From the Desk of Msgr. Tosi--- As I begin writing this reflection it is Valentine’s Day morning. Perhaps because of the nature of the day the element of gifts to celebrate this day has been on my mind. Valentine’s Day is an occasion to give and receive gifts to express the greatest gift, that of love—to those who love us and to those we love. There are many kinds of gifts—flowers, chocolates, candy, etc. often given in the shape of a heart. Many times the gift of a diamond is considered a special sign of love. What makes a diamond so special? One of many reasons is its beauty, its sparkle and countless reflections of light; its timeless nature and ability to always dazzle. A diamond invites reflection and remains always new in countless different ways. What does this have to do with Lent and our journey to the joy of Easter? Allow me to share with you an experience I had this past week. On Tuesday evening I celebrated Mass at The Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Joseph on Highland Boulevard in Brooklyn. The Mass was in honor of the Holy Face of Jesus. Although not all that popular today (we honor today the Sacred Heart), it was a devotion popular in France especially among the Carmelite Community. In fact, Saint Therese of Lisieux took that name when she received the habit of a Carmelite: Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face! But what does this have to do with us and our Lenten Journey? The face of Jesus honored in this devotion is the suffering face of Christ left on the veil used by Veronica to wipe the face of Jesus. And yet the Gospel of the Mass is that of the Transfiguration: “When he (Jesus) was praying, his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.” (Luke 9:28b-36) Devotion to the Holy Face is like contemplating the beauty of a diamond—timeless, ever new and an invitation to discovery. To look upon the Holy Face is to contemplate the gift of Jesus and the mystery of God’s love poured out for us in Christ; to behold the future glory of the Resurrection—won at so great a price; to embrace the suffering of our brothers and sisters as well as our own. The Holy Face sparkles and invites us to prayer and reflection. And thus the relationship to the Season of Lent. For forty days the church invites us to behold the face of Christ in all its beauty and profound meaning in the mystery of our salvation. A special time of prayer, fasting and works of charity, Lent is at its core about God’s relationship to us in Christ—God’s call and our response. Have you ever contemplated the Holy Face of Jesus? Why not make it a new Lenten activity? It will make all the difference. God bless. Let us pray for one another, ASH WEDNESDAY —- was celebrated this past week. Large numbers of the faithful gathered to mark the beginning of the Season of Lent—in the thousands! Although in the auditorium, the atmosphere was prayerful and reverent. The liturgies were beautiful and the music uplifting. Thank you to all who give of their time and talent and resources to mark such a wonderful start of Lent. With mind and heart renewed in Lenten discipline, let us journey to the glory of Easter Sunday!

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The First Sunday of Lent 17 February 2013 Saint Luke Church, Whitestone, New York

LENT 2013 AT ST. LUKE CHURCH

The Sunday Mass Schedule is as follows: Saturday 5:00pm Sunday 7:30am, 9:00am (Italian), 10:30am, 11:45am, 1:00pm & 5:00pm The Weekday Mass Schedule is as follows: Monday through Friday during Lent 7:00am, 8:30am & 12 noon Saturday 8:30am Stations of the Cross beginning the week of February 18 Monday Evenings at 7:30pm in Italian in the Rectory Chapel Friday Evenings at 7:30pm in the School Hall Lenten Scripture Classes Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm February 26, March 5, March 12 & March 19 The Prophets—This Lent, the Scripture classes will examine the Prophets, their role in our history and faith, with a special emphasis on the prophecies associated with the suffering and death of Jesus.

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NO NEWS —- IS GOOD NEWS —- So goes the saying. Work continues on the restoration and maintenance of the church building. There is nothing new to report. All goes well—with normal issues and unexpected challenges. So far we are moving forward. Through the intercession of Saint Joseph we look forward to our return to the church we love so much and which is so much a part of our parish life. Again, thank you to all of our parishioners for your support, patience and understanding during this time of our “exile”. No one misses the church more than the parish priests. Truly, absence makes the heart grow fonder. And yet we learn a great lesson—the church is more than a building. The church is made up of living stones—and in this we are truly blessed here at Saint Luke. God bless.

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SUNDAY COLLECTION

February 10 $10,074 Amount Needed $13,425 Envelopes Mailed 1,988 Envelopes Received 470

EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT -- Boy Scout Michael Cholowa from St. Luke’s Boy Scout Troop 235 will be doing his Eagle Scout project on Sunday, February 24, 2013. The Boy Scouts will be collecting food for the Food Pantry at Grace Church in Whitestone. Your donation of non-perishable foods and canned goods will be greatly appreciated. The Scouts will be collecting the food in the school parking lot. Thank you in advance for your donation. ************************************ In observance of Presidents Day, the Rectory Office will be closed on Monday, February 18th. The office will reopen on Tuesday, February 19th at 9:00am. ************************************ There will be NO Religious Education classes held on Wednesday, February 20 and Thursday, February 21 because of Winter Recess. Classes will resume on Wednesday, February 27 and Thursday, February 28.

