Lenten Mision Mar 22-24, Tues thru Thurs - March 20 2011

St. Luke’s sponsors and promotes a myriad of activities to deepen spirituality. Perhaps the most important initiative of all is the Lenten mission. I just want to invite each of you personally to come and hear Tom Kendzia speak this coming Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening at 7 p.m. You will not be disappointed. Weekly worship is the source and summit of all we do here at St. Luke’s. Good liturgy builds faster, while poorly celebrated liturgy weakens it. As Catholics we believe Christ is really present in the word, in the bread and wine, and in the assembly. Come and deepen your worship life during the Lenten season.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

From the sacred to the profane March 13, 2011

The Vatican Council stated that the liturgy is the source summit of our Catholic life. One way we live out our faith is through our conscious, active, and attentive participation. Jesus once said, “Whenever two or three gather in my name I am in your midst.” This Lent we are devoting our Mission to developing a more lively and spirited liturgy here at St. Luke’s. Tom Kendzia noted composer, recording artist, author, and music minister at Christ the King will be our presenter. I am very confident that those who participate will be uplifted on their Lenten journey.

Many people are involved in our liturgical celebrations. We have 39 lectors, 63 Extraordinary Ministers, 40 involved in our choir and contemporary group, 15 greeters. The mission will enhance their ministries. However, everyone involved in the assembly is encouraged to participate. When I arrived at St. Luke’s the priest was introduced as the celebrant. Now you notice the priest is introduced as the presider. After all we are all celebrants of the Mass and we need a presider (the priest) to lead and hopefully inspire us to pray. I look forward to seeing many of you as we gather on March 22nd, 23rd, and 24th.
Thank you,
Fr. Bob Hawkins

P.S. From the sacred to the profane: This weekend we have the building and maintenance collection. One item where we are way over on the expense side is snow removal. While our service provider is excellent it has been expensive to clean up after all these storms. Any extra dollar or two into this week’s collection would be greatly appreciated.

Lent 2011, Parish visitation, Jamaican Mission - Mar 6, 2011

With Easter being so late this year, there has been a bit of a lull lately in the parish. But this quiet period will soon give way to a flurry of activity. As you know a new translation of the Mass will commence on the first Sunday of Advent. With this in mind, liturgy seems to be a good topic to explore during this year’s Lenten Mission (March 22-24). Tom Kendzia from Christ the King will be our speaker. He has composed many hymns and has been music director in Kingston for over 25 years. This mission will be especially geared toward our lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, greeters and choir members. However, this mission will benefit all who make up the worshipping community here at St. Luke’s.

Another area in the planning stages is a day of visitation (evangelization) on May 14th. Parishioners will be asked to attend the 9 a.m. Saturday Mass and then go out to visit members of the parish. We look to update our census records, elicit feedback about the parish, and listen to the concerns of the people. To accomplish this noble goal we will need hundreds of volunteers. This approach has been taken by several parishes with a good result.

I would like to welcome back our teen missionaries from Blessed Assurance. I am sure you have all benefitted from your time of service. A big thank you to Dave Renner who organized our adult witnessing weekend. I found the faith sharing testimonies and the video very moving. Please pray that all of our endeavors will be blessed by the Lord.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Room at the inn - Dec 25, 2010

There is a story about a parish putting on a Christmas pageant. It came to the point where the innkeeper was to say that there was no room at the inn for Mary and Joseph to stay. The part of the innkeeper was played by a young man challenged by Down Syndrome. He had only one line to memorize and he had practiced it over and over again with his parents. So the big moment came with Mary and Joseph making their way down the main aisle of the church. They approached , made their request and heard the loud response, “There’s no room at the inn.” So Mary and Joseph turned to travel farther. All of a sudden the young boy boomed out, “You can stay at my house.” Thinking quickly the priest said, “Amen” and the congregation said, “Amen” and the homily was finished as everyone broke into singing “Joy to the World”.

