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Sept. 27-Oct. 4: Celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with us!

Schedule for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Sunday, September 27
1:30 pm Francis Fest

Saturday, October 3
12:00 pm The Blessing of the Animals
4:00 pm Vigil Mass
6:30 pm The Transitus

Sunday, October 4 | The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
Masses: 8:00am · 9:15am (Korean) · 10:00am (Español) · 12:30pm · 5:00pm

11:00 am | Festive Mass
Our principal celebration of the Feast of St. Francis

Oct. 17: Franciscan Jubilee Pilgrimage to Graymoor Retreat Center Garrison, NY

On the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis Of Assisi,
the Church of St. Francis Of Assisi invites you to participate in a day of pilgrimage retreat.

“Saint Francis’s influence on INTERFAITH Relationships.”
Two talks by Fr. James Gardiner, S.A., an international expert on interfaith relationships.

Registration information

Update 10/11/26: Registration has closed. We thank you for your interest in the retreat.

Cost of $75.00 per person includes round trip bus transportation, lunch, two talks, and an opportunity to pray in various chapels, the native walk, and visit the bookstore.

Registration required payment of $75.00 with the form or by check made out to: The Church of St Francis Of Assisi.

Please contact Fr. Brian Jordan, OFM for more information at bjordan@stfrancisnyc.org or (212)–736–8500 (ext 232)

Itinerary

8 am – Departure from West 32nd St. side of SFA
10 am – Coffee and Donuts 10:30 am – 1st Talk
12 noon – Lunch
1:30 pm – 2nd Talk
3 pm – Return to SFA

 

Starting Oct. 8: Fall Book Club – “Beautiful Outlaw” by John Eldredge

This fall, journey with us as we discover Jesus in a fresh and deeply personal way through John Eldredge’s Beautiful Outlaw—a book warmly recommended to us by our dear Fr. Michael Carnevale.

Many of us know Jesus through familiar images and stories, but Beautiful Outlaw invites us to encounter Him beyond the stereotypes. With warmth, insight, and engaging storytelling, Eldredge paints a vivid portrait of the real Jesus—one whose compassion, joy, humor, strength, tenderness, and passion come alive in the pages of Scripture.

As you read, you’ll discover the rich emotional life of Christ and experience His remarkable humanity in a way that is both inspiring and transformative. Jesus' personality bursts forth with color and brilliance, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him and a greater appreciation of His love for each of us. Whether you’ve participated in our Book Club before or are joining us for the first time, this is a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith, engage in meaningful discussion, and build friendships within our parish community.

The Fall Book Club will be led by Converge team members: Linda Spartonos and Mary Karpin

There is no cost to participate, and everyone is welcome!

Come read, reflect, and share in conversations that will deepen your understanding of Jesus and enrich your spiritual journey.

Book: Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldredge
Cost: Free
Time: 6:30 PM at the Clare Room
Dates: Thursdays, October 8, 15, 22, 29

We hope you’ll join us this fall as we rediscover the beauty, mystery, and captivating heart of Jesus Christ through this inspiring book recommendation from Fr. Michael Carnevale.

Please RSVP with the following form.

Oct. 3: Blessing of the Animals

Join us on Saturday, October 3 at 12 noon in the Upper Church for the annual Blessing of the Animals the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in honor of the feast of our parish’s patron saint and the patron saint of animals. We look forward to seeing you with your beloved pets. You may also attend with a photo of your pet.

Sept. 27: FrancisFest 2026

Kick off Francis Week with an evening of great food, fellowship, and fun at our 5th Annual FrancisFest!

Gather with friends and fellow parishioners as we celebrate our parish community with a festive Oktoberfest-inspired evening featuring beer, brats, pretzels, and plenty of good company. We’ll also have a variety of non-alcoholic beverages available, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Feeling festive? We encourage you to come dressed in your favorite lederhosen, dirndl, or traditional German attire to add to the fun!

Whether you’re a longtime parishioner or new to our community, FrancisFest is a wonderful way to celebrate the start of Francis Week and enjoy an afternoon of laughter, fellowship, and hospitality.

