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: vocations@diobrook.org.

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 info@sacredhearts-ststephen.com

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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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