This young boy’s response truly is the miracle of Christmas. Like Mary and Joseph we need to make room for Jesus in our world, in our homes, and in our hearts. We need to invite him in so that he can transform our hearts with His peace and justice. I want to thank this parish community for the many ways we respond to God’s invitation to be a people of justice and peace. As we move forward may we continue our trips to Jamaica, our Mobile Loaves and Fishes outreach, our Giving Tree project, our visits to the homebound, our Christmas Cantata, our education of our young, and the many other ways we seek to evangelize. Let us work and pray together in the new year.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Mary: a model of the Advent Season - Dec 11, 2010

I am happy to announce that Catherine Carbone is our new bookkeeper here at St. Luke’s. She will bring competence and experience to this important position. Cathy has been a parishioner here for many years and will do a great job in her new position.

Today is December 8th, the day the Church reflects on Mary, the one filled with grace. I see her as a model of the Advent Season in her role as a perfect instrument for God’s birth in the world. For us to be like Mary we need to free ourselves from the trappings of sin. What attitudes need to be addressed in our lives so that we can better make Jesus known in our world? God can do the impossible in us if we but get out of His way. Advent is a time for grace and miracles.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

P.S. A special time for Confessions will occur December 23 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Advent: prepare our hearts Dec 5, 2010

As always we approach Advent with all kinds of hopes and expectations. Paul urges us to wake from our sleep and seize the many opportunities we have to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. So often we think of Advent as remembering the coming of Christ many years ago in Bethlehem. But Advent is even a richer season than that when we consider the coming of Christ in the present and also at the end of time. We look into our lives and try to name the many ways Christ comes to us in the people all around us: the elderly person in a nursing home, a little pre-schooler, someone we meet on the Mobile Loaves and Fishes Truck. Advent is a time to make room for Christ, to prepare the way in the world, to celebrate the simple presence, to climb the mountain of the Lord.
Fr. Bob Hawkins

Catechist of the Year - Oct 31, 2010

Last Thursday night at SS John and Paul parish in Coventry Joyce Dube was honored as Catechist of the Year by Bishop Tobin. For many years Joyce has offered her time and talent to the great work of sharing the Good News with young people. She even knew my uncle Monsignor Charles McConnell (my mother’s brother) when he was head of CYO for the Diocese. That was some 50 years ago. Thank you Joyce for fulfilling the words of St. Francis: “Preach always, occasionally use words.” May the Lord continue to give you the energy to teach as He himself taught.

A big thank you to all who shared their prayerful greetings with me after surgery. Each day my hearing improves which allows me to hear your concerns, your wisdom, your great testimonies of faith.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

An environment where fresh ideas can emerge - Sept 18, 2010

The challenge of being a pastor is to create an environment where fresh ideas can emerge. You can go to the well too many times with the tried and true. New endeavors keep everybody engaged. Years ago Father David Gaffney was the engine behind our parish auction. We have done several of them on an every other year basis. The committee thought this year we ought to try something different. On October 23rd from 7 to 11 p.m. we are presenting “Casino Royale” in the gym. Along with drinks and hors d’oeuvres there will be wheels, cards, raffles and, yes, even a live auction with one of my dinners for sale. Keeping it local might be a nice way to engage more people. Over the next few weeks there will be several announcements asking for your support. The funds realized from this event will go to ongoing capital improvements for the parish (roof on school and pre-school, school parking lot, church interior painting, sidewalks and curbs).

