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Saint Luke Catholic Church
13700 Lawyers Road - Mint Hill, NC 28227
Phone: (704) 545-1224
Fax: (704) 545-7288
Faith Formation: (704) 545-0065
Rectory: (980) 245-2366
Email: info@stlukechurch.net
Website: www.stlukechurch.net
Office Hours: Monday—Friday 9:00AM—4:00PM
Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil: 5:00PM
Sunday: 9:00AM-11:00AM-4:30PM
1:00PM (Bilingual)
Daily/Holy Day Mass Schedule
Posted inside bulletin.
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
Saturdays 4:15-4:45PM or by appointment
Parish Mission Statement
To Be A Christ Centered Church; Responsive To The Needs of All.
Preserving, Spreading and Celebrating the Teaching of Jesus. Offering Hope, Comfort and Peace.
Fr. Paul Q. Gary
Pastor ext. 18
pastor@stlukechurch.net
Rev. Mr. Jeffrey Evers
Rev. Mr. Rafael Torres
Parish Deacons ext. 10
Mary Adams, Admin Assistant …………… ext. 10
Katie Blanchette, Secretary……………….. ext. 17
Lori Kissinger, Business Manager… .…..…. ext. 11
Marti Dushak, Music Director…………….. ext. 16
Richard White, Maintenance……………… ext. 28
Ellen Bree, Playschool Director…………….. ext. 13
Amy Ankenbruck, Faith Formation ……… ext. 14
Cheryl Finch, Youth Ministry …………….. ext. 12
Angela Broadway, Faith Formation Support .. . ext. 15
Tara O’Brien, Faith Formation Support .…… ext. 15
Carol Weddle, Confirmation………………. ext. 12
Ellen Bree, 1st Communion……….……….. ext. 13
Edra Alonso, Spanish Ministry……………. ext. 20
Fourth Sunday of Advent  Sunday, December 21, 2014
SAINT LUKE CATHOLIC CHURCH
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Fourth Sunday of Advent
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man
named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Upon arriving, the angel said to her: “Rejoice, O
highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.” She was deeply troubled by his words,
and wondered what his greeting meant. The angel went on to say to her: “Do not fear, Mary. You have found favor with
God. You shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name Jesus. Great will be his dignity and he will be called Son
of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever
and his reign will be without end.”
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I do not know man?” The angel answered her: “The Holy Spirit
will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence the holy offspring to be born will be
called Son of God. Know that Elizabeth your kinswoman has conceived a son in her old age; she who was thought to be
sterile is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible with God.” Mary said: “I am the maidservant of the Lord. Let it
be done to me as you say.” With that the angel left her. (Luke 1: 26-38)
Merry Christmas!
Here begins the story of Christmas, the announcement of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would be
the mother of Jesus, our savior. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The Blessed Mother gives her fiat to
the angel and by the power of the Holy Spirit conceives in her womb the child, Jesus “for nothing is impossible with
god” (Luke 1:37).
The Blessed Mother is a model believer. She is described as “the handmaid of the Lord” (Luke 1: 38). Mary’s
enthusiastic response to the angel depicts her from the very beginning as one who cooperates with God’s plan of salvation. The angel declares her blessed and this will be proclaimed by all generations (see Luke 1:48).
St. Luke refers to Mary as parthenos, the Greek word commonly understood as referring to a virgin. She was
already married to St. Joseph, but they were not living together. In those days, marriage had two parts. The first was the
engagement and could last as long as a year. The couple was considered legally married. The second part was the marriage proper, or the taking of the girl to the man’s home (See Joseph Fitzmyer, S.J., Gospel of Luke, p.343). The Church
Fathers, Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine interpreted Mary’s words in verse 34 as a vow of perpetual virginity which explains why one of her early titles in the Church was “Ever-Virgin.” The name of Jesus’ mother is Mary. It is a form of
Miryam, the Hebrew word for height or summit. The most beautiful name for one “blessed among all women.”
Fr. Paul Gary
STEWARDSHIP AT ST. LUKE PARISH...
Your church and community offer many opportunities for using
your time and talent in God’s service.
