Fifth Sunday of Lent 6 April 2014 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York

From the Pastor -- Fifth Sunday of Lent 6 April 2014 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York The following diocesan assignment is posted in the Tablet this weekend: Rev. David J. Dettmer from parochial vicar of St. Luke, Whitestone, to pastor of St. Edmund, Sheepshead Bay, effective June 30. It is a bittersweet announcement for the parish of St. Luke. Father Dettmer has faithfully served the parish family of St. Luke for the past seven years. He has been a good priest and will be missed both by parishioners and by Father Bruno and myself. Change is never easy. We will miss Father and I ask that you keep him in your prayers. Yet we are pleased that the Bishop has seen fit to appoint Father David as pastor of St. Edmund Parish. It is a parish which will benefit from Father David s many gifts and talents. St. Edmund runs both a grammar school and a high school in addition to all the many other activities and societies that mark parish life. He will be kept busy! The Parish of St. Luke will have an opportunity to say farewell to Father David at a special Mass and reception some time in June. As details of this event become finalized we will share them with you. Finally, please keep our parish in your prayers. God bless. Let us pray for one another, YOU ARE INVITED -- To celebrate Holy Week here at Saint Luke. Next Sunday, April 13, is Palm Sunday which begins this very special week in our yearly calendar. This week is made holy by the Mystery of Christ s Passion, Death and Resurrection present again in the church s solemn liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. The bulletin contains a complete schedule of all the many Holy Week and Easter liturgies and Masses. In addition, special copies of the schedule can be found at the doors of the church. Mark your calendar and plan to join us during this Holy Week and Easter celebration. Please invite your family, friends and neighbors to join us as we relive the mystery of our salvation in Christ. Msgr. Tosi May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds. (Easter Vigil - Lighting of the Paschal Candle) Page 1

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CONFESSIONS IN NEARBY PARISHES OF OUR DEANERY We provide the times of confessions in nearby parishes for your convenience. Holy Trinity: Saturdays 11am-12pm St. Luke: Saturdays 3:30pm-4:30pm St. Mel: Saturdays 11am-12pm (English & Italian) St. John Vianney: Saturdays 4:00pm- 4:45pm (English & Chinese) St. Michael: Thursdays 11:30am-12:30pm and Saturdays 12-1pm (English, Spanish & Chinese) St. Paul Chong Ha Sang: 30 minutes before each Sunday Mass. Masses are Saturday 8:30pm, Sunday 8am, 9:30am, 11am and 12:30pm (Korean). A Lenten Penance Service is schedules for April 8th at 8pm in Korean. ************************************ In observance of Holy Week and Easter Week there will be NO meetings from Friday, April 11 until Sunday, April 27. Meetings will resume on Monday, April 28. ************************************ Comitato Festa Di Maria SS. Del Romitello Borgetto in collaborazione con la Chiesa di San Luca Processione Del Venerdi Santo 18 April 2014 6:00pm Liturgia della croce 7:00pm Procession per le vie di Whitestone RECONCILIATION MONDAY April 14, 2014 Confession Schedules in Our Deanery: Saint Luke: 1-5pm & Penance Service at 7:30pm followed by individual confessions. St. Mel: 3-5pm & 7-9pm (English & Italian) Holy Trinity: 3-5pm & 7-9pm with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (am confessions for the elderly) St. Fidelis: 9-10am, 3-5pm and Penance Service at 7pm followed by individual confessions. St. Andrew Avellino: 3-9pm (English & Spanish) *********************************** TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE. Luke 23:43 Meditations on the 7 Last Words of Christ April 18th at 12 noon Saint James Cathedral Basilica 250 Cathedral Place Brooklyn, NY www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org/allfaces Per informazione chiamare la sede del club 718-651-8677. Page 3

