Many of our parishioners are worried about immigration enforcement and ICE as a result of the recent Presidential decrees. These guidelines from Catholic Charities can help you know your rights in an encounter with ICE. The guidelines are available in English and Spanish.

Muchos de nuestros feligreses están preocupados por la aplicación de las leyes de inmigración y por ICE como resultado de los recientes decretos presidenciales. Estas pautas de Caridades Católicas pueden ayudarlo a conocer sus derechos en un encuentro con ICE. Las pautas están disponibles en inglés y español.

Good Climate News – Part 2 of 2

Solar energy is through the roof! It’s getting cheaper and exceeding expectations. China is out in front most dramatically, installing more solar panels than any other country and at an alarming rate. They’re getting creative too — or daring. Satellite pictures reveal one installation in the Kubuqi Desert that when looked at from above forms the outline of a running horse. The U.S. follows in a strong second place, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, and India too is advancing. Solar panels in deserts provide shade and windbreak. They allow moisture to accumulate beneath and are becoming little nurseries of new growth of grasses and other small plants and species. There are four deserts here in the U.S.

Efforts to promote a sustainable use of natural resources are not a waste of money, but rather an investment, capable of providing other economic benefits…diversified and innovative forms of production which impact less on the environment can prove very profitable. — Pope Francis (LS 191)

For more information about the Laudato Si Circle here at St. Francis email stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.

¡Te invitamos a unirte a nuestra misa dominical!

Querida comunidad.

Este domingo. te extendemos una cálida invitación para que nos acompañes en la celebración de la Santa Misa. un memento especial para encontrarnos como hermanos en la fe. renovar nuestro espíritu y recibir la gracia de Dios. La misa sera a las 10:00 a.m. en nuestra parroquia. donde juntos podremos ala bar. orar y reflexionar sobre el mensaje de esperanza y amor que Cristo nos ofrece cada día.

Tu presencia es importante para fortalecer nuestra comunidad y compartir la paz que solo el Señor puede brindarnos. Ya sea que vengas solo o con tu familia. o amigos/as. te aseguramos que serás recibido con los brazes abiertos.

¡No faltes! Ven a ser parte de esta hermosa experiencia de fey comunión.

Día: Todos los domingos
Hora: 10:00a.m.
Lugar: 135 W 31st St. New York. NY 10001
Con carino.
Saint Francis Assisi

Con gran placer les comunicamos que la Iglesia de San Francisco de Asis esta ofreciendo bautizos, bodas, y servicios en español por el Padre Brian Jordan.  Por favor marque al 212-736-8500, Ext. 232, o envie un correo electrónico a bjordan@stfrancisnyc.org. ¡Visitenos los domingos a las 10:00 AM para la misa en español!

Good Climate News – Part 1 of 2

It’s not all bad news. We’re still far from where we want to be, but we are moving in the right direction, and we are doing better than our worst-case scenario.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is decoupling from our carbon emissions. This trend is also happening in the EU, Japan, Korea, and Australia. The IEA projects that CO2 emissions may be nearing a peak, so the whole world is likely to reach this “absolute decoupling” very soon! It is possible to be both rich and green.

Correspondingly, the mortality rate of children under 5 has dropped. There’s a connection here. We’re all connected. The small actions you’re taking are working and have not been in vain.

The very real and quantifiable benefits of what we’ve achieved so far encourage us to keep going, and there’s plenty of positive momentum out there. — Katharine Hayhoe

For more information about the Laudato Si Circle here at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, email stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.

The Invasive Species

Most of us believe that if we humans just left nature alone it would do its thing and reset itself to become Eden once again. It turns out this isn’t true, and that nature is telling us a different story. Studies of abandoned areas over large periods of time have revealed that nature does not reset and reach equilibrium or optimum biodiversity. It seems we humans are needed to achieve that. We are a part of nature — not above or below or otherwise separate. We play an important role and our relation to the natural world is complex. Our hope lies in what form our presence will now take. We are the only species that hasn’t learned how to complete a circle of production.

In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous. — Aristotle

For more information about the Laudato Si Circle here at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, email stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.

Mainstreaming Now

Thank you, Netflix, for your documentary “Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy.” Movies like this reach millions and bring the issues into the light, into the mainstream. The movie explores the tricks brands use to keep us consuming, and the real impact that has on our lives and the rest of the world. You can watch the trailer here.

Thank you, “Common Ground”, for teaching us about regenerative farming and how filled with hope we really are. You can find out more about the film here.

‘to till and keep’ the garden of the world. ‘Tilling’ refers to cultivating, ploughing or working, while ‘keeping’ means caring, protecting, overseeing and preserving. — Pope Francis (LS67)

For more information about the Laudato Si Circle here at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, email stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.

On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, Pope Francis designated calendar year 2025 as the Jubilee Year of Hope. A Jubilee is one of the most significant events of the Catholic Church, and occurs every 25 years.

The Jubilee has its roots in ancient Israelite tradition. During the ancient Jubilee, prisoners would be released, slaves would be set free, and justice would be restored. It was a time of remembering and living God’s grace. This is a time to reflect on this special year of Jubilee, and how God sets us free to be people of peace, justice and equality.

With the beginning of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, there are many questions the faithful may ask, including what the Jubilee Year of Hope can contribute to our life of faith. The Jubilee Year of Hope offers an extraordinary opportunity to attain salvation and experience that God’s holiness can transform us. During the course of this calendar year, our parish will engage in periodic spiritual activities to celebrate and observe this Jubilee Year of Hope. Please stay tuned!

You can find out more about the Jubilee Year of Hope, including a calendar of world events and prayer resources, here.

Sure We Can

Our elected officials are back in Albany where they will be addressing two important state bills that are paired together. You can contact your rep and ask them to vote in favor of the bills.

Bigger Better Bottle Bill: an update of our 40-year-old deposit law. It will expand the types of bottles that can be returned and increase the redemption to 10 cents.

Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act: a ground-breaking bill to incentivize manufacturers to create less packaging and more recyclable packaging.

Read more about the bills and the politics of plastics at Bigger Better Bottle Bill, Beyond Plastics, and Sure We Can!

A healthy politics is sorely needed, capable of reforming and coordinating institutions, promoting best practices and overcoming undue pressure and bureaucratic inertia. — Pope Francis (LS 181)

Many thanks to Eileen L. for sharing this information with us! For more information about the Laudato Si Circle here at St. Francis email stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com

Due to Pastoral concerns, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will only be administered at the Thursday 12pm Mass. This change will begin January 2, 2025. Here is the Church teaching from the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults — United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK

This sacrament of healing is given to a person who is seriously ill or in danger of death due to sickness or old age.* Elderly people may be anointed if they are in a weak condition though no dangerous illness is present.

*This also includes the mentally ill and those preparing for a medical procedure.

After the Thursday 7:30am and 5:30pm Masses, we will have devotions to Our Lady of Lourdes. You can find those here.