Laudato Si Circle — Stop Collecting More Than What Is Prescribed
Stop Collecting More Than What Is Prescribed
Pope Francis talks about the need to “break with the logic of selfishness… a world of exacerbated consumption is at the same time a world which mistreats life in all its forms.”
Caring about the climate crisis is not a new and radical idea that started with Pope Francis. It is an essential part of Catholic social teaching, not an optional add-on. What might be radical is our understanding that everything is interconnected and that caring for the Earth is linked to caring for others. God is near. We don’t need to collect more than what is prescribed.
Many people know that our current progress and the mere amassing of things and pleasures are not enough to give meaning and joy to the human heart, yet they feel unable to give up what the market sets before them. Pope Francis — (LS209)
To learn more about the Laudato Si Circle at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, email stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.
The next in-person meeting of the Laudato Si Circle will be Thursday, December 26th 6:30 – 8:00 PM in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the St. Francis House. All are welcome.
Laudato Si Circle — “Look to the East and See Your Children”
“Look to the East and See Your Children”
Some day this week, get up extra early while it’s still dark. Sit in the dark and wait. Watch the way God’s light comes into the world — slowly and generously.
Let this be our cue to slow down, consume less, and conserve more for our children and for those who will come after us. Let this be our new tradition, to unplug a little more each day. Take advantage of the dark to enjoy a few hours of living by candlelight. Meditate on the beauty of lights in windows and on trees.
Come Emmanuel! Make us ever more hopeful people for a hopeful planet. Let us be part of Your light of hope to the world. — from the Laudato Si advent prayer
To learn more about the Laudato Si Circle at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, email stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.
The next in-person meeting of the Laudato Si Circle will be Thursday, December 26th 6:30 – 8:00 PM in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the St. Francis House. All are welcome.
Advent Soup and Scripture 2024
Come encounter God through the Word this Advent.
Break bread, drink soup, and open the Sunday Advent Gospels together! Join us for one, two, three or all four reflections.
• ALL ARE WELCOME •
November 25
December 2
December 9
December 16
We will be anticipating the Sunday Gospel this Advent since Christmas falls on a Monday. So please read the reading for the upcoming Sunday Mass.
• TIME •
6:30pm
• LOCATION •
The Francis Room
This is a free event, but since soup is being served, we are asking for free will donations to offset the costs of the meal. Please register below to let us know that you are coming.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Thursday December 12 — Special Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Join us Thursday, December 12 at 5:30pm for a special Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Mass will be held in the Upper Church.
In addition to being the patroness of the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe holds a special importance for our parish. The Church of St. Francis of Assisi is an urban ministry center staffed by the province of Our Lady of Guadalupe and their partners in ministry.
Last fall, nearly 700 Franciscan friars came together to form the new Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a historic moment for Franciscan life in the United States. The Province chose Our Lady of Guadalupe as our patroness because of her ties to North America. Her compassion and advocacy for people who are oppressed and suffering calls us to live in solidarity with people who have been marginalized.
At this Mass, we will pray a special liturgy together in English, Spanish, and Korean. Join us!
Jueves 12 de diciembre — Misa Especial para la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Los invitamos cordialmente para que se una a nosotros el Jueves, 12 de diciembre, a las 5:30 p.m. para una Misa especial en honor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. La Misa se llevará a cabo en la Iglesia de arriba.
Además de ser la patrona de las Américas, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe tiene una importancia especial para nuestra parroquia. La Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís es un centro ministerial urbano atendido por la Provincia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y sus socios en el ministerio.
El otoño pasado, casi 700 frailes franciscanos se reunieron para formar la nueva Provincia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Este acto fue un momento histórico para la vida franciscana en los Estados Unidos. La Provincia eligió a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe como nuestra patrona debido a sus vinculos fuertes en America del Norte. Su compasión y defensa a las personas oprimidas y que sufren, nos llaman a vivir en solidaridad con las personas marginadas.
En esta misa, celebraremos y rezaremos juntos una liturgia en inglés, español y coreano.
¡Venga a celebrar con nosotros este gran dia!
Advent and Christmas at St. Francis
LIGHT OF THE WORLD, CARE FOR CREATION — JOIN US FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
This year, we will be continuing some of our Advent and Christmas traditions:
“Carols with the Choir”
Come and sing with us… with a guest performance from the renowned Empire City Men’s Chorus!
Sunday • December 1 • 3:00pm
click here for more details
“Soup and Scripture”
Warm your heart and your belly! Join us as we break bread, drink soup, and open the Sunday Advent Gospels.
Mondays • Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 9, 16 • 6:00pm
click here for more details
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
We will observe the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, December 10. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception usually falls on December 8th. This year, December 8th is the Second Sunday of Advent. In general, when a solemnity falls on a Sunday, the observation is moved to Monday. Because we will observe the feast of Saint Juan Diego on Monday, December 9th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception will be observed on December 10.
Tuesday, December 10
Mass times: 7:30am • 12:00pm • 5:30pm
Simbang Gabi
The UGNAYAN Filipino Ministry will be sponsoring the 9-day Novena Mass (Simbang Gabi) as part of their Filipino tradition.
- Sunday, December 15 to Monday, December 23
- Weekdays at 6:15 PM Lower Church
- Weekends at 3:00 PM Lower Church
Our pastor and friars will be celebrating the Masses, and all are welcome to attend.
Christmas Eve
Confessions: 8am-9am • 11am-12pm
Masses: 4:00pm • 5:30 pm • 7:00pm (Korean) • 12am Midnight
Christmas Day Masses
8:00am • 9:15am (Korean) • 11:00am • 12:30pm
Please note there is no evening Mass.
No Confessions
Church Closures after Christmas
The Feast of St. Stephen
Thursday, December 26 – Mass at 11:00am
No Confessions
Church offices are closed
Christmas Flower Donations
The Christmas trees, wreaths and poinsettias will again adorn our sanctuary this Christmas. We offer them to honor the birth of Christ and to glorify God.
It is also a way to remember your loved ones and share the beauty of the season with the whole community. We invite you to memorialize members of your family, friends or other loved ones with a donation for our Christmas decorations. Donations and the names of those received by December 20th will posted on our parish website for Christmas.
Laudato Si Circle — “Beware That Your Hearts Do Not Become Drowsy”
“Beware That Your Hearts Do Not Become Drowsy”
Here are five things to remember about the climate crisis:
- IT IS REAL. Conspiracy theories offer an easy way out, but don’t be fooled by them.
- IT IS US. Human beings, with our lifestyles of dependence on things and fossil fuels, are measurably the cause.
- IT IS BAD. Sea levels have risen and the oceans are warmer and more acidic, causing more frequent and catastrophic extreme weather. Millions of people have been displaced because of it.
- SCIENTISTS AGREE. There is near-unanimous consensus among scientists that the climate is changing and that it is a result of human activity.
- THERE IS HOPE. It’s not too late to set things right again. We have the know-how. What we need is the will of the people. We are who we’re waiting for.
Twenty-five years ago, people could be excused for not knowing much, or doing much, about climate change. Today we have no excuse. — Desmond Tutu
To learn more about what you can do, email us at stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.
The next in-person meeting of the Laudato Si Circle will be Thursday, December 26th 6:30 – 8:00 PM in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the St. Francis House. All are welcome.
Laudato Si Circle — Zero is a Positive Number
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.
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