St. Luke The Evangelist Catholic Church

The sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life. Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ's Body and Blood for his transformation in Christ.

Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ.

Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. Given once for all, Baptism cannot be repeated.

Where is Baptism in Scripture?

Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 28:19-20, John 1:32, John 3:3,5, John 3:22, John 4:1, Acts 8:36, Acts 1:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16 and many more!

Seeking the Sacrament of Baptism?

• Congratulations if God has blessed you with a child. We look forward to welcoming your new addition into the Church and our St. Luke parish family!

• Please contact the parish office at 727-786-3648 at least three months prior to requesting a date for baptism. We ask all parents be registered active members and complete a Pre-Baptism Class. 

• For children older than seven and adults, the Rite of Christian Initiation introduces inquirers to the teaching of the Church and those seeking Baptism, Eucharist and/or Confirmation. Please see additional information on R.C.I.A. under Faith Enrichment Ministries.

Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.

Need information on the Sacrament of Confirmation?          

• St. Luke the Evangelist offers classes for students preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. Please refer to Children’s School of Faith Formation Classes listed under Faith Enrichment Ministries

• Has your child received the other Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism and Holy Communion) but hasn't received the Sacrament of Confirmation? They're always welcome! 

•  Are you an adult that was raised Catholic and received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism and Holy Communion) but never received Confirmation? Know that you're always welcome back! 

•  Our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) contains classes and teachings on Confirmation and other topics that are necessary for full formation in the faith. Please see additional information on R.C.I.A. under Faith Enrichment Ministries.

• St. Luke the Evangelist offers classes for students preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation. Please refer to Children’s School of Faith Formation Classes listed under Faith Enrichment Ministries or contact Joyce Ayral, School of Faith Secretary 727-787-2845 or sofreceptionist.stluke@gmail.com 

• Has your child received the other Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism and Holy Communion) but hasn't received the Sacrament of Confirmation? They're always welcome! 

• Are you an adult that was raised Catholic and received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism and Holy Communion) but never received Confirmation? Know that you're always welcome back!  Our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) contains classes and teachings on Confirmation and other topics that are necessary for full formation in the faith. Please see additional information on R.C.I.A. under Faith Enrichment Ministries or Contact: 

HOLY COMMUNION: The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church's life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his Father; by this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body which is the Church.

The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ's Passover, that is, of the work of salvation accomplished by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, a work made present by the liturgical action. The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist.

Where is the Eucharist in Scripture?

Matt. 26:26-28, Mark. 14:22,24, Luke 22;19-20, John 6, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 and many more!              

Seeking the Sacrament of Holy Communion?

• Has your child been baptized but hasn't received his or her First Holy Communion? They're always welcome! Please refer to our Children’s School of Faith Formation Classes listed under Faith Enrichment Ministries on the parish website.

•  Are you an adult who desires to receive Holy Communion and know more about the Catholic Faith? Our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) contains classes and teachings for full formation in the faith. Please see additional information on R.C.I.A. under Faith Enrichment Ministries.

The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

 Reconciliation (or Penance): The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred by a particular sacrament called the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation. One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. The confession of venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. 

 The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are: 

• reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace; 
• reconciliation with the Church;
• remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins;
• remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin;                                            
• peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation; 
• An increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.

Where is the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Scripture?

Matthew 9:8, Luke 5:24, John 20:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:18 and many more!

Has it been a long time or do you need help preparing yourself for the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Know that God's Mercy and Love are always available to you! Our parish priests are also available to help guide you through this sacrament of healing. Confessions at St. Luke are offered weekly or by appointment if needed. 

Anointing of the Sick

Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick has as its purpose the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age.

The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has certainly arrived when the believer begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age.

Each time a Christian falls seriously ill, he may receive the Anointing of the Sick, and also when, after he has received it, the illness worsens. Only priests (presbyters and bishops) can give the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, using oil blessed by the bishop, or if necessary by the celebrating presbyter himself.

Does one of your friends, family members or loved ones need Anointing of the Sick?

• Please call the parish office 727-786-3648 who will put you in touch with one of our priests to administer this sacrament.
• St Luke the Evangelist celebrates the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on First Fridays of the month at the 11:00 am Healing Mass.

Matrimony and Holy Orders are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God.

The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament.

The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.

Looking to get married in the Catholic Church? Congratulations! Your first step is to inquire about the availability of your parish priest to preside over your wedding Please contact St. Luke’s parish office at 727-786-3648 no less than six months prior to the planned marriage date.

 Previous Marriages

•  If one of the parties was previously married (civilly or religiously, in the Catholic Church    or outside of it) the prior marriage must be resolved, if possible in light of the Church’s canon law. This can often take up to a year. Please call the parish office to schedule an appointment to speak with our Pastor or Deacons.

Convalidation

• Couples who have been married outside the Church who wish to have their marriage recognized by the Church ((Convalidation) are asked to undergo preparation suited to their particular situation. The liturgical celebration in these circumstances is simple in nature and requires a new and valid act of consent of marriage. Please schedule time with our Pastor or Deacons who will be happy to meet with you.

Holy Orders

Through Baptism all the faithful share in the priesthood of Christ. This participation is called the "common priesthood of the faithful." Based on this common priesthood and ordered to its service, there exists another participation in the mission of Christ: the ministry conferred by the sacrament of Holy Orders, where the task is to serve in the name and in the person of Christ the Head in the midst of the community.

The Church confers the sacrament of Holy Orders only on baptized men, whose suitability for the exercise of the ministry has been duly recognized. Church authority alone has the responsibility and right to call someone to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders.

Do you feel that you're being called by God to the holy priesthood? Congratulations. Please feel free to schedule a time to speak with our Pastor or Deacons. We also invite you to contact the Diocese of St. Petersburg to help in your discernment.

The information in this section, as well as additional information about the Sacraments of the Church can be found at: The Vatican Website http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a1.htm