Christ Renews His Parish

This movement is for men and women who would like to be closer to the Lord and fellow parishioners.  The Renewal Weekend (retreat) is held twice a year on Saturday and Sunday at St. Luke Parish, (the men's and women's weekends are separate).  You will hear inspirational music and personal testimonies.  You will have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and attend Mass.  It is a comfortable environment filled with many meaningful events and a process of personal and communal renewal that grows in the lives of the participants.

Women:  Joy Burgess – 789-2358; Men:  Tom Hurak – 785-0136

Council of Catholic Women

All members are offered opportunities to grow in Sprituality, Service and Leadership.

Spirituality:  Through daily prayer including daily recitation of the Rosary, offering time for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the third Wednesday of each month.  We also have annual retreat day and an annual communal Mass for our living and deceased members in October followed by a brunch with a speaker.  Our patron saint is Our Blessed Mother as "Our Lady of the Way."

Service:  First and foremost service to our parish family.  We are represented in every ministry in our church i.e. Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, etc.  Our "Lazarus" program serves refreshments after a funeral for the bereaved family and friends.  Three times a year we serve a luncheon with some entertainment for the homebound after a Healing Mass.  We sponsor a "baby shower" twice a year for the Upper Pinellas Pregnancy Center.  At our monthly meetings, we collect non-perishable food for the poor in Palm Harbor through F.E.A.S.T. (the distributor of food).

On a global scale, we donate funds to supply fresh water for third world countries, and also "Adopt-a-Child" from one of these countries every year.  Through the heifer plan we purchase live animals or poultry for families to supply food, milk and eggs.  We have adopted Fr. Anthony's mission in Africa.  (Fr. Anthony was assigned to St. Luke one summer).  We have supplied rosaries for the missions for ten years.

Leadership:  We receive instruction and inspiration through Deanery Conferences, Diocesan Conventions, National Conventions and Catholic Days at the Capitol, the Catholic Woman (the National Council's magazine).  We are kept a breast of pertinent information, through legislative channels to make us better citizens and actively participate in law making.  The speakers we invite to our meetings provide information on ways to improve health, safety, good nutrition and an overall loving every day of our lives.

Socially:  We come together for card parties, fashion shows, and theatre, bus rides to fun places in Florida.  We also participate in parish socials, all dinner / dance nights, parish picnics, baseball games, any place of fun.  St. Luke Council of Catholic Women is affiliated with the St. Petersburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, The Florida Council of Catholic Women, all under the auspices of the National Council of Catholic Bishops.

Please join us on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm in the Parish Hall.  Everyone is welcome and bring a friend.

President:  Rosemary Wilson - 771-0924

Finance Committee

Assists and advises the pastor in all matters of financial concern.  Members of the Finance Committee are appointed by the pastor, and are:  Richard Peck, Steve Putnam, Jack Sheehan (Chairperson), Mary Beth Setter, Brian Flaherty, and Xavier Pujol.

Parish Office – 786-3648

Friendship Club

The St. Luke Friendship Club is a nondenominational group for mature, single men and women.  The purpose of our group is to bring people together for friendly sociability.  After a short business meeting, we have special programs of interest.  We go out as a group to a restaurant, and several times during the year, we take day trips to places that are of interest to our members.

President:  Eileen McInerney – 772-7569

Greeters

A Greeter is often the first person we meet on our way into Church, perhaps the only person with whom we have a chance to chat, and the one who wishes us well as we depart.  Greeters are present outside Church to welcome newcomers and enable them to find their way.  They are there to greet parishioners and help them feel at home.  Is God calling you to serve our parish in this important ministry of hospitality?

Parish Office - 786-3648

His Helping Hands

His Helping Hands is a group of prayerful and dedicated women, who meet every Tuesday in the St. Clare building at 9:30am.  They are involved in making beautiful items for the Annual Christmas Craft Show which is held in November.  They make ornaments, angels, baskets, wreaths, Creches, lawn decorations, knitted items, and much more.  It is very rewarding, fun and an informal way to meet and make new friends.  All proceeds from our sales go to St. Luke Parish.

Mary Blaney – 848-4207

Knights of Columbus #12196

The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization of Catholic gentlemen, dedicated to the concepts of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.  The St. Luke Council of Knights of Columbus, serve not only their parish, but serve the surrounding community of Palm Harbor as well.

