St. Francis Knitters (K)news
The St. Francis Knitters are a group of volunteers who make knitted and crocheted items for the guests of the St. Francis Breadline and others in need of a warm hat or scarf. They welcome new members to join in the ministry, even if you can only work from home.
If you are interested, please contact Edward Trochimczuk, Director of Volunteers, at 212-736-8500, Ext. 361, or etrochimczuk@stfrancisnyc. org.
The Knitters are also looking for donations of dark colored yarn which you can drop off at the reception desk in the lobby of the Parish
House.
The Pastor’s Corner
God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”We hear this in the rst reading from today’s Mass. This was said to Solomon, and his response was that he might have an “understanding heart.” If God had said this to you, what would your response have been? What would it be now? This is what Solomon felt that he needed in order to be an effective king – not more power or possessions or prestige, but an understanding heart. How good would it be for our world today if everyone asked for an “understanding heart.”
It would certainly break down barriers and bring people closer to each other. We can easily get stuck with “my” way and “my” way may not always be the best.
You may have noticed that we will be having a Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome next March, but I put out a caution to anyone thinking of making this pilgrimage because there will be more than the usual amount of walking this time. Both in Assisi and in Rome we will venture to places normally not on most pilgrimages, and we will have to walk to those places. Also, it is important that a person be able to “keep up with the group”– otherwise, we will be late for appointments at particular sites. It will be during Lent, so it is a perfect time for a Pilgrimage. If interested, check the brochure.
This week, Franciscans celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula, the name given to our Mother Church in Assisi. This small chapel was particularly special to St. Francis because of all of the important events that took place here for him and for his followers. Join us for our celebrations here on Wednesday, August 2.
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.
Piyestang Pinoy Filipino Festival!
The St. Francis Ugnayan Filipino Ministry invites you to experience Philippine Culture and Cuisine at Piyestang Pinoy (Filipino Festival) on
Saturday, July 22, 2017
from 1:00 to 5:00 PM
in SanDamiano Hall.
Tickets are $20.
For more information, contact Zeny at 718-672-0596 (zenydelavi@yahoo.com),
Carla at 718-503-4637 (lockehart@yahoo.com), or
email: filipinoministry@stfrancisnyc.org.
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>>TICKETS CAN NOW ALSO BE PURCHASED ONLINE HERE.<<
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Triduum for Parents & Grandparents
We invite you a Triduum of Prayer dedicated to Parents and Grandparents in honor of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary, and grandparents of Jesus.
Special prayers will be said after the
11:30 AM and 4:30 PM Masses on
Monday, July 24,
Tuesday, July 25, and
Wednesday, July 26.
Envelopes will be available on which you may write the names of parents and grandparents whom you would like to have remembered on these days.
Stewardship: Caring for God’s Creation – Gaudium Evangelii: Chapter 2, Cultural Challenges
“I must first say that the contribution of the Church in today’s world is enormous. The pain and the shame we feel at the sins of some members of the Church, and at our own, must never make us forget how many Christians are giving their lives in love. They help so many people to be healed or to die in peace in makeshift hospitals. They are present to those enslaved by different addictions in the poorest places on earth. They devote themselves to the education of children and young people. They take care of the elderly who have been forgotten by everyone else. They look for ways to communicate values in hostile environments. They are dedicated in many other ways to showing an immense love for humanity inspired by the God who became man. I am grateful for the beautiful example given to me by so many Christians who joyfully sacrifice their lives and their time. This witness comforts and sustains me in my own e ort to overcome selfishness and to give more fully of myself.”
The Pastor’s Corner
Today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew continues with the themes of sowing seed, weeds, various types of soil, and how these relate to us. We know that there are many fac- tors that shape our lives, and among them are our family of origin, our culture, our education, our peers and friends, and when we were born. We don’t grow up isolated. How we live each day, how we treat people, the values and attitudes that we show forth, and the place of God in our lives reject what has shaped our lives over the years. Today’s Gospel reminds us that there are also negative factors that we have to deal with throughout our lives. These can make us selfish and self-centered but hopefully, the positive influences in our lives have a stronger impact on us and help us be Christ-like. A good examination of conscience can often help us keep those negative forces under control and allow the good in us to shine forth.
I want to congratulate one of our parishioners, Ryan Nevins, on the publication of his children’s book, Shine Kids! This book for children of all ages has a very positive and encouraging approach for children to recognize their talents and abilities and to use them. The text says, “You’re the gift of God’s dream” and continues throughout the book to praise and be supportive of all children. The art work is magnificent and you can spend time looking at the boys and girls on each page which emphasizes the text. At the end of the book there is a list of Character Virtues. The book is available in the lobby of the Parish House. Congratulations, Ryan!
Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.
Tonight: Fr. James Martin talk and book signing
Fr. James Martin, S.J. is coming to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi to discuss his new book, Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community can enter into a relationship of respect, compassion and sensitivity.
Books will be on sale and Fr. Martin will be available to sign them after the talk.
Join us Thursday, July 13 at 7:00 PM in the upper church.
Here is a description of the book from Harper Collins Publisher, Inc.’s website (https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062694317/building-a-bridge):
About the Book
The New York Times bestselling author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and Jesus: A Pilgrimage turns his attention to the relationship between LGBT Catholics and the Church in this loving, inclusive, and revolutionary book.
On the day after the Orlando nightclub shooting, James Martin S.J. posted a video on Facebook in which he called for solidarity with our LGBT brothers and sisters. “The largest mass shooting in US history took place at a gay club and the LGBT community has been profoundly affected,” he began. He then implored his fellow Catholics—and people everywhere—to “stand not only with the people of Orlando but also with their LGBT brothers and sisters.” A powerful call for tolerance, acceptance, and support—and a reminder of Jesus’ message for us to love one another—Father Martin’s post went viral and was viewed more than 1.6 million times.
Now, Martin expands on his reflections in this moving and inspiring book, offering a powerful, loving, and much-needed voice in a time marked by anger, prejudice, and divisiveness. Adapted from an address he gave to New Ways Ministry, a group that ministers to and advocates for LGBT Catholics, Building a Bridge provides a roadmap for repairing and strengthening the bonds that unite all of us as God’s children. Martin uses the image of a two-way bridge to enable LGBT Catholics and the Church to come together in a call to end the “us” versus “them” mentality. Turning to the Catechism, he draws on the three criteria at the heart of the Christian ministry—”respect, compassion, and sensitivity”—as a model for how the Catholic Church should relate to the LGBT community.
Recent News & Events
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Earth Day 2021 - Celebrate Creation April 15,2021
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주보 April 15,2021
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Easter Flowers continue to adorn our church April 15,2021
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UGNAYAN Filipino Ministry Mass of Visibility April 8,2021
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주보 April 8,2021
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