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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2016
TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
MARY’S MONTH OF OCTOBER CREATED, LOVED, REDEEMED BY GOD – An Invitation to Respect ALL Human Life
Most of us may take for granted, at least some of the time, that we are created, loved and redeemed by God.
Distracted as we are by the noise and activity of daily life, we need to take time to reflect on the universal human question: Who am I,
and what am I doing here?
When our ancestors lost their spiritual and moral bearings, Jesus took on our humanity to show us the radical nature of God’s love.
His spiritual love was personal, passionate and self-giving. He showed us what God expects of us. “This is my commandment: Love
one another as I love you” (John 15:12). The model of love by which we will be judged, according to the parable of the Last Judgment
(Matthew 25: 31-46) is that of people who feed, clothe, welcome and care for the needy and strangers.
Even when we slip up on this, we understand the importance of treating everyone with kindness. We understand how important it is
to work with our Catholic Charities serving people in need, by donating our time and financial support. Our Bishop’s Annual Appeal
gift does this.
But our U.S. Catholic bishops explain that we must do more: “The common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights
– for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture – is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and
fundamental right and the condition of all other human rights, is not defended with maximum determination.” Talk about the value of
human life and the sacredness of human dignity can become empty platitudes unless we act on our convictions. No good social policy,
like programs to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless – as important as they are – can make up for bad policies about the
protection of life itself. Without the fundamental right to live, the right not to be killed, no other rights are meaningful. Without life no
other rights can safely exist.
So it is up to all of us to defend the right to life by participating directly in public life, helping to enact laws and policies that
respect the lives of all, especially those who have no voice – unborn children, human embryos targeted for destructive research, and
people who are cognitively impaired, disabled, or dying.
God Bless, Father Herb
WORDS OF TITHING FROM THE PEWS:
From the Pastor: When everyone helps, it makes it a lot
easier for everyone else. Prayer, good work, and sharing what
we have go hand in hand and make the Kingdom of God more
present here.
Words of Tithing from the Pews: I was holding tight to the
money and resisting God’s call to trust Him with 5% to
charity. Now I am trusting God more.
Sunday Collections This September (4 Weekends): $67,234
Sunday Collections Last September (4Weekends): $63.458
Faith Direct Parishioners: 97
Thank you for your Tithing sacrifices!
MASS ATTENDANCE
Mass attendance for October 8/9: 1688
ELECTRONIC GIVING WITH FAITH DIRECT
With autumn here now, we invite you to join Faith Direct, our
parish’s electronic eGiving program. Our to-do-lists can get pretty
long in this back-to-school season, but Faith Direct’s eGiving would
give you one less thing to remember each week – no more envelopes
to find and checks to write before you go to Mass. Visit
www.faithdirect.net and use our church code: NJ745 or call 1-866-
507-8757.
97 families are enrolled with eGiving. Our 2016 target is 125. We’re
getting close.
Thank you for your continued support of our parish family!
God Bless You,
Father Herb and our Parish Finance Committee
DIOCESAN SILVER & GOLD WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
MASS
NOVEMBER 6, 2016 -4PM IN OUR CHURCH
Couples, were you married in 1966 or 1991? You are
warmly invited to celebrate your 25th or 50th Wedding
Anniversary with the Church of Paterson. Bishop
Serratelli will be the main celebrant at Mass here for the entire
Diocese, Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 4:00 PM. Arrangements must
be made by contacting the Rectory at 973-334-2090. Registrations
will be accepted through October 24, 2016. Information will be sent
to you from the Office of Family Life once your registration has been
processed. Congratulations on this joyous occasion.
