The clergy, staff, volunteers, and faithful multitude of St. Luke's parish in the Mott Haven neighborhood has recently commemorated the parish's 125th anniversary through a Mass celebration. 

St. Luke's 125th Anniversary

In an article from the Catholic New York, New York Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan presided over a Mass to honor the occasion.

The Mass was reportedly held on Saturday, Oct. 22, at St. Luke's parish.

In his homily, he expressed his happiness at being able to "be here with you at St. Luke's parish for your 125th anniversary. Congratulations, congratulations." 

The grateful congregation in the seats responded to his words with resounding applause.

As reported, the archbishop told the congregation how he loves and is grateful to the faithful parishioners. 

In attendance during the Mass were members of the Knights of Columbus and female members of several religious orders, such as sisters from the Missionaries of Charity. 

The celebration also celebrates the feast of Pope St. John Paul II, who was reportedly once called the parish 'the family of families.'

Moreover, Cardinal Dolan spoke about the great history of immigration within the parish. The parish also included early newcomers from Ireland, Italy, and other European countries and subsequent arrivals from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa.

Also, Cardinal Dolan expressed his gratitude to his concelebrants. 

The event also invited Auxiliary Bishop Joseph A. Espaillat, Fr. Eric Cruz, the parish administrator, and Bronx regional director of archdiocesan Catholic Charities.

Further, he thanked the priests who had served at the parish in previous years. The liturgy was reportedly conducted in English, Spanish, and Ghanaian.

In his closing remarks, Fr. Cruz extended his gratitude to the cardinal and everyone who had a hand in organizing the Mass and those who were in attendance. 

"My sincere gratitude; thank you to everyone who collaborated and worked together as a church to celebrate 125 years," he said while highlighting the significance of looking forward to another 125 years of service to the community. 

After some time had passed, Fr. Cruz mentioned that St. Luke's parish has "a tradition of being hospitable, of being the first face of the Catholic Church in New York, especially the Bronx." 

According to him, the parish is responsible for "a fundamental continuation of her history and the mission of the Church." It aims to "welcome the visitor, to feed the hungry and the needy, to defend the innocent, the vulnerable, and those with no voice."

About St. Luke's Parish

In 1897, the parish of St. Luke was founded after it was split off from the parish of St. Jerome, as per the same source.

On July 4, 1897, the first-ever Mass was said in a barn that belonged to the Sadlier family, and it was celebrated by the parish's first pastor, Father John J. Boyle. 

The St. Luke's church can be found on East 138th Street in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx, located in the southwestern part of the borough.

Moreover, the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt were reportedly the first teachers at St. Luke's School when it opened in 1910. 

As part of a strategy to consolidate schools across the archdiocese, the school and several others were forced to close in 2020.

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