The Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, January 8, 2023

Dear Community and Friends of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, May the Lord give you peace.

Christmas continues as we tell again the story of the Magi. Matthew’s Gospel invites us to consider the wonders of the search for wisdom and enlightenment. The Magi, gentiles, traveled from distant lands following the illumination of a star in the sky. They are considered wise and seek the one who is wisdom. Our journey is much the same; we are ever seeking enlightenment from the one who is the Light of the World. Gifted with wisdom from the Spirit, we seek the font of Wisdom, the Christ.

We pray to engage the wisdom of God in our quest for a just and lasting peace. God’s wisdom leads us to offer hospitality to the stranger. The Magi must have been amazed to find the one they sought, not in a palace or a place of royalty. They found him in a humble dwelling under the care of his loving parents. They recognized him for who he was. This was their gift and their ability to see beyond the ordinary.

Like the Magi, we are called to the light. Our experiences, our prayer, and the scripture lead us to constantly reconsider our response to world events and our day-to-day encounters. The love of God, revealed in wisdom, invites us to new ways of hospitality. We prize the dignity of all. Seeing beyond the ordinary recognizes the presence of God in unusual places and circumstances. We may become uncomfortable as the Lord opens our eyes and restores our vision. The vision is seeing through the eyes of love and peering into the eyes of love.

Their visit and embrace of the gift of God was a threat to the child, his parents, and themselves. The quest for power is not always a search for wisdom. Herod desired to secure this throne and feared the “newborn king of the Jews.” The magi depart and return to their homes avoiding Herod. Joseph leads Mary and the child into Egypt, where they live as migrants/refugees until it is safe to return to their home.

Many migrants who have come to New York came because it is no longer safe for them to stay in their home country. Many long to return to the customs, language, and people they left behind. The Herods of today continue to send the poor into exile.

This is an invitation to grow in wisdom and discern ways of hospitality that will meet the needs of our latest arrivals. I thank you for your support of our Migrant Center. We are all grateful for the work of the many volunteers who assist the families that come for help. I marvel at the warm clothes that show up at our door. Fr. Julian is coordinating the effort for us. Thank you.

Blessings as we follow the light and grow in wisdom,

Thomas M. Gallagher, ofm

New ways to help our newly arrived Migrant & Refugee Sisters and Brothers

TOGETHER LET US HELP OUR NEWLY ARRIVED MIGRANT & REFUGEE SISTERS & BROTHERS!

You may have heard on the news that since last month there have been more than 22,000 & counting migrants & refugees bused from Texas & Arizona to New York City.  The New York City government, Catholic Charities of New York, Brooklyn & Queens, & numerous other organizations have been assisting these new arrivals with food, clothing, shelter & legal assistance.

When I was a stranger, you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35

Fr. Julilan Jagudilla, OFM reflects on this situation:

Recently, 2 friends of mine asked me the following questions.  “Why do you bother helping these political illegals?”  “How did you end up doing what you are doing for migrants & refugee?  I felt that the 1st was a loaded, intrusive & dismissive question while the 2nd question opens up an opportunity for reflection.

Why bother?  Are these migrants & refugees really a bother or are they our sisters & brothers whose situation calls for our Christian response?

Our Catholic faith reminds us that someone’s immigration status does not define a person’s dignity as human beings created in the image & likeness of God.  No can we let someone’s immigration status alienate us from each other – together we are all part of the Body of Christ.  There are ample reasons why we must get involved.

Here at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi through our Migrant Center we’re responding to their needs by providing migrants with food & necessary clothing especially during this cold season.

We invite you to be part of St. Francis’ Christian response to the needs of our migrant & refugee sisters & brothers?  We are offering easy ways to make a big impact during this Christmas Season.  We have created wish-lists which enable us to request exactly the items we need, and make it easy for you to help:

AMAZON WISH LIST
TARGET Wish List
make a donation

If you are choosing to donate directly toward our assistance of the migrants, which helps us purchase items that are needed but not donated, please select “Migrant Center” from the “Fund” list.