The St. Luke Knights maintain the gardens of the Blessed Mother, and the Sacred Heart.  Through donations the Knights support:  the Early Childhood Center, the Morning Star School, vocations, and diocesan appeals.

The St. Luke Knights hold social, and religious functions in order to bring together the St. Luke Parish family.

The Knights of Columbus is open to all interested Catholic men 18 years of age and older.  Visit our website at www.kofc12196.catholicweb.com

Grand Knight:  Mike King – 785-3752

Ladies Auxiliary – Knights of Columbus

The Ladies Auxiliary support the Knights of Columbus by assisting them at their Council events.  The ladies also hold fundraisers such as the "Rummage or Garage Sale" and a spring "Fashion Show" and donuts, bagels and coffee sales.

The money obtained through these fundraising efforts are used for charitable causes and parish needs.  We thank the people of the parish for their participation in these events.

We welcome all ladies of the parish to join the Ladies Auxiliary.  You do not have to be related to a Knight to join.

President:  Nancy Lay – 789-6155

Men’s Club

Motto:  “Serving the Parish”

The St. Luke Men’s Club meets monthly (October through May) on the first Wednesday of the month in the Parish Hall.  A dinner is served prior to the meeting, which is cooked in the Parish kitchen (built by the Men’s Club).  We have informative guest speakers at many of our meetings.  The club sponsors dinner/dances throughout the year.  The Pearly Gates Café was initiated by the Men’s Club and sells donuts, bagels and coffee after the 7:30 and 9:30am Masses on Sundays.  The aluminum can drive was started circa 1990, and still is managed by the Men’s Club.  Funds generated from these activities are used to upgrade church facilities and equipment as requested by the pastor.  The primary goal of the Men’s Club is to help with the needs of the Parish whenever possible.  We are proud of the tradition of the Men’s Club and look forward to our new members to carry on in our future endeavors.  Are you ready to serve and join us?

Members of the St. Luke Men’s Club and their spouses have been invited to join us for a champagne brunch on the last Sunday of the month at Macdill AFB Officer’s Club.

President:  Harvey Miller – 786-3529

New Horizons Singles Group

New Horizons Singles Group is a fellowship of all mature single persons between the ages of 50 to 65+ who are seeking friendship and companionship in spiritual and social growth.  We enable persons whose Christian value system is one they share in common.  We share social activity every Saturday evening and occasionally more often.  Anyone is welcome to join us in this fellowship.  We meet on the First Friday of every month at 7:00pm in the St. Clare Building.  We also have social gatherings on the first and third Sundays from 5:00 - 8:00pm in the Saint Clare Building.

Contact Coordinator – 786-3648

As described in Church law (Canon 536), the Pastoral Council is a consultative body whose purpose is to help in fostering the pastoral activity of the parish and to seek out the resources needed to accomplish the plans by communicating with and involving the whole parish.  Members of the Parish Council are appointed by the pastor, and are:  Brian Flaherty, Bill Garguilo, Joanne Bailey, Pat Finn and Denise Torro.

Parish Office - 786-3648

Prayer Line

If there is an intention you would like us to pray for, please call with the person’s first name and your prayer request.  All parishioners are welcome to become a part of this prayer ministry.  If you are interested, please call.

Jo Ann – 786-3648

Stewardship Committee

Recognizing the gifts and talents of each member of the parish, the Stewardship Committee encourages you to participate by actively sharing your time, talents, and treasure to enhance and support our parish family.  When Jesus said, "To whom much is given, of him much is required", he was describing the spirit of stewardship we strive for here at St. Luke's.  We invite you to participate in our committee and our parish at St. Luke Catholic Church.

Fr. Paul Kochu - 786-3648

Welcoming / Hospitality Committee

This spirit filled ministry is to welcome new parishioners into the family of St. Luke, and also to assist in Parish functions given by our Pastor.  We plan and serve quarterly welcoming “pot luck” dinners to new members as well as assist in information needed, registration forms, etc.  We invite you to come and grow in Christ with this new ministry.

Lenora Cunnagin – 784-6038; Ethel Blackwell – 772-1969

The Welcoming Committee also makes phone calls from home to welcome new parishioners to our parish.  If you are interested in participating in this part of the Welcoming Committee, please call the Parish Office, 786-3648.