Christmas Memorial Service, Christmas Mass Schedules, Pageant Rehearsal, Advent Resources, Mustard Seed, KofC Annual Free Throw Event, Young Families Pancake Breakfast, ASP ChiliFest, Adult Studies, Word on Fire: Entertaining Angels.
Christmas Memorial Service
Wednesday, December 21, 7:00 PM
A Candlelight Service to remember our loved ones who have died. During this busy, and often difficult, holiday season, we invite family and friends to participate in this evening of thoughtful prayer, reflection, and music.
You are welcome to bring a photo or other small remembrance of your loved one to display during the service. If you would like the name of the deceased mentioned during the service, please plan to arrive at 6:45 p.m. We look forward to having you join us for this special evening of shared sorrow and joy in the presence of our Lord!
Children's Pageant
Thank you for those who have have signed up to participate in this year's pageant.
Dress Rehearsal:
Friday, December 23rd
2:30 - 4:15 PM, Parish Center
Questions? Contact Kathy Dunbeck at 508-479-0585 or Kathy.Dunbeck@gmail.com
Renew Your Advent Season
During this final week of Advent, it's not too late to start or renew your Advent season. Take a moment of quiet reflection during this bustling season to bring a deeper meaning to the season. Click to explore a wide selection of RESOURCES here.
Receive a selection of prayers, reflections, and learn about the season and symbols of Advent and Christmas; once or twice a week. Click HERE to subscribe.
Scroll down to the end of this newsletter for our final Advent Meditation.
Christmas / New Year Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24
4:00 PM
6:00 PM Children's Pageant
9:00 PM Bilingual
Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
(No Mass at 7:30am)
New Year's Eve, Saturday, December 31
5:00 PM
New Year's Day, Sunday, January 1
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
(No Mass at 7:30am)
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses will be broadcast live for our homebound parishioners. Visit our website for schedules and links to Masses and readings, here: St. Luke's Website
Thank You from The Giving Tree
To Our St. Luke’s Community—
Thank you to ALL of you who took tags, who bought gifts, who wrapped and brought them in at this busy time of year.
Along with the other five Christian churches in town, you helped more than 165 Westborough families, bought about a thousand gifts, and spread your Christmas love to more than 500 individuals who will have a much nicer Christmas because of you!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
And Merry Christmas to you all!
Don't Miss Upcoming Events in January 2023
Knights of Columbus
Annual Free Throw Event
Tuesday, January 10th
Mill Pond School
Registration: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Competition Runs 7:00 - 8:30 PM
All girls and boys ages 9 – 14 are eligible to participate. This event is free and always fun!
Winners in each category will receive a “CHAMPION” Trophy. For more information contact Herman Millet at 508-735-8465.
Snow date is Thursday, January 12th
Mustard Seed
Friday, January 6th
Volunteers Needed to Cook
St. Luke’s is serving at the Mustard Seed on January 6th. We need volunteers to provide a batch of chicken, pilaf, vegetables, desserts, and/or fruit.
Please see the Sign-Up for food items are needed and to volunteer.
The Mustard Seed food pantry is in need of peanut butter, jelly, low sodium soups, pasta, pasta sauce, and canned vegetables. Those donations can be dropped off at our house as well. Thanks so much!
Please deliver hot food by 3:30pm on Friday, January 6th to
Sue Black's house at 11 Old Nourse St. in Westborough.
For any questions, please call Sue Black at 508-212-2748 or email at susanmblack08@gmail.com.
Mustard Seed - January 6, 2023
Please deliver the food hot to 11 Old Nourse St. by 3:30. Also, the Mustard Seed food pantry is in need of peanut butter, jelly, low sodium soups, pasta, pasta sauce, and canned vegetables. Donations can also be dropped off on Jan. 6th. Thanks so much!
8 pieces of baked boneless breast of chicken
3 boxes of cooked rice pilaf
8 servings of cooked vegetables
1 dozen pieces of soft fruit, such as bananas, clementines, individual cups of peaches, pears, etc.
2 dozen finger desserts
St. Luke’s
Pancake Breakfast for Young Families
Saturday, January 14th
9:00am Parish Center
Want to meet others in the parish who also have young children? Join Fr. Diego for a morning of pancakes, sausages, juice, coffee, and fun.
Come and get connected!
Please RSVP to Julie Basque
Email pastoralassociate@stlukes-parish.org or call 508-366-8509. ext. 22
Save the Date!
ASP ChiliFest!!
Saturday, January 28th
6:30 - 8:30 pm
St. Luke's Parish Hall
Back by popular demand: ASP's annual chili cookoff!
Calling Chili Chefs of all ages: you are invited to prepare and enter your best chili recipe. Compete for bragging rights and more! All attendees get to taste all the chilis and vote for their favorites.
It's fun! It's delicious! Don't miss it!
All are welcome! Bring your whole family!
For more information or to register to participate in the chili challenge,
contact Debbi at debbiziegler@yahoo.com
St. Luke's Adult Studies
Five New Winter Offerings
January - February 2023
Programs meet in person or remotely via Zoom
Please visit our website for schedules and program descriptions.
Open your heart and mind this new year!
An Advent Meditation: Entertaining Angels
Start with a few minutes of silence after this simple prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit. Teach us how to pray.”
Reflection: "Be not afraid!"
Just about every time an angel appears in Scripture, this pure being of spirit must calm the human before them with those words. Put aside the image of naked cherubs on Hallmark cards --- the angels of the Bible are strange, powerful, and foreign to our world, and we rightfully tremble before them.
From the book of Genesis through Revelations the angels appear and have a role in both God's salvation history and in our own lives. Every Christmas nativity scene has an angel somewhere because the angelic host rejoiced across the night sky at the arrival of Christ in the world. It was the angels themselves who delivered messages to Mary and Joseph, and guided them on their journeys. They are mediators, deliverers, and warriors but the angels' primary task is to worship (to give worth to) the Lord, which is why they are united with us at every Mass and every moment of prayer.
Biblical scholar Scott Hahn writes, "The Church is the Body of Christ, and as such it is both heavenly and earthly...it includes as members both angels and shepherds---cherubim and seraphim, and you and me" (Joy to the World, p. 93). Ask God for an increase in faith to accept the reality of angels and invoke the help of the archangels and your own guardian angel, who are always waiting to fight beside you.Be not afraid!
Challenge: Sit and read with these words from a beloved Christmas hymn:
"Mild he lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!"
Reread them, this time praying with these lyrics with a thankful heart.
"Don't forget this invisible, ever-present companion, who is always ready to console us."
Watch this video message on how the presence of angels is ever-present in the Christian story from Bishop Barron's award-winning series Catholicism:
Listen to this
beautiful version of Veni Veni Emmanuel
St. Luke's Church is always open - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Take time out of your busy week to spend some quiet time with the Lord.