Date:                Sunday, September 27, 2026

Time:               1:30 to 4:30 PM

Location:         San Damiano Hall

Tickets & Registration

Advance Tickets:

  • $30 for Admission Ticket (No Collectible Beer Glass)
  • $38 for Admission Ticket with Collectible Beer Glass (Limited Availability!)

Tickets at the Door/Day of:

  • $35 for Admission Ticket (No Collectible Beer Glass)
  • $12 for Collectible Beer Glass Only (If available)

All Admission Tickets include food and drinks.

Ticketholders with the Collectible Beer Glass will receive the glass at the event.

All payments are non-refundable.

Prost! Raise a stein to Francis Week, the fall season, fun, and friends. We’ll see you there—cheers!

Oct. 8-Dec. 3: Making Connections: The Novels of James Baldwin (1924-1987)

REGISTER HERE
Making Connections: The Novels of James Baldwin (1924-1987)
Instructor: Sr. Fran McManus, RSM
Thursdays | October 8th – December 3rd, 2026 | No meeting Nov. 26.
12:30pm – 1:30pm
ZOOM
Fee: $60.00
James Baldwin described his life’s mission as bearing witness to the truth. An essayist and novelist, Baldwin was a civil rights leader and peace activist. We will track Baldwin’s development of themes and style by reading his novels in chronological order: Go Tell It on the Mountain, Giovanni’s Room, Another Country, and If Beale Street Could Talk.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

FRAN McMANUS,R.S.M., is a published poet and playwright, is a member of the Dramatists Guild and adjunct instructor in English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. A Sister of Mercy, Fran holds an M.A. in humanities and an M.A. in English/Creative Writing. Her most recent publications include the prose work, Coffee with Mary, published by St. Anthony’s Guild, and “After-Hours Prayer,” published in the 2018 edition of Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry.

Oct. 5-Nov. 30: Telling Times: The Poetry of W.S. Merwin (1927-2019)

REGISTER HERE
Telling Times: The Poetry of W.S. Merwin (1927-2019)
Instructor: Sr. Fran McManus, RSM
Mondays | October 5th – November 30th | No class Oct. 12th
6:00pm – 8:00pm
ZOOM
Fee: $60.00
Text: Merwin, W. S. (William Stanley). The Essential W.S. Merwin. Port Townsend, Washington : Copper Canyon Press, [2017], 2017.
In the introduction to our course text, Merwin’s longtime editor Michael Wiegers notes: Merwin’s poems have illuminated their tumultuous times, global and domestic, and all the while he has, through his poetry, consistently discovered and created grace.” For the first hour and a half, we will discuss the poet’s work. During the last half hour of our gathering we will have the opportunity to write poems in response to the themes and techniques discussed during class. This last half hour of the class is optional; the class welcomes readers and writers of poetry.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

FRAN McMANUS,R.S.M., is a published poet and playwright, is a member of the Dramatists Guild and adjunct instructor in English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. A Sister of Mercy, Fran holds an M.A. in humanities and an M.A. in English/Creative Writing. Her most recent publications include the prose work, Coffee with Mary, published by St. Anthony’s Guild, and “After-Hours Prayer,” published in the 2018 edition of Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry.

September 16: Care of Creation Mass

Metro NY Catholic Climate Movement, the local chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement, invites you to their annual

Mass for Care of Creation
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026
5:30 pm

In the Jubilee Year of the 800th Anniversary of the Death of St. Francis of Assisi

Special guest: Christina Leaño,
Associate Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement

Church of St. Francis of Assisi
135 West 31st Street, New York City

Reception to follow.

September 11: Mass Schedule

In remembrance of September 11, 2001, please join the Church of St. Francis of Assisi at the following masses.

7:30 AM – Lower Church

10:30 AM – Upper Church with the local FDNY Battalion

12:00 Noon – Lower Church

12:30 PM – Upper Church with NYC Building Trades Unions

5:30 PM – Upper Church

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