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On Sunday, July 16, 2023, our St. Francis of Assisi bid Fr. Tom Gallagher, our outgoing pastor, a fond farewell with our blessing as he makes his way to his new assignment in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Fr. Tom presided at the 12:30 PM Mass which was followed by a reception in the Clare room to which everyone was invited.  But before the end of the Mass, Meredith Augustin, our Director of Music Ministries, congratulated Fr. Tom, thanked him for his ministry with us, and led the members of the music ministry who sang a blessing over him.  Friars from the community and the entire community joined in praying the blessing over our pastor.

We wish Tom well in his new city and new assignment!  Below are some highlights of the day’s events.

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Dear Community and Friends of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi,

Peace and All Good!

It feels strange to be writing the “Pastor’s Letter” before I arrive at Saint Francis. I will be at Saint Francis next weekend. I am happy, honored and excited to become the pastor of such a fabulous church. My name is Fr. Joe Juracek, perhaps some may remember me, as I was stationed at Saint Francis about 20 years ago. I was vicar of the friary and started the counseling center working there for six years. I absolutely love being a Franciscan priest. My life has been filled with blessings and happiness. I can’t wait to share my joy of knowing and loving Jesus with you.

In the long form of today’s Gospel, Jesus explains the parable of the weeds and the good seed: “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom.” I look forward to us “good seeds” working and growing together, moving forward from our community of Saint Francis to teach, witness and spread the Good News of
Jesus Christ.

Peace and all Good,

Fr. Joe, ofm

As part of our outreach to those in need, and in solidarity with the larger Catholic Community throughout the world, we periodically take up second collections to support the work of other Catholic ministries.  This Sunday we will be taking a collection for the Nazareth Sisters of the Annunciation who work in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Their work is described below and they have provided us a PDF with images of their work.

Please be prepared to show our love and support this week when you come to Mass for the second collection, or you can make an additional donation online and simply put “Nazareth Sister” in the comments box on your donation.

Thank you!

Brief History of the Nazareth Sisters of the Annunciation

The Congregation of the Nazareth Sisters of the  Annunciation was founded in 1955 by Rev. Lawrence Victor Bessone in the Diocese of Meru in Kenya. Currently the Congregation has about 200 members serving in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and few sisters working in USA.  Our Mission is to witnesses God’s Love to Humanity particularly to women, youth and the children in the spirit of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

The Nazareth Sisters do take care of the homeless children; the orphans, street children; Aids Patients, Refugees, youth, mentally challenged, people with disabilities and provide medical care to the poor people in their village.  Many of these children go begging in the streets due to luck of food and necessities of life, and they become vulnerable targets of drugs. Also, poor people we serve live in the extreme poor conditions and the most affected are women and their children. Thousands of vulnerable people live in horrible conditions with no opportunity for improving their situation or getting out of poverty or escaping from evils that may surround them such as human trafficking, drugs alcohol and terrorism.    The Nazareth Sisters can only fulfil this mission of our Lord Jesus Christ with the support of people of good will like you. We rely on God’s providence through the missionary support. It is through such people like you that God’s blessings are known.

These disadvantaged people are waiting for someone to give support.  They need clothing, they need medical care, they need education, they need shelter and more especially they need love. Who is to have pity on these vulnerable people?  It is a challenge.

All the donations received from your parish will be designated for these vulnerable people who are waiting for someone to give support. Your prayers and contribution will be highly appreciated

Be assured of our prayers.  May God reward you for your generous heart.

Click HERE for a PDF of the work of the Nazareth Sisters of the Annunciation: 2023 Mission Appeals Photos – parishes

Fr. Tom would like to remind everyone that the air conditioning in the upper church will only be working at 1/3 power again this weekend, July 22-23, 2023, as we are still waiting on parts to complete the repairs.  You can expect the temperature in the church to be similar to what it was last weekend.

We hope to have it working at 100% very soon.

Folks who are sensitive to the heat or have respiratory issues may want to consider the livestream this weekend.

Dear Community and Friends of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi,

May the Lord give you peace.

I thank you for the privilege of ministering with, to, and for you. It has been a great grace for me to be here with you. I have enjoyed these three years. You have generously shared your lives with me and the friars. It has been a great blessing to participate in the ministry of healing experienced in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick. The honesty and the spiritual depth of the sharing in those moments are experiences of the Lord’s presence for me. Likewise, the celebrations of the Eucharist and preaching are blessings. You have responded graciously and been engaged in these celebrations. We, St. Francis Church, are quite popular with the live-stream community.

The pastoral ministry team and the entire staff are remarkably dedicated to ministry. They are committed to you and to using their gifts to build up the Body of Christ as realized at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The spirit of St. Francis thrives here in the energy and joy that abounds.

I honestly did not know what to expect when I was asked to leave Hartford and come here. I found incredible goodness and a gracious welcome (however socially distant in September 2020). I am grateful to have had the privilege to be with you, even for a short time. I ask your continued prayers for the friars and your welcome of your new pastor, Fr. Joe Juracek, ofm. I will remember you in my prayer with gratitude.

I will head to St. Petersburg, Florida, to minister with our senior friars next week. This is a significant change in ministry for me. I was surprised to be asked to pick up and go south! I have packed my sunscreen and my hats!

I am sure I will be back to visit.

Blessings and peace,

Fr. Tom, ofm