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SCRIPTURE READINGS OCTOBER 17-23
MONDAY Ephesians 2: 1-10
Gospel: Luke 12: 13-21
TUESDAY 2 Timothy 4: 10-17b
Gospel: Luke 10: 1-9
WEDNESDAY Ephesians 3: 2-12
Gospel: Luke 12: 39-48
THURSDAY Ephesians 3: 14-21
Gospel: Luke 12: 49-53
FRIDAY Ephesians 4: 1-6
Gospel: Luke 12: 54-59
SATURDAY Ephesians 4: 7-16
Gospel: Luke 13: 1-9
SUNDAY Sirach 35: 12-14, 16-18
2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18
Gospel: Luke 18: 9-14
SANCTUARY LAMPS & FLOWERS
You may have the Sanctuary Candles in the Church,
Chapel or Adoration Chapel burn in memory of a loved
one ($10.00 donation), roses at the Tabernacle ($10.00
donation), or flowers at the altar ($50.00 Donation).
Please call or stop into the rectory office.
October 16-22, 2016
Sanctuary Lamp in the Church is for the Richard Locilento
Sanctuary Lamp in Mary’s Daily Chapel is for The People
of the Parish
Sanctuary Lamps in the Adoration Chapel are In
Thanksgiving and for Edwin lvarado, Gregory Loff, Charles
Hathaway.
Tabernacle Roses in the Church: Betty Birilli
MARTHA MINISTRY
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 – TEAM 1
Marge Martin, Dolores Brandao, Jo Byrne
Millie Smith, Carol Patterson
OUTREACH CORNER
A parishioner needs a ride to the doctor.
A woman is in dire need of a car. This is a tall order, but
maybe you can help. Please call the Rectory at 973-334-2090
if you can help. Thank you and God bless you!
PANCAKE BREAKFAST – OCTOBER 30TH
The Parsippany Knights of Columbus, Council 3680, is having
an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast to benefit the Coats for
Kids program, on Sunday, October 30th
from 8:30AM – 12
Noon in the school cafeteria. Pancakes, scrambled eggs,
sausage, donuts, coffee, tea and orange juice. $7/adults,
$5/senior citizens and $3/children 4-10 years old. Children
under 4 - free
CHRISTOPHER DUFFLEY TO PERFORM
NOVEMBER 20 – 3PM – NOTRE DAME
Christopher Duffley, the blind and autistic You Tube sensation
whose video of “Open the Eyes of My Heart” has been shared
and viewed over 13,000,000 times is coming to Notre Dame
of Mt. Carmel in Cedar Knolls for a free concert on Sunday
November 20th
at 3:00PM. Christopher’s life has been a
testament to the amazing grace of Christ. Embracing his gift of
music, he has witnessed to countless people with a message
that every life has mission and meaning. Being blind and
autistic, Christopher can truly echo the words of Saint Paul in
2nd
Corinthians: “When I am weak, then I am strong.”
MASS INTENTIONS FOR OCTOBER 17-23
MONDAY, October 17-St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop & Martyr
6:45AM – Special Intention for Linda Franchino, Warren & Barbara
Leshner and for Connie & Al Uricoli
8:00AM – Molly & Lenny Stolz
TUESDAY, October 18-St. Luke, Evangelist
6:45AM – Sr. Mary Lucy, Sr. Winifred Denise, Michael Renga,
Connie Uricoli
8:00AM – Edward J. Tuite
WEDNESDAY, October 19-Sts. John de Brebeuf & Isaac,
Jogues, Priests & Companions, Martyrs
6:45AM – Rosario Hicks
8:00AM – Michael Heuler, Rita DiLella (21st Anniv.), Edward Pavel
THURSDAY, October 20-St. Paul of the Cross, Priest
6:45AM – People of the Parish
8:00AM – Josephine Polletta, Christopher Thomas Cortes
FRIDAY, October 21
6:45AM – Special Intention for Msgr. Chris DiLella
8:00AM – Joseph P. Sherlock
SATURDAY, October 22-St. John Paul II, Pope
8:00AM – Special Intention for Noah Lorencovitz
5:30PM – Vincent Tylenda (30th Anniv.), Nellie & Frank
Borkowski, Frank Foti
7:00PM – America Alvarez Ramos, Zoila Rosa Hernandez
SUNDAY, October 23-30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
7:30 AM - Timothy Kulig, Mary Koening (1st Anniv. ), Joey
Kresback
9:00 AM – James Walsh, Christine Thompson, Joan Wilson
10:30 AM – Olga Olsavsky, John Olsavsky, Jr., Kathy Donovan
12:00 PM – John Lukin, T. K. Sebastian, Anna Mathew
7:00 PM – Lynne Guiliano, Natividad Bayan (15th Anniv.), Oscar
Cruz
WE NEED ADORERS - HOW ABOUT YOU?
