Keeping both oars in the water for Lent 2009 - Feb 22, 2009

The season of Lent is quickly approaching with its call for conversion. This call comes at a difficult time in our nation’s history. People are out of work, losing their homes, seeing their 401 accounts become 201 accounts. Times like these throw us back into the arms of our loving God. Often I have used the image of the need to row a boat with two oars. If we only use one oar we go around in circles. The two oars of the Christian life are prayer and service. During this season we will provide many opportunities to strengthen both of these dimensions. Listed below is the menu of activities offered here at St. Luke’s.

• Daily Mass at 7 and 12:05
• Stations of the Cross after Friday 12:05 Mass
• Parish Mission with Father Joseph Paquette on March 2, 3, and 4. The Sacrament of
• Reconciliation will be March 3 as part of the Mission
• In-pew solicitation for the Catholic Charity Fund Appeal. Our goal is $173,000.
• Immediate preparation for the Mustard Seed Missionary Trip to Jamaica.
• Rice Bowl collection on Palm Sunday, April 4 and 5.
• Please pray for our three RCIA candidates and catechumens who prepare for the
• Easter Sacraments.

Let’s keep both oars in the water this Lent.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Catholic Charities 2009 starts Feb 21/22

Bishop Tobin has requested that parishes take up the Catholic Charity Fund collection during the season of Lent. One of the major dimensions of the Lenten season is almsgiving. This weekend you will notice a special handout in our bulletin. Our in-pew solicitation will occur at all the masses on February 21/22. Our parish goal remains at $173,000. All of you are aware of the severe economic downturn. It will take a massive effort on all of us to reach this lofty goal. But I trust in the unbelievable generosity of the people of St. Luke’s. I know you will not let me or the poor in our Diocese down.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Accountability - February 8, 2009

Accountability is a word we hear a lot about these days. It is important to be responsible if one is committed to effective leadership. Once a month we have a building and maintenance collection. Here are some current projects that your contributions are making possible: filling cracks and striping the parking lot (spring), fixing the church sign, painting the exterior of the church (this May), repairing the floor and the pews in church, updating the school building to meet the fire code. I would like to thank Bruce Morris and our finance committee for their excellent stewardship.

This past Sunday there was a whirl of activity here at church. Many people came out to seek Mary’s intercession as the Icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe visited our parish. This coincided with Greg Albanese’s presentation to our Confirmation class. He spoke to the consistent Gospel of Life. Topics such as chastity, abortion, Lenten penalty, stem cell research were presented. Mary is always present to us as one who brings us closer to the vision of her Son. A big thank to our pro-life committee, Father Luke and Diane Comerford who led our efforts.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Post Holiday Winter Pondering - Jan 11, 2009 (posted belatedly)

When I think of the Christmas season two images come to mind: a funnel and a bowl. If Christmas is a funnel the feast occurs; the carols are sung, gifts exchanged, meals eaten, but the meaning quickly fades. Like a fluid in a funnel it does not hang around a long time. If Christmas is a bowl the spirit of the season settles and is contained. Not only that, the bowl gets filled and even runs over. This is my prayer as we enter the cold months of winter. May the meaning of Christmas so fill our lives that it affects everything we do.

Presently I am on my annual January vacation. When I was a child I hated the month of January. It meant going back to school! Now it is one of my favorite months as it gives me time to travel, rest and connect with friends.

Thanks to one and all who contributed so much to the spirit of Christmas here at St. Luke’s. I appreciateall your cards, gifts and prayers.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Faithful Citizenship

I am writing early on Tuesday morning after a wonderful presentation last evening by Father Bernie Healey at our Men's Fellowship gathering. Fr. healey spoke of his ministry as the lobbyist for the Diocese of Providence. Perhaps more importantly, he spoke of the U.S. Catholic Bishop's document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. This document is critical for all of us as we go to the polls this Tuesday.

