First Sunday of Lent 22 February 2015 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York From the Pastor -- Last week at all the Masses I shared the news that come June Father Michael Bruno will be transferred. As Father Bruno himself has said, such news is bitter sweet. The Bishop has given his approval to the appointment of Father Bruno as a full time faculty member at the Major Seminary of Saint Joseph, Dunwoodie, New York. The appointment was made by His Eminence Cardinal Dolan since the Seminary is located in the Archdiocese of New York. In addition to teaching responsibilities, Father Bruno will be involved in the formation of future priests for the Diocese of Brooklyn, Diocese of Rockville Centre, the Archdiocese of New York as well as other dioceses and religious communities who send their seminarians to St. Joseph Seminary. We rejoice that Father Bruno has received this new assignment since we know his many abilities and intelligence make him well suited for his new responsibilities. However, we are sad to see Father Bruno leave us here at Saint Luke. Although here only two years, Father has been a fine parish priest serving well the people of our parish, especially the Italian speaking community. We will miss him! Yet we are thankful for the time he had among us. Please keep Father Bruno in your prayers. AND please keep our parish in your prayers as well. Pray that the Bishop will be able to send a replacement for Father Bruno. Let us trust that God will make all things work out for the good of our parish. God bless. Let us pray for one another, The parish will have the opportunity to express their thanks and bid Father Bruno farewell at a special Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 14th at the 11:45am Mass. A parish reception will follow in the Pastoral Center. All are invited! Page 1
Come Let s Celebrate! As part of the observance of the feast of Saint Patrick, the parish is planning an Irish Heritage celebration on Sunday, March 15th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm in the Pastoral Center. Food, Irish dancing and music and more. Celebrate the joy of being Irish. All parishioners are invited. More information to follow. ************************************ THANK YOU -- Msgr. Tosi and the parish Finance Council wish to express their thanks for your generous response to their appeal for increased giving to the Sunday Collection. Over the past few weeks there has been a steady increase in the collection totals. However, we continue to encourage your help in two ways, especially during the winter s weather of snow, ice and wind. 1. If you are unable to attend Mass for whatever reason, could you please return the envelope(s) for the Masses missed. 2. Once again, if you have not made an increase in your weekly giving, we would encourage you to do so now. While snow keeps parishioners away from Sunday Mass, snow doesn t keep away parish bills. As printed, last weekend s collection, due to bad weather and the start of winter break with schools closed, was $7,586, almost less than half of the weekly amount needed to cover expenses. FORTY HOURS DEVOTION The parish will celebrate Eucharistic Devotion for Forty Hours beginning on Sunday, March 8th and concluding on Tuesday, March 10th at a special Solemn Closing Mass at 7:30pm. Please mark your calendar and plan to spend some amount of time in prayer and thanksgiving before the Lord Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament. This devotion is a time of special graces for our parish as we honor our Eucharistic Lord. We are especially in need of people to be with the Blessed Sacrament during the hours of the night - Sunday night to Monday morning and Monday night into Tuesday morning. If you wish to commit yourself to a particular hour, day or night, please call Mary or Sean Brett at 718-352-8769 or call the rectory. Forty Hours Devotion Sunday, March 8 starting at the 5:00pm Mass Tuesday, March 10 closing with 7:30pm Mass ************************************** ALTAR SERVER INSTALLATION -- Please pray for the 14 New Altar Servers who will be installed on Sunday, March 1st at the 11:45am Mass. We thank their parents and families for their support and encouragement! ************************************** Please note: Meetings of parish organizations, groups and societies will resume on Monday, February 23rd. Again, thank you and God bless. Page 2
COLLECTIONS February 14 & 15 $ 7,586 Envelopes Mailed 2,031 Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Received 487 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. ALTAR CARE The celebration of the Eucharist is at the center of parish life. We are a Eucharistic Community. Liturgical Ministers assist the priest and community in this celebration - Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Music Ministers, Altar Servers. Yet, we often overlook another important ministry - those who care for the altar linens. Although not seen at the liturgy itself, these women keep the altar linens clean and worthy of use at the altar. They wash and iron linens and keep them in good condition. These dedicated women are always looking for volunteers. Their ministry is done at home, taking the soiled linens and returning them to the sacristy ready for use. Would you like to help this important ministry? Give the rectory a call and ask for Valerie. **************************************************************************** BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP The next meeting of the Bereavement Group will be held on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:30pm in the St. Cecilia Room. Please contact Sister Theresa at (718) 746-8531 for more information about the group or for individual sessions for bereavement counseling. **************************************************************************** 36th ANNUAL ITALIAN DINNER DANCE IN HONOR OF SAINT JOSEPH Sunday, March 15, 2015 from 4:30pm to 8:30pm Douglaston Manor, Douglaston, New York Tickets - $75 per person For tickets and more information, please call Damiana Testa at 718-746-6269. VOCATION REFLECTION -- First Sunday of Lent Christ suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. Is He prompting you to suffer with Him, bringing others to God as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life? Call the Vocation Office at 718-827-2454, or email: vocations@diobrook.org Page 4
