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A Look Back at Francis Week: great talks, celebrations and fun

A Look Back at Francis Week: great talks, celebrations and fun

Francis Week 2021 was full of amazing talks, celebrations, remembrances and fun!  Despite our continuing struggles with the pandemic, life feels more and more like it’s getting back almost to normal at St. Francis of Assisi.  Here is a look back at the events that made our celebration of our patron saint so special this year:

Two authors came to present their work.  On Thursday, September 30th we opened Francis Week with Love in the time of Coronavirus.  Dr. Angela Alaimo O’Donnell from Fordham University, came to share some of her poetry from her book of the same name.  The poems were written in first year of lockdown right here in New York and they beautifully capture many of the experiences we all shared during this difficult time.  Even people who don’t normally attend poetry events were moved by the feelings and memories that Angela’s poems evoked.

Woman speaking at indoor event with audience.
People attending a meeting in a conference room.
Speaker addressing a small audience in conference.

Then on Saturday, October 2nd, Maureen O’Brien read from her latest book, What was Lost: Seeking Refuge in the Psalms.  Maureen shared how her personal struggles with cancer and divorce led her to discover the power of the psalms to express the full range of human emotions and experiences, and she found the freedom to feel all of those emotions.  It was a powerful and moving witness to life’s journey through peaks of joy and happiness, and troughs of difficulty and sadness.  Maureen’s book is available for purchase in the St. Francis bookstore in the lobby and is worth reading.

People attending a lecture in a conference room.
People seated around tables in a meeting.
Group discussion around a table indoors.
People sitting at a round table talking.
People sitting at tables, wearing masks indoors.
People sitting in a meeting room, attentive.

The celebrations continued on Sunday with one of the most fun and beloved events of the year: the Blessing of Animals.  This year over one hundred dogs, cats, birds and a turtle were accompanied by their loving humans to bring them into God’s house to have them blessed.  There is a great joy in welcoming into the church these other creatures whose creator loves them too.  Even the animals seem to enjoy being welcomed into the church to be blessed.

Crowd of adults standing with leashed dogs
People and dogs gathered on a city sidewalk.
People gathered outside a building, holding papers.
People and dogs gathering on city sidewalk.
Person holding a small dog indoors.
White dog on a leash indoors.
Monks with dog standing in ornate setting.
Monk speaking at church podium.
Fluffy dog on a leash indoors.
Close-up of a fluffy rabbit's face.
Smiling white dog with pink bow and dress.
Fluffy dog sitting on wooden bench indoors.
Fluffy black dog on a leash indoors.
Turtle in a plastic container being held.
Tabby cat on leash sitting indoors.
Cat sitting inside a pet carrier crate.
Small dog being held and petted.
People seated on benches with a dog.
Dog in red shirt on wooden bench.
Man holding dog in church pews.
Two dogs sitting with people in church.
Woman holding dog in a church pew.
Person with dog sitting in church pew.
Small dog in a blue harness indoors.

The festivities culminated with our liturgical celebrations in honor of St. Francis of Assisi.  On Sunday evening we celebrated the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi.  Friars around the world gather on the evening of October 3rd to remember the passing of St. Francis.  Our Transitus this year was opened with a talk by Sr. Marie Puleo, MFIC who talked about the legacy of St. Francis and the challenge to work for peace and justice inspired by his example and life.  Click the video below to watch this beautiful and moving prayer.

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Then finally on October 4th we celebrated the feast itself.  We celebrated the Mass in honor of St. Francis at all of our daily Masses and in the evening we had two special celebrations.  At 5 PM Fr. Kevin Mullen, OFM, Provincial Minister of Holy Name Provice presided at the Mass.  Then at 6 PM we had a special festive Mass presided over by our pastor Fr. Tom Gallagher, OFM.  Below are some photos and the video of the 6 PM Mass.  Photos were taken by Keith Kemp, a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi and member of our RCIA ministry team.

Thank You for joining the festivities!

Church procession with animal and butterfly puppets.
Church interior with people and flying kites.
People flying kites inside a large church.
Church procession with people holding a cross.
Church ceremony with people holding candles.
Liturgical book raised during masked procession
Ornate church altar with colorful mosaic artwork.
Church altar with flowers and saint statue.
People clapping inside a church, wearing masks.
Church procession with priests carrying cross.
Priests and congregation in ornate church interior.
People in church during religious ceremony.
People praying in a decorated church interior.
People seated in church holding papers.
Priests distributing communion in a church.
Priest distributing communion to masked congregants.
Woman smiling while playing a grand piano.
Person in robe praying, standing by table.
Choir performing in front of large organ.
Priest performing Eucharistic celebration in church.
Church service with masked speakers and priest.
Priest speaking at church with congregation present.
Priest addressing congregation in church interior.
Priest speaking to congregation in church.
Saint statue with flowers and crucifix.
Priest conducting a church service with clergy.
Priest and altar servers in church ceremony.
Man speaking at church podium with microphone.
Church service with flowers and speaker.
Woman speaking at a church podium, flowers nearby.
Priest conducting service in decorated church.
Musicians performing with bass and drums indoors.
Man singing passionately in a church service.
Priest bowing at altar during church service.
Colorful butterfly and turtle decorations inside church.
Three nuns smiling in a church setting.
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Holy Name Province Publishes Abuse List


The Provincial Minister of the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province has asked that the following letter be published on our parish website. More information can be found on the Province website at hnp.org. If you or someone you know has been sexually abused by a Holy Name Province friar, immediately report it to your local law enforcement authorities and contact Ms. Angelica Jochim, LMFT, the Province’s Survivor Assistant, at 1-800-770-8013.

