February 7, 2021 The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Rɞɜɐɝ Cɐɣɗɞɛɘɒ Saint Luke Cɗɤɡɒɗ Catholic Caring Neighbors St. Luke Parish is a Catholic Community for over 60 years of believers who strives to be welcoming, evangelistic, and of service so that DIRECTORY all may experience the love of Jesus Christ. Church Office8256920 PARISH STAFF Church Fax8256905 Church [email protected] PastorRev. John P. Malthaner Faith [email protected] Senior AssociateRev. John J. Murphy Church Websitewww.stlukeerie.org DeaconsRev. Dr. Richard Shewman Facebookwww.facebook.com/lukealive Rev. Mr. Glenn Kuzma Prayer Chain8661487 Faith Formation DirectorSr. Carmen Maldonado, SSC School Office8257105 School PrincipalAudrey Coletta School Fax8257169 Advancement DirectorJoAnn Scheppner School Websitewww.slserie.org Music MinistersMaggi Minick and Ted Fuhrman K of C Websitewww.koc11229.org Office StaffDeidre Brown and Louanna Donajkowski Maintenance DirectorBruce Honard CHURCH OFFICE HOURS 8:30 am12:00 pm 1:00 pm5:00 pm Closed Saturday, Sunday & Holidays MASS SCHEDULE BAPTISM: By appointment. Parents anticipating the birth or baptism of their child are Weekdays*8:00 am MF expected to attend a Baptismal class. Please visit our website at www.stlukeerie.org for a 5:15 pm MTh complete listing of dates, times and parish locations for the classes. Reservations are Saturday Vigil4:30 pm required. Sunday9:00 & 11:30 am. & 6:00 pm *Except for school Masses usually on Wednesdays and MARRIAGE: Please contact one of the parish priests six months prior to the proposed Fridays at 8:30 am. date of your wedding. Visit our website at www.slserie.org. SPONSOR CERTIFICATE: To act as sponsor for the Sacrament of Baptism and/or HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION Confirmation requires a Sponsor Certificate that can be given only to registered MASS SCHEDULE members of the parish who are baptized, confirmed, attend Mass, are at least 16 years of The night before5:15 pm age, and receive the sacraments regularly. If the requesting person is married, the The day of *8:30 am & 7:00 pm marriage must have taken place in conformity with the laws of the Church. *8:00 am if no school CARE OF THE SICK: Those confined to their homes by sickness or age may arrange CONFESSIONS to receive Holy Communion on a weekly or monthly basis by calling the parish office at Saturdays2:45 pm 3:45 pm 8256920. Our priests and deacons visit all St. Luke parishioners once a week at Hamot and St. Vincent, and other hospitals as requested. FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE entrances are located on the east and west sides of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins after church. Pews are available in the front aisle, middle section. An automatic door and morning Mass to 4:30 pm every first Friday. To restrooms are located on the east side. signup, please contact Judy Krasnesky at 454 BULLETIN ARTICLE DEADLINE: 10:00 am Monday in writing 1634. THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 7, 2021 PASTOR’S DESK example, he is the patron saint of Dubrovnik, Croatia As we continue to feel the effects of COVID as legend tells the tale of 19, we are reminded that pandemics have ravaged Blasé appearing in a vision to societies throughout history. In the Middle Ages, the a local man warning that a plague known as the Black Plague/Death swept warring force was about to through Europe and within a few years, resulted in invade the town. The the deaths of over 50 million people, or about 60% townspeople responded with of the population. defensive measures and the Between 13461349, it seemed as if no one warring force, having lost the was immune as the disease wreaked havoc in cities, element of surprise, towns, and villages. The epidemic appeared to be departed. incurable. Lacking the advancement of medicine at Blasé lived in the fourth century, which was the time, people clung to their faith for help and a pivotal year for Christianity. Emperor Constantine, guidance. The pious turned to heaven, begging the leader of the Western Roman Empire, sought to intervention of the saints to spare them or cure make Christianity acceptable and end religious them. It was at this time that the Church called on persecution. Emperor Licinius, leader of the Eastern what became known in Germany as “Nothefler,” Roman Empire, agreed to sign the Edict of Milan which means “helpers in need,” or the Fourteen Holy (the document that would “officially” end religious Helpers. The Fourteen “Auxiliary Saints,” or Holy persecution), but did so only in name and for political Helpers are saints who were invoked as a group purposes. Licinius continued to treat Christians mainly because they had been deemed as