Saint Luke Parish is a Catholic community of believers in the
living presence of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Within an atmosphere of prayerful worship, we strive to be welcoming and evangelistic, so that Jesus Christ may be known and loved by all.
 

Last Week's News & Notices

CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL - Today is our parish’s Catholic Services Appeal Commitment Weekend. Hopefully everyone has taken time to reflect upon information that has been shared the past few weeks. Additional information will be shared today at Mass. We hope that everyone will prayerfully consider the opportunity to offer a gift to this appeal. No gift is too small. Our parish goals for this year are increasing participation from our 2004 CSA and raising our financial goal of $55,945. Remember, any amount raised above our goal stays in this parish. Thank you for being a part of the Catholic Services Appeal.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS - Every Friday during Lent Stations of the Cross will take place in the Church at 7:30 pm.

FUNTASTIC’S DINNER The Funtastic’s Dinner will be Saturday, March 5 at 6:30 pm. The dinner will be catered by Doris Langer. The menu will be: Ham, Corned Beef and Cabbage (Boiled Dinner), Beef Stew, Lime Jello, Soda Bread, Rolls & Butter, Cake Squares and Coffee. The chairpersons are Joan Kensinger, 838-6772 and Marge Leo, 825-4237.

FUNTASTIC'S CARDS will be held on Thursday, March 3 at 7:00 pm in the cafeteria. Anyone 55 or older is invited to attend.

THERE WILL BE NO COFFEE AND DONUTS next  Sunday, March 6, as St. Luke will be the host Church for Pre-Cana.

BASKETBALL - Come and cheer on the JV, AAA Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball teams as they play their last regular season home game today in the St. Luke gym. The Girls Varsity game begins at 1:30 pm, Boys Varsity game begins at 2:45 pm, and the JV game is at 4:00 pm. Come and cheer for these fine athletes one more time!

MOVING - Please call the parish office to let us know your new address when moving as your envelopes are returned postage due, and then they must be mailed out again with postage.

ST LUKE ATHLETICS is hosting their Annual Sports Bonanza/Monte Carlo Night on Saturday, March 12, from 7 to 11 pm. $10,00 per person includes food, beverages and a chance to win $2,500 grand prize and many other cash prizes. Tickets will be on sale before and after Mass today and next Sunday, at the door, or by calling 453-6543. All proceeds benefit the St. Luke Athletic Programs.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING - Are you looking for a safe, effective, and moral alternative to birth control? Try Natural Family Planning (NFP). It is not the rhythm method! It is a way to postpone or achieve pregnancy that will bring you and your spouse closer together. For more information call Linda at 898-1476. Classes begin Tuesday, March 15, at St. Mark, Lawrence Park.

SALVATION ARMY, 1022 Liberty Street, will have Lenten Services every Thursday in March beginning at 12:30 pm. There will be a number of very special ministers, who are volunteering to share some reflections during the season of Lent. There are many other activities that take place daily, including lunch which is served at 11:30 am every day. For more information call 454-6497.

THE HAPPIEST OF PEOPLE DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE THE BEST OF EVERYTHING, THEY JUST MAKE THE MOST OF EVERYTHING THAT COMES ALONG THEIR WAY.

OUR LENTEN SACRIFICE

DAYS OF ABSTINENCE: Catholics in the United States, from the age of 14 throughout life, are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, the Fridays of Lent and Good Friday. The law forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, the products of milk or condiments made of animal fat. Permissible are soup flavored with meat, meat gravy and sauces.

DAYS OF FAST: Catholics in the United States, from the day after their 18th birthday to the day after their 59th birthday, are also obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The law allows only one full meal a day.

WEEKDAYS OF LENT: No obligation to fast; however, voluntary acts of self-denial are recommended.

EASTER DUTY: A person must go to Confession during the Easter season which is from the First Sunday of Lent (Feb. 13) through Trinity Sunday (May 22).

SELF DENIAL: Is encouraged on a voluntary basis. Acts may include daily Mass, spiritual study, Lenten Devotions, the Rosary, Stations of the Cross and deeds of mercy and kindness.

EASTER FLOWER memorials may be made for the flowers at Easter by putting the name of the person being remembered on your envelope provided in your mailed envelopes and dropping it in the collection basket or at the parish office. A special insert will be included in the bulletin on Easter Sunday listing the memorials.

