News and Information
:: We are hosting a retreat on 5 consecutive mornings beginning on Monday August 1st, thru Friday August 5th from 9:45 a.m. (following morning Mass) to 11:45 a.m. In the Parish Resource Center.  The cost is $8 pre-sale (before July 28th) or $10 at the door.  The price includes morning coffee and fresh fruit.  DOWNLOAD FLYER

:: The Servants of God Prayer Community of St. Luke's meets every Thursday at 7:30 PM until 9:00 PM in the Church Meeting Room. (A Rosary is said at 7:10 PM before the prayer meeting starts).

About Us
The Servants of God Prayer Community was started in 1972 by some parishioners who wished to increase their faith and worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Monsignor John J. Birch approved of prayer meetings on Thursday nights as long as the parish needs came first, and at the time assigned the hall for the meetings.  In later years, we moved to the Church Meeting Room.

The main purpose of the prayer meeting is to praise God by praying, singing, reading scripture and sharing experiences among the community.  Of course, all of the gifts are utilized, although by different persons at different appropriate times. 

Often God gives us a prophesy through those who have that particular “gift of prophecy” (these are scripture verses, visions, or simply that person’s own words that they feel the Holy Spirit lead them to speak to the community to lift them up … these definitely are not predictions of the future.)  The community interprets the meanings among themselves and many share how the Lord has spoken to them personally for that period of problems in their own lives. 

If someone has a special need for prayer, the community lays hands on that person and prays for him/her.  Many times, the Holy Spirit will give us direction for the problem.  We actively cooperate with the Holy Spirit to exercise the Charismatic Gifts. Over these many years, the community has seen multiple miracles as a result of prayer.

The community provides “LIFE IN THE SPIRIT” seminars.  These seminars encourage people to grow in their knowledge of God through the teachings, sharings, and scripture readings.  Attendess come away with a deeper understanding of the Holy Trinity and God's love for them.  Many parishioners have attended a seminar, and have been inspired to do more prayer and sporitual works in their personal lives.  They have gone on to serve our parish as parish councilors, teachers of sripture, Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, volunteers at other charitable organizations, and other helpful things. 

PLEASE COME AND JOIN US AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE CHARISMATIC GIFTS AND ADDITIONAL WAYS OF PRAYER.

Do You Have the Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Before Jesus was crucified, He promised the disciples that He would send a Paraclete, The Spirit of Truth, to be with us always (Jn 14: 16-17); this is the Holy Spirit.  If we look at the second chapter of The Acts of the Apostles, we read about Pentecost.  This was when the apostles and Mary were assembled in one place and tongues of fire descended on each of them.  This inspired all of them to be so excited and so full of the Spirit that they began expressing themselves in "foreign tongues" and making "bold proclamations" (Acts 2:4).  Some thought the apostles were drunk.  Others said, "what does this mean?" (Acts 2:5-13)
Peter assured the people that the apostles were not drunk, and he proceeded to relate sayings from the prophet Joel who said that the Spirit will be poured out on many and many will prophesy and see visions (Acts 2:14-17).

The people asked Peter and the Apostles, "what are we to do brothers?"  "You must reform and be baptized in the name of Jesus, that your sins may be forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  It was to you and your "children" that the promise was made, and to all those still far off whom the Lord our God calls" (Acts 2:32-39).  We also are those "children" whom the Lord calls.  We who have been baptized and have renounced our sins have already received the Holy Spirit.  Although we may have been made aware of this, we were not told about the Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit and therefore we are not able to understand and appreciate what is going on in the prayer groups.

At the Southern California Renewal Communities (SCRC) 23rd Annual Charismatic Convention, Father Fio Mascarenha told us that he had been with the Pope just before coming to the United States.  The Pope said that he was sending his special blessings to the Charismatic at this convention and mentioned that the Church is blessed by them.  Also, at the final Mass at the convention, Cardinal Roger Mahoney said that the Charismatics are a major avenue of evangelization and encouraged us to keep up the good work.

Why am I telling you this?  Because there seems to be much misunderstanding about the prayer groups and the Charismatic Movement.  Many are fearful to even talk about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Why?  Perhaps because there may be some idea that this movement is not approved by the Church; or it is a new idea to them and anything new is difficult to accept.  This is understandable since it is still difficult for some to accept the changes made after Vatican II.

When Pope John 23rd opened Vatican II he physically opened a window and indicated that the Church must let the Holy Spirit into the Church.  It was then that the Catholic Charismatic Movement came to life.  In 1970 a small group in L.A. experienced the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Word spread and this attracted others.  People came together from all over the area to be prayed for, to pray for each other and to share their experiences.  Many stayed there all night since the Spirit began so strong in their lives.

In 1971 the SCRC was started.  From this beginning, prayer groups have been formed in most parishes in the Los Angeles Diocese.  There are also prayer group cities around the world.

The Charismatic Gifts are listed in I Corinthians 12 and in Romans 12.  Everyone has some of the Charismatic Gifts, which are given to build up the community.  St. Luke parish is a community; therefore, all gifts of all members are needed to build up and solidify OUR COMMUNITY.

Point of Interest
> Southern California Renewal Communities