helpful in harshly and in 316 A.D., Blasé would become the assisting in trials and sufferings. They were, what target of his hostility. many believed to be, the means of hope amid the Blasé escaped Licinius’ wrath by hiding in a Black Plague. cave outside the city walls. Eventually he was Devotion to the Fourteen Holy Helpers arrested and thrown into prison for his beliefs. spread throughout Europe as Church leaders Legend has it that two miracles were attributed to believed “these men and women were adorned with Blasé during this time, one of them for which he is special privileges above others, so that all who in most known for, curing a boy who was choking from their necessities implore their help, according to the a fish bone lodged in his throat. Blasé prayed over grace of Thy promise, may attain the salutary effect the boy, and he was healed. of their pleading, grant to us, we beseech Thee, Blasé would be condemned to die and in forgiveness of our sins, and with their merits 316 A.D. was beheaded as he refused to deny interceding, deliver us from all adversities, and Christ in his life. kindly hear our prayers.” The Fourteen Holy Helpers The miraculous cure of the boy choking from include George, Blase, Erasmus, Pantaleon, Vitus, the fish bone created the belief that St. Blasé could Christopher, Denis, Cyriacus, Acacius, Eustace, cure most illnesses…especially those of the throat. Giles, Margaret of Antioch, Barbara and Catherine of St. Blasé was invoked by the Church for throat Alexandria. ailments as early as the ninth century, and by the The Fourteen Holy Helpers were in some fifteenth century the ritual of the blessing of throats places celebrated as a group on August 8, but this had begun. celebration never became part of the General Godinspired devotional acts have been a Roman Calendar for universal celebration. When part of the CatholicChristian Church since its the calendar was revised in 1969, the individual inception. They are an essential part of our faith. celebrations of some of the Fourteen Holy Helpers They have been handed down and in many ways were dropped, including Barbara, Christopher, are looked forward to celebrating by the faithful. Margaret of Antioch, and Catherine of Alexandria They are audio, visual and physical. In the case of (although Catherine’s Feast was restored by Pope the devotion to St. Blasé, people like to hear the John Paul II in 2004). words “Through the intercession of Blasé, bishop Why the history lesson? First, I believe it’s and martyr, may you be freed from all diseases of always good to learn about Church history when the throat and every other illness,” see the candles applicable…which leads to the second reason, the and even feel them around their neck. inclusion of St. Blasé as one of the Fourteen Holy This year, due to COVID M 19, we will bless Helpers. throats, but at a distance. Hopefully next year we There isn’t a lot written about St. Blasé, will be back to the traditional blessing as we aside from the fact he was a fourthcentury Bishop in celebrate St. Blasé. the area known as Western Armenia (Armenia is a nation and former Soviet Republic, located in the Peace, mountainous Caucasus region between Asia and Fr. John Europe) and died as a martyr. Much of what we know about Blasé comes from legends. For ST. LUKE CHURCH ERIE, PA DISPENSATION from the obligation to attend Sunday ST. LUKE FINANCIAL INFORMATION and holy day Masses remains in place. Do not feel as Sunday Collections as of January 24, 2021 if you must come to Mass if you are not ready to attend public worship. If you stay home, please continue to join us as we celebrate with Fr. John Monthly Electronic Contributions $4,675.00 Sunday Mass each week on our parish website, www.stlukeerie.org; our parish Facebook at Sunday 01/03/2021$4,757.07 www.facebook.com/lukealive and our parish app. The Mass will be livestreamed on Facebook at Sunday 01/10/2021$9,901.00 4:30 pm every Saturday and will be available Sunday 01/17/2021$5,265.74 throughout the week for your convenience. Sunday 01/24/2021$8,281.84 FORMED provides the very Sunday 01/31/2021$7,052.74 best Catholic content from more than 60 organizations Total Monthly Collection to Date$39,933.39 to help parishes, families and Thank you to those who contribute to St. Luke individuals explore their faith Church and the special collections, including the anywhere. Supporting thousands of movies, children’s Food Pantry, School, Flowers and the Diocesan programs, ebooks, audio, parish programs and special collections that help our neighbors both studies direct to your browser, mobile or connected near and far. device. To sign up, visit FORMED.org, click signup and select “I belong to a Parish or Organization.” Find St.