PLEASE COME TO BE WITH JESUS
“Our communal worship at Mass must go together with our
personal worship of Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration.” “Let
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament speak to your heart.” St. Joh
Paul II, also said that spending quiet time each day before the
Blessed Sacrament was the secret to his day. Please come into
the quiet of the chapel and let Jesus speak to your heart!
Adorers are needed for 8 AM on various mornings. If you can
help fill one of these hours, please call Kim at 973-402-1289.
SAINT PETER’S GOLDEN AGE-OCTOBER 17-11AM
Saint Peter’s Golden Age will meet at the Community Center
on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 11:00 AM – All are
welcome!
ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY BOOK SALE
OCTOBER 29th
The Rosary Altar Society is sponsoring a Book Sale on
Saturday, October 29th
from 9 AM – 2 PM in our Church Hall.
Stop by and pick up a good book to read!
ALL SOULS DAY ENVELOPES-NOVEMBER 1
We will have All Souls Day Envelopes available in the
Narthex especially for those who are enrolled in the Faith
Direct eGiving program. You may place the names of your
loved ones on the envelope and drop it in the collection
basket. These envelopes will be placed on the altar during the
month of November.
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THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH OCTOBER 16-22
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16TH
Food Pantry Collection – Narthex
Bread for the World Sunday - Church
9:00AM – Children’s Gospel Program – Church Hall
10:15AM – Sunday CCD - School
10:30AM – Food Pantry Client Shopping - School
12:00PM – CYO Basketball – Parish Center
1:15PM – Baptisms – Church
3:00PM – Filipino Mass/Fellowship – Church/Church Hall
5:30PM – Bingo – Parish Center
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17TH
10:30AM – Parish Staff Meeting - Rectory
11:00AM – Golden Age Club – Community Center
4:15PM – Monday CCD - School
6:00PM – CYO Basketball – Parish Center
7:00PM – R.C.I.A. - Rectory
7:30PM – S.I.N.E. – Spanish Room
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18TH
8:30AM – Adult Faith Formation
10:00AM – Peanuts Play Group – Church Hall
12:00PM – Diocesan Training – Church Hall
3:00PM – Diocesan Meeting – Parish Center
4:00PM – Children’s Choir – Church/Church Hall
6:00PM – CYO Basketball
6:40PM – Rosary Society Recitation of Rosary – Chapel
7:00PM – Rosary Society Mass – Chapel
7:15PM – Tuesday CCD – School
7:30PM – Rosary Society Meeting – Church Hall
7:30PM – Bereavement Support Group Meeting - Convent
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19TH
6:00PM – CYO Basketball – Parish Center
7:00PM – Boy Scout Troop 72 – Cafeteria
7:00PM – NJ Child Assault Prevention for Parents – School Library
7:30PM – Spanish Bible Class – Spanish Room
7:30PM – Adult Bible Sharing – Church Hall
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20TH
6:00PM – CYO Basketball – Parish Center
7:00PM – Grace Before Meals – Youth – School Cafeteria/Kitchen
7:30PM – Spanish Choir – Chapel
7:30PM – Adult Choir – Church/Church Hall
8:30PM – Men’s Basketball – Parish Center
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21ST
11:00AM – Care One Mass-Fr. Yojan – Care One
6:00PM – CYO Basketball – Parish Center
7:30PM – Spanish Prayer Group – Chapel
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22ND
8:30AM – Polish School – School
1:00PM – CYO Basketball -
4:00PM – Confessions – Church
4:15PM – Prayer & Life Workshops – Church Hall
5:30PM – K of C Recruitment – Plaza
5:30PM - Blessing of Expectant Parents
7:30PM – AA – Church Hall
8:00PM – Indian Community Sports- Parish Center
ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY COMMUNION BREAKFAST
OCTOBER 23 AFTER THE 9:00 AM MASS
Communion Breakfast at the Exchange, 160 East Main Street,
Rockaway, NJ. Price: $27.50/person. Time: 10:30 AM. Make checks
payable to St. Peter the Apostle Rosary Altar Society and send to the
Rectory marked “Rosary Altar Society” or place it in the collection
basket marked “Rosary Altar Society” no later than October 16th. The
speaker will be Deacon Al Frank from Saint Ann’s Parish. There will
be no collection of monies for the event in the Narthex so please use
one of the options above. All are welcome to attend (including men).