Volunteer:
We also need volunteers to assist in a variety of ways, and while speaking Spanish is helpful it is not necessary.  To find out way you can help please ontact Fr. Julian (212) 736-8500 ext. 328 or jjagudilla@stfrancisnyc.org

May the Good Lord bless you & your loved ones for your generosity!

PLEASE NOTE: 
WE DO NOT ACCEPT USED CLOTHING, SHOES OR OTHER USED ITEMS. 
Thank You.

 

Christmas Flowers donated in memory of the following

The Christmas flowers and wreaths which adorn our church at Christmas are offered to honor the birth of Christ and to glorify God. Thank you to everyone who donated toward our Christmas decorations.

In Memory of:

Bob & Joan Andrejko
Alfonso Ang
Carlina Apolinaris Acevedo
Ernesto Argiro
William S Austin
Thelma Austin
Edward Basso
Members of the Bertha and Charles Degnan Family
Members of the Brown Family
Joseph & Mary McCaffrey Cadigan
Robert Carter
Francisco Castro Astacia
Providencia Castro Gilbride
Amelia Catajan
Members of the Catajan Family
Charmaine Chapman
Frank and Helen Cherichella
Members of the Cherichella Family
Members of the Cipriani Family
Eliza Mary Clarke
Michael and Mary Cosie
Members of the D’Amato & Nuzzi Families
Members of the de Jesus Family
Members of the Diaz Family
Thomas & Theresa Dolan
James & Mary Dunleavy
Members of the Dunleavy Family
Anna & Michael Dunleavy, Sr.
Members of the Falcetano Family
Dawn Fisco
E. Friend
Members of the Generozzo Family
Members of the Gilbride Family
Molina Gilbride
Thomas Aquinas Gilbride
Joan Dorothi Gilbride
Ruth Anne Gilbride
John Robert Gilbride
Irene J. Gorski
Joseph A. Gorski, Sr.
Janet Gover
Corinne Granok
Lorna Greig
Jack & Betty Huston
R. Isaac
Jane R. and Charles Janiak
Lawrence & Mitzi Kane
M. Knowles
R. Knowles
M. Kuerzi
Members of the Lauricella & Canestra Families
Sr. Jo Laurienzo, S.N.D.
Benedicto Le Hien
Helen Massicci
Carmelite and Victor Maynard
Fr Gerald McCaffrey OFM
Helen McKeon
Joan Melone
Mr. & Mrs. Salvatore Murgo, Sr.
Members of the Navarro Family
Elizabeth Nixon-Hearne
Francesco Nuzzi
Onesefero Pacina
Marcelina Pacina
Michael & Stella Palmaoessa
Fondine Perkins
James Perkins
Eric A. Rivera,D
Candida Rose
Members of the Castro-Apolinan Family
Gerchow Rose
S. Ross
Phylis and Vito Rossi
Members of the Rossi Family
Frances & Stephen Rosty
Rudy Salve
Alex Salvo
Karen Scott Cosie
George Soresco
Jessie Sotto
Sheila Sparling
Jack Staub
Faith & Jack Staub
Charles Staub
Augusto and Maria Preciosa Tanghal
Members of the Tanghal Family
Ruth Thorne
Larry Thorne
Anna Tran Thi Vinh
Kiah Traverso
Regina & Edward Trochimczuk
James V. & Anna Tufo
Joseph Sr. & Mary Tufo
Members of the Tufo Family & Friends
Celeste Vazanna
Elohenia Valdivia
Dorthey Wendt
Jennie & Charles Wildes, Sr.
Julian Young
Lourdes Young
Ann Regina Young
Ben Young
Charles Ramirez Young

And for the Special Intentions of:

Jenny Arecius
Sylvia Blanco
Diane Jawahir
Amy Koy
Pedro A. Tavarez
Miguel and Manuelitas

Thank you!

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© St. Francis of Assisi 2018. All Rights Reserved.
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