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Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings!

As friends of St. Anthony, you and I belong to a great community or communion of saints. It is a long-standing tradition that the saints in Heaven have interceded for us on earth, and we in turn honor them, seeking their prayers and guidance. Among these holy men and women, we have St. Anthony, one of the most beloved saints of all time.

St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal on August 15, 1195, and died in Padua, Italy on June 13, 1231. St. Anthony was a gifted preacher and theologian; he became one of the most revered saints in the Church and was given the title “Wonder-Worker Saint” and “Doctor of the Church” for his intercession has been sought by millions over the centuries, and countless miracles have been attributed to him, and for his profound knowledge of Scripture and powerful preaching.

No single country can claim St. Anthony as their own—neither the people of Italy nor the people of Portugal can claim him exclusively. St. Anthony is the Saint of the Whole World—a universal saint for a universal Church. Like St. Francis of Assisi, and in our time, Mother Theresa, St. Anthony was a peacemaker who followed St. Francis as an instrument of peace, helper of the poor and finder of lost things, speaks to the universal human experience of seeking guidance, compassion, and hope. His deep love for Christ and the poor continues to inspire people worldwide.

Anywhere in the world, you will find Christians praying to St. Anthony for help with life’s troubles and challenges–especially when searching for things they have lost. Devotion to St. Anthony is deeply woven into the life of the Church and at the heart of the Franciscan mission. Visit any Catholic church, and you will likely find a statue or stained-glass window of St. Anthony, along with the Way of the Cross, a devotion popularized by the Franciscans.                                             

A Very Special Request

As we celebrate this joyous feast, we also turn to you with an urgent request. This year, we must address the significant cost of retrofitting our gas and electric control systems due to rising utility expenses across our three parish buildings. These upgrades are essential to ensuring the continued ministry and mission of our parish. 

Your generosity has always sustained us, and we need your help now more than ever. Please consider making a generous gift to this year’s St. Anthony’s Appeal. Your donation will help us meet these challenges and secure a promising future for our parish community.

On behalf of the Franciscan Friars and staff of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, we thank you for your unwavering support and wish you a blessed and joyous Feast of St. Anthony! We hope to see you on Friday, June 13 to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony, click here to view the schedule. If you would like special intentions in my prayers and those of the Franciscan Friars, please click here (insert link) to complete the form.                                                                              

With gratitude and prayers,

Father Brian Jordan, OFM
Pastor

P.S. We invite you to light a Tribute Candle. Remember your loved one or special intention in a meaningful way! The Church of St. Francis of Assisi invites you to light a candle in the Shrine of St. Anthony in the Lower Church for a full year. Each candle will have a personalized plaque (2” x 1”) displayed beneath it, inscribed with the name of your loved one or intention. The annual offering is $200 per candle. Through your gifts, we provide a place of prayer, guidance, and service for all who seek hope and renewal. Thank you for being a part of our mission and for helping us bring the love of Christ to all. For more information, please call the Development Office at 212-736-8500, Ext. 307.

We invited our parish to donate flowers for the Feast of St. Anthony on June 13. The flowers adorn the church and give thanks to God for St. Anthony on his feast day.

2025 Flowers for St. Anthony

M. Knowles

E. Friend

M. Kuerz

R. Isaacs

R. Knowles

S. Ross

Ethan De la Isla—special intentions

Alberto Santos—speedy recovery and healing

In memory of Elena and Antalio De la Isla

In memory of Salud Buenaventura

In memory of Mariano and Pacencia San Buenaventura

In memory of Eduardo, Eleazar, Eduardo Jr., Buenaventura

In memory of Cesar Dumlao

Joan Maturando—gratitude for my blessings

Jose Luis and Paola—special intentions

In memory of Italo and Evelyn Colozzi, Amelia Dugas, Diane DeLuca, Beverly Cusack

Barbara and Henry Sonntag—special intentions

In memory of Ben Matlock

Diana Marie—special intentions for the discernment and direction of her life, a meaningful, spiritually prosperous way.  Always in gratitude.