This past weekend I celebrated my 35th Anniversary of ordination. I traveled to Newport with two of my closest priest friends to celebrate. While away I missed the lead in to our annual school collection. A big thank you to Sue Moran for organizing our appeal this year. These are challenging times for Catholic Schools as we seek to teach as Jesus taught. Please be as generous as your financial situation allows.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Pet Peeves - Sept. 12, 2010

One of my pet peeves is noticing parents dropping off students for religious education classes on Sundays and then skipping Mass. Another pet peeve is celebrating First Communion for 100 children in May and then rarely or never seeing these children at Mass. A further pet peeve is preparing students for Confirmation and then noticing they are no longer active in our worship life. What gives? As Catholics we are a Eucharistic people. Weekly we gather so that our lives can be fed by the Bread of Life, by the wisdom of God’s word and the support we receive from fellow believers. When people are absent we are deprived of their gifts and their presence. As Catholics we form a community in an otherwise isolated and fractured world. During this year we have focused on Evangelization, a core teaching of our faith. We have had listening sessions, annulment workshops, developed a robust CD collection, and still our congregation has not grown.

As a pastor I try to be present not only at Church but in the community. On occasion I attend sporting events, plays, graduations, Blue and Gold dinners. I do this because of the value of presence and interest in people’s lives. As we begin a new year I invite you to take your participation in our parish life seriously. It all begins at the Lord’s table where we are reminded that we are called to be the hands and voice of Christ in the world.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Monsignor Wil Davis speaks to St. Luke's on CRS - Sept 5, 2010

This weekend we welcome one of my oldest friends to St. Luke’s. I met Monsignor Wil Davis in Louvain during my third year of theological studies. Wil was already a priest and came to do a sabbatical year. We became fast friends as we experienced student life in Belgium. Student life included basketball games, seminars, trips to the local bars, and more serious things like retreats and pastoral outreach activities. Simply put we bonded and have been close friends ever since. We have traveled to many places in this wonderful world: California, Hawaii, Canada, Greece, Australia, northern Europe, Chile and the major European capitals.

For five years Wil was a missionary with Maryknoll in Chile. I visited him in 1994 and went by horseback to his most isolated communities. He has a real sense of adventure and awe in the presence of God. This weekend he will speak to us of the work of Catholic Relief Services. Everytime there is a crisis in the world CRS is there to help and assist. In many countries it improves the living standards of the people. As a Church we are called to be on mission. The Mass ends with the challenge, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” This weekend we hear the story of a compassionate priest who for 46 years has responded to that challenge. Ministry has brought him to several parishes in Orange County, to seminary formation work, and now in retirement to further the missionary nature of our Church’s mission. Welcome to St. Luke’s, Monsignor Davis.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Exerciseing our faith muscles - August 1, 2010

It’s Friday afternoon (July 23) and our second week of Religious Formation classes have finished. Before going over to the assembly I read the Rhode Island Catholic. This week there was a terrific article about Fr. Luke’s Ironman Triathlon. So many of the same principles that go into being a good athlete apply to our lives of Faith. We need to be disciplined, focused, willing to endure suffering and pain. Yet when we succeed we feel a great deal of personal satisfaction. Thank you Fr. Luke for your great example. It is my prayer that your story will inspire us all to practice our faith; e.g., go to mass, receive the sacraments, perform works of mercy, pray. May all of us exercise our faith muscles and in so doing give praise to God.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Going to Mass on Vacation by Paul Turner - July 11, 2020

Good Catholics on vacation always make time for Sunday Mass. The locations for churches and the times of services are generally easy to obtain online. It doesn’t take much advance planning to include worship as part of one’s time away from home. When you enter the church as a visitor, introduce yourself to a greeter or minister. Let someone know where you come from. Most locals are happy to say a word of welcome, but they do not always know who is visiting and who is not.

Participate well. Pray sincerely. Sing the hymns. Contribute generously to the collection. Some people contribute sparingly. But the church you are visiting has generously provided you a place to worship. Its members would appreciate a spot in the budget you made to enjoy your vacation. If you know in advance that you cannot attend Mass some Sunday, you should obtain a dispensation from your pastor. If you are in your own church when visitors arrive, help them feel welcome; show them around. Above all, make an effort to worship every Sunday, even when you are away from home. God never takes a vacation from you.

(Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant’
Anselmo University in Rome.)

