under 10 are FREE! Family price: $60 (family of 4 or more) PLEASE BRING BLANKETS AND/OR CHAIRS FOR PICNIC. For more information on both events, please call: Anthony Belviso (917) 378-3663 Eddie Weisenburger (917) 667-2835 PARISH CALENDAR -- At this time no reservations for events are being taken in the parish calendar. Due to the restoration work of our parish buildings, we are unable to take any requests for the use of meeting space. We will reconsider this decision after Labor Day. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated. ************************************ Renewing Our Faith Through Acts of Charity --- A word of thanks to those who have already responded to the request of the Bishop to support the 2013 Annual Catholic Appeal. Your generous gift will enable us to meet our parish goal of $100,508 while funds collected over goal will support our parish campaign of restoration and renewal of our parish buildings. Allow me to express my own gratitude for your gift to the Appeal especially in light of our ongoing Capital Campaign. I am humbled by your goodness and support. Please accept my gratitude and promise of prayers. As of May 28th, $60,561.83 has been pledged by 233 donors with $42,994.83 already received. God bless, Msgr. Tosi Page 4
ST. LUKE SCHOOL WHERE FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE MEET 718-746-3833 www.slswhitestone.org Mommy and Me The St. Luke School Mommy and Me Program is a fun-filled, well-run program for young children and their caretakers. Every Tuesday throughout the school year, our gym is filled with the sounds of laughter, good conversation, songs and FUN! We are very fortunate to have a dedicated group of our own school moms and dads who have given generously and freely of their time and talents every week for the past seven years to set up, entertain, feed, clean up and provide a wonderful morning of enjoyment and entertainment for the many families that attend. The Mommy and Me Program will resume again on Tuesday, September 24, 2013. Have a happy and safe summer! Page 5
The faculty, staff and administration of St. Luke School thank our volunteers who work hard to make the Mommy and Me Program such a success! Tina Lynch Rosemarie Blaskovic Laura Calzolaio Joan Haufe Cara Hayes Dennis Katsefes Gina Randazzo Sonia Sakhrani Kim Spellacy Debbie Stephanoff Denise Zastenik Page 6
Page 7
We would like to take a moment to thank all the parishioners of Saint Luke Parish for sending in their Box Tops and Labels for Education. Your continued support for Saint Luke School is much appreciated! We have raised over $3,000.00 for the school this year. That means we ve collected over 30,000 Box Tops for Education in nine months, and thousands of Labels for Education as well. We have also started collecting Tyson A+ Labels; they are on both the Tyson product bags and boxes. As soon as the church is reopened we will again have a collection box in the vestibule. In the mean time you can mail your Box Tops, Labels for Education, and Tyson A+ labels directly to the school at 16-01 150th Place, Whitestone, N.Y., 11357, Attn: Box Tops. Please continue to support the children of our school and THANK YOU! Page 8
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 June 9 & 23 June 17 July 14 & 28 July 15 August 11 & 25 August 19 September 8 & 22 September 16 All baptisms are taking place in the School Hall until September 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. For more information, please call the rectory at 718-746-8102. Page 9
A DAY TO REMEMBER - EVERY DAY! On Memorial Day, May 27, Msgr. Tosi offered the Invocation at the Whitestone Veterans Memorial. The following is the text of Msgr. s Prayer. Let us Pray United in mind and heart, of many backgrounds, races and creeds, made one in our love of country. Today as one nation under God we remember those who sacrificed so much and those who died to protect and defend our country; For the members of the armed forces who make it possible to gather as a free people all across this great nation and here in Whitestone. Let us bow our heads in Prayer Heavenly Father, almighty God, in you we trust. Throughout our history you Lord, God have been our refuge and strength. We praise and thank you today for our country. Bless our nation and its people: rich in natural beauty, blessed with spacious skies and amber fields of grain; for highest mountains and gleaming cities; for the many peoples who make up our country from our Native Americans to those of us who came from distant countries and now call this land our home. Bless the citizens of the United Stated of America crown your gifts with tolerance, compassion, unity in diversity; with the peace that comes from you alone. Gracious God keep us safe from those who wish us harm; from violence and terrorism; from that hatred especially that does not honor your Holy Name. On this Memorial Day bless those who protect our nation those heroes who give so much welcome home those members of the armed forces who gave their lives so we might be free. Keep safe those who serve in the military today throughout the world and here at