COLLECTIONS March 29 & 30 $10,352 Envelopes Mailed 1,948 Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Received 685 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL 2014 Support of the Appeal grows with the first reporting of the gifts and pledges made to the various parishes in Brooklyn and Queens. As of March 31, 2014 our parish reports that a total of $40,938.00 has been pledged from 135 donors. Of this amount $22,056.00 has been received. A most sincere thank you to those who responded with such generosity. Please consider your gift to the appeal - each gift is so important! Thank you and God bless. 2014 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL PRAYER Lord God, you alone are the source of every good gift, in creating the universe. We praise you and we thank you for your great power and your faithful love for every human person. Everything we are and everything we have is your gift, and after having created us you have given us as a gift to your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill our minds with His truth and our hearts with His love, that in His Spirit we may be bonded together into a community of faith and becoming a caring people. In the name and spirit of Jesus, we commit ourselves to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us, to share our time, our talent, and our material gifts as an outward sign of the love for Jesus. For When We Give, We Share the Light of Faith throughout Brooklyn and Queens. Amen. 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. DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY On Sunday, April 27, the Second Sunday of Easter, the church celebrates the gift of Divine Mercy. Due to a scheduled wedding for the day our usual Divine Mercy devotions will not be held. For those interested, we wish to inform you of Divine Mercy celebrations in nearby parishes. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church Sunday, April 27 at 3:00pm Church of St. Josaphat Sunday, April 27 at 3:00pm **************************************************************************** NOVENA TO ST. ANTHONY The annual Novena in preparation for the June 13th feast of Saint Anthony began Tuesday, March 18th immediately following the 12 noon Mass and will continue every Tuesday following until the celebration of Saint Anthony s feast day - Friday, June 13th. **************************************************************************** To all those who attended the annual Italian Dinner Dance in honor of Saint Joseph held this year at the Douglaston Manor on Sunday, March 23. Over 200 parishioners and friends enjoyed a wonderful evening of good food, music and friendship. A special word of thanks to Damiana Testa who works so hard and with such dedication to make it so special an event. Thanks to all who helped to make this annual event such a success. In addition a donation of $4,960 was made to the church from the profits of the event. Thank you. I am most grateful. Msgr. Tosi We send a special thank you to Frederick Funeral Home for their generous donation to provide the music for our Italian Dinner Dance. Many thanks to Lucy Vista, Marie Pemberton and the staff at Frederick Funeral Home. Damiana Testa Page 5

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MINISTRY TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND The care of parishioners who are sick and homebound is very important to the life of any parish and the ministers who participate in their care are clear signs that the community remembers those who no longer can attend church services because of age or illness. St. Luke Parish is very fortunate to have Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who are devoted to the sick and homebound, some in their own homes and some in the Queens Rehabilitation Center. The ministers are very generous with their time as they visit the sick and homebound praying with them and bringing them holy communion. If you know of someone who is in need of a minister s visit with holy communion, please contact Sister Theresa at (718) 746-8531 or (718) 746-8102 and arrangements will be made as soon as possible. **************************************************************************** BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP A Bereavement Support Group provides a safe place where people who are grieving the loss of loved ones can share their experiences with others who are in similar situations, who have similar concerns and who are better able to understand the grief process. Our Bereavement Group at St. Luke Parish currently meets on the first Tuesdays of each month in the Pastoral Center (formerly the lower church) at 7:30pm. The next meeting of the Bereavement Group will take place on Tuesday, May 6th at 7:30pm in the Pastoral Center. If you need further information or if you are interested in attending the bereavement sessions, please contact Sister Theresa (718) 746-8531 who facilitates the group and who also offers Bereavement Counseling where needed. **************************************************************************** MINISTERS OF CONSOLATION Our parish Ministry of Consolation offers comfort and help to families who are experiencing the loss of loved ones. Some of our ministers visit the family at the funeral parlor during the wake, some assist with the planning of the funeral Mass and others attend and assist at the funeral in a number of ministries. Sister Theresa will meet with the Ministers of Consolation this Thursday, April 10th at 7:30pm in the Saint Matthew Room of our Pastoral Center. If you might be interested in joining this very important ministry, please contact Sister Theresa at (718) 746-8531 and plan to attend the April 10th meeting. Page 7

ADULT CONFIRMATION PREPARATION Are you a baptized Catholic who has received First Communion but has never been confirmed? You are invited to attend a six week program to prepare for Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday, June 8. Classes begin Monday, April 28 at 7:00pm in the Pastoral Center. Call Sister Katherine Burke, C.S.J. at (718) 746-3409 for additional information. **************************************************************************** CONGRATULATIONS -- To Fr. Kevin Creagh, C.M., currently serves as the Vice President of Campus Ministry. Effective immediately Fr. Creagh will assume the title of Vice President for University Mission and Ministry, which will involve senior level supervision of both campus ministry and university mission. Fr. John Gouldrick, C.M. will continue in his role as Associate Vice President for Mission, reporting directly to Fr. Creagh. Fr. Creagh holds an Executive Doctoral Degree in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania s Graduate School of Education in Higher Education Management which was conferred in May 2011. He also serves on the Board of Christ the King Roman Catholic Seminary in East Aurora, New York. Fr. Creagh and his team have been charged with building a comprehensive and robust strategic mission agenda with and for our university community. We are proud to publish accomplishments of our parishioners. *************************************************************************** SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATIONS In addition to the many Masses celebrated and the many other acts of prayer and worship, the following sacraments were celebrated as a parish community in the month of March: 13 Funerals 10 Baptisms 3 Weddings We rejoice with those who rejoice and share the sorrow of those who mourn for we are one Body of Christ. Page 8

