City of New Bedford Seniorscope Publications, 572 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA 02740, US

The Rev. Fr. Robert F. Hawkins describes St. Luke's as a parish that gathers people together because much more can be accomplished as a community than standing alone. Outreach, therefore, is a prime mission of the parish, especially to those who are sick or bereaved. Celebrating the sacraments is the lifeblood of the parish, with everything the church does in the context of Christ and his death and resurrection. Among its active groups are Young At Heart, Women's and Men's Fellowships, Women's Bible Study and a Book Club. Annual fund raisers include Oktoberfest and Casino Night. The parish was established on Oct. 7, 1936, with construction of the Norman Gothic church begun just four days later. Parishioners from West Barrington and Bay Spring had gathered in the early 1900s at St. Brendan's Parish in Riverside before they petitioned the Diocese of Providence for their own church. The Rev. Fr. Lukasz Willenberg serves as associate pastor.