From the Desk of Father Bruno --
“Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” This definition from
the Letter to the Hebrews (the first line of this Sunday’s second reading) is a powerful statement invoking
the role of faith as the motivating factor in our life. The Church in its life and its prayer journeys to faith’s
ultimate goal, life in the Triune God. Over the past eight months, I have found this parish community of St.
Luke truly one of vibrant faith. I have been overwhelmed by your welcome and hospitality, which have been
a great grace. Recently, I thought of the words of St. Augustine, who once commented that “Patience is the
companion of wisdom.” Your patience during the renovation of the Church has been an exemplary testament
of faith and wisdom, and has been amazing to witness.
I wanted to update you on just some of the activities that I help coordinate here at St. Luke’s, and
invite you if interested to join, assist, or to pray for these efforts.
Altar Servers: The Altar Servers of St. Luke are among the best I have ever encountered. They are young
men and women of great faith, who have been given by God so many talents. With the Church under
renovation, they have adjusted very well to the changes construction has caused. Starting in September, we
are going to be welcoming new Altar Servers, and will be training all of our servers to help adjust to our
newly renovated Church. If any young man or woman is interested in serving, please don’t hesitate to
contact me!
Youth Group: Fr. Chirichella did a wonderful job gathering a committee to help coordinate youth activities
and organize a wonderful youth group. It has been great to join them in providing our young people with
positive faith-filled experiences. Our youth group is a great mix of middle school and high school youth,
who gather regularly to experience the joy of faith, friendship, and family. We are looking to expand this
group, especially among our parish’s high school students. There will be some wonderful events and
opportunities starting in September. If any young person would like to join or is interested just see me or
inquire at the rectory.
Italian Apostolate: Our Italian community is among the most active and numerous in the diocese. It
includes Italian-Americans from various paese and regions of Italy. St. Luke Church is proud of it’s Italian
community, which gathers weekly to celebrate the Eucharist in Italian, encourages the study of the Italian
language and culture, and celebrates numerous feasts and devotions that link our community alla Chiesa in
Italia. With the new parish center and renovated Church, we are seeking to expand Italian activities,
including Italian film nights, cultural events, and opportunities for fellowship. Also, I’ve truly enjoyed my
role as spiritual advisor to the Padre Pio Prayer Group, which gathers every month in prayer and fellowship
centered around the spirituality of Padre Pio. All are welcome, even if you would just like to brush up on
your Italian!
Dear friends, I have enjoyed these past eight months, and I look forward to helping expand these activities in
a new and beautifully renovated church and pastoral center. I have some other ideas, and I’m open to your
ideas as well. Let us continue to pray for one another! Buona Domenica, Happy Sunday!
-Fr. Bruno
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Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 August 2013
Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York
ASSUMPTION OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Schedule of Masses
Wednesday, August 14
7:30pm
Thursday, August 15
8:30am
10:30am
12 noon
7:30pm
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During the summer months of July & August the Rectory Office will be open
according to the following schedule:
During non Office hours please call ahead to make an appointment with a priest.
Thank you for your cooperation in and understanding of these new hours for the
Rectory Office.
This new schedule will begin Monday, July 1st and go until September 2nd.
We will return to normal Rectory Office hours on Tuesday, September 3rd.
****************************************************************************
LET THERE BE LIGHT! An important part of the restoration of the church is the installation of a new lighting system.
Hopefully such a system will not only beautify the church but even more importantly help us see better in
what is at times a dark church. However, due to budget restrictions we were able to install only half the
system.
So once again I am asking you to complete the lighting by giving part of the system in memory of or in
honor of a loved one. This is how it will work: Available as memorials will be:
Downlights: 8 bays of Downlights at $6,500 each bay
Uplights: 6 bays of Uplights at $6,300 each bay
Although not a traditional item for a memorial, providing part of the new lighting system will enhance
the church - and each time turned on, the lights will call to mind and prayer your loved one - and your
generosity which made it possible.
If you are interested, please call Msgr. Tosi at the rectory.
SPEAKING OF LIGHTS --
When the church was last renovated the original transept lights were removed and replaced by a more
contemporary cylinder fixture of brushed gold. Before the convent was taken down the original fixtures were
found in the convent basement. They were removed and it is hoped to restore them to the church.
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MISSION STATEMENT
As a community of believers in Jesus Christ and in Communion with the universal church, we
strive to follow the Lord’s command to love God and one another. Rooted in word and sacrament, we
grow together as a Eucharistic community inviting all to the Good News of Jesus.
Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday & Thursday
9:00am to 5:00pm
No Evening Hours
Friday - Saturday & Sunday
No Office Hours
Emergency sick calls requiring a priest can be made at any time by calling the Rectory.
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VOCATION CORNER ---
“Faith is the assurance of that which is hoped for.” If you believe in the Giver of the call, you can hope to be
true to it. Will you follow Christ as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life? Contact the Vocation Office at
(718) 827-2454 or email: [email protected].
SUNDAY COLLECTION
August 3 & 4 $10,333 Envelopes Mailed 1,959
Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Received 566
Renewing Our Faith Through Acts of Charity -
A word of thanks to those who have already responded to
the request of the Bishop to support the 2013 Annual Catholic
Appeal. Your generous gift will enable us to meet our
parish goal of $100,508 while funds collected over goal will
support our parish campaign of restoration and renewal of our
parish buildings.
Allow me to express my own gratitude for your gift to the Appeal especially in light
of our ongoing Capital Campaign. I am humbled by your goodness and support. Please
accept my gratitude and promise of prayers. As of August 2nd, $76,421 has been pledged
by 281 donors with $62,528 already received.
