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Rekindle the Gifts Within You: seeking new liturgical ministers

We are looking for qualified members of our worship community to serve as Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, and Ministers of Hospitality.

Training sessions will be held on the following dates:
• September 25 (Introduction for all liturgical ministers)
• October 16 (Sunday Eucharistic Ministers)
• October 23 (Weekday Eucharistic Ministers)
• October 30 (Lectors)

Come to our Ministry Fair on Sunday, September 17 in San Damiano Hall to get more information and to sign up!

 

The Pastor’s Corner

Pope Francis has said: “God’s forgiveness knows no limits; it is greater than anything we can imagine, and it comes to all who know in their hearts that they have done wrong and desire to return to him. God looks at the heart that seeks forgiveness.”The Pope goes on to say that the problem comes when we have to extend forgiveness to someone who has hurt us. Today’s Gospel is meant to be a help to anyone struggling with forgiveness. It may be necessary to forgive someone more than once. Why? Forgiveness isn’t that easy. We may need to forgive someone several times even though they offended us only once, especially if they did not see the wrong that they had done or just don’t care. Forgiving prevents them from offending us over and over again.

The Blessed Sacrament Fathers and Brothers want to thank you for your generosity in the collection that was taken up for them several weeks ago. This was one of the largest second collections that we have had – over $5,000.

Thank you also for your donations to the relief efforts because of the recent hurricanes. Please keep those who suffer in your prayers and remember all of the relief workers. It will take a long time to repair the physical, mental and spiritual damage that has happened.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M

 

Hurricane Relief – Prayers and Collection

We continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Harvey who are in the midst of rebuilding and getting back on their feet and we pray for those in the path of Hurricane Irma.

There are collection boxes in the church marked for Hurricane Harvey Relief Donations. The boxes will be available for several weeks for you to o er donations for the relief efforts.

Thank you for your generosity.

 

The Pastor’s Corner

The response to the rst reading today is: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your heart.” This ts in well with today’s Gospel about forgiveness and dealing with difficult situations. Forgiveness is not easy and from hearing confessions, I can tell you that many people confess this frequently. Many times were are victims of someone’s thoughtless behavior or someone’s loose tongue. You can’t take back what slips out of your mouth and this tends to hurt. If you have been a victim of this or something similar, it is not easy to move on. The hurt possesses you. It is at this time that you need to try to listen to the Lord’s voice. Forgiving does not mean the other person was correct or what they did or said was okay, forgiveness helps us move on; otherwise, we are letting the other person continue to possess us – our thoughts, our dreams, our conversation. All of this takes time and happens slowly, but it is worth listening to His voice.

Get ready for the Ministry Fair next Sunday! Make it a point to stop over at San Damiano Hall after the 11:00, 12:30, 5:00 or 6:15 Masses and see the various displays of the ministries here at St. Francis. Information will be given out at the various booths and you might nd a way to get more involved here at St. Francis. Refreshments will be served and it is a good way to meet people that you might see here at St. Francis, but don’t know their names. Mark the date on your calendar!

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M

 

Pilgrimage to Rome & Assisi

• 10 Days: March 7-16, 2018
• $2,479 from New York
• Hosted by Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.

To receive a detailed color brochure, please contact Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M. at 212-736-8500, or email [email protected].

Please note: If you are interested in this pilgrimage, please note that it may not be for you since there is more walking than usual. In Assisi there are hills to be climbed that are generally not part of a pilgrimage to Assisi.

Also, the ability to keep up with the group is important. Walking in New York is one thing, walking in Assisi is more challenging. In Rome also, there are some sites that are generally not part of most pilgrimages, e.g., the Franciscan Church of Santa Maria Aracoeli with 124 steps. Consider this when making your plans.

 

Stewardship: Caring for God’s Creation – Gaudium Evangelii: Chapter 2, Cultural Challenges

Let us ask the Lord to help us understand the law of love. How good it is to have this law! How much good it does us to love one another, in spite of everything. Yes, in spite of everything! Saint Paul’s exhortation is directed to each of us: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” And again: “Let us not grow weary in doing what is right.”

We all have our likes and dislikes, and perhaps at this very moment we are angry with someone. At least let us say to the Lord: “Lord, I am angry with this person, with that person, I pray to you for him and for her.” To pray for a person with whom I am irritated is a beautiful step forward in love, and an act of evangelization. Let us do it today! Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the ideal of fraternal love.

 

Fall Adult Education Brochures are out

Did you know that the Adult Education Center is one of the largest ministry provided by the Church of St. Francis of Assisi.  The Center hosts a number of courses in adult faith formation and cultural interests. These courses are open to all adults and are taught by Franciscan friars, clergy, religious and laity.

The goal of the Adult Education center is to deepen one’s understanding of faith through the study of Scripture, church history, theology, literature, the arts and Franciscan spiritual themes.

If you haven’t taken advantage of the great, inexpensive opportunities to learn more about our faith, then think about it this fall.  Pick up a brochure in the main lobby of the St. Francis House and check out the large list of courses offered this fall.  You can also see and sign up for all of the courses being offered online by clicking HERE.

Fall courses all begin after the Feast of St. Francis on October 4th.

 

 

Just Do It! – Sign up for Online Giving today

Why give online?

  1. Most of us don’t carry cash anymore
  2. Most of us are not going to fill little envelopes each week and carry them to Mass
  3. We pay the rest of our bills online already
  4. Most importantly:  The Church relies on our regular financial support to meet our budget.

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi, like all parishes, must rely on the financial contributions of the people who come here to Mass to make our annual budget which is just over three million dollars each year.  That’s how much it costs to provide all of the ministries – liturgical ministries, pastoral care ministries, education and catechetical ministries, outreach to those in need, etc. as well as maintaining the Church building, office building and education center.

And while we ask our members to tithe, as all Christians are called to do, we are not asking for 10% but we ask our members to contribute 2.5% or ONE HOUR of our weekly salary.  Our financial support of the Church should not be an after-thought but a part of our monthly expenses as a disciple of Christ and faithful member of the Church.

Putting a dollar in the basket as it goes by is not, for the vast majority of us, fulfilling our responsibility to support the community.

So… if you haven’t done so yet… please, sign up for online giving and bring your financial support of your church into the 21st century. You can do so right now, but clicking on the logo below

Thank you!

 

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