Remember the Church at Christmas
At this time of year, our hearts are moved even more to generosity. We buy gifts for those we love, we spend more on special foods to celebrate Christmas and we splurge to express our joy for all the blessings we have in our lives.
Hopefully we also remember the poor and those in need who don’t have the means to celebrate as some of us can.
We ask everyone also to remember the Church at Christmas.
We work hard year round to worship God as Christ commanded us, and to bring the Good News of salvation to all through the celebration of the sacraments and the many ministries we have here at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi.
We can only do this because of the generosity of our members and visitors who support our parish. The Christmas collection and Christmas donations make up an important part of our annual budget.
If you haven’t done so already, please remember to offer a gift to the Church this year at Christmas. Help us to continue to bring the good news of the coming of the Lord Jesus to all.
You can make your donation online here.
Thank you and God Bless you this Christmas and always.
Stewardship: Caring for God’s Creation – Evangelii Gaudium: Chapter 4, The Social Dimension of Evangelization
Evangelization is meant to cooperate with this liberating work of the Spirit.
The very mystery of the Trinity reminds us that we have been created in the image of the divine communion, and so we cannot achieve fulfillment or salvation purely on our own efforts. From the heart of the Gospel, we see the profound connection between evangelization and human advancement, which must necessarily and expression and develop in every work of evangelization.
Accepting the first proclamation, which invites us to receive God’s love and to love him in return with the very love which is his gift, brings forth in our lives and actions a primary and fundamental response: to desire, seek and protect the good of others.
Simbang Gabi Misa de Aguinaldo
The traditional novena of Masses before Christmas (“Simbang Gabi Misa de Aguinaldoâ€) will be celebrated in the lower church.
Friday & Saturday, December 15-16, at 6:15 PM
Sunday, December 17 at 4:30 PM
Monday-Saturday, December 18-23 at 6:15 PM
The Pastor’s Corner
This is a strange Sunday. The Saturday evening Masses and Sunday morning Masses are for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Then, the Sunday evening Masses are the Vigil Masses for Christmas, plus the traditional Midnight Mass. Here at St. Francis, the Midnight Mass is actually at midnight!
Christmas Day Masses are 8, 9:30, 11 and 12:30. There are NO evenings Masses Christmas Day.
The Gospel for today’s Mass is the account of the angel Gabriel telling Mary that, although not yet married to Joseph, she “will conceive in her womb and bear a son.â€The angel concludes with saying, “Do not be afraid for you have found favor with God.â€
Many artists over the centuries have captured this event in their paintings and whenever I see one, I pause to study the expression on Mary’s face and the gestures of both Mary and the angel. Each artist has his or her idea of what they want to convey through their work of art. The moment that they are capturing is such an important moment in Mary’s faithfulness to God.
Congratulations to the choir, soloists and musicians for an inspiring and spirited Carols with the Choir last Sunday. It has become a highlight of Christmas here at St. Francis.
I want to express my gratitude for the Christmas donations that have come in so far. This time of year has so many expenses; one of them being the cost of heating our three buildings. You are aware of your own heating bills; ours is generally over $10,000 a month. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
A Very Blessed and Merry Christmas from the Friars and Sta to you and your loved ones!
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.
5th Annual Christmas Carols with the Choir!
The Church of St. Francis of Assisi Music Ministry is hosting our
5th annual Christmas Carols with the Choir
3:00 PM, Sunday, December 17th
in the Upper Church
A free will offering to support the music ministry will be taken up.
Christmas in Puerto Rico Collection
During the Advent Season we will be collecting Disposable Diapers (all sizes) and Baby Wipes for the people of Puerto Rico.
We have been informed that these are among the many items needed. In the Spirit of Giving, let’s help as much as we can. Collections boxes will be placed near the Sanctuary in the upper church starting Saturday, December 2.
Help with Shipping Costs also:
Also, we would be most grateful if you could make a donation of $5 to help with shipping costs. These donations should be left at the reception desk in the lobby of the Parish House.
Thank you for helping those less fortunate!
Third Sunday of Advent: Reasons to Rejoice
Saint Paul seems to be throwing out a handful of sayings that may sound overly optimistic, but are actually very practical. “Rejoice always? Who can do that?†It sounds absurd, but the next two lines give it context: If we pray constantly and thank God for all that happens to us, we have reason to rejoice. Whatever happens is the will of God for us. Even the bad things, things we don’t like, can be allowed by God, so that God can bring good out of them. God allows sin because it leads to forgiveness, an experience of God’s love for us. And God allows even death, because God can bring us to eternal life.
The next two sayings may be a little obscure. When Paul tells us not to quench the Spirit, he means we should be open to what the Holy Spirit moves us to do. “Prophetic utterances†refer to things that other people were inspired to proclaim. If we pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17) we won’t be so distracted by the things of this world that we cannot hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit in us. We won’t be so critical of others that we miss what the Spirit is telling us through them.
How do we know if something really is from the Spirit?
The next phrase helps with that: Test everything. Retain what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Use the scriptures, the teachings of the Church, and your conscience to decide whether the Spirit is moving you, or if advice you hear is worthwhile. And most of all trust God to help with all this because God wants us to be holy. God will make us holy if we only allow it. Then we will be ready
for the coming of the Lord, whether through the sacraments, the celebration of Christmas, or God’s nal coming in glory. I’d say that’s a reason to rejoice.
-Tom Schmidt
© J. S. Paluch Co.
Decorate with Ornaments from St. Francis
In the lobby of the Parish House you will nd a selection of Christmas ornaments and nativities from various countries. Most are hand painted and unique.
There is also an ornament designed just for us here at St. Francis with the front of the church painted on the front.
Stop by now and do some shopping!
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