St. Luke

About St. Luke Catholic Church

St. Luke Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Foster City, California, located in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The parish's mission statement says it 'strives to provide an environment where the faithful join together to fulfill the spiritual and social needs of all by living and sharing the message of Christ.' Parishioners describe themselves as 'a place to believe, belong, and become.' Worship is offered in English at several weekday and weekend Masses, and the parish partners with neighboring St. Timothy for Spanish-language liturgy. Founded in 1970, the community today supports an extensive Religious Education program, OCIA, youth ministry, multiple lay organizations, and outreach to neighbors in need.

Parish Staff & Leadership

St. Luke is served by a pastor, a parochial vicar, two permanent deacons, and a team of religious and lay staff. Pastoral council leadership is shared between the Parish Council (which assists the pastor in the overall parish needs) and the Finance Council (which oversees major budgetary decisions). Day-to-day operations are run by a Parish Operations Manager and Administrative Assistants.

• Rev. Manuel Igrobay — Pastor
• Rev. Fr. Derek Nguyen, SVD — Parochial Vicar
• Deacon David Arms
• Deacon Mar Tano
• Sr. Fe Bigwas, RVM — Director of Religious Education
• Sr. Maria Ruth Linaac, RVM — Religious Education staff
• Denise Allen — Parish Operations Manager
• Maria Teresa Alvarez — Administrative Assistant
• Maryvee Estacio — Administrative Assistant
• Parish Council — assists pastor in parish needs
• Finance Council — oversees major budgetary decisions

Becoming Catholic & Adult Faith Formation

St. Luke welcomes adults who are exploring or returning to the Catholic faith through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), which meets every Thursday at 7:00 PM, rotating between St. Luke and St. Timothy from June through May. Adult Confirmation and First Eucharist are celebrated at St. Luke or St. Timothy during the Easter Vigil. A Women's Bible Study and Discussion Group meets Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 AM in Room 4 of the Parish Center to study Bible books, the upcoming Sunday scriptures, and pray for one another.

• OCIA — Thursdays 7:00 PM (rotates with St. Timothy)
• Easter Vigil — Adult Confirmation and First Eucharist
• Women's Bible Study & Discussion — Thursdays 9:30–11:30 AM, Parish Center Rm 4
• Adult Faith Formation — contact the office at 650-345-6660

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The Religious Education (Re-Ed) program, directed by Sr. Fe Bigwas, RVM, welcomes all children and youth, baptized or not, for classroom catechesis. Classes meet three times per month (the first three Wednesdays of each month, September through May) in the Parish Center: 5:30–6:30 PM for Grades 1–4 and 6:45–7:45 PM for Grades 5–8. Sacramental Preparation for Second Grade is a two-year program beginning in 1st grade; Reconciliation is celebrated in the second year and First Holy Communion in May of the second year. A parallel two-year program is offered for children ages 8–11 who enter religious education for the first time. Confirmation Preparation is a two-year journey for students who have completed eight years of religious education or parochial school.

• Re-Ed Classes — 1st three Wednesdays each month, Sept–May
• Grades 1–4 — 5:30–6:30 PM
• Grades 5–8 — 6:45–7:45 PM
• First Communion (2-year) — begins 1st grade, celebrated in May
• Confirmation (2-year) — Grade 8 and high school
• Sacramental Prep for Ages 8–11 — Reconciliation & First Eucharist in May
• Liturgy of the Word for Children — 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, ages 4–2nd grade
• Family Mass — every 2nd Sunday sponsored by Re-Ed classes
• All Catechists and aides are volunteers
• Contact: [email protected], 650-345-6660

Youth Ministry

The Youth Ministry invites middle school and high school students into a CORE team that organizes faith formation, community building, service, and the integration of faith life for teens. Retreat and conference opportunities offered through the program include OnFire NorCal at Six Flags, LA Youth Day, and Steubenville NorCal/SoCal. A Youth Music Ministry Choir leads song at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass. The ministry also runs Sandwiches on Sundays and connects teens to the parish's outreach work.

• CORE team for middle and high school youth
• Retreats and conferences: OnFire NorCal, LA Youth Day, Steubenville NorCal/SoCal
• Youth Music Ministry Choir — leads music at 9:00 AM Sunday Mass
• Contact: parish office or Jana Cadiz, 650-345-6660

Sacraments

St. Luke prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments through scheduled programming. Baptisms are normally celebrated on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 12:00 PM in the church; parents and godparents must complete a baptismal preparation class first and contact the Parish Office at least three months in advance. First Holy Communion is a two-year program beginning in 1st grade and celebrated in May. Confirmation is a two-year journey for Grade 8 and high school students. Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons and Friday mornings, with Advent/Lent penance services. Couples requesting marriage must contact a parish priest at least six months in advance and attend marriage preparation; weddings are normally celebrated on Saturdays. The Anointing of the Sick is available by appointment with a parish priest or via the Parish Emergency line.

• Baptism — 2nd & 4th Sundays, 12:00 PM
• First Communion — two-year program, celebrated in May
• Confirmation — two-year program, Grade 8 & high school
• Reconciliation — Sat 4:00–4:30 PM, Fri 8:45–9:15 AM
• Marriage — 6-month notice, Saturday celebrations
• Anointing of the Sick — by appointment or emergency line (650-787-6510)
• OCIA / Adult Confirmation — Thursdays 7:00 PM
• House Blessings by appointment

Music & Liturgy

St. Luke's Music Ministry draws on the talents of musically inclined parishioners to provide a 'joyful sound' at every weekend Mass and at specially planned services. Newcomers are welcome to join one of the parish's choir and music groups; visitors can introduce themselves before or after Mass. The Youth Music Ministry Choir leads music at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, and the Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during that same Mass for children ages 4 through 2nd grade.

• Parish choirs for weekend Masses
• Youth Music Ministry Choir — 9:00 AM Sunday Mass
• Liturgy of the Word for Children — 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, ages 4–2nd grade
• Altar Servers program
• Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Altar Linens ministry

Outreach & Charity

Outreach is core to St. Luke's identity. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference (SVDPC) focuses charitable activity on Foster City, meeting the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 3:00 PM in the Parish Center (Classroom #4) and receiving fifth-Sunday second collections to fund its work. Knights of Columbus supports families and community service. The Skip-a-Meal collection on the second Sunday of each month directs the equivalent of a skipped meal to San Mateo County charities. Sandwiches on Sundays (contact Peg Culver, 650-349-1408) delivers sandwiches to the Samaritan House in San Mateo. Additional outreach is supported through the Legion of Mary and Cursillo movements.

• St. Vincent de Paul Conference (SVDPC) — 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 3:00 PM, Parish Center Rm 4
• Knights of Columbus — contact Eddie Torres ([email protected])
• Skip-a-Meal Collection — 2nd Sunday of each month
• Sandwiches on Sundays — delivers sandwiches to Samaritan House, San Mateo
• Legion of Mary — Thursdays 12:15 PM (virtual), contact Georgie Unson (650-345-2613)
• Cursillo / Filipino Cursillo — short three-day weekend retreat

Parish Registration & Parishioner Life

St. Luke invites all who worship with the community — long-time residents, newcomers, and visitors — to register as parishioners through the online registration link on the website. Registration forms are also available to download, drop in the Sunday collection basket, bring to the Parish Office, or mail to the parish office address. As part of registration, parishioners are encouraged to identify time and talent for parish ministries and organizations. Office hours are posted in the parish bulletin.

• Online registration available via saintlukefc.org/join
• Paper form downloadable from the website
• Office hours published in the weekly parish bulletin