Stewardship: July 2018 Collections
Below is a table comparing July 2017 collections to our current July 2018 collections.
As you can see, while our collections were up July 2018 compared to July 2017 (which is due to the fact that this year there were 5 Sundays in July) we fell short of our goal by $ 5,527.
We need everyone to do their part to keep St. Francis on firm financial ground. Â The best way to use this is to make your offering using our online giving system.
You can sign up for online giving HERE.
We ask all of our members and visitors to offer the equivalent of ONE HOUR of their weekly salary per week to support the mission of the church. Thank you to all of you who are already doing your part.
Week of Prayer to Mary, Untier of Knots
Our Week of Prayer to Mary, Untier of Knots begins on
Monday, August 20 and continues to Friday, August 24
at the 11:30 and 4:30 Masses.
For many people, the pain and frustration of the knots in their lives can seem overwhelming. Here is an opportunity to bring to Mary our Mother the prayers of our hearts and ask her to help untie those problems and challenges that seem impossible to understand or resolve
Evangelii Gaudium: Chapter 5, Spirit-Filled Evangelizers
Loving others is a spiritual force drawing us to union with God; indeed, one who does not love others ‘walks in the darkness, remains in death, and does not know God.’
Pope Benedict XVI has said that “closing our eyes to our neighbor also blinds us to God†and that love is the only light which “can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working.†When we live out a spirituality of drawing nearer to others and seeking their welfare, our hearts are opened wide to the Lord’s greatest and most beautiful gifts.
Whenever we encounter another person in love, we learn something about God. Whenever our eyes are opened to acknowledge the other, we grow in the light of faith and knowledge of God.
The Pastor’s Corner – August 19, 2018
St. Paul tells us: “Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity because the days are evil.†He was a wise man and knew the good that people could do and he also knew the harm and evil that they could do too. Christianity was still in its infant stages in the towns where he preached, but Christian communities were coming into existence because of his work and that of the apostles and disciples. It was easy for people to fall back into old habits or to follow the crowd, this is why he said “Watch carefully…†His words are good for us.
Next weekend we will be hosting Fr. Samuel Cuarto who will be speaking to us about the work of CADIS, the Camillian Disaster Services. Father Carto is a member of the Order of the Servants of the Sick of St. Camillus. CADIS mission is to bring relief to areas affected by natural and man-made disasters. Please join in welcoming Fr. Sam.
Congratulations to Brother Abraham Joseph, O.F.M. one of our parishioners, who will profess Solemn Vows as a Franciscan next Saturday, August 25, here at St. Francis. We are proud of Abraham as he moves along on his journey toward ordination. Our prayers are with him as he returns to theology classes in Chicago.
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.
Theology on Tap: Care for the Environment, Can the Bible provide guidance for today?
Presented by Mr. Joseph Nuzzi, MA Biblical Studies
Hosted by the Young Adult Ministry
of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi.
Join us for a discussion of how the bible might enlighten us on how to approach the serious challenges we are facing today regarding the environment, global warming, and mass extinction.
Open to all young adults in their 20’s or 30’s
Evangelii Gaudium – Chapter 5, Spirit-Filled Evangelizers
Sometimes we are tempted to be that kind of Christian who keeps the Lord’s wounds at arm’s length. Yet Jesus wants us to touch human misery, to touch the suffering flesh of others. He hopes that we will stop looking for those personal or communal niches which shelter us from the maelstrom of human misfortune and instead enter into the reality of other people’s lives and know the power of tenderness. Whenever we do so, our lives become wonderfully complicated and we experience intensely what it is to be a people, to be part of a people.
It is true that in our dealings with the world, we are told to give reasons for our hope, but not as an enemy who critiques and condemns. We are told quite clearly: “do so with gentleness and reverence.†We are also told to overcome “evil with good†and to “work for the good of all.†Far from trying to appear better than others, we should “in humility count others better than ourselves.†The Lord’s apostles themselves enjoyed “favor with all the people.â€
August with the Blessed Mother
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Vigil Masses on Tuesday,
August 14, at 4:30 and 5:30 PM
Masses on Wednesday,
August 15, at 7:00, 7:45, 8:30, 11:30 AM; 12:15, 4:30 and 5:30PM
Week of Prayer to Mary, Untier of Knots
Monday-Friday, August 20-24
After the 11:30 and 4:30 Masses
+
The Pastor’s Corner – August 12, 2018
This is the third Sunday that the Gospel comes from Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel. We hear: “I am the bread that came down from heaven… and I am the bread of life… whoever eats this bread will live forever.†This “Bread†is our Eucharist that we celebrate frequently and that we receive often. When you receive the Eucharist, the consecrated host is presented to you with the words “the Body of Christ†and you respond: Amen! We have to be careful that we not forget what we are receiving, and neglect to say “Amen†or say a half-hearted “Amen†or are too casual in the way we receive.
The beautiful gesture of presenting your hands, one under the other, is a profoundly respectful way of receiving the Eucharist. I encourage those who receive on the tongue to make sure that you open your mouth so that the consecrated host can be placed on your tongue. I find that a number of people even kneel which is a hazard to those behind them and it distracts the focus from the Eucharist to the person kneeling. The gesture of reverence – a simple bow – before receiving should be done while the person in front of you is receiving, not while you are receiving. These readings can renew within us our respect and love for the Eucharist.
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) will begin next month, but Joe Nuzzi, the Director of the RCIA, is interviewing people now who may be interested in participating in this great introduction to the Catholic faith. It is also open to adults who haven’t completed their Christian Initiation: have never received their First Communion or been Confirmed. Check the announcement about the RCIA elsewhere in the bulletin.
Don’t forget: we celebrate the Assumption of Mary this week with Vigil Masses at 4:30 and 5:30 on Tuesday, and the regular Mass schedule on Wednesday.
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.
Recent News & Events
-
Flowers and Intentions in Honor of St. Anthony May 25,2026 -
-
-
Laudatory Si Committee: May Denim Collection April 30,2026 -
Mother’s Day Remembrances April 20,2026 -
Starts May 7: Spring Book Club April 7,2026