Fr. Bob's 5th Anniversary at St. Luke's

This past Thursday (July 1) marked my fifth anniversary here at St. Luke’s. As I look back I see so many positive developments: a nearly full parish school, mission outreach to Maine and Jamaica, active parish council with lots of active committees, ample stewardship opportunities for people to take ownership of their faith. By now I have had a chance to minister to a majority of our families through baptisms, funerals, hospital calls, home visits, First Communions, Confirmations. And so as I look back I say, “Thanks!” to the many ways you have welcomed me and responded so positively.

Life being what it is there are at times things that concern me. Engaging families after baptisms and First Communion to practice their faith on a regular basis is perhaps my greatest concern. Despite letters, visits, phone calls, homilies, many of our efforts have fallen on deaf ears. I do not see any increase in our mass attendance. As a leader I do not like to sugar coat things. A massive evangelization effort is needed in our Church today. St. Luke’s is not alone in this regard. I ask each of you to be an evangelizer. Encourage your neighbors to attend mass. Speak up when sporting events happen on Sunday mornings. It is all of our
responsibility to see that our parish continues to grow.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Sensing God's presence in our lives - June 13, 2010

"We had the experience but missed the meaning" T.S. Eliot
This line from Eliot is on my mind this morning as I ponder the events of the last few weeks. So much happens this time of year that speaks of transition and moving on. High school graduates move on to college. Our eighth graders leave our school after being here for as much as 11 years (counting pre-school). A few weeks back 95 students were empowered by the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. I go to many anniversary and graduation parties during this time. In all of us do we sense the presence of God appealing to us to sense His presence in our lives? Are we thankful for God's gifts? Are we developing our God-given potential? In this year of evangelization are we inviting our fellow parishioners to a deeper involvement in our parish life?

A big thank you to Diane Comerford who did a fabulous job organizing our Baccalaureate Mass. Through her efforts may our high school seniors sense that God is near to them in all their endeavors. Also, thank you to Maureen Jannetta, our school principal, as we end another year of instruction. So many people, experiences, relationships enrich our parish life here at St. Luke's. Thank you to all who live stewardship each day.
Fr. Bob Hawkins

Reflections on Catholic education

Recently the local press reports that two more Catholic schools are closing this year: St. Matthew’s in Cranston and Holy Ghost in Providence. Changing demographics, rising healthcare costs, weak economy are all highlighted as reasons. Catholic education is becoming less present in our cities and working class areas. With each closing I begin to ponder where will this all end. Here at St. Luke’s we are lucky with our excellent principal, dedicated teachers and active parent base. Our 270 students are exposed every day to Gospel values in a nurturing environment. But for this to continue we need to be vigilant. In past days the Church was rich in personnel. Plenty of priests, nuns and brothers taught in our schools for practically nothing. Treasure was minimal but religious talent was abundant. Now the situation has changed. The Catholic population has risen in status. We populate professions like medicine, law and business. We are richer in treasure, weaker in time and professional talent (fewer priests, nuns, brothers). This does in no way denigrate the talent and dedication of our lay teachers. Will those with treasure support the ministry of Catholic education? Every once in a while I see bumper stickers on cars that say, “I survived Catholic School.” Everybody laughs a bit and gets the joke. I personally did not survive Catholic school – I thrived! Perhaps if more people told their stories of thriving in our schools we will see a resurgence in this important ministry in our day.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

A fulfilling ministry - May 30 2010

I spent today doing some follow-up with families who have lost loved ones recently. I find it a fulfilling ministry to check in with people after funerals and hospitalizations. So often grief comes in waves for people. No two people grieve in the same way. Some people stay busy visiting lawyers and banks to change names in important documents. Others take a trip to be near an adult child who lives out of town. Some retreat into solitude and spend time in church or the cemetery. One of our vibrant ministries is our bereavement group that organizes luncheons after the funeral, knits a shawl for those who are ill, plan our Annual Mass of Remembrance at All Souls’ Day. In the future some members will accompany Fr. Luke and me to wakes. Many years ago I remember a seminary staff member telling us to be kind to people when they are sick, grieving, and in need of help. Somehow this gives me more joy and meaning than many of the administrative tasks that go along with pastoring. Pray that I never forget what my seminary professors said many years ago.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Neat or Messy? May 23, 2010

