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06/04/2023 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
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Dear Parishioner,
Last Monday we began the season of Ordinary Time. This continues until December 2nd when Advent begins. During these months, the priest wears a green chasuble, and we try to reflect on how to do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. We celebrate the creativity of the Father, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ role as redeemer. As best as I can, I will explain the Trinity but do remember that it is a mystery that we take in faith. Next weekend we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi. Do remember that we have been asked to provide donations of pancake mix, syrup and toothpaste. We have space allocated in the narthex for the collection of that purpose. Early in the following week, we will drop it off at the designated location near Dover.
This Sunday, I have been asked to preside at the graduation at Villa Walsh. We have two families whose daughters attend Villa. I am very proud of the Sisters and the staff who work so hard. Our very own Pam Moyer has worked at Villa for many years but will be retiring this year to help take care of her new grandchild who will be born in August. I am very proud of the girls at Villa. What a blessing to be educated at a Christ-centered atmosphere with an excellent academic background. I will write more about this next week. I am also celebrating the Baccalaureate Mass at Seton Hall. A young friend of mine, Peter Batanjany will graduate. Seton Hall Prep is indeed a wonderful high school where Catholic boys become Catholic men in a strong academic foundation setting stressing the need to work together and give back to the world.
I celebrated my last confirmation of the Easter season on Pentecost. It was an honor to confirm Christine, who took the name of Mary. Thanks to Claudia Garrison who prepared her. Mary was so happy to be confirmed. She is a Special Needs woman with a deep love for the Lord. She wrote me a little note, which I will treasure, thanking me for making her dream come true. How blessed she is in her Catholic faith and how blessed I am as her priest to bestow on her the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Congratulations Mary, we love you!
Our beloved Steve Shanley will always be a part of our parish and his love for St. Luke will always remain in our hearts. I asked his son, Tom, to consider being a trustee and after prayerful consideration, he agreed. Tom is a strong and faith-filled young man who is very busy running his family business and I am delighted that he will continue in the role of his dad, to advise and support me.
I was so proud of the love of the parish family of St. Luke during the wake and funeral for Tripp Infinito. The wake was well attended as was the Funeral Mass. I was honored to have Fr. Mike and Fr. Lasch concelebrate with me. So many beloved parishioners reached out with acts of kindness, love and hugs and helped to set up and serve a delicious repast following. Vinnie does so much for our parish and is always there to serve in any capacity. At the most difficult time in his life, it was good to be able to give back that love. The death of a child is the most awful thing. As we consider Tripp’s young life of 29 years, we consider his dignity as a human being and the loving ways in which he treated people. He lived a short life, but a life of great dignity and care and we place him in the loving arms of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Fr. Owen