Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 16 June 2013 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York From the Desk of Msgr. Tosi--- A FAMILY PRAYER Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of our family. Enlighten our hearts and minds that we may live more fully this vocation to love. In our daily life and work, may we reflect the self-giving love which you, O Father, eternally show with your Son and the Holy Spirit. Let your love be evident in the peace that reigns in our home and in the faith we profess and live. May our family always be a place of generosity, understanding, forgiveness and joy. Kindly give us the wisdom and courage to be witnesses to your eternal design for the family, and grant that the Holy Family of Nazareth may always guide our path to holiness as a family. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. Today s Gospel recalls the love of a woman for Jesus - described as a sinful woman - who bathed the feet of Jesus with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed them and anointed them with ointment. Her act of love merits the forgiveness of her sins - because she has shown great love (Luke 7:36-8:3). Then follows a most interesting line spoken by Jesus: But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little. On this Father s Day we remember the often generous love of our fathers - for children and family. With gratitude for the selfless love of our fathers we pray for them today asking God s blessing upon them - both the living and the dead. And like the woman in today s Gospel let us show our love in action - showing our appreciation and love in real and practical ways. Father s Day is every day! Our gratitude must be not just words but of action. Pray for those for whom this day is painful; whose memory of a father is not loving; pray for healing, forgiveness and change of heart. Let us thank God for the vocation of fatherhood and for the love of our father. A FATHER S DAY BLESSING God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they my be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless. Let us pray for one another, 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. 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. **************************************************************************** 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 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 2
SUNDAY COLLECTION June 8 & 9 $11,162 Envelopes Mailed 1,959 Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Received 607 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT -- KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Thank you to all who donated and helped support our collection for the Oklahoma Tornado victims on May 25 & 26 outside of Key Food and Waldbaum supermarkets. The Knights were able to collect $1,180 during the rainy weekend and every penny will be given to the Oklahoma Tornado victims. We hope you enjoyed the American flags we gave to everyone who donated. Once again, thank you for your ongoing and constant support. God bless. Msgr. Dillon Council Knights of Columbus Starting Monday, July 1st all parish Masses (weekday and Sunday) will be celebrated in the school hall for the summer months of July and August. This is made possible since school is closed for the summer vacation. Hopefully we will return to the church in September. Again - starting July 1st all parish Masses will be offered in the school hall. Celebration of Mass in the Rectory basement will end as of July 1st. The time of our exile is soon to end. A return to the church in September! ************************************ SCHOOL OF RELIGION 2013-2014 REGISTRATION Registration and re-registration for grades 1-8 Religious Education classes will be held: Wednesday, June 19 3:30pm-5:00pm Please call Sister Katherine Burke, CSJ at the Religious Education office (718) 746-3409 for additional information. VOCATION CORNER --- I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Is Christ inviting you to let Him live in you through single-hearted service as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life? Contact the Vocation Office at (718) 827-2454 or email: vocations@diobrook.org. Page 3
OKLAHOMA TORNADO DISASTER/2013 DISASTER RECOVERY As we continue to recover from Hurricane Sandy in our area, Bishop DiMarzio has asked that we take up a special collection for the victims of the Oklahoma Tornado Disaster. Having experienced our own difficulties for recovery in the diocese, we ask that you be as generous as possible to help others in need at this time. The special collection will be taken up at all the Masses on the weekend of June 22 and 23. May God bless you for your goodness. ************************************ TO SAINT LUKE ALUMNI-- Stephen Dierks who was installed as a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion for service at St. Francis Preparatory High School on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. Stephen will also serve as a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion at St. Luke. 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 June 10th, $69,851.83 has been pledged by 259 donors with $52,922.33 already received. God bless, Msgr. Tosi Page 4