THE ALLELUIA is not used during Liturgy from the beginning of Lent until the Easter vigil. On Ash Wednesday we “buried the Alleluia” prior to burning last year’s palms. What’s in the straw box on the altar steps? The school’s large Alleluia banner!

ST MARTIN CENTER is in need of useable household item donations such as dishes, pots, pans, silverware, appliances and furniture. Donations can be dropped off at 1701 Parade Street, Erie.

BOOK AND MEDIA SALE - Mercyhurst Prep cafeteria, 538 East Grandview Blvd, March 4 from 3-8 pm and March 5 from 9 am to 4 pm . Admission is free. Come and find some great books to beat the winter blues! Donations of books are also welcome for the sale. Contact Vicky Wittuck at 825-1605 (evenings) or 899-8600 (days) with book donations or questions.

MERCY VOLUNTEER CORPS - Experience volunteer life! Committed to a more merciful and just world, Mercy Volunteer Corps invites lay women and men to join with the Sisters of Mercy of the America in giving a year or two of full-time service to people who are economically poor or marginalized. For more information, contact Mercy Volunteer Corps at 215-641-5535 or by e-mail at ContactUs@MercyVolunteers.org. Visit online at www.MercyVolunteers.org.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - Holy Rosary parish will be combining talents with other area Catholic churches to hold a community Vacation Bible School this summer. They would like to invite children and adults from neighboring parishes to participate in this exciting adventure. Vacation Bible School is in need of story-tellers, craft makers, game players, and snack helpers. If you would be interested in becoming involved or have any questions, please contact Kathy at 454-6322.

FAMILIES OF FAITH: The Spiritual Dimensions of Human Relationships. A parish Mission, Sunday - Wednesday, March 6 - 9, beginning at 7:00 pm at St. Andrew Church, 1116 West 7th Street. Fr. Lou Papes will preach. Each evening God’s word is celebrated through story, drama and song.

LENTEN FISH & PIEROGI DINNERS

ST. STANISLAUS CHURCH, 516 E. 13th Street, is hosting their Annual Lenten Dinner on Friday, March 11, in their Parish Hall from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Adults are $7,  children $3 and take out dinners are $7.25.

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL, 1531 E. Grandview, will host their Lenten Dinner on Friday, March 4, and March 18, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Adults are $7, children (7-12) are $3.50, under 6 are free. Take outs are available for 35 cents extra.

SS. PETER & PAUL BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 34 and Wallace, will host their Lenten Dinner on Friday, March 4, and March 18, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Adults are $6.50, children 12 and under $3, children 3 and under free. Carry outs are available.

BAPTISM - With joy we welcome into the Family of God and the Family of St. Luke, Nathaniel James, son of Keith & Rebecca Walach. We extend our love and best wishes, and may God continue to pour out His blessings upon him, his parents and godparents.

Condolences to the Family of

Harriet Kaminski, founding parishioner, Richard Barnes, father of parishioner, Randy Barnes, Sophie Pastewka, mother of parishioner Ed Pastewka, and Helen Jankowski, mother of parishioner Cathleen Cancilla, and Richard Claffey who passed away this past week. Our sympathy is extended to their families.

ROSARY MEETING - Tuesday, March 1, Rosary in Mothers’ Chapel at 7:00 pm. Meeting and refreshments in cafeteria at 7:30 pm. Join us in the fun of playing Bingo.

CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2005 will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Monday, May 9, at 7:00 pm at St. Luke’s Church.

FAMILY LITURGY - Our Sunday Family Liturgy Mass is scheduled for March 6, at 10:00 am.  The 8th grade children of St. Luke School have been instrumental in planning this Mass.

BAPTISMAL PROGRAM FOR PARENTS anticipating the birth or baptism of their child will be offered on Tuesday, March 8 at 8:00 pm in the school music room. Parents are expected to attend this class before their child is baptized. Sponsors are also invited and urged to attend. Please call the parish office to let us know you will be present.

THIRD WEEK OF LENT - THE WOMAN AT THE WELL - For what do we thirst? As we continue our journey with Operation Rice Bowl this week, we learn about people who hunger and thirst for food and drink. We pray that God may enlighten us to see some of the vanities we hold as necessities. We fast to call to mind the greater hunger and thirst we have for what matters in life; good relationships rather than material possessions. We give alms to aid those whose hunger and thirst can be satisfied with our assistance. Rice Bowls are available at the exits of the church.