God bless. Msgr. Tosi
****************************************************************************
IMPORTANT MEETING
For all Groups, Societies & Organizations
An important meeting will be held on
Thursday, September 12 at 7:30pm
for all groups who meet at the parish. Please make sure to
save the date and have a representative from your group attend
this meeting. If your group is not represented,
your group will NOT be permitted to meet at the parish for the
2013-2014 calendar year.
We look forward to seeing you!
JUST A REMINDER --
Now that the warm
weather is back with the arrival
of summer, please remember to
come to church properly attired. How we
dress for church shows our love, respect
and reverence for the house of God and the
sacred rites being celebrated. What may be
appropriate for other places is often not
appropriate for church. And the school hall
is air-conditioned!
************************************
Societa Maria SS. Addolorata
di Pignataro Interamna
presents
LA FESTA
DELL’ADDOLORATA
Rosary - Thurs., Sept. 5 &
Fri., Sept. 6
7:00pm at St. Mary’s Church
10-08 49th Ave. @ Vernon Blvd.,
Long Island City
Mass - Saturday, September 7
5:00pm at St. Mary’s Church
10-08 49 Ave. @ Vernon Blvd.,
Long Island City
Procession -
Immediately following the
5:00pm Mass.
Dinner Dance -
Sunday, September 8
1:00pm at Riccardo by the Bridge
2101 24th Ave., Astoria, N.Y. 11102
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WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Your generosity to the parish is well
known and I have on numerous occasions
expressed my thanks for your ongoing
support and love. We have been able to do
so much only because of your enthusiasm
and goodness to the church. In all of this we
trust in God and praise and thank Him for
His blessings to us individually and as a
parish.
I come to ask your help - you who are
the family of Saint Luke Parish. Although
collections have gone down for a variety of
reasons - and usually are lower in July and
August, our bills remain the same and grow
higher. The parish is very much like your
home - bills never take a vacation.
So - if possible, could I ask that you
consider an increase in your weekly donation
at least until we return to the church and
summer is over? This would be of great
assistance in meeting the many outstanding
financial obligations and unpaid bills of the
parish. Please - if you can help - consider an
increase of whatever amount to the Sunday
collection.
Once again, I come to you confident
and thankful for your goodness and
generosity.
Msgr. Tosi
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PRE-BAPTISM PROGRAM ---
When preparing for the Baptism of your child, parents must attend a Pre-Baptism Class
for their first and second child only. Godparents are welcome to attend. The class is held
once a month usually on the third Monday night of the month in the rectory at 7:30pm. The
Baptismal Liturgy is usually celebrated on the second and fourth Sunday of the month at 3pm.
No Baptism can take place until the church receives a copy of the child’s Birth
Certificate as required by the diocese.
If you are planning a Baptism, please note the following dates:
Baptism Sunday Baptism Class
August 25 August 19
September 8 & 22 September 16
All baptisms are taking place in the School Hall until September due to the
renovation of the church.
Permission letters will be given to those who wish to baptize their child in another
church. However, they still need to attend the Pre-Baptism Class which is required in order to
give the letter of permission. For more information, please call the rectory at 718-746-8102.
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TO OUR DEAR
PARISHIONERS --
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Page 9
CELEBRANT
FATHER CARLOS LABORDE
Secretary General of the
International Association of
Padre Pio Prayer Groups
HOLY MASS COMMEMORATING THE
45TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT PIO’S PASSING
Monday, September 16, 2013 at 7:00pm
Sacred Hearts & Stephen Church
108 Carrol Street
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11231
The official book presentation and photo exhibit
“The Photographer and The Saint”
by Gaetano Mastrorilli,
Saint Pio’s personal photographer,
will take place
immediately after the Holy Mass.
For more information, please call (718) 596-7750
or email to [email protected]
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ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF
AUGUST 12, 2013
Monday, August 12 7:00 Anneliese Kiendl 12:00 Peras Family Tuesday, August 13 8:30 Jack Gentile 12:00 Giovanni Barravecchia Wednesday, August 14 7:00 Glenn Geiger 12:00 Yolanda DeRespiris Thursday, August 15 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friday, August 16 7:00 Prima & Vincenzo Cecchetti 12:00 Giuseppe Vosilla Saturday, August 17 8:30 Patrick & John McCarthy
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
Mon. - Dt 10:12-22; Mt 17:22-27
Tues. - Dt 31:1-8; Mt 18:1-5,10,12-14
Wed. - Dt 34:1-12; Mt 18:15-20
Thurs. - Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a,10ab;
1Cor 15:20-27; Lk 1:39-56
Fri. - Jos 24:1-13; Mt 19:3-12
Sat. - Jos 24:14-29; Mt 19:13-15
WE PRAY FOR THE SICK:
JENNIE ROMANO
LOUIS FIAMMA
THOMAS GEORGE BREEN
FRANCIS McKENNA
ANNA PUMA
ELIZABETH LEA MELKUN
JEROME PUCCIO
MARGARET PUCCIO
NADA STEPANCIC
ROBERT PASSALACQUA
AND FOR THE DECEASED:
EMILIA BRUNO
***********************************
MEMORIALS
The Altar Bread is given in loving
memory of FRANCIS JOSEPH
PFUHLER at the request of Frank &
Claudia Morelli.
The Sanctuary Lamp is given in
loving memory of JOSEPH & FRANK
PELOSO at the request of Mary Peloso.
The Altar Candles are burning in
loving memory of THOMAS FOLEY at
the request of Bridget Keating.
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