See the flyer in today’s bulletin.
For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose
under heaven…
…a time to born
…a time to die
Charles Doran
…a time to heal
Fr. William Santeliz, Fr. Leo Carey, Fr. Ron Sordillo,
Joan Franke, Noah Lorencovitz, Chris Seugling,
Giusseppe D’Addario
…a time to love
Catherine Schwarz & Christian Loran
“…and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Our email [email protected]
Registration for CCD, grades K through 9 for the 2016-2017
school year began on June 1st. Please visit our parish website –
saintpetertheapostle.org – for a registration form.
Please visit www.facebook.com/spayouthministry
ALTAR SERVERS – OCTOBER 22/23, 2016
5:30PM – Dugan, Vico, Fernandez
7:30AM – Torres
9:00AM – Terhune, Arnold, Chen
10:30AM – Slevin, Torres, Komareddy
12:00PM – Cepe
7:00PM – Ippolito, Yturbe
BINGO – OCTOBER 16, 2016 – TEAM C
TEAM C – MARY ANN CISTARO
POWERBALL #1 $200.00 – Previous Powerball #1 - $500
Was Won On October 9th.
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP-NOVEMBER 11
Caregivers, perhaps at times you feel your labor of love caring
for your loved one becomes stressful. Well, we invite you to
come and join our wonderful group of caregivers who will
meet on Friday, October 11th from 7:30-9:00 PM in the
Convent. If you know someone who would benefit from our
group, kindly share this information with them. If you have
any questions, please contact Sr. Sylvia – 973-334-2090 or Pat
– 973-334-4511 or Jeanne – 973-334-3578.
WEDNESDAYS FOR WOMEN – OCTOBER 19TH
Wednesdays for Women, a new program sponsored by Sacred
Thread Ministries, begins on October 19th
with a program on
Dorothy Day entitled, “Don’t Call Me A Saint”. Sr. Anita
Constance, SC will reflect this disciple’s ability to identify and
connection with the poor. We will discover the underpinnings
of her unusual and generous life. St. Mary’s Abbey Retreat
Center, 230 Mendham Rd., Morristown, NJ from 9:30AM –
12:00 PM - $25. Call Pat Hughes at 908-608-3160 to register.
SAVE THE DATE – BLOOD DRIVE – NOVEMBER 26TH
Every 2 seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Nearly
38,000 blood donations are needed every day. On Saturday,
November 26th Saint Peter’s is sponsoring its annual Blood Drive.
Watch the bulletin for further details. Won’t you help safe a life?
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ALL SAINTS ACADEMY CORNER
ASA Student Thank You
At All Saints Academy, our student stay
connected to our parish communities through
prayers and special activities. Amanda, grade
5, shared: “Thank you for supporting our
school and for being part of our school community. We are
grateful and blessed by your prayers and support. We hope
you will visit All Saints Academy soon!” Indeed, we are a
family of faith and we celebrate the joy of the Gospel message
each day with our students. Contact our principal, Mrs. Judith
Berg, at 973-334-4704, for more information regarding
admission opportunities at All Saints Academy. Visit our web
page: www.allsaintspar.
RESPECT LIFE MASS – NOVEMBER 19 – 10:00 AM
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli will be the main celebrant at the Respect
Life Mass (formerly called the Unborn Mass) on Saturday, November
19 at 10:00 at Saint Margaret of Scotland Parish, 12 Columba Street
in Morristown. The Mass is sponsored by the Paterson Federation
Knights of Columbus Councils. After Mass, there will be light
refreshments.
JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF TO HEALING
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
TUESDAYS – OCTOBER 18 – NOVEMBER 29
We know death is part of life, however, when we suffer the
loss of a loved one it is extremely difficult to accept. Often
sharing with others helps us cope with the many emotions we
are experiencing. Our parish is offering a Bereavement
Support Group to walk with those who are grieving. Our
gatherings will be on Tuesdays for six (6) weeks starting
October 18 from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM in the Convent. The purpose of the group is to support, in a warm and caring
atmosphere, those who are grieving and to explore ways to
understand and cope with our grief through sharing and
discussion.
In these sessions we will discuss the grieving process, coping
with feelings and life changes, dealing with the holidays, the
gift of memories and how grief affects our relationship with
God.
If you or someone you know will find our group helpful,
please invite them to join us.
JOIN SAINT ANN’S TO SEE SAMSON THE MUSICAL
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9TH
Join Saint Ann Parish’s bus trip to Sight and Sound’s
production on Friday, December 9th
of “Sampson the
Musical”. The Cost is $125/person which includes shopping at
Kitchen Kettle Village, performance at the Millennium
Theatre, dinner at Shady Maple Smorgasbord and
transportation. To reserve a seat, call Ginny Bissig at 973-884-
1986. Final payment due November 11th
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ALERT!! THANKSGIVING FOOD COLLECTION
THIS WEEKEND – OCTOBER 15/16
“Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine
out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright
as noon.” Isaiah 58:10
In this Holy Year of Mercy the Lord is asking us to be especially
conscious of the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank
you, faithful parishioners, for being that light by your continued
generosity to those whom we serve through our Food Pantry.
Please take notice our Thanksgiving collection is earlier this year –
this weekend, October 15/16. As you know, we are grateful for
whatever you donate, however, we are in need of juice, baking
products, pasta, condiments, coffee, cookies, hot and cold cereal,
cleaning products and laundry detergent (Please no Cheerios or corn).
To ensure that our families enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner,
kindly donate traditional food items such as cranberry sauce, stuffing,
canned white and sweet potatoes, canned gravy and canned carrots. If
you wish to donate a turkey, please bring it to the Rectory. DO NOT
leave it in the Narthex. Along with the above, monetary donations are
greatly appreciated. Kindly put your gift in an envelope marked
“Thanksgiving Donation” and place it in the collection basket.
Thank you! “Feed the hungry…Your light will shine out from
darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as the noon.”
You are that light to so many and we pray the blessings of our
generous God be poured out on you, His generous people.
CATHOLIC VOLUNTEER NETWORK
Would you like to make a difference in your community, the
country or the world? Do you want to serve those in need and
work for social justice? Check out RESPONSE 2017, a free
guide listing nearly 200 faith-based volunteer programs and
thousands of opportunities. Volunteers serve full-time for
periods of 1 week to 1 year or more across the USA and in
more than 100 countries worldwide. Summer and school break
opportunities are also available. Our volunteers are from all
walks of life – from high school to senior citizens and every
stage in between. Positions are available for both single and
married volunteers, including those with children..
Contact Catholic Volunteer Network to receive your free
copy/copies of RESPONSE 2017. Call 800-543-5046 or email
[email protected]. You can also search
RESPONSE 2017 online at
www.catholicvolunteernetwork.org.
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND
Does God care about your marriage? You bet! Find out how
much on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. On a
Marriage Encounter Weekend, married couples can get away
from jobs, kids, chores and phones for 44 hours – and focus
only on each other. If you’d like greater depth, growth and
enrichment in your relationship, you’ll like the difference a
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend can make! For more
information, contact Janet and Mike Turco at 973-427-7016 or
609-335-6880, email [email protected] or go to
www.nnjwwme.org.
