St. Luke The Evangelist Catholic Church

Please note: Mass times are subject to change. 

Daily Mass 8:00 am Monday - Friday

No Mass Friday, August 14th Church closed for maintenance

Saturday Vigil Mass 4:00 pm

Sunday Masses 8:00 am & 10:00 am

On the first weekend of every month 30 minutes prior to Mass there will be a communal celebration of the sacrament of Penance.

St. Luke will be observing the following Covid-19 safeguards recommended by the Diocese:

• Only the two main doors on the east and west side of the Church will be open
• Please bring personal hand sanitizer and wear a mask.
• Seating must be observed keeping the 6 foot distance rule.
• No shaking hands, etc.
• No physical collections, Offering Baskets will be located at different places in the Church.
• There will be limited music. No choir, no books or hymnals.
• Those who are ill, elderly or have underlying health concerns regardless of age are urged to stay home. The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is in effect and will be until further notice. Mass will still be recorded and available to watch on line.

Parishioner Guidelines for preparing to return to public Masses click here for both English or Spanish.

Share the news:

St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church is now recording Sunday Mass. 

View Sunday Mass at our parish on YouTube click here!

A special note of thanks to St. Luke Music Director Bruno Soldo and the Plaza family for volunteering their time and talents so our parish could share in the celebration of Mass with Fr. Paul. The Plaza's and their sons offered their professional photography services to record, edit and upload the video on YouTube. 

Holy Day -  Saturday Morning Mass 9:00 am August, 15th

The Diocese of St. Petersburg joyfully announces the upcoming Ordinations to the Priesthood of Reverend Mr. Joshua Anthony Bertrand, Reverend Mr. Connor David Penn and Reverend Mr. Mark Andrew Woodke. Learn more about the soon-to-be priests below!

The candidates will be ordained by Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, on Saturday, August 15, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg. Due to spacing limitations resulting from the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Ordination Mass will be a ticketed event. Only priests and guests of the ordinandi will attend the Ordination Mass in person.  However, all are invited to view the Mass via livestream on our diocesan website at http://www.dosp.org/livestream.

During these trying times, it is important to continue the practice of our faith. Thanks to the gift of technology, there are ways to participate in Mass virtually via online streaming, watching on television, or listening to Mass on the radio.  click here.

View Sunday Mass at our parish on YouTube by clicking here!

Or click on the underlined links for a direct connection to the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg (English & Spanish) Click on the underlined links for a direct connection.

As we gather for these celebrations, we are encouraged to be active participants by listening to the readings, responding to prayers, standing, sitting,etc. and praying the a prayer for Spiritual Communion.

An Act of Spiritual Communion By St. Alphonsus de Ligouri:

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace
You as if You were already there and unite myself
wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated
from You.
Amen. 

The Disciples of Hope cannot be deterred from Courageously Live the Gospel through works of mercy.   Although the full team has been unable to meet to make lunches for the homeless at Pinellas Hope they are still meeting the commitment to provide 200 lunches each month.   The leadership team now makes the sandwiches in their own homes and the homemade cookies, which we are sure are missed, have been replaced with cheese cracker snacks.  Our prayer team continues to be strong and united.   The team has recently created a video which was submitted to the Diocese to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Courageously Living the Gospel program.   

Follow this link to see all the things the Disciples of Hope accomplished in spite of the pandemic.

Purpose or Mission: To encourage and enlist all parishioners of St. Luke the Evangelist catholic Church to use their time, talents, or treasures to perform works of mercy; feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick, as well as the Spiritual Works of Mercy of praying for the living and the dead.  

Requirements: We are all called to be Disciples and this is your opportunity to show your faith through works of mercy.

God understands that we can't all donate 2 hours a week, or a $100 a month, but if everyone in this parish gave $1.00 for each of our projects, or donated just 15 minutes of their time a few times a year, imagine what we could do!

Time Commitment: You can be involved as much or as little as you like.

Meeting Times: Meetings are announce in the bulletin and on the parish website.

