So much to do & Welcome to Msgr. Kenny - June 19, 2011

Recently I received a letter from Bishop Tobin appointing me to another six-year term as pastor here at St. Luke’s. As you might expect, I received the news with joy and a deep sense of thanksgiving to God and all of you. There is still so much I want to accomplish here at St. Luke’s. I want to extend our evangelization efforts. We still have two more sections of the parish to visit. Secondly, I want to work hard on the new translation of the Mass which begins the First Sunday of Advent. More importantly, I want to improve our worship life here at St. Luke’s. Active and involved participation is the goal of our worship life here at St. Luke’s.

At the end of the month Reverend Monsignor Albert Kenney will take up residence here at St. Luke. His position of Moderator of the Curia is an important one. Daily he will be off to work at the Chancery office. On a part-time basis Msgr. Kenney will offer his time and talents to our parish family. For more than 10 years he has worked as Rector of the House of Formation and Chaplain at LaSalle Academy. We are so happy to welcome Msgr. Kenney here at St. Luke’s.

June is a month of comings and goings. We bid farewell to Chris Pichette as our Youth Minister. Also, after 20 years Pat Grattan will now enjoy the fruits of a well-earned retirement at the end of the summer.. We thank these individuals for the talents they have shared with our parish family.
Fr. Bob Hawkins

Reflecting on All These Things - June 12, 2011

As I write on this Monday afternoon I am thinking of Mary who after the event of Jesus’s birth is pictured “reflecting on all these things in her heart.” Somehow I feel I need to do more reflecting in my heart. These past weekends have been jam packed with events. And, since our church is rather small and our classes big, we have need for multiple ceremonies. I often wonder what people take away from First Communions, Confirmations, Graduation Masses, Anointing services, funeral liturgies, etc. More important perhaps is what do I as a priest, preside, leader take away from them. The Church is there to mark the essential moments and passages in human life (birth, graduations, weddings, sickness, deaths). Yet somehow I want these to be more than singular moments. I am thrilled when rituals lead to a more vibrant practice of faith. Where there is a carry over into the regular, ordinary flow of liturgical life. We have lots of people who have been sacramentalized, but how many have been evangelized? Just some thoughts on a Monday afternoon after yet another busy weekend.
Fr. Bob Hawkins

Parish Census (part 1 of 3) Primrose - May 22, 2011

Last Saturday 60 Parishioners visited over 400 homes in the Primrose Area. The purpose of these visits was simply to listen to people's impressions of St. Luke's, update our records, and elicit feedback. After the visits the group gathered for a simple lunch followed by a wrap up session where we shared our experiences. For the most part people had a positive experience. Now we have to follow up on people's questions and needs. This day would not be possible without our Parish Council. Under the Leadership of Kathy Kwolek many people used their organizational skills to reach out to others.

I'm happy to report that data shows that our increased Mass attendance is the fourth best in the Diocese (262 more people than last year). I credit this to our Religious Education Program that has started to do class Masses. Look for more of these Masses (especially at 8:30 and 10:00) in the future. By focusing on making Sunday the Lord's Day we are starting o see some positive trends. Thanks to our music ministry members, ushers, lectors, Eucharist Ministers and altar servers. All of you do such a great job in adding vibrancy to our worship. Thank you.