Universal Call to Holiness - Oct. 3,1 2009

One of the great phrases from Vatican II was “the universal call to holiness.” This call is integral to our Baptism where we are created to be God’s daughters and sons. Through Baptism we are grafted to the Body of Christ. Long before I was ordained to priest in 1975 I was called to have a holy life through Baptism. Holy lives take our time, talent and treasure seriously as we work with God to build the Church. This weekend representatives from different ministries will offer symbolic gifts that represent the various ways that we build community here at St. Luke’s. A big thank to Connie Oswald and Chris Pichette who have organized our “All Saints, All Ministries” weekend.

With the flu season approaching we have installed Purex containers at the three entrances to the church. If you are wary about shaking hands at the Kiss of Peace just wave or bow to your neighbor. This gesture is an important one as we visualize our unity before approaching the table of the Lord. Our symbols are important (Kiss of Peace, partaking of the bread and wine, etc.) and lead to a worship that is reverent and life giving. Hopefully our periods of silence at liturgy will create a prayerful environment at our masses. Please pray for our adult missionaries as we leave for Jamaica this coming Saturday. We all are a bit nervous but confident that we will receive many blessings from our time at the Mustard Seed community.

Fr. Bob

A quiet place where God can speak to our hearts - Oct 24, 2009

Last week Father Luke and I attended a clergy conference on Cape Cod. The speaker was Deacon James Keating from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. His topic was the interior prayer life of the priest. In the midst of all the pastoral activity one needs to find a quiet place where God can speak to our hearts. After all, he said, we became priests not to build structures or raise funds but to help people in their journey toward God. If we as priests are to be effective it demands a certain amount of silence in our lives. He encouraged us to create silent periods in the liturgy; especially after the homily and communion. By doing this we encourage a contemplative attitude among our people. So often we are uncomfortable with silence. The mind wanders and we notice the hat someone is wearing or what we have to do after Mass. Then there is the parking lot dilemma. We need to clear the lot so the next group can arrive for the following liturgy. In short, let us not be afraid to be still and quiet so that silence can have its proper role in our liturgies.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

A New Trustee & Celebrating Our Vision - Oct 17, 2009

It gives me great joy to announce that Raymond Simone has been chosen to be our new parish trustee. Ray has been involved in many facets of parish life: finance committee, Eucharistic minister, lector, server at funerals, Young-At-Heart. Along with his active ministry life he also brings a deep spirituality to all he does. His term will be for three years.

In past years we have had ministry fairs here at St. Luke’s. This flows from our parish’s goal of living stewardship. To the degree that we use our time, talent, and treasure our parish will flourish. This year we are trying a new way to celebrate our vision. November 1st is the feast of All Saints. On this day we call to mind the universal call of holiness. This call comes to us through our baptism where we become God’s daughters and sons. On November 1st we will celebrate “All Saints, All Ministries”. At all the masses representatives from various ministries will bring forth gifts that represent their work. This extended offertory procession will focus on God’s spirit coming down on all these gifts and transforming them so that the work of the church can continue. After mass these gift bearers will be available to answer questions about their committee or ministry. By doing this we are putting “a face” to our many ministries. This whole process will be repeated at the 5:00 p.m. liturgy (only) on November 7th.

Fr. Bob

A full plate - Sept 19 2009

As you can imagine, my plate is pretty full these days. This weekend we have the Annual Appeal for St. Luke’s School. Last year we raised over $36,000 for this cause. Granted it was our 50th Anniversary which certainly helped our cause. It is my hope that our school can continue to flourish as we seek to teach as Jesus taught. Please be generous to this worthy cause. Our enrollment is up and we are off to a good start.

I have been following the complex health care debate going on in Washington. It is my fervent hope that universal health care can be achieved for our citizens. This, after all, has been the call that has come from our U. S. bishops. Bishop William Murphy, chair of the bishops committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development wrote: “It is a fundamental issue of human life and dignity.” So far I have been encouraged that what is being proposed is “abortion neutral”. Any direct funding of abortion by the federal government would be wrong. There is so much at stake at this time. The health care debate calls us to prayer, dialogue and civility. This is literally a matter of life and death for so many.

