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1/29/2023 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
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Dear Parishioners,
It is hard to believe that the month of January is now almost over. During these days of winter, we focus our attention on preparation for the Lenten season. Lent begins February 22, and here at St. Luke we are on the move! I met with the Liturgical Committee on Saturday, January 28th and we talked about Holy Week, parish confessions and what sacrifice we as a parish would make this year. In the coming weeks, I will be in touch with details on our Lenten project and how through our prayers and sacrifice, we can assist those in need.
This Saturday evening, I celebrate Couples’ Mass. It is a wonderful way for couples of varying ages to gather and through prayer and dialogue, explore the sacrament of marriage and how they can best continue to live this sacrament as God wants them to. I so enjoy each week, blessing couples who celebrate special anniversaries. This sacrament truly is a gift from God and the vows made in the marriage covenant empower not just the couple, but the children to be part of a strong Catholic home and grow together as a Catholic community.
Last Sunday, Rita’s 10th grade class, gave a wonderful presentation on faith and family. I was pleased to see that these young people understand that a family is based in a parish, a parish is based in a diocese and the diocese is part of the whole Roman Catholic church. Our universal church comprising of men and women, old and young from all over the world. As a global church, we as Catholics, live in first and third world countries and strive to impact each other with the gifts of creativity and being aware of how we can mutually help each other on the road of life.
Last Tuesday, we as a staff enjoyed a delayed Christmas lunch. This was delayed due to the death of my aunt in Ireland, and it was actually nice to be together after the business of Christmas. We are blessed by the men and women who form the Leadership Team here at St. Luke. They are the faces you see when you come to the office and parish activities, they are the voices you hear when you call, they are the fingers that respond to your emails, they are the hands that set up for parish events and prepare for the Liturgical seasons and help to make our church reflect the season of the year. As a staff family, we care about each other, we support each other. Each member of our staff is an active Catholic and proud and excited to help our parish thrive. As our parish continues to grow, I would like our parishioners to get to know our staff. This week, let us get to know our two business managers, Joe Perno and Ron Cohen. Both men volunteer their time and direct me in all things financial. They maintain an overall view of the parish and ensure that we are fiscally transparent and help us to be ever more efficient and with Christian care. Joe and his wife, Maria live in Long Valley and they winter in Florida. Joe brings to us a wealth of experience in the insurance and computer industry spanning many, many years. Ron and his wife Ginger, live here in Long Valley. Ron is a CPA and has extensive experience in accounting. He is Chair of the Diocesan Finance Council, and Chair of our Parish Council. He is also an extraordinary minister and lector. We are blessed to have these caring men, who give of their time lovingly to our parish. Please be sure to say hello if you see them at church.
This coming Friday, February 3, is the Feast of St. Blaise. Anybody who would like to have their throats blessed, please join us on that day for 9 am Mass.
Fr. Owen