early 2000
years ago a bishop called Ignatius on his way to martyrdom
in Rome wrote seven letters to sister churches. This
martyred bishop was the first to mention Jesus mother, Mary,
by name. In his letter to the Trallians he wrote, ‘Close
your ears then, if anyone preaches to you without speaking
of Jesus Christ.’
I don’t think a
parish could have a better ‘mission statement’. When
babies are baptised, children confirmed, weddings
celebrated, the sick consoled and the faithful buried – in
all of this Christ is proclaimed by priest and people. We
proclaim Him too when we are faithful each Sunday at Mass to
His call ‘Do this in memory of me’. In the very
proclamation it is we who are built up and grow daily into
the Body of Christ.
 A parish also
preaches Christ when we minister to each other in love and
service. Did not St. Francis of Assisi tell people to
‘Preach the gospel , and if necessary use words’ ? So much
love and care is ‘preached’ in hidden ways throughout the
parish from concern for an elderly neighbour in winter to
tea and sandwiches prepared quietly for the woman across the
street whose husband has just died. These acts are
multiplied a hundredfold in this estate we call ‘home’.
Through the great work of so many parish groups; through the
education of our children in the schools; through the
visitation of priests and sisters the Christ who loves and
cares for his people is witnessed too.
We have been
blessed for over 25 years with a lovely prayerful church –
the only one in the diocese dedicated to the great
evangelist, St Luke, - but the strength and vitality of the
parish is in its people who are the ‘living stones making
up a spiritual house.’ (I Peter 2:5b) ‘After all, we
do share in God’s work; you are God’s farm, God’s building.’
(I Corinthians 3:9.)
Map & Directions To St
Luke's Church (Twinbrook)
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The
history of the Parish, its clergy and Good Shepherd
sisters are contained here. It also gives details on liturgy times,
Parish Pastoral
Council, Child Care Committee and details of the Parish finances.
The
four schools within the parish
boundaries as well as the four
Education and library boards are
listed here.
The sacraments are divided into: the
sacraments of Christian initiation (Baptism,
Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist); the sacraments of
healing (Penance and Anointing of the Sick); and the
sacraments at the service of communion and mission (Holy
Orders and Matrimony). The sacraments touch all the
important moments of Christian life. Christian Burial is
also contained in this section.
There are many liturgical ministries within the
parish from Altar serving to Sacred music. All are
elaborated on in this section.
Children Liturgy
of the Word, SPRED as
well as Saints' Youth Centre and Youth Initiatives are listed here.
The parish faithful
have a number of spiritual associations that have been
formed over the years. These and other
organisations are outlined here.
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There are dozens of documents available to
download in Adobe Acrobat, PowerPoint, Publisher, Word and Video
formats. Program readers/viewers are also available to
download from this page.
The
online shop has a selection of books that will be of interest to
those parishioners who wish to learn more about their Catholic
faith. It operates through Amazon.co.uk and whilst people
pay the same price they normally would to Amazon, the parish
website receives up to 5% commission on all purchases from
Amazon's profits.