Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time 21 October 2012 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York From the Desk of Msgr. Tosi--- We live in an age of almost instant communication. Thanks to advances in technology we can talk to one another not only in the neighborhood but around the world. I can remember as a boy the big deal it was to make a call to my father s relatives in Italy - and how expensive. We would talk fast and hope the call would not be lost. Sometimes we would even give letters and packages to friends to bring to the relatives when they would be visiting Italy. What a difference today! And yet with all the advances in the technology of communication the art of communication seems at times not to have improved as much as we might like to think. For communication requires both talking - and listening! In a recent address at the Angelus Prayer in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the life of a true Christian as to live listening to God. Having begun the Year of Faith, these words cause us to pause and reflect on their meaning. Faith is a gift - a relationship with God given by Him in love. The Year of Faith calls us to deepen this relationship. And as any relationship requires communication, so with our relationship to God. If we are honest, we are probably better in talking to God than in listening. Even in prayer we talk to God rarely stopping to catch our breath and allow God to speak to us. Yet only by listening to God can we abandon ourselves to His will by trusting in his care. Such is the goal in our listening to God: to do His holy will in all things. But how do we listen to God? Do we hear His voice? Not usually! Then how can we listen? God speaks to us in many ways: in Sacred Scripture; in quiet prayer, through people and in the Sacraments especially the Eucharist; in nature and a variety of other ways. We only need to attune our hearts to hear the Lord speak to us. Often the Lord speaks to us in unexpected ways and through unexpected people. During this Year of Faith let us pray for the gift of listening. Once hearing may we share the faith with others. The gift of faith received as a gift may we give as a gift to others. God bless. Let us pray for one another, THANK YOU --- For all your prayers, cards and get well wishes after my recent procedure at Saint Francis Hospital. I am most grateful for your kindness to me along with your support and encouragement. How blessed I am to live among you and to be your pastor. I m getting back to a normal routine. However, I will listen to the advice of so many and take some better care of myself. Please keep me in your prayers. Msgr. Tosi Page 1
CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF FAITH CONTINUES AT SAINT LUKE --- 1. Day of Eucharistic Adoration - Friday, December 7 - First Friday Here at Saint Luke and in all the parishes of the Diocese. The day will begin with the 8:30am Mass followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 5:00pm when it will end with first Vespers of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. 2. The Credo Sermon Series As part of the celebration of the Year of Faith at Saint Luke s, we will dedicate one Sunday a month to a homily at each Mass which will explore the individual declarations of faith found in our Creed. The series will run from November 2012 through October 2013 (July and August 2013 excluded). 3. The Bible and The Creed This four week course will examine the biblical foundations of the statements of faith which we proclaim each Sunday in the Creed, exploring the theological and philosophical concepts of our common declaration of belief. Proposed dates: Tuesday, November 13 - School Auditorium Tuesday, November 20 - School Cafeteria Tuesday, November 27 - School Auditorium Tuesday, December 4 - School Auditorium 4. A Story of Faith in Stained Glass - Afternoon of Prayer - Sunday, May 5, 2pm-5pm Msgr. Tosi will lead a reflection on the story of faith found in the beautiful stained glass windows of Saint Luke Church. Page 2
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ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL 2012 --- Thank you to those parishioners who supported this year s Annual Catholic Appeal. As of October 3 a total of $66,022 has been pledged from 195 donors with $54,058.85 already received. This generous response is even more noteworthy in light of the successful Campaign for Saint Luke. The generosity of the donors will help us meet our required parish goal of $90,950. The remainder of the Annual Catholic Appeal goal will have to be taken from the Capital Campaign funds. So---it s not to late to make your gift to the 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal. Your gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal gives in two ways - to reach the parish goal of $90,950 