Lastly, we are looking for people to head up our evangelization efforts here in the parish. On October 10 at Providence College there will be a conference. The day will include opportunities for prayer, major presentations, and discussion on this important topic. If interested please call me at the rectory.
Fr. Bob Hawkins

Catholic teaching on cremation - Sept 7, 2009

I get frequent calls concerning the practice of cremation. The following article was written by Paul Turner, a noted liturgist. I found it very helpful and I hope you find it the same.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Cremation
Catholic Church law used to forbid cremation, but it now makes allowance for the practice. The church recommends that the bodies of the faithful be buried, but it permitscremation if the reasons for choosing that method are not contrary to Christian teaching. Viewing the body of the deceased naturally recalls the person’s deeds of kindness and testimony of faith. It brings to mind our belief that the human body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and the heir to glory at the resurrection of the dead. Because of the reverence owed the body, the Catholic Church still prefers its burial at the time of death. When cremation is chosen, the remains merit the same respect accorded to the body. They deserve a worthy vessel and a respectful means of transport. There are several options for the funeral liturgy. For example, the liturgy may take place before cremation, so the community may pray in the presence of the body. In that case, the rite of committal would follow cremation. In other cases, cremation and committal may precede the funeral Mass. The funeral liturgy may also happen in the presence of the cremated remains, if permitted by the diocesan bishop. In that case, the Mass proceeds as usual, but covering the remains with a pall is omitted. The church strongly recommends that cremated remains be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium rather than scattered or kept in a private home. Public cemeteries call to mind the resurrection of the dead and focus our prayer for the deceased.

Year of the Priest August 16

Here is one of my favorite reflections on the priesthood. It is written by the famous theologian Karl Rahner. It really blends so beautifully the divine and human natures of the priesthood. The priest attempts to be an earthenware vessel of God’s grace and presence. Sometimes he is a fragile vessel in need of forgiveness and support; other times he is vessel that gets people on track with the grandeur of God.

“The priest is not an angel sent from heaven. He is a man chosen from among men, a member of the Church, a Christian. Remaining man and Christian, he begins to speak to you the Word of God. This word is not his own. No, he comes to you because God has told him to proclaim His Word. Perhaps he adulterates it. Perhaps he falters and stammers. Accept him as the
messenger of Christ. Let your hearts and minds swell with the grace of God so as to hear in his human words – in his fumbling, miserable, colorless and often repetitious words-- the holy, blessed and powerful Word that brings God Himself and His eternal life into our midst. Pray for him. Carry him so that he may sustain others by bringing to them the majesty of God’s love revealed in Christ Jesus.” Karl Rahner

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Year of the Priest - Aug 9 2009

We have now entered the “Year of the Priest”. Throughout the year I will offer some reflections on priestly ministry in today’s Church. Several years back a survey was taken of pastors to see what kinds of activities occupied their time. One pastor wrote:

“The pastor teaches, though he himself must solicit his own classes and inquire after absentee pupils. He heals, although without medicine or scalpel. He is sometimes a legal advocate, often a social worker, something of an editor, and a bit of a philosopher or poet. He must alternate as an entertainer, salesperson, decorative piece for public functions and, through it all, he is expected to be a scholar. He visits the sick, officiates at marriages, buries the dead, consoles the sorrowful, admonishes sinners and tries to remain calm and cordial when criticized for not doing his duty. He plans programs, appoints committees, spends considerable time listening to problems and complaints. In between time, he does maintenance on equipment that should be replaced, prepares a homily and preaches it each weekend to the already converted and to critics of his insights and oratory then, on Monday, he smiles and remains silent when some jovial wag remarks, “what I wouldn’t do for your “cushy” job…one day a week. Ha!”

The parish priest is called to be “Jack of All Trades, Master of None.” It is a life that is never boring and often exhilarating. For me the secret is to get people to step forward to share the many ministries of the Church. “Many hands make light work.”
Fr. Bob Hawkins

Fr. Collins - on his association with St. Luke's parish

Dear Parishioners of St. Luke’s Parish,
When I was ordained to the priesthood in the chapel of the American College of the Immaculate
Conception in Louvain, Belgium, on June 28, 1959, I could hardly imagine that one day, in what then seemed to be a far distant future, I would celebrate the golden jubilee of my ordination. Even less could I imagine the journey on which fifty years of ministerial priesthood would lead me.

The one constant in my ministerial life, at least since 1972, has been my association with St. Luke’s. I always wanted to be a parish priest. You, the parishioners of St. Luke’s, have provided me with a base parish from which I could minister throughout the world. For providing me with a base and some stability in a peripatetic and largely academic life, along with so much personal support and so many memories during these fifty years, I want to thank each and every one of you.