In memory of Jane Caracciolo

Sr. M. Johnice, special intentions

In memory of Brian Carter

Bernadine, special intentions for her health

Joshua Dsouza, special intentions and thanksgiving for internship

Joshua Dsouza special intention to secure a job

Joel Dsouza, special intention for a blessed marriage

Joel Dsouza, special intention for success and growth in career

Odely Dsouza, special intention, for good health

Gloria Dsouza, special intention, for good health

Savio Dsouza, special intention, for good health

Purisima

Assumpta Massoi—Thanksgiving for the graces, mercies, and divine blessings my family and I continually receive through his intercession.  I earnestly pray that he continues to softly remind Our Lord Jesus Christ that He is our refuge here on earth amid these uncertain and hopeless times.  Our hope and salvation we find in the Lord, Amen.

Mary Lou Massi—Thanksgiving for all blessings.

Leona Tighe—St. Anthony, find my sister, Jean, and send her home as soon as possible.  Thanking you in advance.

Richard Tomasso—Special intentions for those suffering from cancer, for those who have fallen away from the Catholic faith.

Carol Lyman—In thanks to St. Anthony for favors and blessings.

Diana Trimble—special intentions, for friends battling serious illness and their caregivers, for all motorcyclists, and those grieving their loss, bless and repair relationship.

Maria Sotto, special intentions—Jessie Q. Sotto, deceased and Aida Nery Sotto, deceased

In celebration of Father’s Day, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi will honor fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who have touched our lives.  We remember the men, living and deceased, shared by our parish community for this Father’s Day.

2025 Father’s Day Tributes

Alhousseini Alhatab

Angelo F. Banaria

Bob

Bob Cosgrove

Brendan Girard Smith

Buenaventura Carlos

Chris Kepler

1. Chris Wagner

Dave Schmidt

Francisco Carlos

George Hennessy

Jim Clancy

John Jochmans

Joseph Sackelos

Joseph Zangla

Jun A. Banaria

Larry O’Conner

Michael O’Connor

Msgr. Casper Furnari

Owen Tighe, special intentions

Pauric and Eugene Tighe, special intentions

Phil Guairosi

Ralph Marrero

Ralph Santiago

Robert Stein

Roshaun Clarke

Sean Clancy

Silburn Clarke

Stephen Williams

T. Guiness

T. O’Connor

Todd Lundgren

Victor Emanuel Felix

Vinny Clancy

Major Michael A. Verdone

In Loving Memory:

Alex Steinberg

Angel Dailo Aseoche

Anthony Hansen

Anthony Zangler

Arthur J. Lawrence

Arthur W.  Lawrence

Bernard Clancy

Bruschi Family Fathers, living and deceased

Charles Wildes, Sr.

Edward Granka

Edwin Vaz

Felix Medina

Fr. Allan VanKobs, OFM

Fr. Joseph Gleeson

Frank Risafi

Fred Huff, Sr.

George Noel

Hien Benedicto Le

James Belt

James Cavanagh, Sr.

James Dunleavy

Jim Woods

Jose Eduardo Medina

Joseph Arena

Joseph Beckett

Joseph Francis Gonsalves

Joseph G. Fallert

Juan De la Hoz

Lawrence N. Kane

Lee and Johnson Family Fathers, living and deceased

Lenburn Lee

Leo G. Hengler and Arthur Hengler

Louis Bruschi

Louis Emmanuel Hansen

Mark Weiner

Martin Brophy

Michael Dunleavy, Sr.

Nick Bibbo

Patrick Tighe

Pizzurro Family Fathers, living and deceased

Randolph Bishop, Sr.

Sal Macchione

Thomas Brady

Tony Coniker

Vincent Risafi

Vinny Puleo

Vito Arena

William R. Cipriani

Celebrate the Feast of Saint Anthony with us on Friday, June 13.

Mass will take place at:

• 7:30 am
• 9:00 am
• 12:00 pm
• 1:00 pm
• 2:30 pm (Spanish)
• 4:00 pm
• 5:30 pm
• 6:30 pm (Haitian Kreyol-upper church)
• 6:30 pm (Filipino-lower church)

Confessions will take place at:

• 7:30 am – 9:00 am
• 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
• 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Blessed St. Anthony’s Bread will be distributed: 7:30 am – 6:30 pm or until inventory is exhausted.

The relic will be in the lower church: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Multicultural Holy Rosary: 11:00 am

Join us for Mass on May 18 at 11AM & 5PM at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi as we pray for vocations and support those discerning religious life.

Meet our candidates:
Tim J. | Alex B. (Parishioner) | Jason S. | Chris B.

Please keep them in your prayers as they begin their Franciscan formation.

Learn more and support vocations at www.friars.us