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1/16/22 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
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Dear Parishioners:
Here at St. Luke, we are very blessed to have wonderful staff and volunteers. It truly takes a village to make a strong and caring parish work. Many people generously give of their time and talent and the results are seen in a strong Catholic community that truly reflects the unconditional and compassionate love of Christ. We are blessed of course to have Fr. Hubert here in residence and until Bishop invites him to be a pastor, we enjoy the sharing of his priestly gifts. Deacons are truly a blessing of the church. For many years, the church was blessed with the services of Deacon Kevin Cleary. Upon Kevin’s retirement, a lot more responsibility has fallen on Deacon Ray. Deacon Ray as you know is always present to help and serve in any area necessary and with the support of his wife, Leslie, truly enrich many areas of our parish life including Operation Chillout. I am thrilled to announce that about a year ago, I invited Dr. Stephen Deehan to consider becoming a deacon. He and his wife, Yvonne, after prayerful consideration made application to Bishop Sweeney for consideration. After a series of interviews, Bishop accepted and welcomed Stephen to become part of the Diaconate Program. Stephen is a perfect candidate for the Diaconate Program and with the support of his wife, Yvonne and their four children, Patrick, Christian, Stephen, and Noelle, will truly make a difference and the Diaconate will enrich their family. I know they are proud of their dad as am I. Additionally, Stephen is responsible for starting the Hands of St. Luke Ministry and he and his family did so at my behest. The ministry is flourishing because it is built on faith and love. Stephen’s home parish is Our Lady of Sorrows in South Orange. His father, John was a strong committed Catholic and I was privileged to know and love his mom, Rosemarie who also was a strong committed Catholic and was aware of Steve’s intent before she died. He is one of nine siblings and he and Yvonne have been parishioners for over 20 years. He has already begun his studies and I will be delighted to keep you posted as to how his formation program goes. Please keep Steve and Yvonne in prayer during this exciting time for them and for us.
As I had mentioned last Sunday, on the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, we began Ordinary Time. This Second Week of Ordinary Time is the season in which we try to do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. Between now and the season of Lent, we reflect upon God’s grace in our lives and how we can continue to live the call of our Catholic Baptism. For moms and dads, I invite you to talk to your children about the Liturgical Colors. During the season of Christmas, the priests wore white or gold vestments. Now, the priests wear green vestments. During the coming weeks, I will speak to the children about the different seasons and how God gives us different times to see and feel the different aspects of our faith. As we have begun The Year of the Eucharist, Maureen, Nina, and I will be addressing the Eucharist as source and summit to our children as youth and Fr. Hubert and I will be speaking upon this in the coming weeks.
It was with profound sadness that I attended Patty Matos on her journey to God and that I blessed her body upon her death last Saturday, January 8th. Patty was a strong and devoted Catholic, wife, mother, daughter, sister, parishioner, and friend. She was a nurse and made such a difference in the lives of so many. Although she fought so hard against the illness that took her life, with great dignity she accepted her upcoming death and was strengthened by the gift of her faith and the sacraments. We extend our sympathies and much love to her husband, Rui and their children, Ryan, a high school senior, Adelia, a 10th grader and Isabella, a 5th grader, her mother, Alice, her family and friends. We will keep the Matos family in prayer during these difficult days.
Fr. Owen