The Baptism of the Lord 11 January 2015 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York From The Pastor - On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, Your are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. (Mark 1:7-14) Today the church celebrates the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. It seems only yesterday that the church proclaimed the Good News of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary; last Sunday we marked the Epiphany of the Lord with the visit of the Three Wise Men; today Christ appears at the River Jordan proclaimed by John as the one mightier than I who is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. What about the years between these two events years often referred to as the hidden life of Jesus? Luke in the Gospel for the Feast of the Holy Family gives us a clue to the answer: the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him (Lk 2:22-40). Today Jesus begins His journey to our salvation in His death and resurrection, a journey he makes to Jerusalem in faithfulness to the will of God, His Father. Today marks the close of the Christmas Season. Tomorrow begins a new liturgical season know as Ordinary Time: Besides the times of the year that have their own distinctive character, there remains in the yearly cycle thirty-three or thirty four weeks in which no particular aspect of the mystery of Christ is celebrated, but rather the mystery of Christ itself is honored in its fullness, especially on Sundays. This period is know as Ordinary Time. (Universal Norms #43) Today also calls to mind the day of our own baptism when our journey of faith began. Having become one with Christ dead and risen we also are called to a life of faithfulness to the will of our Father. The goal of our journey is not in this world but in the joy of heaven. The fulfillment of that journey is a success when it can be said of us as said of Jesus in today s Gospel: You are my beloved son (daughter); with you I am well pleased. May we all know the joy of having these words possible only with God s help and after a life of faithfulness! God bless. Let us pray for one another, Page 1
Annual Catholic Appeal 2014 We are still waiting for the final figures for the 2014 Annual Catholic Appeal which ended December 31, 2014. As soon as we receive the totals from the Diocese we will print them in the bulletin. Speaking of totals we will publish totals for the various collections in the Christmas Season in next weeks bulletin. Thanks for your patience. Many thanks for Christmas were printed in last weeks bulletin but one omitted! Thank you to our wonderful sacristan James for all his hard work and dedication in preparing the many special Masses celebrated in the Christmas Season. For all his efforts behind the scenes we offer a most sincere thank you & God Bless. Thank You Thank You Thank You! To all our parishioners for their many Christmas cards, gifts and prayer enrollments in celebration of Christmas. Your goodness to us is greatly appreciated and truly added to the joy of the Christmas feast. Please be assured of our gratitude and prayers. God Bless. Msgr. Tosi, Father Bruno and Father Penton Page 2
COLLECTIONS January 3 & 4 $13,320 Envelopes Mailed 2,023 Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Received 603 Solemnity of Mary Collection Jan 1, 2015 - $4,337 Bereavement Support Group UPDATE Our next Bereavement Support Group meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 20th at 7:30pm in the Pastoral Center. Please contact Sister Theresa at (718) 746-8531 for more information about the support group or for individual sessions for Bereavement counseling. Fuel Collection. In order to help keep our church as comfortable as possible during the coming year a special Fuel Collection will be taken up next weekend, January 17 & 18, 2015. Please be as generous as you can! Vocation Corner The Baptism of the Lord Behold the Lamb of God. Could it be that you are being called to point out the Lord to others as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life? Call the Vocation Office at 718-827-2454, or email: vocations@diobrook.org Page 3
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. 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 January 25, 2015 January 12, 2015 February 8 & 22 February 9 March 8 & 22 March 9 April 19 & 26 April 13 May 3 & 17 May 11 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) 746-8531. Page 4
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ST. LUKE SCHOOL WHERE FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE MEET 718-746-3833 www.slswhitestone.org Celebrating 104 Years of Excellence in Catholic Education Registration for New Students for the 2015-2016 School Year Tiny Tots/Nursery/Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten through Grade Eight January 25 ~ January 30 $250.00 NON-REFUNDABLE registration fee due at time of registration of each new student Nursery through Grade 8 (Tiny Tots - $50.00) Page 9 Requirements: Tiny Tots students must be 2 years old by 12/31/15 Nursery students must be three years old by 12/31/15 Pre-K students must be four years old by 12/31/15 Kindergarten Students must be five years old by 12/31/15 Documentation: Tiny Tots through First Grade must present copy of child s birth certificate, baptismal certificate and immunization records. Grades Two through Eight must present a copy of the most recent report card and standardized test scores, birth certificate, baptismal certificate, immunization records, and IEP if applicable Call for a tour of our building and see for yourself what is going on in our parish school and why Open House Sunday January 25, 2015 11:30AM 1:30PM we are so very proud of St. Luke! (718) 746-3833 Visit us at www.slswhitestone.org Open School Thursday January 29, 2015 9:00AM 10:30AM
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Just a reminder to Handle with Care! More than half of the Gather Hymnals have been memorialized or dedicated to friends or family members. We are grateful to all those who gave to have memorial plates placed in the books. With this in mind I would like to remind you that it is our hope that these hymnals serve the parish for at least 10 years. Please take care when handling the books. We ask that they not be given to small children to play with during Mass. Many have been torn and have had to be removed from the pews. With your assistance Gather will help us sing and pray for years to come. A Note From St. Francis Preparatory School Page 11
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Save the Date! The 5th Annual Monsignor Dillion Knights of Columbus St. Patrick s Party Saturday, March 14th! More information to come. Separated & Divorced Catholic Group Wed. Jan. 14 at 7:30PM at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Center (under the church) Topic: Pursuing your interests as a single person Call Maria at (718) 939-8252 if you have any questions or need more information. St. Agnes Academic High School Information Night For 8th grade girls and transfer students Thursday, January 22, 2105 5pm to 7pm 13-20 124th Street College Point www.stagneshs.org 718-353-6276 ext. 11 Page 13
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SCRIPTURE READINGS Mon. - Heb 1:1-6; Mt 1:14-20 Tues. - Heb 2:5-12; Mt 1:21-28 Wed. - Heb 2:14-18; Mt 1:29-39 Thurs. - Heb 3:7-14; Mt 1:40-45 Fri. Heb 4:1-5,11; Mt 2:1-12 Sat. - Heb 4:12-16; Mt 2:13-17 WE PRAY FOR THE SICK: DONNA PLUCHINO ANA SILVIA PIROZZI ENRICO GABRIELLI ANNA BRANDT THOMAS ALMOND, JR. ANTHONY ABICCA, SR. FRANCES DRAGO GEORDANO GALEOTTI MARIE CESTRO JAMES MULTY GERADINA D ANGELO SUE WINSHIP JOSEPH GIGLIO AND FOR THE DECEASED Catherine Biltz Angelina Miller Caterina Minici Lorraine Losasa ***************************************** MEMORIALS The Altar Bread is given in memory of Frank Campofiori requested by The Furnari Family ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF January 11th, 2015 Monday, January 12 7:00 Dominic Pugliese 12:00 Tito & Diana Monaco Tuesday, January 13 8:30 Maria Firoentino LaGrasta 12:00 Louis Condron Wednesday, January 14 7:00 Sal & Joseph DiTucci 12:00 Carmine, Michael & John Colalillo Thursday, January 15 8:30 Marya & Nick Purich 12:00 Giovanni & Maria Cicero Friday, January 16 7:00 Ernest Conti 12:00 Catherine, Anna & Hugh Heaney Saturday, January 17 8:30 Vincent Keegan *********************************** COLLECTIVE INTENTIONS MASS The next Collective Intentions Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, January 25th at 11:45 AM At this Mass we pray for Teresa Polito The Altar Candles are given in memory of Frank Campofiori requested by the The Furnari Family Page 15
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