VAMOS! Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
The St. Francis of Assisi LGBT ministry is hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration
at Therapy Bar on 52nd Street between 8th and 9th avenues in Manhattan
Friday, May 5th from 6:00 to 10:00 PM
Join us!
Stewardship: Caring for God’s Creation – Gaudium Evangelii: Chapter 1
“A Church which ‘goes forth’ is a Church whose doors are open. Going out to others in order to reach the fringes of humanity does not mean rushing out aimlessly into the world. Often it is better simply to slow down, to put aside our eagerness in order to see and listen to others, to stop rushing from one thing to another and to remain with someone who has faltered along the way.
At times we have to be like the father of the prodigal son, who always keeps his door open so that when the son returns, he can readily pass through it… The Church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open…so that if someone, moved by the Spirit, comes there looking for God, he or she will not nd a closed door. There are other doors that should not be closed either…nor should the doors of the sacraments be closed for simply any reason.”
Third Sunday of Easter: Emmaus Amazement
Today’s Gospel has some surprises for the disciples going to Emmaus. The first is that Luke tells us Jesus appeared to them, “but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him” (Luke 24:16). Now I don’t think Jesus was wearing glasses like Clark Kent. More likely, they were prevented by their lack of faith. They knew that Jesus had died, so this man who looked familiar couldn’t be him. All they had heard was that Jesus’ body was missing from the tomb. Luke says they were debating, as if they couldn’t decide what to believe.
That leads to the second point. No, they were not surprised that the stranger could quote scripture. Most Jewish men were familiar with the scriptures, but they were amazed at how Jesus explained them. Even the disciples had not thought of them as predicting Jesus’ suffering and death. Yet they seem to know the truth of what Jesus was saying. Their hearts were burning with the re of the Holy Spirit, who helped them to understand the new meaning of scripture. Their story can help us, too.
If you find you are not always able to see Jesus in the people or events of your life, you may need to stretch your faith. One way to do that is to discuss it with others. The two disciples were stretching their faith as they discussed what they had heard. Even better, debate it with someone who doesn’t believe. (Remember to keep it friendly.) You may not convince them to change, but your faith will grow as you learn to express it. Another way to stretch your faith is to read and pray over the scriptures. Ask what God is trying to tell you in them. The disciples on the way to Emmaus began to see how Jesus ful lled the promises found there. Passages that may have been mysterious before began to become clear when applied to Jesus.
Ask God to help you see Jesus in other people. Receive Jesus in Communion as often as you can (at least once a week). Trust him and expect to see Jesus both in the people around you and in the changes that come into your life. The more you look for Jesus, the easier it is to see him.
Tom Schmidt
© J. S. Paluch Co.
The Pastor’s Corner
In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus say: “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!” In these weeks after Easter the reaction of the followers of Jesus to the news that he is risen is repeated several times. For many of them, it cannot be.
They saw him scourged, nailed to a cross and die on the cross. How can he be risen? These verses of Scripture are meant to help us have a stronger faith just as they were meant to help the members of the early Church. To those who were present at the cruci xion or heard about it, they were in deep sorrow and confusion. The last thing that they expected to hear was that Jesus was not dead, but was still with them. He would not abandon them and he will not abandon us.
The Archdiocese of New York is sponsoring mini-missions throughout the Archdiocese. We will be hosting one May 15 to 17, Monday through Wednesday in the evening. Each evening will have a prayer service of music, Scripture, and a guest preacher. The title of the missions is “Revive: Faith Every Day.” Since we are the host church, parishioners from neighboring churches will be join ing us for these evenings. There will be more information coming.
Many thanks to all who were so generous in the Easter collection. Also, thanks to those who have given to help pay for the new windows in the Education Building next to the church. These windows had been there for years and were in danger of falling out or falling in. The total cost was $33,000. These old buildings always have their challenges.
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.
Photos of the Easter Vigil at the Church of St. Francis
At 8:00 PM on Saturday, April 15, 2017 the Church of St. Francis of Assisi gathered in darkness to begin the great Vigil of Easter. The celebration begin with the kindling of the Easter fire and the blessing of the new Paschal candle, while the church burst out in song to celebrate our salvation through Christ victory over death. It was a beautiful celebration filled with music, scripture, celebration and was crowned with the celebration of the sacraments for 18 new fully initiated members of the Church.
Gallery Notice : Images have either not been selected or couldn't be found
St. Francis welcomes 18 newly initiated Catholics
At the Easter Vigil, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi welcomed 18 newly initiated Catholics into our Catholic faith. Our seven elect were baptized and eleven other adults joined them in the celebration of Confirmation. Our pastor Fr. Andrew Reitz, OFM baptized and confirmed our candidates after their preparation through our RCIA ministry.
It is a great joy to see our church grow with these newest members of the body of Christ.
Click here to see photos of our Easter Vigil and the celebration of the sacraments.
Divine Mercy Celebration
The St. Benedict the Moor Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans invites everyone to acelebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy next Sunday, April 23, from 2:45 to 4:30 PM atthe lower church.
The celebration will start with the recitation of the concluding Novena prayer. At 3:00 PM, the modern musical version of the Chaplet will be played.
You can then attend the regular Sunday Mass in the upper church at 5:00 or 6:15 PM.
For inquiries,please call Vicky Vinuya at 347-653-8133.
Recent News & Events
-
Sunday Bulletin - July 20, 2025 July 16,2025 -
Sunday Bulletin - July 13, 2025 July 9,2025
-
Fourth of July July 3,2025 -
Broadway Believes in Pride Month July 3,2025 -
Sunday Bulletin - July 6, 2025 July 3,2025
-