I’m writing on Tuesday morning amidst a sloppy desk with papers, memos, folders, and periodicals all over the place. A friend of mine said of a mutual friend that his desk is so neat you could do surgery on it. My desk, my friend said, looks like surgery has just been completed. Staying organized and being attentive to details is not my strong suit.

We are in the midst of a whirlwind of activities. One priority presently is to entice more people (especially males) to be involved in Parish Council. Complacency can settle into any organization. We can assume so easily that other people will step forward. Presently we need interested people to offer some time and talent to this important ministry in the parish. Any takers?

Please pray that the Holy Spirit will enter the hearts and minds of our Confirmation class. This Saturday 95 teens will be confirmed by Bishop Mulvee.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Annual retreat - May 8, 2010

One of the most important weeks in a priest’s life is supposed to be his annual retreat. It has been over two years since I made a retreat. This means it is confession, “mea culpa” time for me. I picked this time of the year because of the spring weather and the need to find some balance with the busyness of this time of the year. Yesterday we had three beautiful First Communion celebrations which were so well organized by Pat Grattan. It was a joyful time to witness the excitement of the children receiving Jesus for the first time. In this year of evangelization I encouraged the parents to bring their children often to the table of the Lord. You can have the best religious education program but it means little without parent cooperation. In the weeks ahead we will have Confirmation, the Mass for the high school graduates, the healing mass, school graduation, appreciation night and, by the way, the wedding season will start. Yikes!
Fr. Bob

Hear the voice of the shepherd May 1, 2010

Last Sunday I reflected on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in my homily. I only preached at two Masses (5 p.m. and 7 a.m.) and at the 8:30 I did a children’s homily. Several people asked me to ponder further on the homily. My general theme was the need to hear the voice of the shepherd. When we really listen we take on the heart and vision of the Good Shepherd. As a result we minister by affirming. serving, and protecting others. Then I went on to say we have been painfully reminded in the past few months of so many tragic examples of poor and abusive treatment of young people by our Church leaders.

Recently I read a letter by Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C. to the people of his diocese. In the letter he spoke of the beauty of stain-glass windows. So many of our sacred stories and people are depicted in windows. “Yet if even one small part of the window is broken our eyes are immediately drawn to the wound. Much of the beauty of the entire window, its integrated wholeness and message, can be temporarily lost because we concentrate on the broken piece. Years ago we recognized that some of the glass was broken. Some who were called to serve as an icon of Christ and ordained to be his presence in the midst of the community had failed in their ordination promises. Through the damaged glass there poured a harsh glare that caused not only the Church but the wider community to focus on what was broken.”

As a Church we are now called to penance and purification. We are a sinful Church in need of God’s mercy to renew us in the image of Christ the Good Shepherd. Our Church’s credibility and essential mission has been tarnished. Trust between clergy and people is an essential ingredient to effective pastoral ministry. I pledge to you as pastor my renewed commit-ment to be of service in an open and humble manner. May the healing process begin and continue under the banner of God’s grace.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

My banner will be clear - April 17,2020

Easter is a 50-day season filled with stories of people living their faith. Here is a witness of a young preacher in Zimbabwe. Imagine if we had this kind of faith.

“I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit’s power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I’m a disciple of Jesus. I don’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

“My past is redeemed; my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, small plannings, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

“I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I know life by faith, lean on Jesus’ presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and I labor with power.

“My force is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander
in the maze of mediocrity.

“I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until he comes, give ‘til I drop, preach ‘til all know and work ‘til he stops me. And when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me…my banner will be clear.”

Fr. Bob