Offertory December 7 & 14:
We Care (5% of Offertory)
Building Peace Campaign
Special Appeal
Religious Retirement
Priests’ Retirement
28,371.72
<1,418.59>
16,765.56
6,675.00
2,637.00
1,349.00
Registered Families:
Contributing Families for month of November:
Contributing Families using E-Donations:
1510
859
215
Thanks to your recent offertory donations, the WE CARE Committee was able to make a donation to Friendship
Trays. In addition to contributing 5% of offertory to outside charities, WE CARE also provides financial support to
parishioners in serious financial need.
Are you interested in joining our E-Donation program?
Please visit our website or contact Lori Kissinger at 704-545-1224 x 11 for further information.
Please note that our fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.
Financial reports are available on our website: www.stlukechurch.net.
SAINT LUKE CATHOLIC CHURCH
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2014
Building Peace Update …
this week...
Sunday, December 21
HOMELESS SHELTER
12:00PM Baptism Preparation—Conference Room
2:00PM
Spanish Prayer Group—Worship
6:30PM
Knights of Columbus—FLC
Monday, December 22
Deliver Food Boxes
10:30AM Rosary—Chapel
7:00PM
Ascension—Worship
7:00PM
Boy Scouts—Modular
Tuesday, December 23
7:30PM
Genesis—Worship
Wednesday, December 24
OFFICE CLOSED
Thursday, December 25
OFFICE CLOSED
Friday, December 26
OFFICE CLOSED
5:00PM
Room in the Inn—FLC
Saturday, December 27
1:00PM
Stations of the Cross—New Property
Sunday, December 28
NO ACTIVITY
Total Goal:
$985,000
Total Paid:
$897,178
Why has the Total Goal
changed?
The Building Peace Committee
did not know the amount of taxes, interest or the miscellaneous
charges for property improvements when the original Goal
was set at $875,000. With 9
months left in the Campaign
which ends as of June 30, 2015,
we are now able to reset the Total Goal at $985,000.
What happens if St Luke reaches the Total Goal?
When the Total Goal is reached, St Luke will payoff the
mortgage, all interest and taxes. We will own the new
property outright!
What happens to any funds collected over the Total
Goal?
The Diocese has granted St Luke capital campaign status until July 1st, 2015. St Luke will apply excess funds
over the Total Goal towards future construction ( see
Building & Planning Concept Drawing).
How can I assist to reach the Total Goal?
Please continue to use your green Building Peace envelopes to place in the collection baskets. If you do not
have a green envelope, put your name on an envelope
and place in collection basket. Administration will provide
an annual total contribution listing for qualified tax deduction. If you prefer, contribute cash/check in the 2nd Building Peace collection on the first of each month. We currently have 75% participation. We need you to reach the
100% level.
Diocesan Support Appeal
As of 12/15/2014, 325
families have pledged
$74,653. If you have not
completed your pledge,
please consider doing so
by the end of the year.
We need each of you to
help us reach our goal of
$85,813.
Our sponsor of the week…
We thank KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, ST. LUKE COUNCIL #
12832 for advertising in our bulletin.
St. Luke will be serving at the homeless
shelter on Sunday, December 21. We
are now serving over 250 men. If you
make desserts they can be dropped off
at church BEFORE 11:00AM Mass on
Sunday. If you would like to volunteer to
help cook/serve, please call Greg or Cindy Platko at 980-236-7098. Your efforts
enable us to serve a nutritious meal with
love. (Due to the huge response for
help, please call the Platko’s if you plan
on helping. This will avoid too many or
too few workers.)
HOMELESS
SHELTER
SAINT LUKE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Meet Patricia. She is a single
mother with three children. Her
oldest daughter has a baby of her
own which is Patricia’s pride and
joy. Patricia’s twin sons are 18
years old. Both boys have developmental disabilities. One of the
boys is able to go to school. The
other boy has such severe social
phobia that he is not comfortable
coming around others without this
hair down over his face.
Patricia has been through unbelievable difficulties. She
was abused as a child by family members who are still in
her life. In spite of this abuse, she takes care of these
older adults. She had an abusive marriage and heath
challenges that would make most of us cringe. However,
there is not a brighter more positive person found. She
always has a smile and lets you know right away that she
appreciates all the help she has received. She never lets
you leave her home without saying, “I love you.”