As I look back to June 28, 2009, I want to thank all who participated in the Liturgy of Thanksgiving that I was privileged to celebrate in your midst on that day. I want to thank Fr. Bob, who “made” it happen, Fr. Luke, who is just forty-nine years behind me in priestly ministry, and Ann Marie, who put so much time and effort into the preparations. The liturgy was special. Steve Kirby and David Lauria, together with the members of the adult and contemporary choirs, made it so, as did the readers, Eucharistic ministers, and acolytes, to all of whom I am very grateful. The “simple” reception that followed the liturgy was attended not only by members of my family but also a good number of people who have been my friends for seventy years. All of them have spoken about the beautiful liturgy and the great reception. The reception could not have happened without a generous contribution of time and effort from the organizers, those who prepared the hall and food, those who served the food, and those who “cleaned up”. To all of you who made the reception happen I can only say, “Thanks so much.” Finally, I want to thank so many of you – including many who could not be present on the day of the liturgy – who expressed your support, congratulations, and best wishes in a card or note.
Thanks to all of you for so much.
Fr. Ray

HEALTH CARE REFORM MUST RESPECT HUMAN LIFE

An important part of the health care reform being considered in Washington is the effect any legislation may have on the taking of innocent human life through abortion.

Bishop William Murphy, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, sent a letter to Congress saying, “The USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) looks forward to working with you to reform health care successfully in a manner that offers accessible, affordable and quality health care that protects and respects the life and dignity of all people from conception until natural death.” Abortion must not be included as part of a national health care benefit. No health care reform plan should compel us or others to pay for the destruction of human life, whether through government funding or mandatory coverage of abortion.” Bishop Murphy argued that any legislation should reflect longstanding policies “on abortion funding, mandates and conscience protections because they represent sound morality, wise policy and political reality.”

Underlining Bishop Murphy’s concern, 19 House Democrats sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi stating “we cannot support any health care reform proposal unless it explicitly excludes abortion from the scope of any government-defined or subsidized health insurance plan.” The Diocese of Providence requests that we contact both our Senators and our Congressman with the following message: “A fair and just health care reform bill must exclude mandated coverage for abortion, and uphold longstanding laws that restrict abortion funding and protect conscience rights.” It’s easy to do! Just call and politely leave the above message with the staff members who answer the phone. Make sure to give your name and address so they know you are a constituent!

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
(202) 224-2921 – Washington
(401) 453-5294 – Local office

Senator Jack Reed
(202) 224-4642 – Washington
(401) 943-3100 – Local office

Representative Patrick Kennedy
(202) 225-4911 – Washington
(401) 729-5600 – Local office

E-mails also can be sent to your legislators by visiting: nchla.org/action.asp

Abundant Blessings July 12, 2009

In reflecting on the events of a few weekends ago I see how fortunate we are as a parish. On the same day we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Fr. Ray Collins and the first anniversary of Fr. Luke. We have the wisdom and the knowledge of a veteran priest and the zeal and dedication of a newly ordained priest. How many parishes can claim that? I am reminded so often of the words of Jesus, “To whom much is given much is expected.” There is abundant talent here in this parish. More talent than I have ever witnessed in any of my other parishes. It is my prayer that we continue to use these talents to be a model parish. I say it over and over again that we are called to be wise and responsible stewards of the many gifts of God. Happy summer everyone. May the quieter pace of summer give us time to dream dreams and have visions.
Fr. Bob Hawkins

Year of the Priest -June 26, 2009

This past week began the “Year of the Priest.” So often the church gives us opportunities to look at key realities that make us Catholics. Almost 34 years ago I was ordained a priest by Bishop Gelineau. Since then I ministered in very diverse settings; inner city Central Falls and East Providence, the Catholic Center at URI, Brussels, Belgium as the pastor of an English-speaking community, St. Kevin’s in Warwick and now the suburban parish of St. Luke’s. It has been quite an experience being with people at key moments in their faith journey. Several times in the upcoming year I will reflect with you about key dimensions of a priest’s life. For me, the priest is called to be a person of communion with God and His people. My vocation is to build up the
Body of Christ. I do this by calling out the gifts of the parish community. Each person has so much to offer. To create an atmosphere where these gifts can be freely expressed goes to the heart of what I am about as a priest.
Fr. Bob Hawkins

Fr. Ray Collins 50th anniversary of priesthood

Next weekend we will gather at the 11:30 Mass to celebrate the 50th priesthood anniversary for Father Ray Collins. Fr. Ray has been coming to St. Luke’s since Fr. Oscar Ferland was pastor. All during his Louvain and Washington years, he would celebrate liturgy with us here at St. Luke’s. Many of you know that he was my New Testament professor in Louvain. For 2-1/2 years he was also the rector of the American College. Fr. Ray has always made bridges between the world of academic theology and parish ministry. He has taught me the value of applying theology to contemporary events. He always encouraged us to read newspapers, periodicals, and current theology. As busy as I can get, I never neglect to read. Fr. Ray has been a good friend to me and to so many others. He is a man of faith, service, and commitment to the Gospel. I am sure our celebration will bring joy to his heart.

Fr. Bob Hawkins