The document highlights the importance of human dignity and the right to life, "the most fundamental human good and the condition for all the others". Issues that involve direct attacks on life itself, such as abortion or euthanasia or unjust war, therefore should be the first concern of Catholic voters. Our duty to protect innocent human life, they wrote, "has a special claim on our consciences and our actions".

Our Catholic Bishops remind us of the length and breadth of our moral responsibility:

"Catholic teaching about the dignity of life calls us to oppose torture, unjust war, and the use of the death penalty; to present genocide and attacks against noncombatants; to oppose racism; and to overcome poverty and suffering."

As election day approaches, may we take our civic and moral duties seriously. May God bless our country as we strive to be a beacon of God's light and justice in the world.

Fr. Bob Hawkins - November 2, 2008

Stewardship

This weekend, we will hear short testimonies from fellow parishioners on how they live stewardship in their lives. The purpose of these short witness talks is to prepare us for the ministry fair next week. Stewardship is not complicated. It simply means we look into our lives to examine the gifts that God has given each one of us. Once found, those gifts are meant to be shared with others. Some share by reading at mass, others by decorating the altar, still others by becoming a part of a ministry or a committee. Please take the time to look over the inserts this weekend, "Discerning Gifts" and the "Ministry List". I invite you to come downstairs next weekend. As a result o last year's event, 83 new people became involved here at St. Luke's.

Saturday is the feast of St. Luke and so the 5 p.m. mass this weekend will highlight all the good work of our school as we celebrate our 50th year. Thank you to all who contributed to our annual fund. Envelopes will remain in the pews for the whole month of October.

I just returned from the Great Day of Service. Over 300 people were involved in work at 45 sites. It is so impressive to see so many people come forward to volunteer their time for others. St. Luke's aims to be an active supporter of Beyond Our Walls here in town.

Fr. Bob Hawkins - October 19, 2008

Feast of the Cross: Life from Death

I will not be presiding here at liturgies this weekend because I am witnessing my oldest niece’s wedding at St. Agnes Church in Jefferson, New Hampshire. My good friend, Father John Lavin, recently retired, will be here to take my place. This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross which reminds us of the central symbol of our faith. Because of Christ, profound love of the cross is the sign of our salvation and the cause of our joy. The crucifixion demonstrates that God loves us more than life itself. And the triumph of Jesus’ cross becomes the triumph of our crosses as well.

Sheila Cassidy is an American nurse who was jailed and tortured in Chile. Out of that experience, she wrote the following reflection:

“I believe, no pain is lost. No tear unmarked, no cry of anguish dies unheard, lost in the hail of gunfire or blanked out by the padded cell. I believe that pain and prayer are somehow saved, processed, stored, used in the Divine Economy. The bloodshed in Salvador will irrigate the heart of some financier a million miles away. The terror, pain, despair, swamped by lava, flood or earthquake will be caught up like mist and fall again, a gentle rain on arid hearts or souls despairing in the back streets of Brooklyn.”

This weekend we ponder on how our God brings life out of what seems like death. In all of our lives there are daily crosses and resurrections. Let us be there for one another as we bear our crosses and participate in the working out of salvation in our world.

Fr. Bob Hawkins - September 13, 2008

Change: Reflect and Refresh

After the birth of Jesus, Mary is pictured as one who reflected on all the events happening in her life. I feel that need now to stop and reflect on all the recent events here at St. Luke’s. Events are happening so fast it is hard to digest them all - what with the departure of Father Matt and now the upcoming arrival of Father Luke. In addition, we welcome Adam Young our summer seminarian and also Christopher Pichette as our new youth minister. Our lives are a mixture of comings and goings. The only constant in life is change. Yet this change so often is creative and life-giving.

We have had a very eventful year here at St. Luke’s. I welcome the quieter pace of summer. May the calm of the season allow us to be still long enough to hear the quiet voice of God in our lives. Hopefully this summer I will have the time to get back to doing a bit more writing, reading and praying.