Contact: JoAnn DeFrancesco 727-733-1013

Kathy Waldron  727-667-6087

Kathy Haertel 727-785-7544

Marie Cardone 727-781-7281

 [email protected]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/0wauSpqadOM

Prayer is an important way for Catholics to respond to any crisis as we express our dependence on God. We pray especially for all those who are ill, their families, health care workers and officials working to slow the spread of COVID-19. Bishop Parkes urges the faithful to pray and fast for a quick and positive resolution of the current pandemic and for compassion and kindness to prevail in the hearts of all as we care for those in need.

The following prayer was adapted from the Roman Missal and can be prayed daily.

Almighty ever-living God, eternal health of believers,
hear our prayers for your servants who are sick with Coronavirus:
grant them, we implore you, your merciful help,
so that, with their health restored,
they may give you thanks in the midst of your Church.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

For more Prayer Resources click here.

Until further notice all previously scheduled events including the AA Meetings held at the parish have been cancelled or postponed. 

Virtual Events click on the underlined links!

View Sunday Mass at our parish on YouTube click here!

Note from Fr. Paul:

A special word for gratitude for your ongoing financial support of the parish. 

Admittedly, it is very difficult financial time for individuals, families, our Church and the country as a whole. With your continued prayers and support we will keep our doors open in the coming months. 

Also please remember that for a limited time your contribution to the Building Fund will not be assessed for tithing by the Diocese, as the Bishop has granted a temporary exemption. All monies earmarked for the Building Fund can be used in the parish without increasing next year's APA assessment.

Fr. Paul Kochu

https://stlukepalmharbor.weshareonline.org/

Leaving a Legacy: Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning
If you would like to name St. Luke Catholic Church as one of the beneficiaries of your will, life insurance policy or IRA account, please ask your lawyer to use the following form:

“ I give devise, and bequeath (amount, article, stock, etc.) to Gregory Parkes, as Bishop of the
Diocese of St. Petersburg, and his successors in office, a Corporation Sole, for the use of
St.Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, Palm Harbor.”

Please consider leaving a legacy for the good of the Church and for the future of our parish family! 

Re-registration! We are in the process of updating our records. Please complete the registration form and drop it by the parish office. Click here to download a copy or find the form in the current bulletin.

Register for 2020 - 2021 ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL OF FAITH

Dear SOF Parents:

We hope that all of you are safe and well and stay that way for the future.   We are looking forward to your return in September and hope that you will be able to help us in the preparation for this as you receive this email.   We are working to have an early registration drive now so that we can be prepared for new classroom sizes or whatever else will be required of us when we return to SOF in September.  

Attached are 2 registration forms to use to reserve your child(ren)’s  seat for religious education classes for the 2020-2021 school year.   Just fill out these 3 pages (2 pages in the family document and 1 page in the student document) and return to SOF by email or US mail.  This will qualify you to receive the lower tuition fee prior to the fee increase in August.  

The fees for early registration are as follows:

SOF REGISTRATION FEES:                                         SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION  FEES:

First child  $55                                                            First Holy Communion   $55 + $55=$110                     Second child $25                                                       Confirmation                    $75

Third child +++ $20

We need your response now to set in motion everything that we need to take into account in order to prepare for our next school year.  Please do not ignore this request.  It is essential to moving ahead under new rules that may restrict classroom size.  Your response will insure a seat for your child’s attendance in the fall.

Thank you for your cooperation in returning the registration forms to me by June 15, 2020.

Click here to download the School of Faith Registration Forms.

Joyce Ayral

SOF Secretary

• Participate in a free fund raiser event via Amazon and St. Luke will receive .05% on all your purchases. Type https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-2504342 in your address bar, hit return, sign in with your Amazon info & in the future shop at https://smile.amazon.com/smile.com

As we face challenges and concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are leaning more on our faith and trusting in the Lord Jesus to be our protection and guide. While we are separated by quarantines, self-isolation and social distancing, Pope Francis reminds us that, united in Christ, we are never alone. To help all of the faithful remain rooted in faith during this time click here for the LATEST UPDATES FROM THE DIOCESE or on any of the resource links in blue.

https://watch.formed.org/presence/videos/presence-trailer

Scroll down the home page of our website for additional information on how to sign in or sign up for your free subscription to Formed.org.