home. Bless and protect all who protect us the police, firefighters, emergency workers. May we like them love country more than self. May we be willing to fulfill our responsibilities as citizens sacrificing self in service to the nation. God, ever kind and merciful, may we live in integrity and honesty a people noble in character. Keep alive in us the patriot dream the hopes of our founding fathers and mothers. Protect our country may the tragedies of our times not dim the values upon which this country was founded. Console and strengthen those who suffer violence and the death of loved ones by the acts of terrorism that plague our troubled times even in our own country. May our human tears by your power and might be transformed to life and love. Finally, Lord God shed your blessing upon us gathered here and upon every gathering held today across our city and nation. For in you, our God, we trust now and forever. Amen. God Bless America. Page 10
ENSURING THE FUTURE OF YOUR CHURCH -- Saint Luke Parish relies on your goodness and generosity to ensure that the mission and ministry of Jesus continues here in Whitestone. A charitable bequest is an excellent way to create a lasting memorial. Many of our parishioners use their wills or living trusts to make their most generous gifts. Please remember us when you create yours. THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL GIVES BACK St. Luke Church should share in the profits 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 St. Vincent de Paul at (718) 491-2525. Thank you for your participation Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
SCRIPTURE READINGS Mon. - Tb 1:1,3;2:1a-8; Mk 12:1-12 Tues. - Tb 2:9-14; Mk 12:13-17 Wed. - Tb 3:1-11a,16-17a; Mk 12:18-27 Thurs. - Tb 6:10-11; 7:1bcde,9-17;8:4-9a; Mk 12:28-34 Fri. - Ez 34:11-16; Rom 5:5b-11; Lk 15:3-7 Sat. - Tb 12:1,5-15,20; Lk 2:41-51 WE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH: JENNIE ROMANO LOUIS FIAMMA THOMAS GEORGE BREEN FRANCIS McKENNA ANNA PUMA BABY ROBERT PADVANO ELIZABETH LEA MELKUN THERESA POMPA PAUL RICE AND FOR THE DECEASED WILLIAM SAYEGH *********************************** MEMORIALS The Altar Candles are given in loving memory of JOSEPH PELOSO (15th Anniversary) at the request of his parents. ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 3, 2013 Monday, June 3 7:00 Clotilda Fernandes 12:00 John DeRespiris (Anniversary) Tuesday, June 4 8:30 Fiamma, DeMarco, Tamborello & Costanzo Families 12:00 Valerie Duecker Wednesday, June 5 7:00 Charles Gifford, Sr. (Anniversary) 12:00 Joseph Trotta (Anniversary) Thursday, June 6 8:30 Luis Wilches 12:00 Stanley Beck Friday, June 7 7:00 Evelyn Pearson (Birthday) 12:00 Living & Deceased Members of The Cassidy Family Saturday, June 8 8:30 Anthony Rossini (Birthday) The Altar Wine is given in loving memory of MARIE CATALDO (birthday) at the request of Valerie & Sal Balsamo & family. The Altar Candles are burning in loving memory of THOMAS O DEA at the request of June & Richard O Dea. Page 14
FLUSHING FIRST FRIDAY CLUB will meet on Friday, June 7 at 12 noon at Verdi s Restaurant, Whitestone. The speaker will be Rev. Gerard Ettlinger, Moderator. The cost of lunch is $25.00. **************************************************************************** SUMMER CAMPS AT ST. AGNES ACADEMIC HIGH SCHOOL, College Point Dance Camp for girls ages 9 and up. Learn the fundamentals of dance at St. Agnes in the all new state of the art air conditioned dance studio from July 22nd to July 26th from 9am until 11am. $80 per dancer - Register before June 14 and pay $75. Cheer Camp for girls that are now entering 1st through 5th grades. Come and cheer at St. Agnes in the all new state of the art, air conditioned dance studio from August 13th to 15th Grades 1-2 from 9am to 11am & Grades 3-5 from 12pm to 2pm. $60 per cheerleader. Register early space is limited! For more information & to sign up call the school at 718-353-6276. **************************************************************************** MSGR. McCLANCY H.S. SUMMER CAMPS Now accepting applications for girls softball, soccer, basketball and volleyball; boys basketball, soccer and basketball. For more information please call the school at 718-898- 3800, ext. 18 and speak to Miss Fran Rocco, camp coordinator. **************************************************************************** TACHS Preparation Program Msgr. McClancy Memorial High School is now accepting applications for the TACHS preparation program to be held at the school for the first seven Saturdays of the next school year beginning on September 14th. For more information please contact the school at 718-898-3800, ext. 18. **************************************************************************** BLOOD DRIVE Whitestone Community Ambulance service is having their Semi Annual Blood Drive on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at their headquarters located at 12-15 150th Street, Whitestone from 9am to 2pm. Please reserve some time that day and support this worthy cause. All donors will receive a free gift. For more information please call (718) 767-1000. Page 15
Page 16
Page 17