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.

A Case for Hope

How do you feel when someone says “climate crisis”? Most of us feel extreme anxiety, which can derail us and bring communication to a screeching halt. Heads (and chins) up! The Converge Ministry and the Laudato Si Circle here at St. Francis are co-hosting a book club beginning February 3rd. Through lively discussion we’ll get the train moving again.

We’ll be reading Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, by Katharine Hayhoe. In this book, the author brings her perspective as a Christian and a climate scientist to the problem and helps us understand the facts and the feelings. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks ahead.

…we know that things can change. The Creator does not abandon us. — Pope Francis (LS13)

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

The Christmas flowers and wreaths which adorn our church at Christmas are offered to honor the birth of Christ and to glorify God. Thank you to everyone who donated toward our Christmas decorations.

In Memory or For the Intentions of:

Advish Family

Agnes and Morris Albenda

Aida Nery Soto

Aimee Carolle

Amy and Brian Coughlin

Andrea Figuerao and Carmen G. Martin

Ann and Aidan Flynn

Ann Badami

Anne and Michael Dunleavy, Sr.

Anne Goggin

Anne Marie Monahan

Anne Spisso

Anthony Giacoio

Anthony Paul

Antoinette and Charles Badami

Antoinette Owen O’Connor

Arcese Weger and Julius Arcese, OFM

Arnulfo Mempin, Victoria Luciano

Aurora, Anna

Barry Yvette

Ben Matlock

Ben Matlock and Hannah Todd

Bernadette and Sean McGuinness

Bernadette O’Sullivan

Bernie and Thomas Hickey

Bertha and Charles Degnan

Bessie Anderson and Hal Donnelly

Betty Zimmer, Alonzo Velasco

Bill Fitzgerald

Bill Rousos

Bill, Carolyn an Max Kaiser

Blessed Christmas for my sister Kathy!

Bob and Joan Andrejko

Brendan and Megan Smith

Bridget Connolly

Bridget McNally

Bridget Moore

Brielle and Andrea Russll

Bruce Kemp and Karen Kemp

Candida and Gershow Rose

Carmel and Timothy O’Leary and Family

Carmel Ryan and Ann Raftery

Cathie and Pat Downs

Cathy and Andrew Scandalios

Cathy and Bob Zotti and Family

Celeste Vazanna Ronnie DeGeorge Liz Healy

Celia Kelleher, Mary Lynch

Chloe Stormy

Choloe Steven Stommy

Christ Bautista

Chrstine Murphy

Claire Hynes

Claire Scales

Conor, Tracy, Ellan and Noah McCannon

Corazon Herrera, Lourdes Enriques, Elizabeth Alfonso

Corinne Garner

Crhis and Laurie Bryne and Family

Cronan Kelly, OFM

Daniel and Nelly O’Sullivan

Dante and Mafalda Riccobaldi

Denis and Claire O’Brien

Denis and Jeremiah O’Sullivan

Dominick and Frances Citera and Family

Donnie and Katherine McCannon and Family

Dr. Joyce Brown

Dustin Gunter

E. Friend

E. Pauler

Edith Congema and Family

Eileen Ciorciari and Family

Eileen Glodowski

Eileen Sexton and Rafferty Family

Elizabeth Graham

Elizabeth Saavedra

Elizabeth Shea

Ellen Traina

Eric A. Rivera

Ernesto Estrada

Eugene Saphia

Evelyn Kennedy, Freda Cantwell

Evelyn McCannon

Evelyn Peque, Kenneth Lambert

Florence Permanand

Fr. John Joseph Manning, OFM

Frances Conway

Frances M. and Stephen J. Rosty

Francis E. Hoffmann

Francis Thomas

Frank and Jen Thomas and Family

Fred Beiner

Gardiner Family

George E. and Beverly Kemp

George Pa’Pa Soresco

Gloria Lara

Gregorio, Tanega, and Venturanza Families

Hannah Todd

Harland and Lediger Families

Harry Sawyer

Helen and John Lennon

Helen and Marion Niemczura

Helga Roth

Herminia de la Paz

Hilary Jochmans, Ed and Daphne

Huala Dignan

Hugh and Lourdes Coffey

Imelda and Joseph Mooney

Imelda Mooney

Ingrid Fuchs

Irene and Joseph A. Gorski, Sr.

