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Zero is a Positive Number

What does “Net Zero” mean? Why is it a goal and how do we achieve it?

Net Zero means that the scales are balanced — the amount of greenhouse gases (carbon, methane, others) that we emit into the atmosphere equals the amount we re-absorb. Right now, the scales are tipped and an excessive build-up of gases is at the heart of the crisis. To achieve Net Zero, we need to reduce what we put out there but also increase our re-absorption. Consuming fewer products, using public transportation, and planting more trees and plants will all help us get to Zero.

It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees. — Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize

If you have a question or something you’d like to share, please email us at stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.

Part of God’s Plan-et

We are all a part of God’s plan and climate change is not a partisan issue — it is a human and moral issue. The effects of the climate crisis are devastating no matter who you are or where you live. Storms will cross party lines and reach across divides. As Catholics we have a unique opportunity to unite around our history of teaching on creation, ecology, and the most vulnerable.

On November 6th, the Catholic Climate Covenant and the Laudato Si Movement issued a joint statement on the results of the recent election. Read the statement here and understand the position for yourself.

We pray that the Trump Administration, in consultation with both scientific experts and faith-based communities, will find pathways to promote environmental sustainability and secure justice for future generations. — from the statement

If you have something you’d like to share, or if you’d like more information about the Circle, please email us at stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com

Dear sisters and brothers,

Greetings!

May I introduce myself as the new Franciscan pastor of this iconic parish! I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. In fact, I am the first native New Yorker to be pastor here since Father Boniface Hanley, OFM served here from 1982 to 1985. He was also from Brooklyn. I served here some years ago as a parochial vicar and I am acquainted with the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. I arrived in July of this year, and I look forward to serving you as pastor in the spirit of Franciscan hospitality and pastoral ministry.

Please permit me to share this reflection about the month of November. On the Catholic calendar, November 2 is the Feast of All Souls. We offer prayers and celebrate Memorial Masses for all our loved ones and friends who were called to God to what we Franciscans call “Sister Death.” St. Francis coined the term “Sister Death” since it is a deeply personal experience when we feel the loss of a loved one. The body may die but our souls will always exist. The “soul” is the immortal spiritual part of a person; the soul does not die with the body at death, and it is reunited with the body in the final resurrection.

I vividly recall December 26, 2022. It was the day after Christmas, and I received a phone call that my oldest brother Richard died from a fire that consumed his home. He was relatively young, and his sudden death was shocking and painful for all my family members. It was a sad but poignant funeral Mass. Five weeks later, February 1, 2023, my father died of a long illness at age 98. He was a decorated World War II Navy veteran and part of “The Greatest Generation.” His funeral Mass was solemn but joyous as we celebrated his long life as a devout Catholic family man. My siblings and I supported and continue to support one another. We expected our father’s death. We were shocked at our brother’s death. All this happened within five weeks.

I encourage all who have lost loved ones whether tragically or by natural causes to attend a bereavement group for at least a short time. My siblings and I can attest to the healing effect of that fellowship.

The Feast of All Souls helps us to remember and honor our beloved dead. The ancient Roman poet, Cicero, once wrote “Memory is the treasurer and guardian of all things.” The body of our loved one may have died but our memory of that person will always live within us. Please fill out the form below to send us the names of your loved ones to be remembered during the month of November. You can also use this form to submit photos. The Franciscan priests of the parish will remember all these intentions at all Masses throughout November.

Finally, the true American holiday, Thanksgiving, will be celebrated on Thursday, November 28. Many residents of America celebrate Thanksgiving as part of our national heritage for giving thanks for what we have in this great country. As Catholics, Thanksgiving has special importance.

The word “Eucharist” means “giving thanks.” We give thanks not only what we have, but also for what God has provided us in our life together in the Church. I encourage all parishioners and friends of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi to be generous in this appeal. Your generous giving will help us fund our music ministry and the needs in our sacristy, such as Communion hosts, altar wine, purificators and new vestments for the priests and altar servers. We are truly thankful for your generosity!

On behalf of the Franciscan friars and our pastoral staff, we share our prayers on All Souls Day and give thanks to God on Thanksgiving Day!

Blessings to all,

Father Brian Jordan, OFM
Pastor

Welcome to Creation Corner

Each week we’ll bring you news and information from the Laudato Si Circle here at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. We hope that it will interest, inform, and inspire you.

In commemoration of All Souls, let us pray for our environmental martyrs, the many brave souls who lost their lives in speaking up and protesting social and environmental injustice in their communities, sometimes at the hands of their own governments.

Let’s also remember the many species we’ve lost, especially the Bramble Cay melomys, the first mammal to go extinct as a result of rising sea levels, and the Golden Toad who relied on the right amount of rain in order to reproduce.

To sense each creature singing the hymn of its existence is to live joyfully in God’s love and hope. — Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan 2000

If you have something you’d like to share or if you’d like more information about the Circle, please email us at stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com

What in the World?

Take the COP29 prayer challenge. Every day from November 11-21, pray for all participants at COP29.

COP stands for Conference of Parties, and this is the 29th year they’re meeting. This year it’s in Baku, Azerbaijan, a nation highly invested in fossil fuels (not that the U.S. is better). The Conference is the United Nations entity charged with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change. There are currently 198 “parties.” Imagine trying to get anything done.

Pray that all involved remain determined, encouraged, and inspired – that their eyes, ears, and hearts remain open to change for the good of creation.

Cooperation is our only viable solution to this global climate crisis. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

If you have something you’d like to share, or if you’d like more information about the Circle, please email us at stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com

The friars and staff at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi would like to wish all of our parishioners, visitors, friends and families a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

Our Holiday schedule is as follows:

Thanksgiving day:

Mass at 12:00 PM

There are no confessions Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving:

Mass at 12:00 PM

There are no confessions on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving:

It is right to give thanks to God for all of the blessings we receive each and every day: for the gift of creation in all its wonder, the gifts of the fruits of the earth that sustain us, the gift of all of the animals, wild and domestic, that share this world with us, and for the gifts of our family and friends.

At St. Francis we are especially grateful for all of the wonderful people who make up our community here on 31st street.

And of course, it is always right and just that we give thanks to the Father for the gift of Christ Himself, the good shepherd who loves us all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 118:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say:
“His love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say:
“His love endures forever.”

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
They swarmed around me like bees,
but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.

Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.

The Lord has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.

The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.

Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.