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St. Francis of Assisi Adult Education News: St. Bonaventure’s ‘Tree of Life’ in Spirituality & Art


A happy group of friends smiling outdoors on a sunny day.Sometimes called the second founder of the Franciscan Order, the thirteenth century friar, St. Bonaventure, was a theologian and mystic who helped shape the Franciscan tradition of thought and spirituality. His Tree of Life is a meditation on the life of Christ organized in such a way that the reader might imagine a tree with branches and fruits, and then use the image as an aid to memory.

This three-week course will take an in-depth look at this Christian classic, discuss its practical implications for our own spiritual growth today, and explore artistic representations of the Tree of Life that were inspired by St. Bonaventure’s text.

Instructor: John Bedding eld, T.S.S.F., D.Min. Thursdays: March 1 – 15, 2018
5:45 – 7:00 PM; San Damiano Hall; Fee: $30.00

To register for this course, CLICK HERE, or use one of the Adult Education brochures at the entrances of the church.

 

The Pastor’s Corner


A happy group of friends smiling outdoors on a sunny day.The Second Sunday of Lent offers some familiar Scriptures for us to think about during the week. From the book of Genesis, we hear God asking Abraham to o er his son “as a holocaust.†We ask: Why would God ask this of Abraham whom He loved? Abraham’s willingness to cooperate brought God’s favor to him and he was prevented from laying his hand on the boy. Then we hear of Peter, James and John with Jesus on the mountain where Jesus was transfigured before them. Wow, what experiences! These are very different from our daily experiences or are they? Our experiences of being asked to do difficult things may not be as extreme as Abraham’s was or our experiences of Jesus may not be as dazzling as Peter, James, and John had on the mountain, but we can probably recall similar events in our lives. When you think back about these, how did you respond?

Last week, we published the income from Sunday collections here in church as well as online Sunday donations and weekday collections for the month of January. I plan on doing this every month and we have compared these  figures with last year’s figures. It is noteworthy to see how online Sunday donations have increased since last year. The reasons that the Sunday collections in church were less than last year may be due to the weather. Remember, we had many very cold weekends and many people were suffering with the flu during this time. Even in church we had problems with the heating system for a period of time. As you can see, we have a budgeted amount for each month and have fallen short of that.

Online giving in the Sunday collection is an easy, consistent, thoughtful way of giving. Check below on how to do this or email Joe Nuzzi for help (jnuzzi@stfrancisnyc.org).

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.

A happy group of friends smiling outdoors on a sunny day.

Click HERE to sign up for online giving to to increase your weekly or monthly donation.
We need everyone to support our church to make up our budget deficit.
Thank you.

Essentials to a good Lenten journey: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving


A happy group of friends smiling outdoors on a sunny day.

Essentials to a good Lenten journey: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving

A Lenten Recollection by Fr. Brian Smail, OFM

Saturday, February 24, 2018
1:30pm to 4:00pm
Lower Church

For more information, please contact: Carla (718) 503-4637,  Imelda (646) 623-3498, Jean (646) 525-0704, or email: filipinoministry@stfrancisnyc.org

 

Sponsored by the UGNAYAN FILIPINO MINISTRY

Please come and join us!  All are welcome!

The Pastor’s Corner


A happy group of friends smiling outdoors on a sunny day.

The Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent always focuses on the temptations that Jesus experienced in the desert. Today’s version from Mark is a little different in that Mark mentions that Jesus was in the desert for forty days and was tempted by Satan, but doesn’t go into any details about the temptations as the other Gospels do. We don’t hear the familiar account, but still Jesus is tempted. It is good for us to know what our temptations are and how we deal with them…or do we? The Gospel concludes: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.â€

Repent: change your ways, leave behind those things that distract you that may appear to be attractive, but aren’t. Believe in the Gospel: this is what gives life and reflects our true selves. This is what brings light into darkness and peace into our world.

Congratulations to our catechumens who will be going to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the Rite of Election on Sunday afternoon. This is an important step as they enter into the  final weeks before their baptism at the Easter Vigil. Congratulations to our candidates who are moving ahead toward full initiation into the church. Our prayers are with you!

This weekend, I am with our Young Adults on retreat at Loyola Retreat Center in Morristown. This is our fifth annual Young Adult Retreat, and one of the favorite activities of our Young Adult Ministry, so please keep us in your prayers.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.

Mass and Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick


A happy group of friends smiling outdoors on a sunny day.On Saturday, February 10, 2018, we will celebrate the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during the 11:00 AM Mass.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick brings the presence and healing power of Christ to those who are ill.  We invite all who are sick and those who would like to pray for them to come to this celebration of the sacrament.