Isabel and Enrique Tavarez

J. P. Sally and Olivia

J.J. Medina

Jack McGowan Family

James McCannon

James Middleton

James Mooney

James O’Connor

James Tibor

Jane R. and Charles Janiak

Janice Cavanaugh

Jean Alan and Jonathan Foley

Jeannie and Ben Cruz

Jennie and Charles Wildes, Sr.

Jessie Sotto

Joan Loftus

Joan Loftus

Joan Melone

Joan O’Sullivan

Joan Palmerson

Joan Palmerson

Joan Rothfeld

Joanne Sullivan and Family

Joe and Mary Mooney and Family

Joe Foley

John and Breda Goggin

John and Elizabeth Sheehan and Family

John and Josephine Gorsky

John and Mary Kmiec

John and Pat Barry

John Armiger

John Cavallaro

John Maher

John O’Shaughnessy

John Stagg and Family and Sean Stagg

John Thomas and Robyn

Jonathan Jenny

Jonathan Jenny Mooney and Family

Jorge Granizo

Jose and Esther Medina

Joseph and Imelda Mooney

Joseph and Irene Byrne and Family

Joseph and Mary Mooney

Joseph Eleazar Family

Joseph Schultz

Josephine Sexton

Judy and Norm Bogatay

Julia Dalton and Family

Katherine Swisher

Kathleen and Thomas May

Kathleen and Thomas McCreesh

Kathleen Ann Hickey

Kathleen Casey

Kathleen McCannon

Kathleen Shea

Kathleen, Martin Doocey and Family

Keith D. Kemp

Kerry Stone and Anne Stone

Kim SoonJa, Elisabeth

Kitty O’Sullivan and Joan Fox

Laura Thompson

Laurent Morisse Family

Le, Kane, Tran, Pham and McCarthy Families

Lee Eun-Kyung

Lewis and Debby Popplewell

Linda M. Boudon

Linda Spartonos

Lisa Likeness

Lorenzo Manuela

Lucille DiGirolomo and Family

Luis and Alba Naranjo

Lurent Morisse

M. Henry and Family

M. K. Juerzi

M. Knowles

Maeve Currid

Maeve Rory and Kevin O’Connell

Maggie and Chris Lambert and Famiily

Maoira Danis and Barry Dorin

Margaret and Charles Murphy and Family

Margaret and Jim Flynn

Margaret and Patrick Kenny

Margaret Mckeon

Margarita and Jorge Reyes

Margarita and Jorge Reyes

Margo and Jim Kilmartin

Maria Rosado

Maria Spisso

Marie Hester

Marie L. Burke

Mark Lansany

Martha and Jim McCrea

Maru Gille

Mary and Donal Hickey

Mary and James Dunleavy

Mary and Jim Blake

Mary and Katie Barry

Mary and Liam Moran

Mary and Michael Cosie

Mary Ann Hamilton

Mary Ann Pandolfo

Mary Bernadette O’Sullivan

Mary Donnelly

Mary Ellen and Eamonn Stanford

Mary Ellen McGee — health of family members

Mary Ellen McGee and John Byrnes

Mary Fitzpatrick and Richard Boyce

Mary Jim Terese Dan Colette Maura Eilen

Mary Joyce and Family

Mary Moriarty

Mary O’Brien

Mary Sheehan and Family

Mary Sleefe

Mary Stuart

Maura and Noel Gammell

Maura McKenna

Maureen Ayres and Family

Maureen Carter

Maureen Della Radolfa

Maurice

McCannon Family

McCarthy Family

McConnon Family

McKeon Family

McWeeney Family

Megan and Brendan Smith and Family

Meghan Coughlin

Melanie, Bob, Cathy, Gail, Kristen, Dan

Melinda and Irma Caruso

Michael and Brian Goggin

Michael and Mary Murphy and Family

Michael LaMagna

Mim Flynn, Tim and Nicole Flynn

Miriam and Joe Akers and Family

Mooney Family

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Merrick

Mr. and Mrs. William Cassidy

Mulvihill Family

Nancy and Richard Qintanilla

Nancy Dhulipala and Family special intentions

Nicky Cashin and Hickey Family

Nicole Thompson and Israel Sanches

Noel and Sally O’Brien

Norma Ponce

O’Beirne Family

Olive O’Neill and Breda O’Neill