These are the people that we serve in south eastern
Kentucky. While Patricia is a special lady, she is just one
of many that we serve through the Christian Appalachian
Project. There is a new mission trip planned for the week
of May 10th through the May 15th. For more information
on how you can join the mission trip, please contact Dave
Esposito at 704-893-2837 (djesposito@hotmail.com) or
Steve Uzzell at 704-545-0498
(soulman13@carolina.rr.com.)
SAVE THE DATE...
9th Annual MARCH FOR
LIFE Charlotte!
January 9, 2015
The day will begin with a Mass for the Unborn at 9:00am
at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at 6828 Old Reid
Rd. Charlotte, NC 28210. Fr. Denis G. Wilde of Priests
for Life will be the guest homilist. At 11:00am we will
start to gather at the Catholic Diocese at 1123 S. Church
St. Charlotte, NC. There may be some parking available
at the parking lot but please expect to find parking on
your own uptown if necessary. At 12:00pm we will march
to Trade and Tryon where Fr. Denis G. Wilde will preach.
Then march to the court house at 401 W. Trade St. where
we will pray a Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
Please join others to march and pray for an end to
abortion and save babies lives!
See schedule details at www.marchforlifecharlotte.org
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2014
JOIN THE QUEST
Attention: Teens & Parents of
teens in grades 10th-12th
COMING February 21, 2015
STRENGTHS QUEST
Teens; Discover the AWESOME Talents God
has given YOU!
For grades 10th thru 12th
FOOD
FUN
ACTIVITIES
FRIENDSHIP
DISCOVERY
Saturday, February 21st, 1:30 – 4:30 pm;
Cost is $20
Includes: ~Online Guided Activity
~Discovery of your top 5 Natural talents
~Fun Activity Based Buzz Session
Interested? Email Julie at
strengthsquest@stlukechurch.net
The Knights of Columbus is accepting scholarship applications for the spring 2015 semester. Two scholarships
will be awarded to first year college students. One scholarship is for $1,000 and the second is for $500. These
are awarded based on need, merit, and service. Basic
requirements include:
• Successful completion of the first semester at an accredited post-secondary educational institution with a
minimum grade point average of 2.5.
• Currently registered for the 2015 spring semester.
• Confirmed Catholic.
• Two page (or more) essay on “Overcoming the Challenges of Stewardship in a Secular Society.”
While academic achievement is important, participation in
church and community activities are also taken into consideration. Letters of recommendation are not required,
but would be helpful. Applications will be available on the
welcome desk. If you have any questions, call Dan Rains
at (704) 256-3501.
SAINT LUKE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Middle School Youth—Join us on
Saturday, December 20 after
Mass from 6-7:30PM to wrap
Christmas gifts for the Men’s
Uptown Homeless Shelter. We
will meet and wrap in the Family
Life Center. If you have any
questions, please contact Cheryl Finch.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2014
The Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) is accepting applications for new students for the 2015-2016
school year at all schools and
for all grades. The Early Admission Round ends January
31st. Please call the MACS Admissions Office to request
an application packet or go to the MACS website at
www.macs-schools.com for the application documents.
(access under the MACS tab on this page…admissions…
applications)
For school locations and additional information
please call the MACS Admissions Office at
704.370.3273 or visit our website at www.macsschools.com/our-schools.
FAITH FORMATION NEWS …
 There will be no Faith Formation classes over the
Christmas break: December 22, 24, 29 and 31.
Classes will resume on January 5th & 7th for Monday
& Wednesday classes. The Faith Formation staff
wishes you a blessed Christmas!
 The next Sunday night Faith Formation class will be
January 11th.
Book Club
NO MEETING IN DECEMBER!
January’s book selection is “Philomena”
by Martin Sixsmith and Judi Dench.
We will meet on Tuesday, January 27 at
10:30AM in the Family Life Center. We
invite you to join us.
For more information, please contact
Marilyn Armstrong at 704-753-1112.