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Hablando español en San Pedro Apóstol – 16 de octubre de 2016 –
29no
Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
Octubre, mes dedicado al Rosario a María *****
Horario de las Misas: Confesiones: sábado: 4:00 pm a 5:00 pm
lunes a viernes: 6:45 am y 8:00 am
sábado: 5:30 pm y 7:00 pm en español
domingo: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12 m y 7:00 pm
Intenciones de las Misas: Por favor, notificar a la oficina parroquial (973-334-2090) o al sacerdote (Padre Yojan) con
una semana de anticipación. El donativo para las intenciones es de $10.00.
Mensaje del párroco: CREADO, AMADO, REDIMIDO POR DIOS
Una invitación a respetar TODA vida humana
Muchos de nosotros pasamos por alto, al menos algunas veces, que somos creados, amados y redimidos por Dios.
Distraídos como estamos con el ruido y la actividad de la vida cotidiana, tenemos que sacar tiempo para reflexionar en la
pregunta universal humana: ¿Quién soy y qué estoy haciendo aquí?
Cuando nuestros antepasados perdieron su compostura espiritual y moral, Jesús tomó nuestra humanidad para
demostrarnos la naturaleza radical del amor de Dios. Su amor espiritual era personal, apasionado y abnegado. El nos
demostró qué Dios espera de nosotros. “Este es mi mandamiento: Ámense los unos a los otros, como yo los he amado.”
(Juan 15, 12) El modelo de amor por el que seremos juzgados, de acuerdo a la parábola del Juicio Final (Mateo 25, 31-
46) por cuán bien alimentamos, vestimos, acogemos y cuidamos al necesitado y a los extraños.
Aún cuando fallemos en ésto, entendemos la importancia de tratar a todos con amabilidad. Entendemos cuan
importante es trabajar con las Caridades Católicas sirviendo a los necesitados, donando nuestro tiempo o apoyo
económico. Nuestro regalo a la Campaña Anual de Nuestro Obispo es un ejemplo de hacer ésto.
Pero nuestros obispos católicos de E.U. explican que debemos hacer más: “La lamentación común, que justamente se
hace por parte de los derechos humanos – por ejemplo, el derecho a la salud, al hogar, al trabajo, a la familia, a la cultura –
es falso e ilusorio si el derecho a la vida, el derecho más básico y la condición de todos los otros derechos humanos, no se
defiende con máxima determinación”. Hablar sobre el valor a la vida humana y la santidad de la dignidad humana pueden
ser dichos triviales a menos que actuemos en nuestras convicciones. Ninguna buena política social, le gusta los
programas de alimentar al hambriento y albergar al desamparado – así como son de importante – pueden compensar por
las malas políticas sobre la protección de la vida misma. Sin vida, ningún otro derecho puede existir sin peligro.
Así que está en todos nosotros defender el derecho a la vida, participando directamente en la vida pública, ayudando a
establecer leyes y políticas que respeten la vida de todos, especialmente la de aquellos que no tienen voz – niños no
nacidos, embriones humanos destinados para investigaciones destructivas y personas cognitivamente deteriorados,
incapacitados o muriendo.
Dios los bendiga,
Padre Herb
Journey Through Grief To Healing
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
The purpose of the group is to support those who
have experienced the death of a loved one. In a warm
and caring atmosphere we will explore ways to better
understand and cope with our grief through sharing
and discussion. The group meets for six sessions.
DATES: OCTOBER 18 – NOVEMBER 29
DAY: TUESDAYS
PLACE: SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE CONVENT
189 BALDWIN ROAD PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054
TIME: 7:30 – 9:00 P.M.
FACILITATOR: SISTER SYLVIA BERZINSKI, SSC
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 973-334-2090
SAINT LUKE – OCTOBER 18TH
Luke the Evangelist (Ancient Greek: Λουκᾶς, Loukãs) is one of the Four Evangelists—the four traditionally ascribed authors of canonical Gospels.
The early church fathers ascribed to him authorship of both the Gospel according to Luke and the book of Acts of the Apostles. The authorship of
The Gospel according to Luke and The Acts of the Apostles place Luke as having written a plurality of the New Testament, more even than Paul the
Apostle. Prominent figures in early Christianity such as Jerome and Eusebius later reaffirmed his authorship, although the fragile evidence of the identity of the author of the works has led to discussion in scholarly circles, both secular and religious.