Click Here for the provincial letter.

Flowers in honor of St. Francis of Assisi were donated in memory of the following

THE FLOWERS THAT ADORN OUR SANCTUARY IN HONOR OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI HAVE BEEN DONATED IN MEMORY AND FOR THE SPECIAL INTENTIONS OF THE FOLLOWING:

 

In loving memory of our parents Margaret and David McBriar, deceased and Betty Myers – deceased

offered by Agnes M McLoughlin

 

Healing, meditations and prayer to you St. Francis and your gracious church of St. Francis of Assisi NY with a novena and flowers

offered by andrea alampy

Conversion of Brian Putong, living, my pending retirement

offered by Araceli Limbaga

 

Special Intention for my Daughter Tricia.

offered by Barbara A Sonntag

 

your friends from pennsylvania

offered by cheryl spager

 

In memory of my parents, William and Marie Cipriani and my brother, Billy.,
all deceased

offered by Clare Amoroso

For the happiness and peace of my daughter.  For peace and love everywhere.

offered by Daisy Zeluck

 

improved health for David

offered by David Taylor

 

for deceased family and friends and for those in special need of help and inspiration

offered by Debra Colozzi

 

Helen and Philip Castellano, deceased

offered by Elena Castellano

 

Candida Rose, deceased; Gerchow Rose, deceased, L. Lloyd  Grant, deceased

offered by Elizabeth Rose

 

Albertina Hidalgo Olmedo, deceased

offered by FlordeMaria Valle

 

Mariano Legaspi – deceased

Glezie Legaspi – special intention

Kristina Layos – special intention

Liza Aguilar – special intention

Norminda Ramos – special intention

offered by glezie Legaspi

 

Iliana DePaz Telon, living; for her health and speedy recovery

offered by Iliana DePaz

 

Jane R. and Charles Janiak, deceased

offered by Jane M. Janiak

 

For my boys in the Healy Family
(special intention)

offered by Janet Healy

 

Pray for my family, health always.  Thank you.  Amen

offered by Jenevy DeJesus

 

Eida Oriz – Deceased

offered by Lucy Ortiz

 

Maria Guia Cabillon, deceased

offered by Magdalena del Castillo

Jessie Q. Sotto, deceased

offered by Maria C Sotto

 

In memory of

Regina & Edward Trochimczuk, Deceased

offered by Maryann Trochimczuk

 

Michael Boyle – Special Intention

offered by Megan E McMahon

 

Michael and Eileen Richter Sabol, deceased

offered by Michael J Sabol Jr

 

For the deceased members of the Harlan and Lediger family.

offered by Michael J. Harlan

 

Miri Vela G

offered by Miriam America Garcia Ruiz

Maggie Rittler, deceased

offered by Ms Mary C Havey

 

Honor of St. Francis’ feast and
blessing of animals

offered by Myrna C. Pinchinat

Peace and quiet in my neighborhood

offered by Norma Ponce

Special Intentions

offered by Patricia Bishop

 

Families Tavarez, Mejias, Cruz, Castillo

offered by Pedro A. Tavarez

 

Patrick & Maya Garvey-Mitchell, living; Michael Mitchell, living Peggy and
John Garvey, deceased

offered by Peg Garvey-Mitchell

Dear St. Francis of Assisi:

For Special Intention, for the Health of Rita Ocasio (me), my daughters: Rita Gonzalez and Maritza Gonzalez and friend Maricelis Vega.

Provide Health, Blessings and Safety for our Cats, Dogs and Chickens,

THANKS St. Francis of Assisi

offered by Rita H. Ocasio Ortiz

Pray for my sister whose leg has been amputated.  She is in South Africa.

offered by Rosalia L. Motloenya

RoseMarie Azzaro, deceased

offered by Rosemary Azzaro

Don Lavende, Deceased

Leslie Caci, Curt Johnson, Lincoln Jobes and Clem Aleong

And special intension for
Agnes Lavende recuperation
From the Lavende-Ordorica family

offered by Sandra Lavende

Cassie Sonntag, deceased

Tricia Rumola, Special intention

offered by Tricia A Rumola

Victor A. Green, Deceased

offered by Vanessa N Washington

 

Thank You

Fall 2021 Adult Education Courses begin in October

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi is back an offering adult education courses in scripture, Catholic theology, spirituality and literature. Take some time this fall to learn more about our faith and traditions.