and to not have to take funds from the Campaign for Saint Luke. With gratitude for your ongoing generosity and a promise of prayers, Msgr. Tosi We re taking a short break from the usual Campaign Corner. We will report on the closing of the Campaign at the Feast Day of Saint Luke on October 18 next week. Updates on both the Campaign and the restoration work will be included. NOT GOING TO WASHINGTON ON PILGRIMAGE ON OCTOBER 27TH? Yet want to spend time in prayer here in the Diocese? Then read the following invitation. All members of our Diocese are cordially invited to spend an afternoon in prayer and spiritual reflection on Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 1:30pm to 3:30pm as we begin our diocesan observance of the Year of Faith. You are invited to travel in pilgrimage either to Our Lady of Solace Church located at 2866 West 17th Street in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn or the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, Queens. The afternoon will consist of Midday Prayer, a Spiritual Talk offered in English and Spanish, Recitation of the Scriptural Rosary in the various languages of our Diocesan Church and a Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration. Confessions will be available throughout the entire prayer service for those who attend. Please make every effort to join this special occasion of prayer. Page 4
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. 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 October 28 November 11 & 25 November 19 December 2 & 9 December 17 For more information, please call the rectory at 718-746-8102. **************************************************************************** St. Luke Youth Group Baby Clothing Drive If your little one has outgrown all those cute little outfits, or you d just like to help a baby or child in need this fall the St. Luke Youth Group has a way you can do it! We have two different charities that the clothing will be donated to (depending on if new or gently used). New clothing will be given to the New York Foundling Hospital; and any gently used will be going to the Bridge to Life Group. Collection times are on Tuesday s from 8AM till 11:30 AM at the security desk in the school on October 16th; October 23; and October 30. We will also be conducting a coat drive in November but if you have to get that coat out of your house today!!! You can drop it off during the Baby Clothing drive days and hours. We and the babies thank you for your help and generosity! MASS BOOK 2013 The Mass book for 2013 will open on Wednesday, October 24th. Announced Masses will be available from 9:00am until 4:00pm in the rectory basement. Please enter on Clintonville Street. There is a limit of 5 Masses per family. The offering for each Mass is $15 which may be paid for by check or cash. In order to make things run more smoothly, please remember to bring the exact amount for the number of Masses you wish to arrange. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Page 5
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SUNDAY COLLECTION October 14 $10,593 Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Mailed 1,988 Envelopes Received 652 TODAY IS WORLD MISSION SUNDAY --- We are called to this Eucharistic celebration - along with Catholics in every parish, chapel and church throughout the world - to fulfill the call we first heard at Baptism, the call to be missionaries, to share our faith. On World Mission Sunday, we are called in a special way to be missionaries of faith through prayer and participation in the Eucharist, and by giving generously to the collection today for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Let us pray especially at this Mass for all who long to hear the hope-filled, saving message of Jesus, and for the priests, religious and lay catechists in mission countries worldwide who offer them that Good News. Today there will be two collections. The first collection is for the support of the parish. The second collection is for the support of World Missions. Your generosity to both collections is greatly appreciated. CONGRATULATIONS --- Please keep this couple in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Marriage here in our parish. Saturday, October 27 at 1pm DREW BERWEGER & ANDRIA LOMBARDI ************************************ EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION --- IMPORTANT REQUEST If you are presently bringing Holy Communion to a parishioner at home we are in the process of updating our records. I have asked Judy DeAngelis to coordinate this project. So please give the necessary information to Judy (or you can drop it off at the Rectory and we ll make sure she receives it) for each of your Communion calls as soon as possible: Name, Address, Phone. Thank you for your cooperation. Remember: No one has permission to bring Holy Communion to the sick or homebound without first notifying the Rectory and receiving the permission of Msgr. Tosi. Do you want to bring Communion to someone when needed? Give your name to Judy DeAngelis. She will assign calls as the request is made. Page 7
