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3/6/22 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
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Dear Parishioners,
I was very pleased by the attendance at the Masses last Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is such an important day to get ourselves ready for the season of Lent. As we place ashes on the foreheads of the faithful, we call to mind, that we will die and so we will need to make decisions as to how we live. Particularly in Lent, we die to ourselves by acts of sacrifice and self-denial. We strive to grow in grace by doing extra spiritual activities such as daily Mass for those who have time, praying the Stations of the Cross, praying the rosary, reading scripture, giving alms, helping those in need, making time to visit the lonely and to do works of charity.
I am thrilled to welcome a representative from Several Sources Shelters this weekend. During the coming weeks, we will speak about and write about how different moms have been assisted in finding a safe place to have their babies and to return to the job market and in time, to be able to support their babies and themselves. As you can imagine, it takes considerable resources to support one mom and one baby for an entire year, multiply this by 10 or 20 and you will have an idea of the good work that Several Sources does. It is a frightening world for a woman who finds herself pregnant without the means to support her baby and herself. Through the grace of God, we here at St. Luke can support Several Sources in their Christ entered mission. In the coming weeks, Lenten envelopes will be given to every child in CCD and to every youth in the Confirmation program. We will ask each child to donate some of their pocket money so they can understand how to sacrifice for others and the importance of almsgiving. During class, we will give a teaching experience on the good works done by Several Sources. I am also inviting everyone to come on board and to try to sacrifice to truly make a difference. Ask yourself what you are giving up for Lent this year and how much money you would spend on your wine, your ice-cream, your special treat. Each week, take a moment to pray as you make this weekly sacrifice, setting it aside for the Palm Sunday second collection. On Palm Sunday, make a decision to bring in either cash or a check, payable to Several Sources Shelters and if giving a check, please put St. Luke Parish in the memo section. Donations can also be made through Faith Direct or Venmo. Most of all as a parish, let us learn about the mission and about the moms and the little babies who are central to the story of Several Sources. Let us pray for them and with gratitude in our hearts, support them.
Thanks to Mary Daly and the Chester Baroque Orchestra who gave such a beautiful performance last Sunday. We truly enjoyed their gift of music, and we were proud to accept donations for Mary’s Place by the Sea in memory of our beloved parishioner, Patty Matos.
We are all horrified by the aggression of Russia toward an independent nation, Ukraine. How sad it is to see a European country turn on its neighbor with such ruthlessness and greed. Surely, the aggression of the Nazi regime should have taught Putin how pointless dictatorship is and how ruthless governments are held to tasks for centuries after the ghastly deeds they commit. It has taken over 70 years to get over the atrocities of that period. How long will it take the Russian dictatorship to come to terms with their declaration of war? How sad it is to know that the average Russian person cannot speak out of fear of being imprisoned or worse. How awful it is for the people of the Ukraine, whose lives are being torn apart and receive little assistance from other countries, are facing the might of the Superpower with little other than strong hearts, minds, and prayer? How wonderful to see the welcome of the bordering countries of so many refugees with hot coffee, beds, and a sense of empathy. I have heard that some have even rented apartment for the refugees, mothers, and children, so they can have a place to live, to give them love, food and some hope. Let us pray for an end to this conflict and that the people of Ukraine will be able to live with peace, dignity and have governance of their own nation.
Fr. Owen