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LENT AT SAINT LUKE 2014 1. Stations of the Cross The Stations of the Cross will be prayed each week of Lent as follows: Monday Evenings at 7:30pm in Italian Friday after the 12 noon Mass in English 2. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be held each Tuesday from after the 12 noon Mass until 5:00pm for private and quiet adoration and prayer. 3. Disciples in Mission Faith Sharing Group Small faith sharing groups centered on the Sunday scripture readings. Provides an opportunity to share the scripture s meaning and application to everyday life with fellow parishioners. Most meetings take place in a Group Leader s home. A group will also meet after the 12 noon Mass each Wednesday in the Pastoral Center. Groups in Italian are also available. For more information, see the flyer in the bulletin or call Judy DeAngelis at 718-767-7471. 4. Lenten Weekday Celebration of Mass Monday Wednesday Friday 7:00am & 12 noon Tuesday Thursday 8:30am & 12 noon Saturday 8:30am Follow the Season of Lent by celebrating the holy Mass as the Lord enriches us in word and sacrament. The liturgy is the source and summit of the Christian life and the primary source of growing in the true Christian virtues. Page 11

5. I Believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church The parish will offer a five week course on the mystery of the church. The course will meet on Monday evenings at 7:00pm in the Pastoral Center (St. Matthew and St. Mark Rooms) and will be offered by Fathers Dettmer and Bruno. The dates of the classes are as follows: March 10, 17, 24 & 31, April 7. Open to parishioners who are asked to sign up before the course begins to provide adequate preparations and accommodations. For more information and to register please see the flyer in the bulletin. 6. Holy Week Evening of Prayer Offered on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of Holy Week at 7:30pm. The evenings will focus on the scripture passage: And He (Jesus) loved them to the end. (John 13:1-15) Taken from the Gospel of Saint John, the passage introduces the narrative of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus the source of our salvation and the greatest revelation of the Lord s love a love that lasted to the end. Monday, April 14 7:30pm Reconciliation Service Sister Maryann Seton LoPiccolo, S.C. Bishop s Delegate to Religious for the Diocese Tuesday, April 15 7:30pm Deacon Kevin McCormack Principal of Xaverian High School Deacon of the Diocese of Rockville Centre Host of his own Radio Show Wednesday, April 16 7:30pm Rev. Joseph T. Holcomb Pastor Saint Andrew Avellino Church, Flushing, N.Y. Sacred Triduum and Easter Join the parish community in celebrating the Sacred Liturgies of the Lord s Passion, Death and Resurrection. These celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday commemorate the saving deeds of our salvation in Christ. Please consult the upcoming bulletin for a complete listing of liturgies and prayer opportunities for Holy Week and Easter. All Lenten Offerings begin the first full week of Lent and end the week before Holy Week. Page 12

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Msgr. Dillon Council Knights of Columbus News -- Thank you To everyone who stopped by and donated blood last Sunday, March 30, 2014. We were able to collect over 18 pints of blood, including blood platelets. There is always a shortage of blood, so thank you for contributing to this life saving cause. Thank you To everyone who attended our 2nd Annual St. Joseph s Pasta Night on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. We had 115 people in attendance and raised a total of $2,000.00, half of which will be donated to The Bridge to Life of Flushing. The other half will go toward our ongoing charitable causes. Thank you to our Pasta Night Chairman - Anthony Belviso - and all those who cooked, set-up, cleaned up, and served food and drinks. As always, we thank YOU - THE PARISHIONERS - for your ongoing generosity and support. Save the Dates! Knights of Columbus Communion Mass & Breakfast Join the Knights for their annual Communion Mass & Breakfast on Sunday, May 4th at Saint Luke Church. The Knights will gather at the 10:30am Mass and invite all to join them. A breakfast buffet will follow in the Pastoral Center and ALL proceeds will benefit the St. Luke s Youth Group. The breakfast will be available after the 11:45am and 1:00pm Masses as well. Admission: $20 per adult; $5 children ages 4-15. For reservations, please call: Ralph Cefalo: 917-743-8592; Anthony Belviso: 917-378-3663; Eddie Weisenburger: 917-667-2835. 2nd Annual Kickin Off the Summer With The Knights Barbeque-Picnic Saturday, June 14th from 12 noon to 5:00pm on the Great Lawn at St. Luke Church. Stay tuned for more info! And don t forget...if you wish to donate baby items at any time, please call Eddie Weisenburger at (917) 667-2835 or John Ho at (646) 334-0149. Those much needed items will be donated to the Sisters of Life in Manhattan, and The Bridge to Life in Flushing. Please help provide hope to women and help them say yes to life! Page 14