To the Graduating Class of 2013 from Saint Luke School - 102nd Graduating Class since the school was founded. We wish to congratulate the members of the Class of 2013, their families, the faculty, the principal, Mrs. Barbara Reiter and the entire school community and all who support our Catholic School in so many ways for a job well done! Page 5
"Graduation is a time of completion, of finishing, of an ending, however, it is also a time of celebration of achievement and a beginning for the new graduate." The St. Luke Eighth Grade Graduating Class of 2013 would like to thank the following businesses for their extremely generous donations toward our school yearbook. Your inspirational and congratulatory words truly mean so much. We appreciate how you have helped in making our yearbook a success! "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." A1 Grand Auto Body Advanced Comm. Solutions All About You Hair Salon As You Wish Gifts & More Braithwaite Nursery School Cathedral Service Station Caprice II Cherry Valley Christy s Gymnastics Corona Pork Store DG Athletic League Dr. Mary Grigoratos, Orthodontist P.C. Fierce Dragons Freddy s Pizzeria House of Style Karlin Decorators Inc. KAV CONTRACTING CORP King Umberto Lollipops Diner Manny s Cutz Marino Bros. Supermarket Marino s Pizza Massimo Home Improvements Inc. MYLOS Entertainment NYCOM Optometrics Eye Care PRIME Fine Catering RAI Design & Imports Inc. RMD Floors Sergimmo Salumeria 7 Stars Coffee Shop and Restaurant Sirena Brokerage Corp St. Luke s Athletic Association Tiffany R. Haufe Tutoring TRIO General Contracting Universal Maintenance Co. UTZ Quality Foods WHITEPOINT CLEANERS WHITEPOINT Pizzeria Whitestone Diner Whitestone Hardware Whitestone Pets Groom & Board Whitestone Pharmacy Whitestone Physical Therapy WYLD CHYLD Page 6
ALTAR SERVERS TRIP TO THE BRONX ZOO May 23, 2013 Pictured above are some of our altar servers who went on a trip to the Bronx Zoo with Father Michael Bruno, their moderator. The day started with Mass at 9:30am in the Rectory and ended with an ice cream party in the school hall. Everyone enjoyed a fun filled day! Page 7
ST. LUKE SCHOOL WHERE FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE MEET 718-746-3833 www.slswhitestone.org CLASS 1-1 IS EGGCITED FOR THE BIRTH OF OUR TWO CHICKS! St. Luke School has done it again; we have hatched two chickens in Ms. Garofalo s Grade 1 class. Students researched nonfiction text to learn about the life cycle and care of small birds. Next they took a poll from friends, teachers, and administration on what kind of bird the school wanted to hatch this year. and a chicken won! Last year a mallard duck was hatched. Class 1-1 kept an observation log during the 21 day incubation period. On June 6 th, the students were shocked to enter their classroom and hear two chickens chirping in the incubator. Inspired by the opening of our St. Luke Carnival the chicks have appropriately been named Zeppole and Gyro! VISIT THE PLAYGROUND! The school playground will be open for you to enjoy Sunday, June 16th from after the 7:30AM Mass to 2:00PM. Page 8
FLAG DAY!! Ms. Valente s second graders have been learning about the many important landmarks and symbols of the United States. We read numerous books about the life of Betsy Ross and the birth of the American Flag. In honor of Flag Day, June 14, the students took notes about the life of Betsy Ross and how the United States Flag came to be. Each student then organized their notes and constructed essays summarizing the life of Betsy Ross and the amazing story behind the history and evolution of our country s flag. Page 9
SAINT LUKE S STUDENT ENTERS DIOCESAN ORATORICAL CONTEST On Tuesday afternoon, May 21 st, Gabriella Polito, of our 7 th grade, proudly represented Saint Luke School at the Annual Diocese of Brooklyn Oratorical Contest. The contest was held at Salve Regina Catholic Academy, in Brooklyn. As we arrived at the contest, the air was abuzz with excitement. Students, their family members and teachers eagerly awaited the start of the heated competition. Twenty four students competed for the spot of the diocese top orator, on the elementary school level. The students were all well prepared and very professional, and the speeches were varied and most inspiring. The judges certainly had a daunting task in choosing the winners. Our Gabriella Polito was an excellent orator. She presented her chosen selection with grace and sincerity. All the time, effort and hard work that Gabriella put into her presentation was most evident as she passionately delivered Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior s I Have A Dream speech. Her enthusiasm and emotional attachment to the concepts in the speech made Dr. King s immortal words come alive once again. Gabriella s performance was impeccable and very well received, and it earned her one of the top six places, from a field of twenty four student orators. You did a fabulous job, Gabriella! We are all so very proud of you and your accomplishments. Page 10