The New Testament mentions Luke briefly a few times, and the Pauline epistle to the Colossians refers to him as a doctor; thus he is thought to have
been both a physician and a disciple of Paul. Christians since the faith's early years have regarded him as a saint. He is believed to have been a martyr, reportedly as having been hung in an olive tree, though some believe otherwise.
The Roman Catholic Church and other major denominations venerate him as Saint Luke the Evangelist and as a patron saint of artists, physicians, surgeons, students and butchers; his feast day takes place on 18 October.
Many scholars believe that Luke was a Greek physician who lived in the Greek city of Antioch in Ancient Syria, though some other scholars and
theologians think Luke was a Hellenic Jew. Bart Koet for instance considered it as widely accepted that the theology of Luke–Acts points to a gentile
Christian writing for a gentile audience. Gregory Sterling though, claims that he was either a Hellenistic Jew or a god-fearer.
This Luke is mentioned in Paul's Epistle to Philemon (v.24), and in two other epistles which are traditionally ascribed to Paul (Epistle to the
Colossians 4:14 and Second Epistle to Timothy 4:11).
His earliest notice is in Paul's Epistle to Philemon—Philemon 1:24. He is also mentioned in Colossians 4:14 and 2Timothy 4:11, two works
commonly ascribed to Paul. The next earliest account of Luke is in the Anti-Marcionite Prologue to the Gospel of Luke, a document once thought to
date to the 2nd century, but which has more recently been dated to the later 4th century. Helmut Koester, however, claims that the following part—
the only part preserved in the original Greek—may have been composed in the late 2nd century:
Luke, was born in Antioch, by profession, was a physician. He had become a disciple of the apostle Paul and later followed Paul until his [Paul's] martyrdom. Having served the Lord continuously, unmarried and without children, filled with the Holy Spirit he died at the age of 84 years.
Epiphanius states that Luke was one of the Seventy Apostles (Panarion 51.11), and John Chrysostom indicates at one point that the "brother" Paul mentions in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians 8:18 is either Luke or Barnabas.
If one accepts that Luke was in fact the author of the Gospel bearing his name and also the Acts of the Apostles, certain details of his personal life can
be reasonably assumed. While he does exclude himself from those who were eyewitnesses to Jesus' ministry, he repeatedly uses the word "we" in describing the Pauline missions in Acts of the Apostles, indicating that he was personally there at those times.
There is similar evidence that Luke resided in Troas, the province which included the ruins of ancient Troy, in that he writes in Acts in the third
person about Paul and his travels until they get to Troas, where he switches to the first person plural. The "we" section of Acts continues until the
group leaves Philippi, when his writing goes back to the third person. This change happens again when the group returns to Philippi. There are three "we sections" in Acts, all following this rule. Luke never stated, however, that he lived in Troas, and this is the only evidence that he did.
The composition of the writings, as well as the range of vocabulary used, indicate that the author was an educated man. A quote in the Letter of Paul to the Colossians differentiates between Luke and other colleagues "of the circumcision."
My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings.
These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Colossians 4:10–11,14.
This comment has traditionally caused commentators to conclude that Luke was a Gentile. If this were true, it would make Luke the only writer of
the New Testament who can clearly be identified as not being Jewish. However, that is not the only possibility. Although Luke is considered likely to
be a Gentile Christian, some scholars believe him to be a Hellenized Jew. The phrase could just as easily be used to differentiate between those Christians who strictly observed the rituals of Judaism and those who did not.
Luke's presence in Rome with the Apostle Paul near the end of Paul's life was attested by 2 Timothy 4:11: "Only Luke is with me". In the last chapter
of the Book of Acts, widely attributed to Luke, we find several accounts in the first person also affirming Luke's presence in Rome including Acts
28:16: "And when we came to Rome..." According to some accounts, Luke also contributed to the authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews.
Luke died at age 84 in Boeotia, according to a "fairly early and widespread tradition", Luke's tomb was located in Thebes, whence his relics were
transferred to Constantinople in the year 357.