In Christian love and sympathy,
we remember...
BILL PICKERING,
St. Luke Parishioner
May the Lord grant him peace and
consolation to his family.
4:00PM
4:30PM—Porter Ridge High School
7:00PM
Midnight
9:00AM
11:00AM
1:00PM—Spanish Mass
SAINT LUKE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Saturday, December 20
5:00PM  Walter Drozd
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2014
By: Gene & Sally Maloney
Sunday, December 21
9:00AM  Vinnie Mantione By: The Pocorobba Family
11:00AM  John & Suzanne Walsh
By: The Walsh Family
1:00PM  Esequil Barco
By: The Barco Family
4:30PM  David Kuno
By: Constance Kuno
Monday, December 22
11:00AM  Tom & Peggy Carton
Tuesday, December 23
6:30PM  Cecilia Levanduski
By: The Walsh Family
By: The Dudley Family
Wednesday, December 24—Christmas Eve
4:00PM  Wassim & Wedad Aintrazi
By: The Aintrazi Family
4:30PM (at Porter Ridge High School)
 Vinnie Mantione
By: The Keller & LaFiteau Families
7:00PM St. Luke Parishioners
Midnight  Irene Dorsey
By: The Giorgio Family
Thursday, December 25
9:00AM Special Intention
11:00AM  Miguel Alonso &  Myer & Mary Golan
By: Edra Alonso
Friday, December 26
8:30AM  Elena & Olivia Parry
Saturday, December 27
5:00PM  Morris LaRubbio
By: The Parry Family
By: The Dayton Family
Sunday, December 28
9:00AM  Gery Dashner
By: The Cosentino Family
11:00AM  DiAnn Taylor
By: Rich & Pat Rooney
1:00PM St. Luke Parishioners
4:30PM  Bob Goodrich
By: The Goodrich Family
In your kindness please remember the following
in our parish…
Arin Nesbit, Marlene Doane, Ginny Kandrack, John
and Sharon Sowinski, Eric Skeen, Elise Frye, Jackie
Hassman, John and Louise Ziegler, Maria Martin,
Rita Foulk, Rose Marie Crean, Jill Brummer, Linda
Bapst, Agnes Faust, Sharon Glose, Lauren Bopp, Liz
Sleigh, Chuck Hildreth, James Shue, Edra Alonso,
Linda Huber, Deloris Szachara, June Biedma, Thelma
Thompson, Aiden Silas, Bill Machold, Arlene Gravier,
Kathy Hoehn, Joseph Babinski, Gloria Lorenz, Bob
May, Marge Kratzer, Peter Farrell, Patrick Wessler,
Petra Arthur, David Pope, Claire St. Laurent, Barbara
Yurko, Lia Patta, Nora Loughney, Delphine Anderson,
Suzanne Schooler, Colleen Wessler, Charles Bartolomeo,
Robert and Rose Marie Desiderio, Luis Barron, John
Krumm, Vinnie Allotta Aubrey Helms, Bishop
William Curlin, Sr. Veronica Grover, Jean Marmillion,
Christine Collins, Marlene Bimson, Carl Lamkin,
Melissa Dekanski, Jacqueline Henderson, Tony Yumet,
Mary Rutman, Marsha Chisum, Joe Musialowski and
Ed Sanfilippo, husband of Linda Sanfilippo
and among our friends and family…
Amer Aintrazi, Jonni Catlett, Marie Ulbrich, Katie
Beekman, Kim Gates, Steven Polston Tommy Kelly,
Carlos Roman, Debra McNeil, Leslie Graves, Susanne
Kelly, Patty Morrison, Dan Johnson, Portia Bellamy,
Alicia Fleming, Kristal Marshall, Dumar Rivera,
Adelia Lawless, Vicky Alonso and
Davis Emerson, grandson of Lynn and Doris Szachara
(Previously named persons are now placed in our Book of Intentions)
St. Luke offers Eucharistic Adoration on the First Friday of every month. The
Church explains this practice as “spending time before the Lord as He is exposed in a monstrance on an altar. Each adorer is encouraged to spend time in
silent prayer, reading Scripture of spiritual works of the saints of the Church,
praying Catholic prayers, the rosary or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or simply
meditating on His Passion or Divine Presence in the Eucharist.” (Catholic News
& Herald)
Adoration is available from 9AM – 4PM on the first Friday of every month, with
the exception of the summer months. You may come as your time allows; or if
you would like to dedicate 30 minutes of your time on a regular basis, you may
be added to our volunteer schedule. We have a particular need for the afternoon time slots. Please call Katie Blanchette at 704-545-1224 ext. 17 or email
to katieblanchette@carolina.rr.com if you would like to volunteer.