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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 March 8 & 22 March 9 April 19 & 26 April 13 May 3 & 17 May 11 June 14 & 28 June 15 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. ************************************************************************ TAIZE PRAYER SERVICE Welcoming God s Forgiveness Speaker: Fr. John Kettelberger, C.M. Wednesday, February 25 4:35pm St. Thomas More Church St. John s University Make the time to prayerfully reflect on creating a clean heart within by coming to this Taize prayer service centered on Welcoming God s Forgiveness. Fr. John Kettelberger, C.M. will lead us on how to seek and offer God s mercy by realizing God s constant presence. The services consist of times of song, silence, and reflection offered for meditation with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. For more information, contact Patrick Gordon, Campus Minister for Music Ministry and Faith Formation, at 718-990-2688 or at gordonp@stjohns.ed. Page 14
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A GIVING TREE THANK YOU Page 17
Knights of Columbus Msgr. Francis J. Dillon Council Presents The 5th Annual Saint Patrick s Dinner Party - Saturday, March 14, 2015 Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, 14-45 143rd St., Whitestone, NY Celebrate an enjoyable evening of great Irish fun and dancing for everyone featuring lively musical entertainment, corned beef and cabbage dinner, raffles, 50/50 chances and fun children s activities and games. Seating is limited so call early to reserve. Admission tickets: $40 Adults ($45 at door), $15 Children (age 4-15), Children under age 4 FREE. For tickets please call Edward Weisenburger (917) 667-2835 or Ralph Cefalo (917) 743-8592. The Catholic Widows/Widowers of Queens Will hold their next meeting in St. Kevin s School Cafeteria located at 45-50 195th St., Flushing on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 7pm. Parking is available in the school yard on 195 Street. Please call Augustine Young at 718-296-4642 or Nancy Bongiovi at 718-353-1045. Pilgrimage to Fatima & Barcelona May 24 - June 1, 2015 Spiritual Director, Rev. Peter Gillen. Price: $2,899PP - DO For more information call A & G Peace Tours, Inc. at (718) 423-5077 St. John s University Speech and Hearing Center Will be offering FREE speech and hearing screenings from February 2, 2015 through May 11, 2015. Please call the center at 718-990-6480 to schedule an appointment. The Speech and Hearing Center is located at 152-11 Union Turnpike, Flushing, N.Y. St. John s University Speech and Hearing Center Will be offering Hearing Aid Help from February 2, 2015 through May 11, 2015. This is a FREE service and is available for anyone who has a hearing aid and may be experiencing some difficulty caring for it or using it. Please call the center at 718-990-6480 to schedule an appointment. 40th Annual Irish Cultural Day at St. Mel s Church Will be held on Sunday, March 1st from 1pm to 5:30pm. Continuous live Irish music, song and dance featuring the music of Susan Gillespie and Gerard Corbett, the Kelly Fitzpatrick School of Irish Stepdancing, the Nial O Leary School of Irish Stepdancing & Ceili dancers, Pipers, and Exhibits. Donation $7.00, kids under 12 free. Free refreshments. Sponsored by Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Div. 15. For more information, please call (718) 746-3837. Page 18
SCRIPTURE READINGS Mon. - Lv 19:1-2,11-18; Mt 25:31-46 Tues. - Is 55:10-11; Mt 6:7-15 Wed. - Jon 3:1-10; Lk 11:29-32 Thurs. - Est C:12,14-16,23-25; Mt 7:7-12 Fri. Ez 18:21-28; Mt 5:20-26 Sat. - Dt 26:16-19; Mt 5:43-48 WE PRAY FOR THE SICK: GEORDANO GALEOTTI MARIE CESTRO GERADINA D ANGELO SUE WINSHIP JOSEPH GIGLIO MARY MIRRO JOHN MARTINELLI PATRICIA A. ANNA BRANDT ENRICO GABRIELLI GEORGE MARONE AND FOR THE DECEASED CARMELLA (LEE) CIPOLLA ANTONIO MACCHIARULO ISABELLE LOEFFLER MARGARET MASCHE ***************************************** MEMORIALS The Altar Bread is given in memory of ALBIN DEMCZYK at the request of Diane Demczyk. ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF February 23, 2015 Monday, February 23 7:00 Rose Salamone 12:00 Giuseppina, Antonio & Alfonso Colalillo Tuesday, February 24 8:30 Barbara & Thaddeus Szymanski 12:00 Rocco Michielli Wednesday, February 25 7:00 Fr. John Donnelly 12:00 Antonia & Antonio Cacioppo Thursday, February 26 8:30 Luigi Murro 12:00 Dinka & Anton Honovic Friday, February 27 7:00 Mr. & Mrs. Espy Couto 12:00 Luigi & Isabella Tempesta Saturday, February 28 8:30 Marion & Charles Saffer *********************************** COLLECTIVE INTENTIONS MASS The next Collective Intentions Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, February 22 at 11:45am. At this Mass we pray for ZIGGY KUZNIEWSKI ALBIN DEMCZYK Page 19
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