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12/19/21 Father Owen's Bulletin Message
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Dear Parishioners
Wow! How quickly Advent has gone! As we gather today, the fourth Sunday of Advent, we are simply days from the celebration of Christmas. I was very pleased to see so many people come to Confession last Monday evening. It is so important to prepare our souls for the Nativity of the Lord. Do remember, however, that I am also available for confessions here every Saturday from 4:00 – 4:50 pm and by appointment.
How blessed I am in the gift of Priesthood bestowed upon me by Almighty God. As you know, I celebrated 30 years of priesthood last Tuesday, December 14th. Each day of my priesthood has been blessed and special. Each of my parishes have been a true blessing from God. A big thanks to my amazing staff and many volunteers who pulled together the Surprise Mass and party last Saturday. I was thrilled to have Fr. Mike concelebrate and of course, to have Fr. Alex concelebrate and preach. It was an absolute joy! As I looked at the packed church, I saw beloved friends, past parishioners from St. Patrick and St. Rose and of course, parishioners from my beloved St. Luke. Thirty years, looking ahead seems like a long time. Thirty years looking back is like a whirlwind. I know all of you who are married with children, feel the same way. Time flies when you are busy, active and in love with the vocation that God has gifted you with. Thanks to everybody who has supported me these past thirty years, to my parents who empowered me and to God who called me. I look forward to many more fulfilling years here at St. Luke, as together we continue to listen to God’s call and make his urging a reality.
As you are aware, Fr. Hubert is spending Christmas with his family in Poland. I am thrilled that he can enjoy this special time with his parents, Elzbieta and Stan and his brother, Bartosz and let us not forget, his much beloved, Molly. As you can imagine his family are all Polish, but his dog is Irish. One day Molly will travel to the US to reside here. We here at St. Luke, wish the Jurjewicz family a Blessed and Holy Christmas and look forward to having Fr. Hubert home to St. Luke on January 6th.
A lot of work goes into preparation for the Christmas Masses. A big thanks to Deacon Ray, our devoted staff, the ushers, extraordinary ministers, lectors, our sacristans, musicians, cantors, and altar servers, who together do their part to create the atmosphere that is Christmas.
Next Sunday, December 26th will be the Feast of The Holy Family and we will have our usual Mass schedule. On Friday, December 31st at 5 pm - Vigil Mass and Saturday morning, January 1st at 9 am, New Year’s Day, we celebrate the Feast of The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. The weekend Masses of January 1st and 2nd, begin with the Feast of the Epiphany from Saturday, January 1st , 5 pm Mass through Sunday night with our usual Mass schedule.
On behalf of Fr . Hubert, Deacon Ray, and our staff, I wish you a peace-filled and Holy Christmas and a healthy New Year.
Fr. Owen