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5/21/2023 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
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Dear Parishioners,
Welcome home Fr. Hubert, you were missed! So glad your parents are doing well. Time to enjoy the beautiful month of May in Happy Valley!
Last Thursday night, the Women’s Cornerstone sisters had a beautiful gathering around the fire pit. I arrived home around 9 pm because I had picked Fr. Hubert up at the airport and spent a delightful hour with them. It is wonderful to see new friendships being formed, faith being shared and a sense of fun and laughter.
Last Saturday, I was thrilled to celebrate 53 First Holy Communicants at 10 am and 12 noon. It is always a joy to see their little faces, radiant as they come to receive Jesus for the first time. Maureen has done an excellent job as their catechist and she and I appreciate all the support given to us by the parents and other staff members. It is always so important, however, that the parents continue to lead their children in loving example and I have impressed upon them the need to continue to bring their children to Mass on a weekly basis. Sadly, in the present world of sports and other commitments, the responsibilities due to God are not always observed. I do appreciate the parents who are committed, putting God first and at the same time, living busy and proactive lives. A big thanks to the Knights of Columbus who are always so supportive to us. They gave a beautiful prayer book and a rosary to each of our children which will be a wonderful keepsake for their children.
This past Tuesday, we welcomed Bishop Kevin to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation. At the rehearsal on Monday, I took the opportunity to thank our parents who have entrusted their teens to our care and to our catechists who have helped Maureen and I in the passing on of our Catholic faith to our 10th graders. Please keep our young Confirmandi in prayer as they open their hearts to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
On Thursday, May 11, thirty-two PreK-3 and PreK-4 students celebrated the liturgy of the May Crowning and Claire one of our PreK students crowned our Blessed Mother. The other children honored the Blessed Mother by placing flowers at her feet. After the liturgy, the parish hosted a beautiful brunch for the moms and grandmoms who thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A big thank you to Jeannie, the director of our PreK and her dedicated staff as together they empower our children to learn academic excellence in a Christ centered atmosphere.
As you are aware, this weekend we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven. We recall that day when he stood on a little mound surrounded by his eleven apostles, his mother and some leadership women and men and he bade the world farewell. He reminded his little group and people of the world from then until the end of time that he would return on the last day as king and judge. He invited them and us to proclaim and live the good news in his Holy Name. Blessed are we here at St. Luke who have the privilege of being the voice of Christ, the hands of Christ and the heart of Christ to our own local community, to the working poor in Paterson and to the aged living with the Little Sisters in Totowa. As your pastor, I commend you as beloved disciples on the journey to keep alive this mission from Christ with the enthusiasm and sensitivity.
Fr. Owen