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11/14/21 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
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Dear Parishioners:
It was great to get back into New York City on Thursday and Friday. Like most people, I have not been into the city since before COVID and I was somewhat apprehensive about interacting with people there. I went into the city for the installation of new Chaplains for The Order of Malta and for the installation of new Knights and Dames. These beautiful ceremonies took place at St. Patrick Cathedral. It was wonderful to see a packed cathedral and a strong feeling of being together again in safety. Each of us, members of the Order of Malta had to send in proof of vaccination before we were admitted and all the hotels demanded vaccination certificates also. I am pleased that such strong measures were taken to protect the safety of many. I am proud to be a Chaplain of the Order of Malta which is an old Chivalry Order founded around 1020 to defend the Holy Land from invaders. During those early days, members who were generally aristocrats with servants and a retinue of priests would travel from all over Europe to the Holy Land to protect the safety of that special place. Sadly, over several hundred years, because of turbulence over the world we had to move our headquarters from Jerusalem and then around 1040 to Rhodes, then after a war with the Ottoman Army, moved to Malta. In 1780, we left Malta due to the invasion of Napoleon and made Rome our permanent headquarters. If you are ever in the city of Rome, go visit the Malta headquarters which is considered an international country within a country. During these days, we no longer defend territories from invasion, but we do defend the Catholic faith and as you are aware, provide support, education and most importantly, religion to those in prison. We minister to the sick and dying and every year run a pilgrimage to Lourdes to give strength to those who are suffering. The Order of Malta remains vital in our world, some 1100 years after its founding. Here at St. Luke, I have invited one parishioner to consider becoming a knight. For any of you my parishioners who are interested, please see me directly.
Last Saturday, I was thrilled to prepare six couples for the sacrament of marriage. We had a wonderful Pre-Cana session. I am thrilled to see so many young people are keen to receive the sacrament of marriage and are prepared to raise strong Catholic children which will enrich our world.
This weekend, I am honored to be part of our Men’s Cornerstone weekend. The retreat began last Friday evening and concluded with Saturday Mass. We are very pleased that so many men have considered coming on board this year, and as I have mentioned at Mass several times, it is such a blessing to be able to have men gathered together in friendship and faith. This valuable time that our men spend together will nurture them as individuals and will also nurture their wives and children with the strength that comes directly from God.
On the weekend of November 21st, we will have our Thanksgiving Food collection. We hope to assist people living in poverty in the Washington Township area, Chester and Eva’s Village, Paterson. We will be accepting frozen and fresh turkeys this year and have provided space in the refrigerator and freezer for this beautiful outreach collection.
Fr. Owen