St. Luke's DIVAS

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St. Dymphna St. Dymphna (7th c.) was the daughter of a pagan Irish chieftain and a beautiful Christian noblewoman. Dymphna was raised as a Christian, and she consecrated her virginity to Christ at a young age. Dymphna's father loved his wife deeply. When her mother died, Dymphna's father was so overcome with grief that he became mentally unstable. Unable to find another suitable wife of equal character and beauty to his first wife, he attempted to marry Dymphna due to her clo...se resemblance to her mother. Upon learning of his wicked plan, Dymphna fled across the sea into Belgium along with her tutor and confessor, Father Gerebran. Her father pursued them and eventually discovered their location by tracing the foreign money they used along the way. He killed Dymphna's confessor and pleaded with his daughter to return with him to Ireland to be his wife. When she refused, he cut off her head in a mad rage. St. Dymphna's church still stands on the place of her burial near Antwerp. There have been numerous accounts of those afflicted with epilepsy and mental illness visiting her tomb and receiving miraculous cures through her intercession. Because of this, St. Dympha is the patroness of those suffering from mental and neurological disorders and illnesses, as well as of mental health professionals. Her feast day is May 15th. See more

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On February 11, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to fourteen-year-old Bernadette Soubiroux in the hollow rock of Massabielle in southern France. That year Bernadette would report a total of 18 apparitions of a woman she described as lovelier than I have ever seen. The woman in the vision revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, in confirmation of this dogma of the Catholic faith which was infallibly defined by the Holy Father just four years previous. Our Lady... told Bernadette to drink from an unseen fountain at the grotto, and called for a chapel to be built there. When Bernadette scratched at the ground, a stream of pure spring water surged forth. This stream demonstrated healing properties, and it continues to draw pilgrims to the grotto from around the globe. A basilica was built upon the rock of the Massabielle in response to Our Lady's request, and in 1876 it was consecrated as the "Church of the Rosary. Due to the multitudes of medically documented miraculous healings, the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. See more

Update for Mass at St. Luke’s Catholic Church

40 Days of Gratitude for Lent~

Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian feasts and one of the most important. Historically, Epiphany celebrated four things: Jesus' nativity, the Magi's visit to the Holy Family, Jesus' baptism, and Jesus' first miracle at the wedding feast of Cana. Each biblical event is a theophany, or epiphany, a special manifestation of Jesus Christ to mankind. The relationship between these events is beautifully described in this antiphon from the Divine Office: "This day is the Church j...oined unto the Heavenly Bridegroom, since Christ hath washed away her sins in Jordan; the wise men hasten with gifts to the marriage supper of the King; and they that sit at meat together make merry with water turned into wine. Alleluia." In the Latin Church the visit of the Three Kings is the primary focus of Epiphany, symbolizing the revelation of Jesus Christ as a light for the Gentile nations and the Savior born for the redemption of all mankind. Epiphany is January 6th, traditionally marking the end of the 12 days of Christmas; in many U.S. dioceses the liturgical celebration is transferred to the nearest Sunday. See more

New website for St. Luke’s Catholic Church https://www.stlukestockton.org/

Is one of your New Year goals to dive more deeply into God's Word? This event is for you! I'm honored and excited to be part of the upcoming Catholic Bible Summ...it, speaking alongside some exceptional Bible scholars and Catholic leaders. This free virtual event will give you hope and inspiration in 2021. Register for free today! https://www.cardinalstudios.org/a/41233/s4JYLb7n See more

In more than a week we will begin our Lenten book study. It’s not too late to be a part of the action. We have already created a private group. If you’d still like to be apart of the study included is the link for the group. We plan to do a virtual. Study with a zoom link each Wednesday at 7:30. Hope you’ll take advantage of this special time and connect with other women from St. Luke parish. https://www.facebook.com/groups/844094089704088

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A Prayer for the New Year~ Happy New Year!

HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God is celebrated on January 1st, the final day of the Christmas octave and a Holy Day of Obligation. The origin of this feast goes back to the 7th century in the Latin Church and honors Mary as the mother of Jesus Christ, God incarnate, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. The 8th day was also when Joseph and Mary brought Christ to be circumcised in the temple, and when he was given the name 'Jesus' which means 'God Saves'. This feast fits well with the beginning of the New Year so that we may consecrate our year to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of all Christians.