2020 - A new year and new technology for St. Luke Parishioners

Click here to see all the new ways to "connect"

FORMED.ORG. FORMED is Catholic faith “On-Demand” with thousands of movies, video programs, audios and e-books to help the parish grow in faith and it is FREE to ALL members of the parish!

It offers the opportunity to learn and enjoy your Catholic faith at home or on the go, from any device: web browser, phone apps, iOs, Android, TVOS, Roku, Amazon Fire, Tizen and Android TV.

Registering is easy! No parish code & no password to remember but if you do have a problem registering we have volunteers on hand to help!

1. Visit FORMED.org
2. Click Sign UP
3. Select “I Belong to a Parish or Organization.”                  
4. Find St.Luke by parish name, address or zip code          
5. Enter your name and email address and you’re in!
6. Check that email account for a link to begin using FORMED.

Click this link for instructional videos on how to set up any device.

Explore the exciting content below!

FORMED Trailer Video from Augustine Institute on Vimeo.

Symbolon Trailer from Augustine Institute on Vimeo.

Symbolon Overview: How It Works from Augustine Institute Studios on Vimeo.

During this time of social distancing, why not consider looking over the list of e-books on the Formed.org website and and get a jump on the books you'd like to read and/or recommend for our new St. Luke’s Book Club. For more information about this new exciting ministry, contact Denise Mercado at (910) 987-3809 or email at [email protected]. 

The January 29th reception to welcome new parishioners to the St. Luke family was a great opportunity to meet others, discover ministry opportunities and get connected via the new parish website, app and Formed.org.   Next Welcome Event scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2020. POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE... Stay tuned for more information & stay well.

Click here to see more photos   

 Purpose or Mission: To challenge the youth of the parish to support the Church’s mission to “Love God, Love Our Neighbor and Make Disciples,” by Courageously Living the Gospel every day.

We invite the youth, their family and friends to encounter Jesus through Scripture, Sacraments and the parish community while having fun and enjoying fellowship.

Requirements: Most activities are age specific with particular grades in mind: elementary focus is 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade; middle school 6^th, 7^th and 8^th. Our high school age students are welcome to help be role models and buddy up with a younger friend during combined events.

Recent social events have included everything from Glow in the Dark Dodge Ball, arts and crafts, to free movie passes and Tampa Bay Rays baseball tickets, roller skating party, and Trick or Treating visits to nursing home residents. 

We need more kids, more parents and more parish volunteers!     Click here to see photos of all the fun!

Time Commitment: Varies with activity but making the time to hang out with like minded friends is always worthwhile.

Meeting Times: Check the bulletin, meeting time is usually 12:30 -2:00 pm on Sundays. SUSPENDED until further notice.

3rd grade and up including high school and college students of the parish to mentor and join in the fun! 

Meet at the St. Clare Building for Faith, Food , Friends and Fun.

What are you looking for in terms of this ministry? What would you like your children to do? What are your children asking to do? What comments are suggestions do you have?

Call or text  Janiceann Gaide-OLoughlin

813-230-6412

[email protected] alderman.org

EXPLORE Life TEEN Click Here!

 "Three Steps Closer To God"

The Altar Server Ministry is a very special group of young people in our parish who have answered God's call to ministry. As an Altar Server, you are one of the liturgical ministers with an important role during the Mass or during other liturgical services. It is a privilege to assist the priest at the altar and help the church community worship in the best possible way.

Altar Servers must have a strong desire to serve, they must have made their First Holy Communion, be in the 4th-12th grade, members of St. Luke parish and attend Mass regularly.

Training is provided. For more information on dates, times and sign up procedures contact Claudia Useche [email protected] or [email protected] or contact the church office to leave a message for Deacon Mike. Servers are needed for weekend Masses.  

A recent Mass was especially joyful thanks to the added voices of the Children's Choir. Special thanks to Bruno for preparing the children & Fr. Matt and Deacon Mike for blessing this new and important ministry.

Children's Choir rehearsals are currently taking place for an 11:30 am Mass in February.

Do you have children or grandchildren who love to sing? If so, consider having them join the Children's Choir.

Please see our Music Director Bruno Soldo, or call the parish office for more details.

NO CHOIR PRACTICE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE