Bringing Luke's gospel to life

IC photo by Marie Mischel

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St. Thomas Aquinas Parish will host Fr. James DiLuzio's Gospel of Luke mission April 12-15.

HYDE PARK - With words and music, Paulist Father James DiLuzio presents the Gospel of Luke from memory, a mission meant to entertain as well as inspire, and "to exemplify how we may more fully personalize and celebrate scripture in our lives," according to Fr. DiLuzio's website, www.lukelive.com.

"It's a spiritual experience but it's also filled with art," said Margaret Stepan, a parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish who was instrumental in bringing Fr. DiLuzio to Utah for the mission. "It isn't really like preaching or that kind of a thing. It's using God's word and showing us how that might have happened to cause a conversion of the heart."

Fr. DiLuzio's presentation differs from a typical Mass, during which you may hear a few verses or perhaps half a chapter of the gospel, said Father Clarence Sandoval, pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas. Fr. DiLuzio recites entire chapters, and "he expresses the feelings behind each of the words. It's like you're sitting down and listening to a story like you're a kid, and he dramatizes it, and all of a sudden you hear things you don't hear otherwise."

With master's degrees in both divinity and drama, Fr. DiLuzio has a unique background to bring the gospel to life. He was a professional actor for four years and also worked for the New York Metropolitan Opera Office of Development before becoming a campus minister at Newman Centers in Minneapolis, Los Angeles and San Francisco. He has been a missionary since 2003 and is based in New York.

This will be the third time that Fr. DiLuzio has visited St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, "so we're familiar with his ministry and really appreciate it very much here in the parish," said Stepan, who with her husband is the adult formation and evangelization coordinator.

Fr. DiLuzio's first visit was in the fall of the liturgical Year C, which focuses on Luke's gospel, so it was particularly appropriate to ask him to present the mission, Stepan said. "Also, we're very big on evangelization here in Logan, and Father focuses on that as well. Each time we've had him that's always very much a part of the thrust of what we're about here."

The mission is open to everyone, "including members of other faiths," Stepan said. "Because it is based on the gospel, it's fairly easy for other faiths to come, because it's not something that would be teaching Catholic doctrine. Of course it is Catholic doctrine, but they wouldn't recognize it specifically."

During the first three nights of the mission, Fr. DiLuzio will proclaim Luke's gospel. The last night, Thursday, he will give a presentation on evangelization, Stephan said. "It's very straightforward and simple and it's something that regular people can do. It's not an intimidating style at all."

After Fr. DiLuzio's last presentation, the Spanish-speaking congregation took his handouts and translated them into Spanish, because they wanted to use them in their community, Stepan said. "It's just a real boost; a real energetic, life-giving chance for the parish to be focused on who Jesus is. And Fr. DiLuzio himself is very, very kind. He's one of the kindest people I've ever met, and I think that comes out in all of his ministry. He's just a fantastic priest and person; his ministry is great, and we're just always so thrilled when we can get him here."

The Gospel of Luke Mission will be April 12-15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Hyde Park. For information, call 435-753-7652.