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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 April 6 April 7 May 4 & 18 May 12 June 8 & 22 June 16 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. *************************************************************************** CONGRATULATIONS -- Please keep this couple in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Marriage here in our parish. Sunday, April 27 at 3:00pm FRANCESCO B. TAORMINA & VANESSA CALAMITA Page 16

ARE YOU A REGISTERED PARISHIONER? If you wish to register in the parish, please stop by the Rectory Office during regular office hours to fill out a census card. You can fill it out on the spot or take it with you and return it by mail or in the Sunday collection basket. After the card is returned you will be registered and begin receiving weekly offering envelopes. 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 Saint Vincent de Paul at (718) 491-2525. Page 17

OLBS Easter Carnival 202nd Street entrance, between 25th & 36th Avenue April 12 from 12pm to 4pm. Fun for the whole family Games, raffles, prizes, face painting, bounce house *************************************************************************** Set Your Hearts on Fire! St. Mel s Parish Mission April 6-9 at 7:30pm All are welcome to join for A Time of Grace. Mission led by Augustinian Father Michael Sullivan. St. Mel s Church, 26-15 154 Street, Flushing, N.Y. **************************************************************************** Worldwide Marriage Encounter Jesus lives with us and in us through his Body and Blood; and He lives in our Sacrament of Marriage. Restore communication, renew commitment and rekindle the romance in your marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend in your area is April 25-27, 2014. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: wwme.org or call (877) NYS-WWME option 2. **************************************************************************** TABOR RETREAT CENTER 60 Anchor Avenue, Oceanside, N.Y. Invites you to treat yourself to some quiet, reflective time away from your usual busy schedule. For more information please call 516-536-3004 or email: TaborRetreats@juno.com. **************************************************************************** St. Mel Leisure Club Trip to Empire City Casino on Wednesday, April 9th at 9:15am. Cost: $25 per person. For more information, plese call Charlie at 718-886-2056. **************************************************************************** Poppenhusen Institute Springtime Youth Workshops 114-04 14th Road, College Point Beginning Saturday, April 5-Saturday, June 28. Space is limited. For more info please call (718) 358-0067 or see website poppenhusen@juno.com. Page 18

SCRIPTURE READINGS Mon. - Dn 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62; Jn 8:1-11 Tues. - Nm 21:4-9; Jn 8:21-30 Wed. - Dn 3:14-20,91-92,95; Jn 8:31-42 Thurs. - Gn 17:3-9; Jn 8:51-59 Fri. - Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42 Sat. - Ez 37:21-28; Jn 11:45-56 WE PRAY FOR THE SICK: FRANCIS McKENNA ANNA PUMA ELIZABETH LEA MELKUN TIMOTHY BOYLE ELIZABETH ANN SAVINO GRACE GAMBY PATRICIA GAMBY JOHN BOYLE GEORGE MARONE AND FOR THE DECEASED MICHAEL CRAYON *********************************** MEMORIALS The Altar Bread is given in memory of FRANCESCO CASTRONOVO requested by Sal & Antoinette Barretta. The Altar Wine if given in memory of FERDINANDO & CARMELLA, TERESA, RACHELA & SABATINO, VELARDINO, NICOLA & FILIPPO MARTELLI requested by their family. The Sanctuary Lamp is given in memory of CONCETTO SCIRE BANCHITTA requested by his brother, Salvatore. ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 7, 2014 Monday, April 7 7:00 Carmela & Benedetto Liosi 12:00 Frank Peloso (1st Anniversary) Tuesday, April 8 8:30 Simplicio Couto (Anniversary) 12:00 Mario & Antonia Casissi Wednesday, April 9 7:00 Goggin & English Family 12:00 Helen D. Paladino Thursday, April 10 8:30 Louis Fiamma 12:00 John Morelli Friday, April 11 7:00 Eileen Murphy (3rd Anniversary) 12:00 Trajbar Family Saturday, April 12 8:30 Jerry & Bridget Mirro & Eugene & Barbara Resnikoff *********************************** COLLECTIVE INTENTIONS MASS The next Collective Intentions Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 12th at 12 noon. At this Mass we pray for ANTHONY DIPASQUALE MARIA D ONOFRIO The Altar Candles are given in memory of FRANCESCO CASTRONOVO requested by Sal & Antoinette Barretta. Page 19

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