September, 2024 - Saint Francis of Assisi

Building a Bridge Documentary Screening with Converge

You are invited to join the Converge @ St. Francis Ministry for a screening of the documentary Building a Bridge, produced with Martin Scorcese and starring author and priest Fr. James Martin. This film follows Fr. Martin on his journey to bring the Catholic Church and the LGBT community closer together by building a bridge.

As a culmination of our 4-week study of the book by the same name, we will be showing the documentary during our last scheduled Book Club meeting of the fall. Join us Monday, September 30th at 6:30 PM downstairs in the Francis Room. Please join us, even if you have not been part of the Book Club or read the book. All are welcome.

The Elephants Are Coming! Laudato Si Circle High Line Group Walk

Laudato Si: The Elephants Are Coming!

The Laudato Si Circle at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi is organizing another group walk on the High Line. This time there will be a giant treat waiting for us at our destination in the meatpacking district. The Great Elephant Migration is arriving in New York City. This powerful and captivating art installation features 100 life-size elephant sculptures that are making their way across the country raising awareness about conservation. Join others who share your passion for nature and art.

No registration is necessary. Just show up at 9am on Saturday, September 21st at the entrance to the church on 32nd Street. The raindate will be Saturday, September 28.

aerial view of a man walking on the beach

Curious about becoming Catholic?

Are you or someone you know interested in exploring Catholicism?

- If you or someone you know is not Catholic but is interested in learning about our beliefs and practices, feel free to contact us. There is no pressure whatsoever to join. Curious people are welcome to ask questions, learn, investigate and then choose to either stay or go.
- If you are already Christian but raised in another Christian community and are interested in possibly becoming Catholic, call us.
- If you are an adult Catholic who never received Confirmation or First Communion and are thinking about completing your sacraments, we can prepare you for that.

If any of these apply to you or someone you know, feel free to contact us.

The process by which people explore our faith and prepare to join the church is called the “Order of Christian Initiation of Adults” (OCIA). All you need to do if you are curious about Christianity in general or Catholicism in particular is contact us and we can help.

What is the Schedule?

Our OCIA will begin Tuesday, September 16, 2025. We meet every Tuesday from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

The OCIA at St. Francis of Assisi is free of charge.

If you would like to find out more about our Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, click here

Or fill out this form:

Do you need to make Confirmation?

Confirmation is one of the three sacraments of initiation, along with Baptism and First Eucharist. Most Catholics in the US receive Confirmation in their teen years. Some Catholics, for one reason or another, find themselves needing to receive this sacrament as an adult. This is totally fine, and we can help!

At the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, we regularly assist Catholic adults who want to receive Confirmation.

Here are some reasons why you should complete your Confirmation:

It is part of Catholic initiation and celebrates the Holy Spirit dwelling within us
While not absolutely necessary, Catholics should receive Confirmation prior to getting married
It is necessary to be a godparent or a sponsor for Confirmation

Our confirmation preparation will begin Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM. Classes are held every Tuesday from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

To find out more about our Confirmation preparation, please fill out this form below:

9/11 Remembrance Day: Lest We Forget

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Join us at 10:30am for a 9/11 Remembrance Day Mass with FDNY Battalion 7.

Our regular daily Masses at 7:30am, 12pm, and 5:30pm will also be held that day.

CONVERGE Book Club Fall 2024: Building a Bridge

The Converge @St. Francis Ministry invites you to a 4-week book club. We will be reading:

Building a Bridge by James Martin, S.J.

Jesuit priest and NYT bestselling author James Martin issues an impassioned plea for Catholic leaders to relate to their LGBT flock in a new way, one characterized by compassion and openness. In this inspiring book, Father Martin turns to three virtues from the Catechism of the Catholic Church—“respect, compassion, and sensitivity”—as a model for how Catholic leadership and LGBT Catholics can move together on a “two-way bridge” toward reconciliation and love.

This groundbreaking new book includes spiritual and biblical resources for LGBT people and their families, friends, and allies. Building a Bridge is a compassionate book desperately needed in today’s climate of divisiveness.

Details:

MONDAYS, September 9, 16, 23, 30
6:30 PM
Francis Room

This is a free event, but registration is required.

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