The Migrant Center at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi provides assistance to all immigrants regardless of status.

If anyone needs assistance or has concerns about immigration matters, please contact the Migrant Center at the Church at 212-736-8500, Ext. 305/377 or email migrantcenter@stfrancisnyc.org.

Asistencia de Inmigración

El Centro de Migrantes en la Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís ofrece asistencia a todos los inmigrantes sin importar su estatus. Si alguien necesita ayuda o tiene preocupaciones sobreasuntos de inmigración, por favor comuníquese con el Centropara Migrantes en la Iglesia al 212-736-8500, Ext. 305/377 o envíe un correo electrónico a migrantcenter@stfrancisnyc.org.

Aide aux Immigrants

Le Centre des Migrants à l’Eglise de Saint-François d’Assise aide tous les immigrants sans égard pour leur statut légal. Si quelqu’un a besoin de l’aide ou est inquiet des matières de l’immigration, entrez en contact, s.v.p., avec le Centre des Migrants à l’Eglise de Saint-François d’Assise à 212-736-8500, poste 305/377 ou envoyez-nous un e-mail à migrantcenter@stfrancisnyc.org.

Statement of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, New York City in support of immigrants.

The mission statement of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi reads:

“We witness to our faith by ministering to everyone,
especially those who are poor, alienated or oppressed.”

We, the Friars and Staff of St. Francis Church, stand firm in fulfilling this mission especially for immigrants at this time of confusion and tension. Our mission comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Franciscan heritage and in union with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops who “believe in assisting all those who are vulnerable and fleeing persecution, regardless of their religion…welcoming newcomers and refugees is an act of love and hope.”

We have felt the anguish and pain of so many people. We stand in solidarity with them in our attempt to offer hope and whatever assistance we can offer. Our whole community stands ready to fulfill this mission, and our Migrant Center offers ongoing support to those who are in need of assistance with migrant issues. If there is anyone in need of assistance or has concerns about immigration matters, please contact our Migrant Center at the Church at 212-736-8500.

During the Easter season, the sanctuary is filled with plants and flowers
to celebrate the glory of Christ’s resurrection.

We are grateful to those who have donated towards the cost of these decorations.

In Memory of:

For the Special Intentions of:

Sometimes children acquire nicknames in childhood that stalk them through adulthood: “Pinky,”“Boo-boo,” and the like. This Sunday was once called “Low Sunday,” a step down from Easter glory, and an unfortunate nickname since Easter rejoicing goes on for fifty days. Traditionally this is the day when the newly baptized put away their white baptismal robes and returned to their everyday life after a week of intense celebration. Of course, the goal was to take up everyday duties with a very new point of view.

A long title for the day was Dominica in albis deposito, or “The Lord’s Day for Putting Away the Albs,” so no wonder the nickname “Low Sunday” arose. In the old calendar it was also called “Quasimodo Sunday,” after the first word of the opening chant, Quasimodo geniti infantes, or “As newborn infants,” a reference to the newly baptized taken from the Epistle of Peter. Victor Hugo’s bell-ringing hero in The Hunchback of Notre Dame was abandoned as an infant on the threshold of the cathedral of Paris on Low Sunday, 1467, and named “Quasimodo” for the feast.

On this Second Sunday of Easter, we hear about doubt and belief. Are you a believer? Are you a doubter? Our answer to both questions most likely is “yes.” Thomas is a clear example of someone searching for a solid faith and so he responds to the other apostles who tell him that they have experienced the risen Lord by saying “I will not believe.” He wants to see the nail marks and the wound in Jesus’ side. Wouldn’t you? Thomas is not disappointed because a week later the apostles are gathered together again and this time with Thomas. His response is “My Lord and my God” after he is able to see and touch Jesus’ hands, feet and side. Throughout this Easter season, a fitting response to all that we experience during these weeks is Thomas’ response “My Lord and my God.”

Our Filipino Community is sponsoring an overnight Pilgrimage to Boston the weekend of May 12 and 13. I will be accompanying the Pilgrimage and we will make visits to our Franciscan Shrine of St. Anthony in downtown Boston and the JFK Presidential Library. If restoration is nished, we will also visit the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Boston is an exciting city and our Friars have been in the downtown area since the 1950’s at our Workers’ Chapel. Contact information may be obtained at the Reception Desk.

Open to all.

There still are spaces available for the November Poland and Eastern Europe Pilgrimage, but they are going quickly. Email areitz@stfrancisnyc.org for more information or for a registration form.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.