Fr. Bob Hawkins - July 5, 2008

Easter - Let us be glad and rejoice

In southeastern California there is a 282-foot gorge they call Death Valley. It is the lowest elevation in the Western Hemisphere and the hottest as well. It has gotten as high as 134 degrees. Less than two inches of rain fall in the valley each year and whatever streams are created evaporate immediately.

Several years ago, however, the barren waste-land received an amazing nineteen straight days of rain. Suddenly the bone-dry earth came to life. Seeds that had been dormant for years burst into bloom and Death Valley became, at least for a while, a misnomer. One of my favorite images comes from the Advent season where it says that desert will bloom.

This analogy of Death Valley is a powerful symbol of Easter. By virtue of Jesus' saving death and resurrection, all that was dead now lives. Beauty transcends the ugly. I'm sure that if we look at our lives we can identify with the barren seeds lying on the floor of Death Valley. Our world seems dead because of despair, violence, addiction and brokenness. Easter is a time to roll back the stone in our lives that prevents us from loving. Through the water of Baptism, sin and death are conquered; we are called today to embrace life and turn away from death.

In Romans we hear it said that death had no more power over Jesus. It is the same in our lives. Depression has no more power over us. Addiction has no more power over us. Violence has no more power over us.

The Russian Orthodox people have a wonderful custom of enjoying big meals on the day after Easter. They sit around and tell jokes. They tell jokes to remember the big joke God played on Satan. Satan thought he had won on Good Friday. Jesus was puton trial, whipped and crucified. It was the triumph of death and darkness. But then on Easter God rose His Son from the dead. Let us rejoice in this wonderful "joke" this Easter. "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it."

Fr. Bob Hawkins - MARCH 23, 2008

Welcome to Father Angelo Carusi visiting pastor from Blessed Sacrament Church

This weekend we welcome Father Angelo Carusi to our parish. Presently, he is the pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Providence. Blessed Sacrament is our sister parish in the city. This weekend while Father Angelo is here Father Matt is preaching in the city. Father Angelo is a native of Holy Angels parish here in Barrington. He attended local schools (Nayatt, Peck, and the High School). His seminary education took him to Regina Apostorium in Rome and Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmetsburg, Maryland. Father Angelo was ordained in 1998 and spent several years at St. Mary’s Church in Cranston. I just met Father Angelo when I was stationed at Sacred Heart Church in East Providence. We worked together on several Search for Maturity Retreats at the CYO Center. I am sure you will enjoy his presence among us.

Fr. Bob Hawkins - March 8 2008

Parish Feedback: Strenghen What We Have

Last week we had a very productive open parish meeting which was hosted by the parish council. The gist of the meeting was that we need to strengthen what we already have going on in the parish. Here is the listing of some of the suggestions:

• Continue to offer opportunities for our young people to connect with the parish. People are especially enthused about our mission trip experience. A woman commented that young people like to “do” rather than just listen. At the meeting we talked about our plans to hire a youth minister.
• Start a mentoring program for new parishioners. A veteran member would make contact with a new member of the parish.
• Need for a volunteer coordinator.
• Keep updating our web site and even have some of our young people help with the design.
• Have a quarterly penance service.
• Have seminars in adult education on themes like communication in marriage, how to
  pray, scripture studies, etc.
• Make people aware of our Eucharistic adoration which occurs every Monday here at St. Luke’s.

I am very happy to be the pastor of this vibrant community. I am never bored!

Please support our mission this week as we welcome back Father David Gaffney.

Fr. Bob Hawkins - February 24, 2008

Construction; Literally & Figuratively

As you read your reflections, I am away on vacation. It is good to get away from the noise, dirt and confusion of the rectory. As you know we are now under renovation. The progress has been very good over the course of the past few weeks. Our initial goals are to finish the new garage and the office area. Both Father Matt and I will now have offices on the first floor which will give us a better separation between our work and living areas. The next phase of the project will be the kitchen and an expanded dining room. We estimate the cost of the project to be $280,000. Every week we have had meetings with all those connected to the project.

