Join us for our annual United in Love Pre-Pride festive Mass
Saturday | June 28 | 4:00 p.m.

“Inspired by our faith in Jesus Christ,
and rooted in the charism of St. Francis of Assisi,
we actively welcome all people.”

This is the first declaration in our parish mission statement. It is how our community at St. Francis thinks and acts.

We are again celebrating this welcome to all people at our United in Love Pre-Pride Festive Mass.

This is a Weekend of Prayer for and with our LGBT Brothers and Sisters.

We take this opportunity each year for our whole parish community to remember that the Lord invited all people to follow him, regardless of race, ethnicity, economic background, gender or sexual orientation.

It is also an opportunity when we can invite to Mass any of our friends who many not feel welcome at the table of the Lord for whatever reason, but especially if they are gay or lesbian. Take the opportunity to bear witness to the unconditional love of God by reaching out and inviting back a brother or sister who hasn’t been home in a while.

AFTER MASS CELEBRATION OPEN TO ALL

It has been our long tradition to have a celebration on the roof of the Francis House after this Mass for our LGBT+ Ministry (or in the San Damiano Hall in case of inclement weather).  This year, for the first time, we are opening this gathering to the entire parish community to make this truly a celebration of the inclusive love of our Church of St. Francis of Assisi community.  All are welcome to this celebration.  Please use the form below to sign up.

Click here for more information about our LGBT ministry

Come celebrate the season with us at our Summer Parish Picnic—a joyful day of community, connection, and summer fun for all ages!

Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
Time: Picnic starts at 12:30 PM
Venue: Riverbank State Park 145th Street (a permit has been obtained for this event)

Join us for a relaxing afternoon by the water filled with great food, laughter, and memories in the making. Please bring your own delicious food, snacks, cold drinks and sweet treats for yourself or to share. Come spend some time together re-connecting under the sun with lawn games, music, and plenty of time to unwind. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and don’t forget your sunscreen!

Whether you’re a longtime parish member or new to the community, this is a perfect chance to reconnect with the community and celebrate all the blessings of summer together. We can’t wait to see you there!

This is a true BYO Event!

Please register through the form below so the Converge ministry team knows how many are coming and for related event communications.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings!

As friends of St. Anthony, you and I belong to a great community or communion of saints. It is a long-standing tradition that the saints in Heaven have interceded for us on earth, and we in turn honor them, seeking their prayers and guidance. Among these holy men and women, we have St. Anthony, one of the most beloved saints of all time.

St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal on August 15, 1195, and died in Padua, Italy on June 13, 1231. St. Anthony was a gifted preacher and theologian; he became one of the most revered saints in the Church and was given the title “Wonder-Worker Saint” and “Doctor of the Church” for his intercession has been sought by millions over the centuries, and countless miracles have been attributed to him, and for his profound knowledge of Scripture and powerful preaching.

No single country can claim St. Anthony as their own—neither the people of Italy nor the people of Portugal can claim him exclusively. St. Anthony is the Saint of the Whole World—a universal saint for a universal Church. Like St. Francis of Assisi, and in our time, Mother Theresa, St. Anthony was a peacemaker who followed St. Francis as an instrument of peace, helper of the poor and finder of lost things, speaks to the universal human experience of seeking guidance, compassion, and hope. His deep love for Christ and the poor continues to inspire people worldwide.

Anywhere in the world, you will find Christians praying to St. Anthony for help with life’s troubles and challenges–especially when searching for things they have lost. Devotion to St. Anthony is deeply woven into the life of the Church and at the heart of the Franciscan mission. Visit any Catholic church, and you will likely find a statue or stained-glass window of St. Anthony, along with the Way of the Cross, a devotion popularized by the Franciscans.                                             

A Very Special Request

As we celebrate this joyous feast, we also turn to you with an urgent request. This year, we must address the significant cost of retrofitting our gas and electric control systems due to rising utility expenses across our three parish buildings. These upgrades are essential to ensuring the continued ministry and mission of our parish. 

Your generosity has always sustained us, and we need your help now more than ever. Please consider making a generous gift to this year’s St. Anthony’s Appeal. Your donation will help us meet these challenges and secure a promising future for our parish community.

On behalf of the Franciscan Friars and staff of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, we thank you for your unwavering support and wish you a blessed and joyous Feast of St. Anthony! We hope to see you on Friday, June 13 to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony, click here to view the schedule. If you would like special intentions in my prayers and those of the Franciscan Friars, please click here (insert link) to complete the form.                                                                              

With gratitude and prayers,

Father Brian Jordan, OFM
Pastor

P.S. We invite you to light a Tribute Candle. Remember your loved one or special intention in a meaningful way! The Church of St. Francis of Assisi invites you to light a candle in the Shrine of St. Anthony in the Lower Church for a full year. Each candle will have a personalized plaque (2” x 1”) displayed beneath it, inscribed with the name of your loved one or intention. The annual offering is $200 per candle. Through your gifts, we provide a place of prayer, guidance, and service for all who seek hope and renewal. Thank you for being a part of our mission and for helping us bring the love of Christ to all. For more information, please call the Development Office at 212-736-8500, Ext. 307.

We invited our parish to donate flowers for the Feast of St. Anthony on June 13. The flowers adorn the church and give thanks to God for St. Anthony on his feast day.

2025 Flowers for St. Anthony

M. Knowles

E. Friend

M. Kuerz

R. Isaacs

R. Knowles

S. Ross

Ethan De la Isla—special intentions

Alberto Santos—speedy recovery and healing

In memory of Elena and Antalio De la Isla

In memory of Salud Buenaventura

In memory of Mariano and Pacencia San Buenaventura

In memory of Eduardo, Eleazar, Eduardo Jr., Buenaventura

In memory of Cesar Dumlao

Joan Maturando—gratitude for my blessings

Jose Luis and Paola—special intentions

In memory of Italo and Evelyn Colozzi, Amelia Dugas, Diane DeLuca, Beverly Cusack

Barbara and Henry Sonntag—special intentions

In memory of Ben Matlock

Diana Marie—special intentions for the discernment and direction of her life, a meaningful, spiritually prosperous way.  Always in gratitude.

In memory of Jane Caracciolo

Sr. M. Johnice, special intentions

In memory of Brian Carter

Bernadine, special intentions for her health

Joshua Dsouza, special intentions and thanksgiving for internship

Joshua Dsouza special intention to secure a job

Joel Dsouza, special intention for a blessed marriage

Joel Dsouza, special intention for success and growth in career

Odely Dsouza, special intention, for good health

Gloria Dsouza, special intention, for good health

Savio Dsouza, special intention, for good health

Purisima

Assumpta Massoi—Thanksgiving for the graces, mercies, and divine blessings my family and I continually receive through his intercession.  I earnestly pray that he continues to softly remind Our Lord Jesus Christ that He is our refuge here on earth amid these uncertain and hopeless times.  Our hope and salvation we find in the Lord, Amen.

Mary Lou Massi—Thanksgiving for all blessings.

Leona Tighe—St. Anthony, find my sister, Jean, and send her home as soon as possible.  Thanking you in advance.

Richard Tomasso—Special intentions for those suffering from cancer, for those who have fallen away from the Catholic faith.

Carol Lyman—In thanks to St. Anthony for favors and blessings.

Diana Trimble—special intentions, for friends battling serious illness and their caregivers, for all motorcyclists, and those grieving their loss, bless and repair relationship.

Maria Sotto, special intentions—Jessie Q. Sotto, deceased and Aida Nery Sotto, deceased