My dear parish family of St. Luke, 
Greetings and prayers. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Everyday I celebrate the Holy Mass for you and with you. Though you are not physically here, I do feel your presence and your prayers. I definitely miss you.
" I"ll be home for Christmas''. We hear it sung so many times before Christmas. But this is coming true at this Easter. All of us will be in our own homes at this Easter. This is history for all of us, our Church and our world. Though Easter is the most sacred and solemn of all feasts, this year the celebration is going to be totally dependent on you. The cornerstone of our faith, celebrated once a year solemnly and publicly, is going to be very private. But also keep in mind that we celebrate Easter every time we gather to celebrate the Holy Mass and other related liturgical celebrations. Will you celebrate Easter this year ? Yes, in deed, even if you are alone. The risen Christ will be with you and for you.
We can certainly say that we are at this moment in some ways experiencing His passion. Our Good Friday is very long and may last for weeks. All are hurt in many ways. Our freedom of movement is restricted. Our social, cultural and physical activities are off the calendar. Most of the small businesses are shut down. People have lost their jobs. The little savings they held on will not be enough to carry on. Markets have shown different trends on different days. Being together in the confines of our homes with all present all the time may be causing some unwanted frictions. The sick, the elderly and their caregivers are very stressed. Doctors, nurses and hospital staff are in the front lines of the war on Covid 19. They have the most dangerous line of service at this time. Parents who have to keep their young children fit in all the ways of their development all by themselves also have challenges. Physical distance from loved ones because of travel restrictions may be a cross for some. So all of us are in multiple ways carrying the crosses and are part of the suffering and death of Christ. But we rejoice, for as St. Paul wrote " if we have died with Christ, we believe that we are also to live with him. Rom.6:8
Our incorporation into the death and resurrection of Christ is brought through our baptism. Easter highlights this sacrament of Baptism as all of us at all the Masses celebrated all over the world renew our baptismal promises. Recall the triple roles of priest, prophet and king given to the followers of
Jesus. This was the same mission Jesus was sent to fulfill. This year all of us have an intense awareness of this mission as we celebrate Easter in our own homes. This is the new life of Easter we are called to live. "Through Baptism into his death, we were buried with , so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life." Rom 6:4
Confined within the walls of your homes you will celebrate Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. Please participate in all these celebrations via livestream from our Diocese, EWTN , Catholic TV, WordonFire, etc. The websites are separately mentioned. Your Parish is not in a position to livestream the quality celebrations like these sites because of the lack of professional technology. But one day we will have them. In the meantime I will be celebrating all of them for you and with you in spirit but without your physical presence. This is the heavy cross I have to carry. As you gather for these celebrations become active participants by responding to prayers, standing, sitting, listening to the prayers and readings etc. Do a spiritual communion at the time of Holy Communion. Here is the prayer of Pope Francis for Spiritual communion.
I prostrate myself at your feet, O my Jesus, and I offer to you the repentance of my contrite heart, which abases itself in its nothingness in your presence. I adore you in the sacrament of your Love: I desire to receive you in the poor abode that my heart offers You. While waiting for the happiness of a Sacramental Communion, I want to possess you in spirit. Come to me, O my Jesus, that I may come to you. May your love inflame my whole being, in life and in death. I believe in You, I hope in You, I love You. Amen
On Palm Sunday at 8 am blessed Palms will be kept at outside both main entrances. You can go into the Church only from the west side or the Office side.
Please know I also use this time as an opportunity to renew my commitment to serve you and to pray for you. I tried to reach out to you in many possible ways. Your kindness. generosity and sacrificial spirit for the good of the Church will keep the doors of your parish open through this difficult times. If you are in a position to make a contribution, please mail your check to the office address. 2757 Alderman Rd, Palm Harbor, FL 34684. We will overcome this difficult time by our love, service and sacrifice for one another. Wish each and every one of you the Joy and Peace of Easter.
May the Risen Lord fill your hearts with His love, peace and heavenly desires.
Fr. Paul Kochu
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.
