Evangelii Gaudium: Chapter 5, Spirit-Filled Evangelizers
We may be sure that none of our acts of love will be lost, nor any of our acts of sincere concern for others. No single act of love for God will be lost, no generous effort is meaningless, no painful endurance is wasted. All of these circle our world like a vital force.
Sometimes it seems that our work is fruitless, but mission is not like a business transaction or investment, or even a humanitarian activity. It is not a show where we count how many people come as a result of our publicity; it is something much deeper, which escapes all measurement. It may be that the Lord uses our sacrifices to shower blessings in another part of the world which we will never visit.
The Holy Spirit works as he wills, when he wills, and where he wills; we entrust ourselves without pretending to see striking results. We know only that our commitment is necessary. Let us learn to rest in the tenderness of the arms of the Father amid our creative and generous commitment… let us give him everything, allowing him to make our efforts bear fruit in his good time.
You can still join the RCIA
Are you interested in exploring Catholicism for yourself?
Do you know someone who might be interested in finding out more about our faith?
Were you baptized in another Christian church and are thinking about joining the Catholic Church?
Are you Catholic but never received Confirmation or First Communion?
Our RCIA began this week on Tuesday, September 11th and we are off to a great start. But you can still join!
Our RCIA meets every Tuesday from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM beginning September 11th. These classes are designed for people who may or may not be sure that they want to join the Catholic church. We present a comprehensive overview of Catholic faith and traditions designed for adults. Anyone inquiring into the Catholic faith may attend these sessions with no obligations.
The RCIA is free for anyone exploring Catholicism.
If you would like to find out more about our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, please contact:
Joseph Nuzzi
Director of Evangelization
212-736-8500 x365
jnuzzi@stfrancisnyc.org
For Those Undergoing Separation/Divorce
The Archdiocese Family Life Office will present a “Surviving Divorce” program, starting Thursday, September 6th, in the Parish Center of the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, 405 West 59th Street. The program, which is free of charge, will take place every week, at 6:30 PM on Thursdays, and run through Thursday, November 29th.
The program is open to anyone who needs comfort, counsel and clarity with respect to issues related to separation and/or divorce. For additional information email: stpaulssdc@yahoo.com or call 646-794-3194.
Evangelii Gaudium – Chapter 5, Spirit-Filled Evangelizers
Faith… means believing in God, believing that he truly loves us, that he is alive, that he is mysteriously capable of intervening, that he does not abandon us and that he brings good out of evil by his power and his infinite creativity
…Let us believe the Gospel when it tells us that the kingdom of God is already present in this world and is growing, here and there, in different ways: like the small seed which grows into a great tree, like the measure of leaven that makes the dough rise and like the good seed that grows amid the weeds and can always pleasantly surprise us. The kingdom is here, it returns, it struggles to flourish anew.
Christ’s resurrection everywhere calls forth seeds of that new world; even if they are cut back, they grow again, for the resurrection is already secretly woven into the fabric of this history, for Jesus did not rise in vain. May we never remain on the sidelines of this march of living hope!
The Pastor’s Corner – September 19, 2018
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” This is not the type of invitation that would be appealing to many in our society today, and yet we know that there is much wisdom and truth in it. Jesus wants us to “grab hold” of our day-to-day lives and be grateful for the blessings and work through the negative things that happen to everyone. He wants us to be aware that he has gone through much in his life and if we find ourselves with the same challenges to embrace them and not allow them to conquer us. The message of the resurrection is the ending for everyone who believes. This is not an easy saying of Jesus, but this is how we will be saved.
Next Sunday, we will have our annual Ministry Fair where many of our groups and ministries will have tables displaying their ministries and highlighting some of their events. You may have read about the ministries in the bulletin, but this gives you an opportunity to find out more about each one and volunteer if one or the other appeals to you. The Fair will be held after the 11:00 and 12:30 Sunday Masses and the 5:00 and 6:15 Sunday Masses. Sundae Sunday will be part of the Ministry Fair.
Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.
Saint Francis Bereavement Ministry
While grief is a very private experience, people who have lost loved ones can benefit 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.
Due to current low registration the Bereavement Support Group scheduled to start on September 4th has been postponed. The ministry will reschedule the next series of ministry meetings.
For more information, please call Fr. Brian Smail, O.F.M. at 212-736-8500, Ext. 204.
Interested persons should be at least three months into the grieving process.
Pre-registration is required.
Young Adult Ministry Meet & Greet
On Sunday, September 9, 2018, the Young Adult Ministry will be hosting a “Meet and Greet” in the Clare Room immediately after the 5:00 PM Mass.
Come and stop for a glass of wine and to meet other young adults at St. Francis.
All young adults in their 20’s and 30’s are welcome to join!
Find out the educational, spiritual and outreach events that the ministry has planned for our young adult community.
Look for members of our Young Adult Ministry team wearing their blue buttons at Mass. Our Young Adults usually sit in the front right section of the church. Come and join us!
Don’t forget to join our ministy’s FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stfrancis.youngadults/
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Filipino Ministry Weekend Retreat
The Filipino Ugnayan Ministry invites you to participate in a retreat next weekend, September 14-16, at the San Damiano Retreat Center of Good Shepherd Parish in upper Manhattan. The retreat, A Call to Discipleship, will be directed by Fr. Brian Smail, O.F.M. and the cost is $140 per person.
For more information please contact Zeny (718-672-0596), Lou (917-806-7819) or Carla (718-503- 4637). Participants will meet in front of St. Francis Church at 6:30 PM on Friday, September 14. You can take the A subway to 207th Street (Inwood), exit via Broadway and Isham Street, and walk to 630 Isham Street – the retreat center is at the back of Good Shepherd Church.
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주보 July 23,2024
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Farewell celebration for Fr. Joe July 17,2024
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Lector Workshop "The Art of Storytelling" July 15,2024
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