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Dear Parishioners,
This weekend, we celebrate The Baptism of the Lord which brings the Christmas season to a close. Today, we call to mind Jesus beginning his public ministry immediately after Baptism and then spends three years changing the world by his preaching, teaching, miracles and acts of love. On Monday, the 18th, we begin the first week of Ordinary Time. As we begin Ordinary Time, let us try to live ordinary lives in an extraordinary way.
During the month of January, we always remember the Pro-Life movement. Fr. Marcin, Fr. Jake, Fr. Hubert and I have planned a Long Valley prayer experience incorporating Our Lady of the Mountain, St. Mark and St. Luke parishes. On this coming Thursday the 14th, we begin a Novena of masses which will conclude on Friday, the 22nd. We begin the Novena here at St. Luke on Thursday, January 14th at 9:00 a.m. and continue January 15th at 9:00 a.m. and January 16th at 5:00 p.m. St. Mark will host on Sunday, January 17th at 9:00 am, Monday and Tuesday, January 18th and 19th at 6:30 p.m. Our Lady of the Mountain will conclude the nine-day prayer experience on January 20-22 at 9:30 a.m. Fr. Marcin and I will concelebrate mass at Our Lady of the Mountain. This year because of COVID, we will not be marching to Washington DC and, therefore, I encourage as many people as possible to attend as many of these masses as possible in the three parishes to pray for the Right to Life of the baby in the womb, the poor, the undocumented and the criminal. As Catholics, we abhor abortion of the baby in the womb and we abhor the execution of prisoners and the abuse of human life.
This weekend, we will have our third collection to help defray the cost of the chemical cleansing of our church. I really appreciate everybody who is sacrificing to ensure that our sacred space is germ free and most importantly, free from the contamination of the coronavirus. As you are aware, the cost is $700 per month but it is certainly money well spent to keep all of us safe and allowing us to celebrate masses, weddings, funerals and baptisms in a safe way. Please be as generous as you can.
A special Thank you from our ministry the Hands of St. Luke. I thank each and every one of you for your generosity to the working poor and the undocumented. We were thrilled to send a truckload of non-perishable foods, turkeys and detergents to so many wonderful people who are now living on the brink of poverty. What a blessing it is to be able to sacrifice in the name of Christ and bring the love of Christ to those who are battling unemployment and hunger during these cold days. We know, my dear friends that our world is not a perfect world, but we know that the perfect love of Christ shines through us who reflect his loving care for all people. We ask your continued support of this ministry, this continual act of love, where we continue to serve God in and through each other.
We welcome back our Cycle A and Confirmation students this weekend and look forward to helping them to grow in faith and knowledge of Catholic Religion.
Happy New Year!
Fr. Owen