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:

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 [email protected]

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.

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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Saturday Confession Change:

Beginning January 1, 2024, our Saturday morning Confessions will be from 10 – 11 AM.

Dear Community and Friends of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Peace and all good in this New Year! Welcome to 2023!

Over the years, the Feast for this day has changed. When I was young, it was the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. This was to keep memory of Jesus’ rootedness as a child of Abraham. His family roots embraced the Covenant with the liberated people wandering
in the desert. It marks him as belonging to the people shepherded by David and the voices of the prophets. The psalms were, for him, a way of prayer. The revelation of God to the people Israel was imprinted in his being.

Shortly after the Second Vatican Council, it was the World Day of Peace. We need to remember our constant prayers for a just peace. Our nation, church, and world are terribly divided. The war in Ukraine, the unrest in Peru, and the thousands of migrants fleeing violence and poverty cry out for a new world of compassionate peace. The shootings of school children, racist violence, and the safety of our streets echo the cry for peace.

Today, we are asked to remember Mary, the God-Bearer, “Theotokos.” We celebrate Jesus coming among us, having taken flesh from his mother, Mary. In his praises of the Blessed Mother, St. Francis speaks of Mary as Jesus’ robe, his tabernacle, and his palace. We remember the blessings of Mary and her primacy as the God- Bearer. We also know that we, like Mary, have been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and are empowered to be the bearers of God’s presence in our world.

Let’s can combine these images. We are members of the Body of Christ, the People of God, through our baptism. Our shared history with Jesus marks us as a people of the Covenant. Our Covenantal bond transcends the Law of the tablets of stone and is inscribed on our hearts. We are bound to the Covenant of love. The prophets’ voices, the psalmists’ prayers, and the Evangelists’ words call us to live the mission of Jesus in our time. We belong to Christ and to one another. Jesus’ gift to the disciples in his resurrection was and is peace. It is peace through compassionate justice. It is the peace that Pope Francis discusses in Laudato Si’, a peace in communion with all of creation. Finally, through the gift of the Spirit, we are sharers in Mary’s experience of bearing Christ into the world. By our lives, we embody his loving presence.

May 2023 be a year of grace and peace for all. May we live our call as the People of God, peacemakers, and God-Bearers. Thank you for all the many ways you bring his love into being in our world.

Peace and all good,

Thomas M. Gallagher, ofm

Dear Community and Friends of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi,

May the Lord give you peace this Christmas.

Prayers and blessings for you and your loved ones as we gather to remember the birth of Jesus and celebrate the great love our God has for us. We have journeyed through our Advent season as the nights grew longer and the weather colder. We were warmed by the hope-filled messages of the Prophet Isaiah and the beauty of Matthew’s Gospel. We were invited into the mystery of God’s unfathomable love for all. John the Baptist heralded the coming of Jesus. Even John was amazed at the mission of Jesus, who came as one who would bring healing, hope, and inclusion. He is the fullness of God’s love.

We celebrate the “Word made flesh” and are invited to embody that same Word in our day-to-day lives. We realize this in our prayer, care for one another, and generous hospitality. Like Jesus, we offer healing, hope, and inclusion. We are sharers with Jesus in the love of God. Thank you for all you do for the Migrants, the Bread Line, and the Food Pantry. These ministries are a great blessing. Thank you for your ministry of hospitality, reading, ministering the Eucharist, serving at the altar, and praying for the community. You bring the Word to life for us all.

While many of us party and celebrate these days, we remember our sisters and brothers for whom this season is difficult. We remember those who have lost a loved one; are lonely; have a recent diagnosis that weighs heavily on them and their family; have been marginalized by family, or struggle with the season. I remember my experience in Hartford after the Sandy Hook deaths of children and teachers. Understandably, many people were not in the “Christmas Spirit.” I am sure this is true for many communities, including Uvalde, Colorado Springs, Ukraine, and Russia. Our loving prayers for healing, hope, and inclusion are especially significant for all who suffer.

With the Friars, the Pastoral Leadership Team, and the staff of the Church, I wish you a blessed and happy Christmas.

Peace and all good,

Thomas M. Gallagher, ofm