Mass and Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
On Saturday, February 10, 2018, we will celebrate the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during the 11:00 AM Mass.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick brings the presence and healing power of Christ to those who are ill. We invite all who are sick and those who would like to pray for them to come to this celebration of the sacrament.
Is anyone among you sick? They should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up. If they have committed any sins, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
(James 5:14-16)
Young Adult Winter Retreat 2018 – Registration is Open
This is the fifth year for our Young Adult Retreat. The last four retreats have been great successes. This year the retreat is falling at the beginning of Lent and will be held at the Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, New Jersey. Below is information about the retreat:
WHO:
The retreat is for members of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in their 20’s and 30’s and their friends. There is a limited number of spots available for the retreat.
WHAT:
This retreat is a chance for young adults to escape the city for a couple of days to connect with one another and reconnect with God. There will be time to pray, hear talks, discuss the faith, and enjoy quiet time on the beautiful property of the Loyola Jesuit Center.
WHERE:
The Loyola Jesuit Center is located in Morristown, NJ, a one hour train ride from Penn Station to Morristown Line of NJ Transit.
The Young Adult Ministry will make arrangements for transportation to and from the train station and the retreat center for anyone arriving between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. If you must take a later train you will need to take your own cab to the center.
WHEN:
Friday February 16th
check-in from 5 to 8 PM
to Sunday, February 18th
WHY:
Because sometimes it’s good to get away and pray. Jesus went up to the mountains to pray often… and so shall we.
HOW:
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
Space is very limited. Priority will be given to St. Francis of Assisi parishioners and their friends. If there is space after that, members of other churches may inquire into attending.
ONLY MEN AND WOMEN IN THEIR 20’s AND 30’s MAY REGISTER.
Upon completion of your registration, you will be sent more information regarding travel to and from the retreat center.
COST:
The retreat costs $200 .00 per person for room and board with single occupancy, a shared toilet with an ajoining room, and shared showers in the hall. This includes all meals Friday night to Sunday and snacks.
Travel expenses are not included. Arrangements will be made to assist retreat attendees to travel from the Morristown train station to the retreat center. Information on this will be included in an information email after registration.
FINANCIAL AID:
At St. Francis of Assisi we do not want financial difficulties to inhibit any of our parishioners from being able to attend events for spiritual growth and formation. If you would like to attend this retreat but would find it difficult to pay the full price of the retreat because of financial difficulties, please contact either Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M. or Joseph Nuzzi at 212-736-8500. Scholarship money is available to assist people.
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Young Adult Event: How Catholic is Mardi Gras?
Join us for
THEOLOGY ON TAP:
HOW CATHOLIC IS MARDI GRAS?
Monday, February 12th at 6:30
The Australian
20 West 38th Street
Between 5th & 6th Avenues
Speaker: Joseph Nuzzi,
Director of Evangelization, Church of St. Francis of Assisi
Join us the Monday before Mardi Gras for a discussion about Mardi Gras and how Catholics celebrate our faith throughout the year with our feasts and fasts. Is Mardi Gras really Catholic? Where did it come from? Does it help us live out our faith? The discussion will be lead by St. Francis’ own Joe Nuzzi, Director of Evangelization.
The talk will take part of the evening, and the rest of the evening will be a Mardi Gras practicum: we will spend time having food, drinks and a good time before Lent begins on Wednesday.
This is a Young Adult Ministry Event. It is open to all St. Francis of Assisi Young Adults and their friends in their 20’s and 30’s.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
The Pastor’s Corner
In today’s Mass, both the first reading from the Book of Leviticus and the Gospel from Mark deal with leprosy. In Biblical times, not much was known about this disease and because of what it did to people, it was greatly feared. You can see this from Leviticus where it says, “He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.” So, when the leper is today’s Gospel approaches Jesus and he is “moved with pity…and…touched him,” this is much more daring and shocking than it might seem. Jesus always sees “the person” – the person who is ill, the person who is possessed, the person who is blind or lame or crippled. He doesn’t care what the external condition of the person is, he sees a human in need. Jesus’ approach to situations teaches us much; will we allow this to touch our hearts?
Recently, we have begun to close the Lower Church during the week when confessions are not being heard. This is a temporary action based on the theft of the monstrance, as well as times when the church has been used as a bathroom, a lunch room, and a place to hang out. Although we have security from 6:30 AM to 9 PM, it is impossible patrol 31st Street, 32nd Street, the Upper Church,
the Lower Church and the Peace Garden at every minute. Many persons who have abused the Lower Church are asked to leave, but then they go to another entrance and cause problems. Closing the Lower Church stops some of this abuse. We will continue to monitor this situation. I am sorry that we have had to do this.
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.
A conversation on Immigration, Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking
The current status of immigration in the U.S. has a profound effecton women and families.
Please join The St. Francis Migrant Center and the National Council of Jewish Women New York this
Tuesday, February 6
at 6:00 PM
San Damiano Hall
for an informative conversation with immigration attorneys working with those who are victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking.
At the end of the program, we will share meaningful ways that individuals in our communities in need of legal services can get connected to the pro-bono legal community.
All are welcome
Saint Francis Bereavement Ministry
While grief is a very private experience, people who have lost loved ones can bene t from the witness and support of others who have lost someone special in their lives.
The St. Francis Bereavement Ministry offers an opportunity for the bereaved to connect with others who grieve, and to seek a path of healing as they come to terms with their loss.
A Bereavement Support Group will meet on
Tuesdays from February 13 to April 10,
from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
Please call Fr. Brian Smail, O.F.M. at 212-736-8500, Ext. 204 to inquire or email him at bsmail@stfrancisnyc.org
Interested persons should be at least three months into the grieving process.
Pre-registration is required.
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The Pastor’s Corner
Today’s Gospel speaks clearly about Jesus’ mission: “…they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door.” I often wonder if Jesus was ever overwhelmed at times like this. It would seem that he would be. The Gospel continues: “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.”
This is what gave him the strength and energy to continue on with the mission that had been given to him by the Father. We can learn something from this. We cannot fulfill our daily “mission”, our daily work and responsibilities without being refreshed and renewed. Each of us has to figure out how we can do this, but to take time to allow God to be our “higher power” is a necessity.
Lent is coming, but don’t wait until then.
Next Sunday, February 11 at 3 PM, Kevin Tuerff will give a presentation on his experience of being stranded in Newfoundland for five days with 6,500 other airline passengers. It all began on the evening of 9/11 when 38 trans-Atlantic flights were forced to land in this little town of 10,000 people because of the attacks on America. What ended up happening was remarkable. Come and hear this inspiring story. His inspiring book, Channel of Peace, will be available for purchase. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Click HERE to RSVP to the event Channel of Peace
Remember: Ash Wednesday is Wednesday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day).
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.
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