Just to let you know --- St Luke Church has 16 people for the 2 day trip and 3 people for the 1 day trip. Page 8
Come and join us for Mass on The Feast of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Mother Cabrini On Tuesday, November 13th at 7:30pm Refreshments after Mass in the School Hall. Venite per una Messa in onore di Madre Cabrini Martedi 13 Novembre alle 7:30pm. Torta e caffe dopo la Messa nella Scuola. Page 9
MASS SCHEDULE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Wednesday, October 31, 2012 7:30pm Thursday, November 1, 2012 8:30am 10:30am 12 Noon 7:30pm ALL SOULS DAY Friday, November 2, 2012 7:00am 8:30am 10:30am 12 Noon 7:30pm Please note: Due to the celebration of the All Souls Masses on November 2 (the First Friday of November) Exposition will begin following the 12 Noon Mass and conclude at 5:00pm. Page 10
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SCRIPTURE READINGS Mon. - Eph 2:1-10; Lk 12:13-21 Tues. - Eph 2:12-22; Lk 12:35-38 Wed. - Eph 3:2-12; Lk 12:39-48 Thurs. - Eph 3:14-21; Lk 12:49-53 Fri. - Eph 4:1-6; Lk 12:54-59 Sat. - Eph 4:7-16; Lk 13:1-9 WE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH: JENNIE ROMANO LOUIS FIAMMA RITA SCHIAVELLO GRACE GAMBY THOMAS GEORGE BREEN TOM MURPHY AND FOR THE DECEASED ******************************** MEMORIALS The Altar Bread is given in loving memory of CARMINE AND MICHAEL COLALILLO requested by wife and mother Pierina Colalillo. ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 22, 2012 Monday, October 22 7:00 Matteo Valenti 12:00 Maria & Liborio Prestia Tuesday, October 23 8:30 Giovanni & Maria Flaim 12:00 Carmine, Michael & John Colalillo Wednesday, October 24 7:00 Matthew Marano & deceased Members of the Marano & Ovidio families 12:00 Rocco Michielli Thursday, October 25 8:30 Mario Nardella 12:00 Mario Nardella Friday, October 26 7:00 Mario Calabro 12:00 Elaine Geiger Saturday, October 27 8:30 Rocco Bacchia *********************************** COLLECTIVE INTENTIONS MASS The next Collective Intentions Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, October 28 at 11:45am. At this Mass we pray for: EVELYN LYNCH ARTOURAS JAOUTAKAS NINA TRANZILLO Page 12
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SAVE THE DATE Friday, January 25, 2013 40TH ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE Pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. Departure/Return: Various locations around the Diocese. Information to follow Page 14
FOOD PANTRY --- The food pantry at Grace Episcopal Church exists to serve those in need right here in Whitestone. They are happy to announce expanded hours made possible by volunteers who have graciously donated their time. The food pantry will still be open every Friday from 10-11am and now it will also be open from 5-6pm every Monday evening. The food pantry relies on donations of nonperishable items given out of generosity. Please feel free to contact the food pantry coordinator, Maria Finley at (718) 767-6305 if you have any questions or would like to make a donation of food. *************************************************************************** HOLY CROSS HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT --- Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 7:30pm. For further information call Mr. Gilvary at (718) 886-7250, Ext. 525. **************************************************************************** TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS --- St. Fidelis Church every first and third Friday of the month at 7:15am. St. Fidelis Church is located at 123-06 14th Ave., College Point, N.Y. **************************************************************************** ANNUAL WALK FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS --- Queens Center for Rehabilitation located at 157-15 19th Avenue in Whitestone invites you to join in their annual walk/wheel for breast cancer awareness on Sunday, October 28th at 11:00am - meet in front of Queens Center. The walk begins at 11:00am and finishes with a brunch taking less than 2 hours in total. For more information please call Gail Kirschenbaum, Director of Recreation at Queens Center at 718-746-0400. **************************************************************************** PETER F. VALLONE SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION --- St. John s Preparatory School announces the Peter F. Vallone Scholarship Examination on Saturday, November 17, 2012. Applications on website at www.stjohnsprepschool.org or call the Admissions Office at 718-721-7200, ext. 699. Page 15
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