Onesefero and Marcelina Pacina

Pa McCannon

Pakie and Eily Houston

Pat Leibell and family

Patricia Barnett

Patrick Kilmartin

Peggy and Pat Sullivan

Peggy McCannon

Peter and Sean Stone

Prince and Jocelyn Abbensetts

R. Isaacs

R. Knowles

Rebecca Silk, Ruth Wilkes

Richard A. Adrian, Jr.

Richard and Shirley Armiger

Robert and Joanne Parrella

Robert Carter and Elisa Mary Clarke

Robert Flynn

Robyn and Mark Carlson

Rosaleen Hannigan

Rosalie Cipriani

Rose McKeever

Rosemarie Rao Peracchio

Rudi Papiri

Ruth and Larry Thorne

Ruth and Thomas Rabbitt

S. Russ

Sabine Paul

Sadie Chiu

Seamus Hickey

Seamus Mom and Dad Kathleen

Sean and Anne Marie Moran

Secundino Ceniza

Sheehan Family

Sheila and Pat Harrington

Sheila Moran and Caroline Moran

Sister Kitty and Family

Son Myung -Hee

Sr. Agatha Ganley

Sr. Agnes Meagher, CSJ

Sr. Georgina Manning, OSF

Sr. Jo Laurienzo, SND

Steve and Janet Oryzysyn

Sumintra Naraine

Susan and Pete Scergo

Susie Vanderputt

Sylvia and Wiliam Silk

Tait Family, Rebholz Family

Tanya Lukowiak

Teresa Brady

Teresa McGowan and Familiy

Teresa Veronica and Frank Anthony Badami

Terry Mendez

Terry Palmich

The Barnaby family

The Leibell family

The McCannon Family

The Pasternak family

The Vanderputt Family

Thomas Emma

Tim and Sheila Murphy

Tim Olena Byrne and Family

Tom and Theresa Dolan

Tom Flynn and Family

Tom Jasinski, Al and Helen Blazey

Tom McGowan Family

Tony, Mary and Megan McGarry

Veronica and Gordon Armiger

Victor Dominguez

Walter Jackson

Yoon Sook-Syung

Thank you!

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Christmas trees, wreaths and 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.

Last Christmas, in 2023, the Franciscan community celebrated the 800th anniversary of the first Christmas Creche. On that momentous Christmas Eve in 1223, in the medieval town of Greccio, Italy, St. Francis of Assisi initiated a live reenactment of the birth of Jesus. Townspeople portrayed the Holy Family, shepherds, and angels, accompanied by real livestock, bringing the Nativity scene to life. This historic event marked the first recorded Christmas Creche, establishing a cherished tradition that has since spread across the globe.

Next year, in 2025, we will celebrate another milestone — the 800th anniversary of “The Canticle of the Creatures,” St. Francis’s lyrical poem, recognized as the oldest piece of recorded Italian literature. This profound work highlights the importance of God’s Creation, inspiring the papal encyclical Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis, which means “In praise of.” It is a call for all of us to praise and care for our common home, Earth. Throughout 2025, our parish will honor this legacy by focusing on the care and our shared responsibility for our planet, Holy Mother Earth!

During this blessed Christmas season, we are reminded of the words from the Gospel of John: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” Jesus, fully human and fully divine, entered our world to bring hope and salvation. Our parish, having endured the challenges of the pandemic and other trials throughout its history, is now emerging to be fully alive once again.

As we navigate these difficult financial times, we approach you with humble hearts, asking you to be as generous as you can. