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2/27/22 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
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Dear Parishioners,
Fr. Hubert, Deacon Ray and I were thrilled by the response to the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction that followed every Mass last weekend. This beautiful prayer, many will remember from their childhood. I certainly remember on first Fridays going to my local church for the Stations of the Cross and Adoration and it certainly helped to form me for my priesthood. Many younger people and children, of course, will never have had the experience before. We hope that this little experience last weekend will pique your interest for future times. For those who are available, we have Adoration every first Friday of the month beginning after 9 am Mass and concluding with Benediction at 6 pm. Usually, people sign up for an hour but certainly, people can come and go as their schedule permits. Looking ahead to the Mondays of Lent, Fr. Hubert or I will be available in the former chapel for confessions and at the same time, we encourage people to spend time in the church before the Blessed Sacrament.
As we all know, St. Luke is just an amazing parish full of people who are willing to try new things and quick to respond to different ideas. A big thank you to everybody in our music ministry who learned the hymns, played, and sang so beautifully for us for Adoration. A special thanks to Kathe and some of our choir members, to Lenny and Dan, our children’s choir and our youth choir who really did a great job with the Latin hymns. It was wonderful to feel the joy of everybody who helped to provide this beautiful experience and to see the smiles of appreciation as you left Sunday Mass. It truly is special to spend time before Jesus to just be in his presence and feel his love.
I welcome our 10th graders and their parents today Sunday, to the Rite of Covenant Mass as our young people make this last preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation. A big thank you to Maureen, Nina and all the catechists who have prepared them these many years past.
On Saturday, February 19th, the Antioch adult leaders from St. Lawrence and St. Luke met to select our two new co-leaders. Our outgoing leaders, Matt and Alyssia gave their opinions which we took into consideration. On Sunday, Tony Amaral called the two new co-leaders and with great joy, they accepted the responsibility. On this Sunday night when our Antioch group meets, we will announce the two new co-leaders and congratulate them. As you can appreciate, all youth leaders but particularly team leaders need to be practicing Catholics. It would be hard to expect a young person to lead their peers without a strong sense of faith. In my 31 years of priesthood, I have led three parishes in Antioch retreats and with great pride, I have always observed when the co-leaders strongly practice their faith miracles happen. Lots of friendships are formed during the Antioch meetings, young people of like mind gather together and through prayer and the celebration of Mass show love and support for each other on life’s journey. The Antioch program truly is an amazing gift to any parish who has the staff and volunteers to be able to put in the foundation work. We, at St. Luke have co-partnered with St. Lawrence for many, many years and it is truly a joy to see young people attending our retreats from Mendham, Chester, Mount Olive, Hackettstown, Tewksbury, Lebanon, Califon and of course, Long Valley. A huge thank you to Fr. Nick, the pastor of St. Lawrence, Shannon, their DRE and Quinn, their music minister and to Nina, Lenny and Dan our musicians and in a special way to Tony, Jeff, Tim, Doug, Mary, Rob, Billy, Kerry, Don, Dan, Joan, Val and Isabel.
Do remember this coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and is indeed a day of fasting and penance. Please see the Lenten schedule in the bulletin.
Fr. Owen