Thank you!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2014
SAINT LUKE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Baptism: Parents must attend a class prior to the Baptism of their child. The class is held on the third Sunday
of each month following the 11AM Mass in the Conference Room.
Scriptural Rosary is prayed at St. Luke parish at
10:30AM on Mondays in the chapel. For more information contact Madeleine McGuinness at 704-8454008.
Marriages: Arrangements should be made at least
six months in advance.
Interested In Becoming A Catholic? Please call
Chris McHugh at 704-753-2012 for information about
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday: 4:154:45PM or by appointment.
Sick/Hospital Visits: If someone in your family is
sick or admitted to the hospital or nursing home, please
let the church office know so that we can visit them.
Sponsor Certificate: In order to receive permission
to be a sponsor for baptism or confirmation, you will
need to be a registered and contributing parishioner for
at least three months.
Counseling: To inquire or make an appointment for
counseling, please call Sr. Marie Frechette at 704-5437677 x 1073.
Spiritual Direction: A time honored tradition of the
Church, spiritual direction is an opportunity to deepen
our awareness of God in daily life. For an appointment,
please contact trained directors and parishioners Bryna
Bozart at beebeemps@aol.com or Rosemary Werner
at rose_werner@hotmail.com. Veterans Spiritual Care
contact Linda Flynn at flynnlin7@aol.com.
Marriage Annulments: Catholics who were previously married and desire remarriage in the church,
contact St. Luke’s Annulment Advocate, Aleta Galusha
at 704-256-9294 to discuss your situation.
Hearing Impaired: St. Luke Church now has a Hearing Impaired System installed in the Church. If you
have problems hearing, please see a Mass Coordinator at the Welcome Table for one of the hearing impaired units to use during the Mass.
Parish Registration: Registration forms are available at the Welcome Table after all weekend Masses or
weekdays at the parish office. You may also register
online on our website.
Bulletin Deadline: Please submit your announcement in writing or email by 2:00PM Thursday of the
previous week.
Convenient
Appointment
times!
Changing the Way People
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Floor Consulting, Sales & Installation
Residential & Commercial Flooring
Cabinetry, Kitchen & Bath
877-440-6787
Carpet, Hardwood, Ceramic/Porcelain,
Natural Stone, Vinyl, LVT& Laminate
www.AAA.com/Cars
704-906-8296
e-mail: garyg@pilotfloorcovering.com
www.pilotfloorcovering.com • Parishioner Discount
Dr. Jillian E. Johnston, M.D.
Catholic
Novant Health Southeast OB/GYN
704.321.1077
1450 Matthews Township Pkwy., Suite 300
www.nhsoutheastobgyn.org
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Parishioner
H: 704.628.6894
C: 972.877.9749 (Preferred)
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013074 St Luke Church (B)
A way for you to partner with service
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Funeral & Cremation Services
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St. Luke’s Parishioner
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Call 704-535-0782 for an appointment
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Thank you fellow parishioners for your continued patronage
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Sycamore Commons
Matthews
St. Luke Parishioner
Consider
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Parishioner Since 2009
Certified Distressed
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For further information,
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CAROLINA OF MINT HILL, INC.
Family Owned
704-545-3553
4715 Margaret Wallace Rd.
013074 St Luke Church (A)
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A Senior Home Management Company.
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New camera monitoring of employees for added home
security available.
Brad Norwood, CEO Saint Luke Parishioner
Serving Carolina for Christ
Matthew 22:37-40 www.i-seniorcare.com
704.999.8277 BradNorwood@icloud.com
For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-432-3240