On February 11 (Monday) at 7 p.m. in the church, there will be an open parish meeting. When I arrived in 2005 we had a very productive meeting where hopes and dreams for the parish were discussed. Now it is time to take a look at how far we’ve come and where we would like to continue to grow. Ed Caron, a personal friend, who works at Providence College will facilitate this meeting. As a leader I need to listen carefully to your ideas. Please come and join us on February 11th.

Fr. Bob Hawkins - January 27, 2008

Respecting Life

As we celebrate Pro-Life Month, below are some recent statements with regard to showing respect for the dignity of human life.

Studies published…in the journals Cell and Science offer new hope for advancing stem cell research and therapies while maintaining respect for the dignity of human life.

Scientists in Japan and Wisconsin used four genes to “reprogram” ordinary adult human cells, creating “induced pluripotent stem cells (IPS cells)…Thus the goal sought for years through failed attempts at human cloning – the production of “pluripotent” stem cells that are an exact match to a patient – has been brought within reach by an ethical procedure.

The technology avoids the ethical landmines associated with embryonic stem cell research: it does not clone or destroy human embryos, (and) does not harm or exploit women for their eggs…This advance reminds us once again that medical progress and respect for human life are not in conflict…”

Cardinal Justin Rigali, Statement
on Stem Cell Breakthrough, Nov. 20, 2007

“The Church is not trying to impose Catholic doctrine on the world, but we are trying to invite our people to take seriously their obligation to vote in a way that respects the moral law, the natural law, and takes into account the common good, care for the poor, and particularly the Gospel of Life, which is always at the center of Catholic social teaching…”

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, commenting on
“Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship”, Nov. 15, 2007

Fr. Bob Hawkins - January 20, 2008

Everyday Blessings

Several people have asked me for the blessing I used on Holy Family Sunday. It comes from Edward Hays' book Prayers for the Domestic Church. May this prayer be beneficial for all our families in the new year.

“Lord our God, you whose home is in heaven and on earth and in that undiscovered beyond, come and bless this house…Surround this shelter with your Spirit. Encompass all its four sides with the Power of your protection. Blessed be this doorway. May all who come to it be treated with respect and kindness. May all our comings and goings be under the seal of God’s loving care… Blessed be all the rooms of this home… May we truly live in it as people of peace… Bless this place where we shall eat. May all our meals be sacraments of the presence of God… Lord our God, may your name always be holy in our home…May God’s blessings rest upon us all… Amen.”

Fr. Bob Hawkins - January 12, 2008

Restoration

After much planning, the rectory restoration project has begun. The R & D Construction Company of Warren has been engaged to accomplish the project. For your information, a new garage is the first order of business, followed by the construction of new offices (where the present garage is) and lastly there will be a new kitchen and dining room.

We ask for your patience throughout this process which should take between 3 and 4 months. Any donations to help defray the cost will be gratefully accepted. Funds from last year’s auction as well as the monthly building and maintenance collection will be used.

Fr. Bob Hawkins - November 18, 2007

Life is Unending

A big "thank you" to our Bereavement Committee and choir who organized our annual Mass of Rememberance last Friday evening. November is the month that we remember all those who have returned home to God. We pray that our loved ones will share in Christ's victory over sin and death.

The following prayer by Bede Jarrett has been a favorite of mine for many years. It reflects the liturgical mood of November:

"We give him/her back to you, O Lord, who first gave him/her to us, and as you did not lose him/her in the giving so we do not lose him/her in the return. Not as the world gives do you give, O Lover of souls! For what is your is ours also, if we belong to you. Life is unending because love is undying, and the boundaries of this mortal life are but an horizon, and an horizon is but the limit of our sight. Lift us up, strong Son of God, that we may see further! Strengthen us in faith, that we may see beyond the horizon! And while you prepare a place for us, as you have promised, prepare us also for that happy place, that where you are we may be also, with those we have loved, forever."