Some courses are offered in person, some courses are offered on zoom, and one has both options.  Courses are in person unless otherwise noted.

See our fall offerings at https://stfrancisnyc.org/courses

COURSES

Celebrate St. Francis – Francis Week 2021

Join us for a week of prayer, special events, and celebrations as we remember and honor our patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi!

Love In The Time of Coronavirus

September 30th at 6:30 PM
San Damiano Hall

Join us as author Dr. Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, reads from her book of poems Love in the Time of Coronavirus: A Pandemic Pilgrimage and invites us to unpack our experience of the past year and half through her poetry.

click here for more details

What Was Lost: Seeking Refuge in the Psalms

October 2nd at 2:30 PM
San Damiano Hall

Meet author Maureen O’Brien as she reads from and signs her latest book, What was Lost: Seeking Refuge in the Psalms.

click here for more details

The Blessing of Animals

October 3rd at 2:00 PM
Main Church

click here for more details

The Transitus

October 3rd at 7:oo PM (6:30pm, Marie Puleo to give an introduction)
Main Church

Feast of St. Francis “Festive Masses”

October 4th at 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM
Main Church

Flowers for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

As we celebrate St. Francis on October 4th, the church will be decorated with magnificent flowers.  All of his teaching, preaching, healing and seeking what was lost gave glory to God. He used his gifts well. Let us fill the church with the beauty of God’s creation in honor of a saint who loved nature so much.

You are invited to donate flowers in memory of a loved one or for a special intention.

Click here to offer flowers for the feast

Love in the Time of Coronavirus – Poetry reading and discussion


Man lighting a candle inside a church with stained glass windows.Join us as author Dr. Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, reads from her book of poems Love in the Time of Coronavirus: A Pandemic Pilgrimage and invites us to unpack our experience of the past year and half through her poetry.

During the course of the evening Dr. Angela Alaimo O’Donnell will read selected poems from her new book.  Then a portion of the evening will allow attendees to discuss their experience of the pandemic.  The evening will conclude with a short prayer service offering to God what we have been through together.

Dr. Angela will sign books after the prayer service.  Copies of the book will be available to purchase that evening.

Join us:

Thursday, September 30th
6:30 PM
San Damiano Hall

This event is free and open to the public.
COVID safety measures:  We ask all attendees to please wear a mask during this event.

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Click here for more FRANCIS WEEK 2021 events.

About the author:

Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, PhD is a professor, poet, and writer at FMan lighting a candle inside a church with stained glass windows.ordham University in New York City and serves as Associate Director of Fordham’s Curran Center for American Catholic Studies. Her publications include two chapbooks and seven collections of poems, most recently, Andalusian Hours (2020), a collection of 101 poems that channel the voice of Flannery O’Connor, and Love in the Time of Coronavirus: A Pandemic Pilgrimage (2021).  In addition, O’Donnell has published a prize-winning memoir, Mortal Blessings (2014) and a book of hours based on the practical theology of Flannery O’Connor, The Province of Joy (2012), and her biography Flannery O’Connor: Fiction Fired by Faith  (2015) was awarded first prize for excellence in publishing from The Association of Catholic Publishers.  Her new critical book on Flannery O’Connor, Radical Ambivalence: Race in Flannery O’Connor was published by Fordham University Press in 2020.  

Reading and Book Signing – What Was Lost: Seeking Refuge in the Psalms

FRANCIS WEEK 2021 EVENT:

Meet author Maureen O’Brien as she reads from and signs her latest book, What was Lost: Seeking Refuge in the Psalms.

When you hit rock bottom, it isn’t rainbows and butterflies that you need—it’s the words to express your deepest emotions without being judged for them. In this spiritual memoir, author Maureen O’Brien finds her words in the psalms. As a cancer survivor and heartbroken divorcee, O’Brien made a seemingly simple commitment to praying one psalm a day, no matter how uninspired she felt. And as she returned to the ancient poems day after day, she discovered something surprising: while the psalms did give her comfort, solace, and hope, they also gave her permission to rage, cry, and grieve. And what she found was that her most honest emotions pulled her nearer to God, not further away. This, O’Brien writes, is the gift of the psalms. At once relatable and inspiring, What Was Lost stands like a lighthouse on a stormy night, offering the reader a clear path to be led home. Maureen will read from her memoir, and eagerly take questions and welcomes  personal stories from the audience.  A book signing follows.

 

About Maureen: Maureen O’Brien is the author of the novel b-mother. Her award-winning short stories and poems have been published widely in magazines and anthologies. She lives in Connecticut where she taught  creative writing to teenagers for twenty-five years. She holds an M.A in creative writing and a B.A. in philosophy and religion. The contrasts of life—sunrise and dusk, crying and laughter–never cease to amaze her.

Saturday, October 2, 2021
2:30 PM
San Damiano Hall

COVID safety measures:  We ask all attendees to please wear a mask during this event. 

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Click here for our full FRANCIS WEEK 2021 list of events

 

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