Saturday Confession Change:

Beginning January 1, 2024, our Saturday morning Confessions will be from 10 – 11 AM.

Dear Community and Friends of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Peace and all good in this New Year! Welcome to 2023!

Over the years, the Feast for this day has changed. When I was young, it was the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. This was to keep memory of Jesus’ rootedness as a child of Abraham. His family roots embraced the Covenant with the liberated people wandering
in the desert. It marks him as belonging to the people shepherded by David and the voices of the prophets. The psalms were, for him, a way of prayer. The revelation of God to the people Israel was imprinted in his being.

Shortly after the Second Vatican Council, it was the World Day of Peace. We need to remember our constant prayers for a just peace. Our nation, church, and world are terribly divided. The war in Ukraine, the unrest in Peru, and the thousands of migrants fleeing violence and poverty cry out for a new world of compassionate peace. The shootings of school children, racist violence, and the safety of our streets echo the cry for peace.

Today, we are asked to remember Mary, the God-Bearer, “Theotokos.” We celebrate Jesus coming among us, having taken flesh from his mother, Mary. In his praises of the Blessed Mother, St. Francis speaks of Mary as Jesus’ robe, his tabernacle, and his palace. We remember the blessings of Mary and her primacy as the God- Bearer. We also know that we, like Mary, have been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and are empowered to be the bearers of God’s presence in our world.

Let’s can combine these images. We are members of the Body of Christ, the People of God, through our baptism. Our shared history with Jesus marks us as a people of the Covenant. Our Covenantal bond transcends the Law of the tablets of stone and is inscribed on our hearts. We are bound to the Covenant of love. The prophets’ voices, the psalmists’ prayers, and the Evangelists’ words call us to live the mission of Jesus in our time. We belong to Christ and to one another. Jesus’ gift to the disciples in his resurrection was and is peace. It is peace through compassionate justice. It is the peace that Pope Francis discusses in Laudato Si’, a peace in communion with all of creation. Finally, through the gift of the Spirit, we are sharers in Mary’s experience of bearing Christ into the world. By our lives, we embody his loving presence.

May 2023 be a year of grace and peace for all. May we live our call as the People of God, peacemakers, and God-Bearers. Thank you for all the many ways you bring his love into being in our world.

Peace and all good,

Thomas M. Gallagher, ofm

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

May the Lord give you peace this Christmas.

Prayers and blessings for you and your loved ones as we gather to remember the birth of Jesus and celebrate the great love our God has for us. We have journeyed through our Advent season as the nights grew longer and the weather colder. We were warmed by the hope-filled messages of the Prophet Isaiah and the beauty of Matthew’s Gospel. We were invited into the mystery of God’s unfathomable love for all. John the Baptist heralded the coming of Jesus. Even John was amazed at the mission of Jesus, who came as one who would bring healing, hope, and inclusion. He is the fullness of God’s love.

We celebrate the “Word made flesh” and are invited to embody that same Word in our day-to-day lives. We realize this in our prayer, care for one another, and generous hospitality. Like Jesus, we offer healing, hope, and inclusion. We are sharers with Jesus in the love of God. Thank you for all you do for the Migrants, the Bread Line, and the Food Pantry. These ministries are a great blessing. Thank you for your ministry of hospitality, reading, ministering the Eucharist, serving at the altar, and praying for the community. You bring the Word to life for us all.

While many of us party and celebrate these days, we remember our sisters and brothers for whom this season is difficult. We remember those who have lost a loved one; are lonely; have a recent diagnosis that weighs heavily on them and their family; have been marginalized by family, or struggle with the season. I remember my experience in Hartford after the Sandy Hook deaths of children and teachers. Understandably, many people were not in the “Christmas Spirit.” I am sure this is true for many communities, including Uvalde, Colorado Springs, Ukraine, and Russia. Our loving prayers for healing, hope, and inclusion are especially significant for all who suffer.

With the Friars, the Pastoral Leadership Team, and the staff of the Church, I wish you a blessed and happy Christmas.

Peace and all good,

Thomas M. Gallagher, ofm

Dear Community and Friends of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, May the Lord give you peace.

We light our fourth Advent candle and have completed the wreath. How has the journey been for you? Each Advent is an opportunity for a new beginning and deepening of our relationships with God and our world. How blessed we are to make this journey together.

I thank you for your participation in the life of the community this season.

Please join us on Sunday afternoon for the annual Carols with the Choir. Our musicians have prepared a spectacular program to engage our imaginations with beauty and wonder.

One of the blessings of this Advent has been the Soup and Scripture gatherings on Monday evenings. Meredith has prepared delicious soups, and the conversations have been very engaging. Each table had time to get to know one another and to share their insights on the Gospel. Many also shared how the text opened them to new ways of seeing themselves and the presence of God in their lives. I suspect we will begin again in Lent.

This Sunday, we hear the Annunciation to Joseph. Unlike Luke’s Gospel, where the Annunciation is to Mary, Matthew tells us of Joseph’s encounter with the Angel. Joseph is told not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. He takes her into his home, unaware of the unexpected journey that this affirmation of God’s invitation will mean. He will encounter homelessness as they arrive in Bethlehem, become a refugee as he flees into Egypt, and experience the parent’s fear of a lost child. When we say yes to love, we never know where it will lead. Saying yes to love is saying yes to the one who says, do not be afraid; what you are about is nurturing “Emmanuel” —God with us.

As we approach Christmas, let us continue to pray for peace. We pray for peace in our homes, communities, nation, and world. Jesus, Emmanuel, the bearer of God’s peace, liberation, and healing, was born into a violent world. He died a violent death, and when he was raised, he offered peace. Our message continues to be peace rooted in God’s love for all.

Wishing you a blessed and peaceful Christmas,

Thomas M. Gallagher, ofm

The Christmas trees, the wreaths and the poinsettias will again adorn our sanctuary this Christmas.  We offer them to honor the birth of Christ and to glorify God.

It is also a way to remember your loved ones and share the beauty of the season with the whole community.  We invite you to memorialize members of your family, friends or other loved ones with a donation for our Christmas decorations. Donations and the names of those received by December 20th will posted on our parish website for Christmas.

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

May the Lord give you peace.

This is Gaudete Sunday! It is a time to rejoice in the experience and the presence of God. Our Advent reflections invite us to the joy of the Gospel. With the community and friends of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, we rejoice!

We light our third candle this weekend. We are halfway through our Advent journey. How are you doing? The dynamic energy of this season draws us out of ourselves and opens us to greater time spent with family and friends. It also invites us to consider more intimately the presence of God within and among us. Parties, shopping, decorating, and festive meals are wonderful opportunities for us to gather. Reflecting on our experiences can lead us to prayer.

We also see ourselves among homeless people, migrants, and refugees. Wars continue throughout the world, and division is our daily experience. We are invited to reflect on our world and culture as we pray. The text from Isaiah states, “say to those whose hearts are frightened, be strong, fear not.” We ask ourselves, how can we be the strength and the hope for all whose hearts are frightened? The transformation of this Advent is both celebrating the goodness and grace of gathering with friends and family as well as working toward a reconciliation that gives hope to all who struggle.

Isaiah says, “be strong, fear not.” Paul writes, “be patient.” Jesus tells the disciples of John to “Go and tell John what you hear and see.” Once again, we are encouraged to reflect on our giftedness. We are strong, hopeful, patient, and aware. These wonderful gifts are ours through the presence of God’s Spirit lovingly dwelling within us. In a season of gift sharing, we share God’s presence. We share the grace of God among our family and friends. That same gift is ours to share with all we encounter along the way.

Mark your calendar! We still have two Mondays for Soup and Scripture. The Simbang Gabi novena begins on December 15th, and our Carols with the Choir is on December 18th. We have opportunities for reflection together, prayer, and musical celebration. I hope you can find time to participate.

Blessings,

Fr. Tom, ofm

JOIN US FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS

“Soup and Scripture”

Warm your heart and your belly!
Mondays • Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12, 19 • 6:30pm
click here for more details

“Holy Land”

An Advent Day of Reflection
with Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, PhD professor, poet, and writer at Fordham University
Saturday • December 3 • 9:30am
click here for more details

Simbang Gabi

The UGNAYAN Filipino Ministry will be sponsoring the 9-day Novena Mass (Simbang Gabi) as part of their Filipino tradition.
December 15 to 23 6:15 PM (1:30 PM on weekends) in the Lower Church. (Available also on livestream)
Our pastor and friars will be celebrating the Masses and all are welcome to attend.
For more information, please email: filipinoministry@stfrancisnyc.org

“Carols with the Choir”

Come and sing with us..
Sunday • December 18 • 3:00pm
click here for more details

Christmas Eve Masses

4:00pm • 5:30 pm • 8:00pm (Korean) • Midnight

Christmas Day Masses

8:00am • 9:15am (Korean) • 11:00am • 12:30pm
please note there is no evening mass

Church Closures after Christmas

Monday, December 26 – Mass at 12:00 PM
No Confessions
Church offices are closed

Tuesday, December 27 – Mass at 12:00 PM
No Confessions
Church offices are closed

New Year’s Day Masses

4:00pm (Vigil)
8:00 am • 9:15am (Korean) • 11:00am • 12:30pm • 5:00pm

Church Closures after New Year’s

Monday, Januayr 2, 2023 – Mass at 12:00 PM
No Confessions
Church offices are closed

Christmas Flower Donations

The Christmas trees, the wreaths and the poinsettias will again adorn our sanctuary this Christmas.  We offer them to honor the birth of Christ and to glorify God.

It is also a way to remember your loved ones and share the beauty of the season with the whole community.  We invite you to memorialize members of your family, friends or other loved ones with a donation for our Christmas decorations. Donations and the names of those received by December 20th will posted on our parish website for Christmas.

