Mission Week
-Michael Sullivan
From July 9th to July 13th, the Church of Saint Luke came together to support our seniors, help the homeless, and anoint the sick. On Tuesday, July 9th, mass was held at 9:30am, following the mass we gathered in the Jacques Center to prepare gifts for the elderly. Geraldine Patire, the music director of the church, then gathered members of the choir and, along with Deacon Phil and his wife Janet, we brought gifts and music to Gluco Lodge and Grace Park.
On Wednesday, July 10th, Father Quinnan celebrated the anointing of the sick mass, along with Father Rawel Toppo from India. The beautiful celebration ended only after everyone who wanted to be anointed with the holy oil was by either Father Rawel or Father Quinnan. After the anointing mass we had a luncheon in the Jacques Center. After the food, we prepared bags for the homeless in Stroudsburg, consisting of the basic essentials, like toiletries and soap. While we prepared the bags for distribution, Pastor Derrick Davis from Soul Care Church, introduced himself to our parish and informed us of his plan to form an inter-Christian coalition aimed at combatting the abuses of the homeless in our community. After the talk and the work for the homeless, Geraldine, along with Father Quinnan went to visit the infirm at Pleasant Valley Manor. Again, we brought the joy of music to people unable to leave the facility and prayed with the residents there.
On Thursday morning, Deacon Phil Zimich and Michael Sullivan, delivered the gifts for the homeless to Street2feet facility, located on First Street in Stroudsburg. The Deacon and Michael met with the Street2feet team and offered the support of our Church for their work with the underhoused. That night, the Church of Saint Luke held a candlelight mass at 10:00pm in the evening. The darkness of the night was made bright by the candles of the Church and the sacrifice at the altar. The mass was special for many people and a somber reminder that God never sleeps, and that the darkness is only penetrated with the light of Christ.
Finally, the Church of Saint Luke capped the week with a 28-hour adoration that began on Friday morning at 8:00am, ending on Saturday, July 13th, at noon. What began as an idea of giving back to the community by Father Quinnan, ended as a testimony to our Parish’s dedication to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. We thank Father Quinnan for his advancement of the idea for Mission Week and to everyone who worked so hard to put it together.