TO OUR CARNIVAL SPONSORS -- We wish to thank the following sponsors of St. Luke s Carnival 2013. Please remember to patronize the businesses who helped support the Carnival this year. Flynn & O Hara Uniforms, Inc. PZ Insurance Brokerage Chiarelli s Religious Goods Fierce Dragon Martial Arts Joseph Nicoletti Associates Law Office of Dennis J. Ring Acheson Doyle Partners Architects Community Chiropractic - G. Fazio Construction Co., Inc. Dr. Michael A. Montalbano Ranshaw Heating & Plumbing Holy Cross High School Pani Dolci Bakery Vivaldi Restaurant & Ballroom Monte Bros. Sound Systems, Inc. Caffe Rustico Cascon Baking Co. Il Nocello Ristorante Martin A. Gleason Funeral Home, LLC Astoria Federal Savings Bank The Church Bulletin, Inc. Villagio Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta Cafe Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association Tony s Beechhurst Deli Village Fire Extinguisher Whitepoint Cleaners New York Building Services The Mary Louis Academy There s No Place Like Home Daycare A thank you also to those families who helped support the Carnival. The Mustac Family Mr. & Mrs. Greg Piechocki Eleanor & Kent Martin Nella & Robert Viola Page 11
THANK YOU -- THANK YOU -- THANK YOU Allow me to express my thanks to all who shared time, talent and finances in helping to make our 3rd Annual Parish Carnival such a great success! A special word of thanks to all the carnival volunteers without whom there could be NO Carnival. Thank you to all the Committee Chairpeople who worked so hard and so long along with the volunteers. Of course I am especially grateful to the co-chairs of the Carnival Sal Colak and Sabato Daniele. They work throughout the year with me to ensure a successful event. This year we were fortunate to have Cookie Kurtz involved in the preparation stage. Her enthusiasm, energy and dedication is boundless. Thank you Cookie! Finally thank you to all who visited the Carnival from the youngest to the oldest. You are the ones who make all the work and effort worth while. To hear a group of school children day: Thank you Msgr. for giving us the Carnival brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart. The Carnival is a great parish and community event. A good time was had by all - and how great to see so many families together and the number of infants and children. It s a family event! In addition the Carnival this year raised much needed funds for the parish. The profit at this time is around $65,000. A more exact figure will be available after all bills have been paid and a final accounting is completed. Again, thank you to one and all. Msgr. Tosi WINNERS OF THE 50/50 RAFFLE 50/50 First Prize - $7,600 - Paul Vallone Thank you to Paul Vallone for donating half his prize back to Saint Luke. 2nd Prize of $500 - Gabriella Neglia 3rd Prize of $250 - Philip Enright Page 12
KID S DAY AT THE CARNIVAL Thursday, June 6 th was a fine day for the opening of the St. Luke Carnival. St. Luke School students had the carnival to themselves for an entire afternoon of rides, games, and good food. It was wonderful to see families and friends enjoying a well deserved day of fun! Just look at this group of Pre-K students and their parents eagerly waiting to go! Page 13
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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 15
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SCRIPTURE READINGS Mon. - 2Cor 6:1-10; Mt 5:38-42 Tues. - 2Cor 8:1-9; Mt 5:43-48 Wed. - 2Cor 9:6-11; Mt 6:1-6,16-18 Thurs. - 2Cor 11:1-11; Mt 6:7-15 Fri. 2Cor 11:18,21-40; Mt 6:19-23 Sat. - 2Cor 12:1-10; Mt 6:24-34 WE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH: JENNIE ROMANO LOUIS FIAMMA THOMAS GEORGE BREEN FRANCIS McKENNA ANNA PUMA ELIZABETH LEA MELKUN THERESA POMPA PAUL RICE AND FOR THE DECEASED ROBERT SARLLS *********************************** MEMORIALS The Altar Bread is given in loving memory of KEVIN SMYTH (Birthday) at the request of his wife and sons. ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 17, 2013 Monday, June 17 7:00 Deceased Members of the Totino Family 12:00 Jim McCarthy Tuesday, June 18 8:30 Deceased Members of the DeSantis Family 12:00 Antonella Mattina Wednesday, June 19 7:00 Vittorio Rossini 12:00 Olindo Testa Thursday, June 20 8:30 Anthony and Antoinette Iemma 12:00 Ann Lanzilotta Friday, June 21 7:00 Columbia Iracondo 12:00 Deceased Members of the Parente & DelleDonna Families Saturday, June 22 8:30 Joseph Bozzi Page 18
ITALIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ST. MEL CHURCH 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner Dance at Leonards of Great Neck Sunday, June 23rd from 12:30pm to 5:30pm Deluxe cocktail hour, complete dinner, open bar, dessert, etc. Music, dancing, raffles & 50/50. Tickets: $85 per person Please call Josephine at 718-886-2090 **************************************************************************** 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. Page 19
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