St. Luke

Our Story — Founding and Early Years

The 1900 census counted 828 people in Woodburn and 213 in Hubbard, with 30–50 Catholic families being served by priests from Gervais, St. Louis, and Mt. Angel who said Mass in private homes. In 1898 the community decided a local parish was needed, and in 1899 Archbishop Alexander Christie sent Father L.A. Miller from New Era to be pastor of Woodburn and Hubbard. Fundraising began in 1900 with about $1,208 in pledges, and Archbishop Christie dedicated the new church on October 20, 1901. The church bell was blessed on March 9, 1902 with readings in English, German, and French and was named 'Lucas Alexander José' — it still rings today. The original church was completed in 1904 with seating for 200; statues of St. Mary and St. Joseph were blessed by Archbishop Christie on the Feast of the Ascension in 1910, and the Stations of the Cross, donated by parishioners, were dedicated in 1917.

Building the Present Church

Father John Rubis arrived as pastor in 1923, drawn by the local Slovak community. In 1928 he announced plans for a parish hall, and in 1930 unveiled plans for a brand-new church. The cornerstone of the present church was laid on July 2, 1933. The parish hall that serves the community today was built in 1986–87 after the old hall was demolished by the fire department on May 10, 1986. Gene Wellman of Triplett-Wellman Construction set the first beam on July 1, 1986, and the building was ready in time to host the Christmas Bazaar on December 13, 1986. Archbishop Cornelius Power dedicated the new hall on May 31, 1987, and it was named 'John Rubis Hall' in Father Rubis's honor.

Jesuit Years and the Hispanic Community

In 1968 St. Luke and Santa Inés Mission became the responsibility of the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). A Spanish-speaking priest on staff welcomed many Latino families into the parish from across the city. The first Jesuit volunteers arrived in 1975; over time, 96 Jesuit volunteers served the broader St. Luke community, 43 of them at the parish and school. A large house across the street was acquired in 1979 as their residence. Today the parish celebrates its bilingual identity with two English and two Spanish Sunday Masses, a Spanish weekday Mass on Thursdays, and Spanish-language prayer, family, youth, and formation groups meeting weekly.

Parish Staff

Father Moises Leal González is the current Pastor of St. Luke. He is assisted by Deacon Mario Magaña, religious sisters who serve in Hispanic Ministry, Religious Education, and as Facilities Manager / Cemetery Director, along with a business manager, parish secretary, bookkeeper, and custodian. The parish office is staffed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Wednesday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 pm).

• Father Moises Leal González — Pastor ([email protected])
• Deacon Mario Magaña
• Sister Margarita — Hispanic Ministry
• Sister Ma. del Carmen Trejo
• Sister Angélica — Facilities Manager / Cemetery Director
• Sister Micaela — Assistant of Religious Education
• Thomas Lear — Business Manager ([email protected])
• Cruz Tapia — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
• Mario Sisto ([email protected])
• Pauline Dionne — Bookkeeper
• Susan Butsch ([email protected])

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious Education at St. Luke is directed by Sister Micaela (assistant) under the parish's Director of Religious Education, with First Communion and Confirmation registration running through August each year. The parish also offers Inquiry Sessions for adults who want to ask questions about the Catholic Church (the start of the RCIA process), sacramental preparation classes for children age 7 and older, and ongoing formation in both English and Spanish.

• First Communion preparation
• Confirmation preparation
• RCIA / Inquiry Sessions
• Sacramental preparation for children 7+
• Director of Religious Education and Assistant of Religious Education (Sister Micaela) on staff

Ministries, Volunteer Opportunities, and Groups

St. Luke runs a wide range of liturgical, charitable, and community ministries, with particular strength in Spanish-language groups that reflect the parish's bilingual identity. New volunteers are regularly welcomed as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, choir members, altar servers, Knights of Columbus, custodial and landscaping helpers, cemetery caretakers, and Sunday-morning coffee-and-doughnuts hosts.

• Lectors (loaner Lector Handbooks provided)
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — serve at all Masses and bring Communion to the sick
• Choir for English and Spanish Masses
• Altar Servers (recruiting more)
• St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank — 2nd & 4th Thursday, 5:00–7:00 pm (503-989-0894)
• Knights of Columbus — 1st Monday of the month, 7:00 pm, KC Hall
• Custodial & Landscaping (parish grounds and cemetery caretaker needed)
• Coffee & Doughnuts hosting after 7:30 and 9:30 am Sunday Masses
• Homebound Ministry

Sacraments

St. Luke prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation, healing, and service. Parents of infants requesting Baptism must be registered parishioners for at least six months, complete a baptism application at the parish office (with the child's birth certificate), and attend pre-baptismal classes — classes are offered in English by appointment and in Spanish on the 3rd and 4th Fridays of the month at 7:00 pm in the gym ($50 per child). Children age 7 and older follow the regular sacramental preparation process. First Communion and Confirmation registration runs through August each year. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation, and the homebound ministry brings Communion to those who cannot attend Mass.

• Infant Baptism (parents/godparents must be registered ≥6 months)
• Spanish Baptisms: Saturdays 12:00 pm
• Pre-baptismal classes: English by appointment; Spanish 3rd & 4th Friday 7:00 pm in the gym
• Sacramental preparation for children age 7+
• First Communion and Confirmation (registration through August)
• Marriage preparation (contact parish office)
• Anointing of the Sick / homebound visits

Visit, Register, and Get in Touch

St. Luke welcomes new visitors — its 'I'm New Here' page links to a map of 417 Harrison Street, Woodburn, OR 97071. Parish registration forms are available in both English and Spanish on the website (PDF or digital), and the parish office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:00 am–5:00 pm and Wednesday 9:00 am–8:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 pm). Messages via the website contact form can be directed to the pastor, business manager, religious education, or individual staff members.

• Address: 417 Harrison Street, Woodburn, OR 97071
• Phone: (503) 981-5011
• Office hours: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 9–5; Wed 9–8; closed for lunch 12–1
• Parish Registration Forms in English and Spanish
• St. Luke School: Preschool–8, separate website stlukeschoolwoodburn.org