The Great Vigil of Pentecost 2021
For the first time ever, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi will celebrate the Great Vigil of Pentecost.
Join us Saturday, May 22nd at 6:30 PM
in person and on Livestream
What is the Vigil of Pentecost?
We all know Christmas has its popular Midnight Mass and of course we all know about the Easter Vigil. Pentecost also has an important and celebratory vigil Mass in preparation for the feast. The presence of a special vigil Mass underscores the importance of the mystery being celebrated. Pentecost celebrates the crowning event of God’s salvation which came about in Christ. At the Lord’s resurrection God sent his own Spirit upon the disciples to form them into the Body of Christ. The Church was born and through this Spirit filled community God offered a way to repair humanity’s sad and ruinous divisions. The Spirit does not force uniformity upon those who follow Christ, instead the Spirit enables us in our great diversity to love one another and see one another as brothers and sisters. The Spirit forms unity out of love and peace, not compulsion and force. At the first Pentecost those who heard the disciples speaking already experienced this when they each heard the Gospel being preached in their own language. At the Church of St. Francis of Assisi we are blessed to see the unity of the Church in her great diversity right here in our community. People from all over the world, people of different races, people who speak different languages, people who are straight or gay, people who are old or young all find a home here.
Join us at this special liturgy to celebrate the gift of God’s spirit!
Good News about Masks from the CDC!
On May 13, 2021, the CDC announced that scientific data shows that fully vaccinated people may safely return to not wearing masks in most settings including indoor activities. This is great news and a major step forward in getting beyond this terrible pandemic.
However, people who are not yet vaccinated are still at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 in New York City.
For the health and safety of our brothers and sisters who have not yet been able to get a vaccine, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi we will continue to require masks and social distancing at Mass for the time being. This may change as the risk levels in New York City decline. However as Christians called to love one another, we feel that this is a small sacrifice that those who are vaccinated we can still make for the sake of those who are not.
The friars and staff strongly urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible for the sake of the common good. We can overcome this pandemic if we continue to all do our part. As Pope Francis said, getting vaccinated is the moral thing to do for our own safety, for the safety of our family, friends and neighbors and for the common good.
The Ugnayan Filipino Ministry First Friday Mass
The UGNAYAN Filipino Ministry is having its May First Friday Mass
on Friday, May 7th
at 6:15 PM
in the Upper Church.
Please wear your masks, observe proper social distancing and sit on designated areas.
All are welcome!
Thank you.
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