Filipino Ministry Costume Party 2019
All Souls Day Cards
If you would like to remember a deceased friend or loved one on All Souls Day, we a have special card for a minimum offering of $5.00 each. You can purchase All Souls Day cards at the front desk of the Francis House or online HERE.
The cover of the card features a photo of the Angel of Redemption from the Sorrowful Mother Shrine. The inside message reads:
A Spiritual Gift in
Loving Memory of
_______________________
will share in a special remembrance in the prayers and Masses celebrated
by the Franciscan Friars at the
Church of St. Francis of Assisi on All Souls Day.
Free Wills Seminar
There will be a free Wills Seminar in the Clare Room in the Parish House:
On Saturday, October 26, at 5:00 PM
Topics will include advice on drawing up a will, estate planning, how can you help your church, and practical answers from an attorney.
This FREE event is sponsored by the Church of St. Francis of Assisi and the Legacy of Faith of the Archdiocese of New York.
Open Wide Our Hearts, A Pastoral Letter on Racism from the United States Catholic Bishops 3
Racism can often be found in our hearts – in many cases placed there unwillingly or unknowingly by our upbringing and culture. As such, it can lead to thoughts and actions that we do not even see as racist, but nonetheless flow from the same prejudicial root… Racism can also be institutional, when practices or traditions are upheld that treat certain groups of people unjustly. The cumulative effects of personal sins of racism have led to social structures of injustice and violence that makes us all accomplices in racism.
With the positive changes that arose from the civil rights movement and related civil rights legislation, some may believe that racism is no longer a major affliction of our society – that it is only found in the hearts of individuals who can be dismissed as ignorant or unenlightened. But racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart. This evil causes great harm to its victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts. The persistence of the evil of racism is why we (the US Bishops) are writing this letter now. People are still being harmed, so action is still needed.
(to be continued)
The Pastor’s Corner – Sunday October 20, 2019
St. Luke recounts one of the parables of Jesus which begins “Two people went up to the temple area to pray…”
We are all different in the ways that we pray – some praise God for their blessings, some ask God to grant their petitions, some ask God for guidance, and some even tell God what they want Him to do. Praying can be difficult in our busy world full of distractions. The point to today’s Gospel is to pray from the heart, knowing who we are before God and that we are all sons and daughters of the One God. There is no “put down” of anyone or bragging about one’s “generosity.” The conclusion of the Gospel speaks about humility and that there is something positive about being humble.
I have found that the Wills Seminars that we have here at St. Francis are always helpful and well attended. I am surprised to learn how many people do not have a will or that they never had their will updated. So many problems are created when a person dies and there is no will or an outdated one. I have seen families torn apart because of this. Also, many do not think about leaving something to the church. We have been blessed over the years to have received financial support through the estates of people who have come to St. Francis while they worked or lived in Manhattan. I am grateful that lawyers offer their services FREE at these Wills Seminars. It provides an opportunity to clarify questions that a person may have. If you missed Saturday’s seminar, we will have another one soon.
Don’t forget the All Saints Holy Day on November 1.
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.
Poems-R-Us
Enjoy an evening of original poetry by members of the St. Francis Adult Education Program and friends of our parish.
This free program will take place
Wednesday, October 23,
6:00-8:00 PM,
in the First Floor Conference Room.
Enter through the Parish House.
Week of Prayer to St. Jude
We invite to take part in a Week of Prayer in honor of St. Jude:
Monday, October 21, through Friday, October 25,
at the 11:30 and 4:30 weekday Masses.
Devotions to St. Jude became popular in the United States because of the Great Depression, World War II, and the sufferings of ordinary people. St. Jude continues to be a beacon of hope to those who call him, no matter how desperate the need.
Envelopes are available at the entrances of the church for your intentions.
Open Wide Our Hearts, A Pastoral Letter on Racism from the United States Catholic Bishops 2
Racism occurs because a person ignores the fundamental truth that, because all humans share a common origin, they are all brothers and sisters, all equally made in the image of God. When this truth is ignored, the consequence is prejudice and fear of the other, and – all too often – hatred.
Racism comes in many forms. It can be deliberate, sinful acts. In recent times, we have seen bold expressions of racism by groups as well as individuals. The re-appearance of symbols of hatred, such as nooses and swastikas in public spaces, is a tragic indicator of rising racism and ethnic animus. All too often, Hispanics and African Americans, for example, face discrimination in hiring, housing, educational opportunities, and incarceration. Racial profiling frequently targets Hispanics for selective immigration enforcement practices and African Americans, for suspected criminal activity. There is also the growing fear and harassment of persons from majority Muslim countries. Extreme nationalist ideologies are feeding the American public discourse with xenophobic rhetoric that instigates fear among foreigners, immigrants and refugees. Finally, too often racism comes in the form of the sin of omission, when (many) remain silent and fail to act against racial injustice when it is encountered.
Recent News & Events
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Welcome Fr. Brian! July 24,2024
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주보 July 23,2024
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Farewell celebration for Fr. Joe July 17,2024
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Lector Workshop "The Art of Storytelling" July 15,2024
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