Fr. Bob Hawkins - November 10, 2007

Stewardship - October 28, 2007

Last weekend’s Ministry Fair yielded over 80 new people involved in various ministries here at St. Luke’s. A big thank you to Bill Sweeney, Gus Morelli, Tina Peck, Michele Pimentel, Ann Marie Beccue and Ann Molak who make up our stewardship committee. It was also very heartwarming to hear our lay witness talks. This gives stewardship a human face here at St. Luke’s. I am reminded today of the words of Jesus: “To whom much is given, much is expected.” St. Luke’s parish is rich in time, talent and treasure. May we be inspired to use it to build up Christ’s Body here at St. Luke’s.
Fr. Bob Hawkins - October 28, 2007

Where are those Missing Catholics? - October 17 2007

A few months back Church Magazine had an article entitled “Where are those Missing Catholics?” by Peter Feuerherd. For a long time the Church has been talking about evangelization. Simply, this means sharing the message of Jesus in a compelling way. According to the research group CARA, 27 percent of the U.S. population was raised Catholic. Of that group 74 percent are still Catholic. In other words, many Catholics have drifted away and strategies need to be developed to invite them back.

I would like to suggest a few ways here at St. Luke’s for us to be more effective in our outreach. One of the most powerful parts of our Catholic faith is our sacramental life. Every sacramental opportunity is an excellent chance to evangelize. A kind word or an inspired message at key life events, such as marriages and funerals can make an impact. Reaching out to couples bringing their children for baptism is another. Effective parent meetings on the occasion of First Penance and First Eucharist are essential. Developing a RCIA program that can both inform and welcome people inquiring about the faith can also be an effective way to evangelize.

Beyond the sacraments, developing a welcoming environment at the weekend liturgies needs to be examined. So often newcomers say you can walk into church and no one talks to you. Parishioners need to be encouraged to invite people they know to come to church. Personal invitation has proven to be more valuable than other forms of advertising, including newspaper and television ads.

Feuerherd ends his article by saying the following, “Whatever the technique, the sociological experts agree that attracting fallen-away Catholics is not going to happen on its own. They counsel that parishes are content to keep the sacraments and the faith for those who show up at their doors are guaranteed to have lackluster growth of face decline.”

Father Bob Hawkins- October 17 2007

Engaged in a delicate dance - Sept 29, 2007

A few weeks back the Saturday religion page had an article entitled “New Orleans Clergy Need Counseling Themselves”. The article highlighted how hard it is at times to give comfort and solace to people in need. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina many ministers find it necessary to seek help themselves. Some ministers have had experiences where they have felt deeply the absence of God. Often they find themselves quoting the words of Jesus from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?”

Indeed to be a minister means you are engaged in a delicate dance. Along with time for others you need to acknowledge your own need for support, rest and intimacy with the Lord and others. More and more when I pray for the sick I also pray for their caregivers that they may not tire in the process. For me, I find support in my love for reading, cooking and music. I’m fortunate to have a few close friends and a supportive family. I write this message today to encourage all of you to get the support you need to flourish in your vocations.
Fr. Bob Hawkins - Sept 29, 2007

School opens Wednesday August 29!

As St. Luke’s School opens this Wednesday we are welcoming Maureen Jannetta as our new principal. Maureen comes highly regarded from St. Peter’s School in Warwick where she was principal for seven years. Already Maureen has been very proactive in developing strategies to improve our school. She has met weekly with our new middle school team, participated in our staff meetings and met with leaders of our boards. I am thrilled to be working with her as we seek to make our school an exciting learning community. Maureen is a woman of great faith who is committed to the educational mission of our church. Welcome Maureen and may you be with us for many happy years.

Father Bob Hawkins-AUGUST 25, 2007