Dear Parishioners of St. Luke,
With the shelter-in-place extended until May 3rd, I hope and pray that you remain safe and in good health, and that you are led to a deeper encounter with our Lord, as you open yourselves to His will, grace, and love, flourishing within your homes, families and neighborhoods.
Heading towards the most sacred time of the Church year, I understand how painful it is for all of us not to be able to gather together to worship God in our St. Luke Church and celebrate the liturgies that bring to life the ultimate meaning of this solemn week – the passion, death and Resurrection of Christ.
Our Archbishop, Most Rev. Salvatore Cordileone, also shares in the pain “of not being able to be physically present with our people during this most sacred time of the year. The very moving ceremonies of Holy Week have always been for me the highlight of my year.” He included a reflection by Fr. Paul Scalia on this sad situation and gave us an update on liturgical and sacramental celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Please click here to read Fr. Scalia's article).
I trust that in the midst of pain and sorrow, the Holy Spirit is alive more than ever, uniting us in prayers, sacrifices and acts of kindness. Our Lord Jesus continues to offer Himself through the Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Mass which I celebrate, especially on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday – all united with your own participation in live broadcast or live stream Masses. Visit the SF Archdiocese website, sfarch.org and the USCCB website, usccb.org for livestreaming liturgies, spiritual resources and other announcements. (Please click here for various online sites to help observe Holy Week at home).
Our Chapel remains open for visit to our Eucharistic Lord from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Sunday. For those who are not able to leave their homes due to health precautions, I continue to pray for your well-being, and suggest that you visit virtualadoration.home.blog for various Perpetual Adoration sites.
To spiritually prepare for Easter, Confessions will be available on Saturday, April 4th and 11th, beginning at 4:00pm in our Church. Please sign up via email (saintlukefc@gmail.com).
Blessed Palms will be available in our Chapel, beginning April 5. Please take one for your household and place it in your altar or hang it on your door as a way to honor Christ as the Messiah who came to die for us and save us.
In spite of the difficult situation we are facing, I wish to thank you for your unwavering support of our parish through your prayers and through the generous donations you continue to send to us. (Please click here to donate online, choose "St. Luke").
With hope in God’s promise to us, that, after the passion of this COVID-19 Cross will emerge His glorious Easter, we continue to be united in His Spirit of faith, hope and love, as one St. Luke community and one Catholic Church in Christ our Risen Lord. A grace-filled and safe Holy Week to all of your families.
In Christ, with prayers for all of you,
Rev. Jonathan Paala
Pastor
St. Luke Catholic Church