Click HERE to donate flowers

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

May the Lord give you peace.

We begin our second week of Advent. We have four full weeks of Advent this year. This gives us time to prepare for the celebration of Christmas. I invite you to join us for the Soup and Scripture experiences on the Mondays of Advent. Please register HERE, so we will have enough soup for everyone. We also celebrate the season with our annual Christmas Carols with the Choir on December 18th at 3 PM. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us.

Christmas is a time for gift-giving and receiving. We remember the gracious gift of God in the birth of Jesus. We spend  our Advent days preparing to welcome this gift, given in ever new ways. We have the gift of Christ in one another, in the migrant, the homeless, and the hungry. Isaiah speaks of the gifts of the Spirit, wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and fear of the Lord. These gifts revealed most clearly in Jesus are ours in the gift of the Spirit. Their purpose is to build a life-giving, compassionately just, reconciling community. We are invited to nurture the growth of peace in a divided world.

I was in Hartford In the early days of the pandemic. During the lockdown, I read stories to children (of all ages) on Wednesday nights. I found books on Kindle and used Zoom so the children could see the pictures and read along with me. Two books marketed for little ones but are of value to all were: The Gift of Nothing and The Invisible String. The Gift of Nothing tells the story of trying to find the perfect gift for a friend who has everything. The giver searches high and low for just the right present, only to realize that it is presence. In The Invisible String, a mother teaches her children that we are attached by love. No distance can be too far, or experience can separate. Love binds us together and holds us even beyond death. I note these stories as I consider Advent. We are blessed with the gift of God’s constant presence and invited to be present with one another. Our communion (both with a small and a capital c/C) is the shared gift of presence. The Invisible String is likewise our sharing in God’s love. This love opens our hearts to experience the grace of another person. With this love, we are all connected.

Thank you for your presence and for the love you bring to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Your shared gifts are a great blessing for all.

Blessed Advent,

Fr. Tom, ofm

The friars and staff at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi would like to wish all of our parishioners, visitors, friends and families a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving.  (Our holiday schedule is below.)

It is right to give thanks to God for all of the blessings we receive each and every day: for the gift of creation in all its wonder, the gifts of the fruits of the earth that sustain us, the gift of all of the animals, wild and domestic, that share this world with us, and for the gifts of our family and friends.

At St. Francis we are especially grateful for all of the wonderful people who make up our community here on 31st street.

And of course, it is always right and just that we give thanks to the Father for the gift of Christ Himself, the good shepherd who loves us all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 118:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Let Israel say:
“His love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say:
“His love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say:
“His love endures forever.”

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
They swarmed around me like bees,
but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.

Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done.

The Lord has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.

The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.

Lord, save us!
Lord, grant us success!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Our Holiday schedule is as follows:

Thanksgiving day:

Mass at 12:00 PM

There are no confessions Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving:

Mass at 12:00 PM

There are no confessions on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day.

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

May the Lord give you peace.

I hope you had a blessed celebration of Thanksgiving. It is always good to spend some time gratefully acknowledging the gifts that surround us. Again, we, the friars, team, and staff here, are
grateful to you. We are blessed to minister together both in person and through the live stream.

We begin the sacred days of Advent this weekend. As the days get shorter, we make time to reflect on our longing for God. Many years ago, I heard an Advent song that began with a refrain, “We go on waiting, knowing he has come. Yet, we are not ready to be transformed.” I continue to ponder this refrain. We wait for the one who is already with us. Our encounter with him is always transformative. Perhaps, this year we will have eyes open to see him in our midst. We will continue our celebration of the season. We gather as a richly diverse community. We sing, listen to the Word of God, reflect on that Word, and offer our prayer of Thanksgiving-our Eucharist. Then nourished by the Bread of Life, we are sent to continue the mission of the Gospel. Each of us is differently gifted and called to share in the mission of God’s affirming love.

We will also shift this weekend from the year of Luke to Matthew. We have listened to the Lukan Gospel throughout the year with his focus on the Spirit and the poor. As we move to Matthew, we hear of a mission that both includes and extends beyond the borders of Israel. Matthew invites us to consider Jesus with his parents as exiles/refugees/migrants in Egypt. This may help us frame our current experience of being graced with many migrants in our city.

We invite you to join us for Soup and Scripture. Once again, we gather at table and reflect together on the Word of God. (Click here for more information.) I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Sacred Scripture as you bring the Word to life through your reflections.

In a fragile and broken world, we long for the experience of His presence. We are open to the transformation of our encounter with God’s love. Our scriptures remind us that He often comes in the most unexpected ways. As Mother Theresa noted: “Jesus is coming to you in the distressing disguise of the poor.” St. Francis called the early brothers to “begin again to seek the Lord.” Each Advent, we do precisely that; we begin again.

Blessed Advent,

Fr. Tom, ofm