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 February 24 March 10 & 17 March 18 April 14 & 28 April 15 May 19 & 26 May 20 June 9 & 23 June 17 All baptisms are taking place in the School Hall until July 1st 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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VOCATION CORNER --- “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart.” Jesus the Eternal Word continues to call many to lives of holiness as priests, deacons and in the consecrated life. Could you be one of them? Contact the Vocation Office at (718) 827-2454 or email: vocations@diobrook.org.

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.

DON’T FORGET —- Baby items can still be donated even though the Knights of Columbus sponsored Baby Item Drive has passed. The items will be donated to The Bridge to Life and the Sisters of Life. You can

even arrange to have them picked up. Just call John Ho at 646-334-0149 or Eddie Weisenburger at

(917)699-2835 to make arrangements. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by those in need.

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SAVE THE DATE ---

You may sign up for the Day of Prayer after the Sunday 9:00am Italian Mass.

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WE’RE GOING ON A LION HUNT!

Mrs. Fabregas’ Nursery Class learned the letter “L” last month. The children painted and made a lion mask and then read the book, We’re Going on a Lion Hunt, by Margery Cuyler. Then it was time for them to use their imaginations! The children went on a lion hunt around the building looking for lions. The children had so much fun as they roared and said “We are going on a lion hunt and we are not scared” walking through the hallways and looking in dif-

ferent classrooms for the lion! They finally found him hiding the Faculty Room!

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38th Annual Irish Cultural Day Sunday, March 3, 2013 from noon to 5pm at St. Mel’s Church Continuous live Irish music, song and dance. Featuring the music of Patrick Cahillane Jr., The Kelly Fitzpatrick School of Irish Stepdancing, the Nial O’Leary School of Irish Step-dancing, Ceili dancers, Popers, Irish Art—Display & selling, Irish books, gifts, china, jewelry, etc. Adults $6, children under 12 free. Free tea/coffee, Irish soda bread/cake. Sponsored by L.A.O.H. Div 15, Whitestone. For more info, please call (718) 746-3837. **************************************************************************** St. John’s University Author of Vatican II: Fifty Years of Evolution and Revolution in the Catholic Church - Year of Faith Speaker Margaret Lavin, Ph.D. Wednesday, February 20 at 7:30pm—Free Admission—Light refreshments. For more information, please contact Dennis Gallagher, Campus Ministry, at: gallagd1@stjohns.edu; (718) 990-2125 ****************************************************************************

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Gives Back —- The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will give back to our church $50/$100 per vehicle (car, truck or van, running or not). Maybe you don’t have a vehicle, but a family member, friend or neighbor has an old or neglected vehicle in their driveway that they would like to dispose of. Call the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at (718) 491-2525. Thank you for your participation.

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ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF

FEBRUARY 18, 2013 Monday, February 18 7:00 Kathleen Cropper (1st Anniversary 8:30 For the People of the Parish 12:00 Giuseppina, Antonio & Alfonso Colalillo Tuesday, February 19 7:00 For the People of the Parish 8:30 Jere, Joso & Ante Matosin 12:00 Theresa & John Vosilla (Birthday) Wednesday, February 20 7:00 Valentino Forgione 8:30 For the People of the Parish 12:00 Josephine Ragusin Thursday, February 21 7:00 For the People of the Parish 8:30 Maria Matrullo (Anniversary) 12:00 Angelina, Mario & Giuseppina Cassisi Friday, February 22 7:00 Julia Luca 8:30 For the People of the Parish 12:00 Luigi Murro (Anniversary) Saturday, February 23 8:30 Deceased Members of the O’Neill & Sullivan Families

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SCRIPTURE READINGS Mon. - Lv 19:1-2,11-18; Mt 25:31-46 Tues. - Is 55:10-11; Mt 6:7-15 Wed. - Jon 3:1-10; Lk 11:29-32 Thurs. - Est C:12,14-16,23-25; Mt 7:7-12 Fri. - 1Pt 5:1-4; Mt 16:13-19 Sat. - Dt 26:16-19; Mt 5:43-48 WE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH: JENNIE ROMANO LOUIS FIAMMA RITA SCHIAVELLO GRACE GAMBY THOMAS GEORGE BREEN UNITA JANEK SHAWN GRAHAM CHANTEL JOHNSON ANNA VANGI BERNARD J. MADDI JEANETTE K. MADDI AND FOR THE DECEASED ENRICO VALENTE ***********************************

MEMORIALS

The Altar Bread is given in loving memory of ANTHONY CHIANESE at the request of his wife Mary.

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