Is anyone among you sick? They should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord,  and the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up. If they have committed any sins, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

(James 5:14-16)

 

Young Adult Winter Retreat 2018 – Registration is Open


A happy group of friends smiling outdoors on a sunny day.

This is the fifth year for our Young Adult Retreat. The last four retreats have been great successes. This year the retreat is falling at the beginning of Lent and will be held at the Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, New Jersey.  Below is information about the retreat:

WHO:

The retreat is for members of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in their 20’s and 30’s and their friends.  There is a limited number of spots available for the retreat.

WHAT:

This retreat is a chance for young adults to escape the city for a couple of days to connect with one another and reconnect with God.  There will be time to pray, hear talks, discuss the faith, and enjoy quiet time on the beautiful property of the Loyola Jesuit Center.

WHERE:

The Loyola Jesuit Center is located in Morristown, NJ, a one hour train ride from Penn Station to Morristown Line of NJ Transit.

The Young Adult Ministry will make arrangements for transportation to and from the train station and the retreat center for anyone arriving between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM.  If you must take a later train you will need to take your own cab to the center.

WHEN:

Friday February 16th
check-in from 5 to 8 PM

to Sunday, February 18th

WHY:

Because sometimes it’s good to get away and pray.  Jesus went up to the mountains to pray often… and so shall we.

HOW:

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Space is very limited.  Priority will be given to St. Francis of Assisi parishioners and their friends.  If there is space after that, members of other churches may inquire into attending.

ONLY MEN AND WOMEN IN THEIR 20’s AND 30’s MAY REGISTER.

Upon completion of your registration, you will be sent more information regarding travel to and from the retreat center.

COST:

The retreat costs $200 .00 per person for room and board with single occupancy, a shared toilet with an ajoining room, and shared showers in the hall.  This includes all meals Friday night to Sunday and snacks.

Travel expenses are not included.  Arrangements will be made to assist retreat attendees to travel from the Morristown train station to the retreat center.  Information on this will be included in an information email after registration.

FINANCIAL AID:

At St. Francis of Assisi we do not want financial difficulties to inhibit any of our parishioners from being able to attend events for spiritual growth and formation.  If you would like to attend this retreat but would find it difficult to pay the full price of the retreat because of financial difficulties, please contact either Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M. or Joseph Nuzzi at 212-736-8500.  Scholarship money is available to assist people.

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Download a print-friendly copy of this page here.

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Young Adult Event: How Catholic is Mardi Gras?


A happy group of friends smiling outdoors on a sunny day.

Join us for

THEOLOGY ON TAP:

HOW CATHOLIC IS MARDI GRAS?

Monday, February 12th at 6:30

The Australian
20 West 38th Street
Between 5th & 6th Avenues

Speaker:  Joseph Nuzzi,
Director of Evangelization, Church of St. Francis of Assisi

 

Join us the Monday before Mardi Gras for a discussion about Mardi Gras and how Catholics celebrate our faith throughout the year with our feasts and fasts.  Is Mardi Gras really Catholic?  Where did it come from?  Does it help us live out our faith?    The discussion will be lead by St. Francis’ own Joe Nuzzi, Director of Evangelization.

The talk will take part of the evening, and the rest of the evening will be a Mardi Gras practicum:  we will spend time having food, drinks and a good time before Lent begins on Wednesday.

This is a Young Adult Ministry Event.  It is open to all St. Francis of Assisi Young Adults and their friends in their 20’s and 30’s.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

The Pastor’s Corner


A happy group of friends smiling outdoors on a sunny day.In today’s Mass, both the  first reading from the Book of Leviticus and the Gospel from Mark deal with leprosy. In Biblical times, not much was known about this disease and because of what it did to people, it was greatly feared. You can see this from Leviticus where it says, “He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.†So, when the leper is today’s Gospel approaches Jesus and he is “moved with pity…and…touched him,†this is much more daring and shocking than it might seem. Jesus always sees “the person†– the person who is ill, the person who is possessed, the person who is blind or lame or crippled. He doesn’t care what the external condition of the person is, he sees a human in need. Jesus’ approach to situations teaches us much; will we allow this to touch our hearts?

Recently, we have begun to close the Lower Church during the week when confessions are not being heard. This is a temporary action based on the theft of the monstrance, as well as times when the church has been used as a bathroom, a lunch room, and a place to hang out. Although we have security from 6:30 AM to 9 PM, it is impossible patrol 31st Street, 32nd Street, the Upper Church,
the Lower Church and the Peace Garden at every minute. Many persons who have abused the Lower Church are asked to leave, but then they go to another entrance and cause problems. Closing the Lower Church stops some of this abuse. We will continue to monitor this situation. I am sorry that we have had to do this.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.

© St. Francis of Assisi 2018. All Rights Reserved.
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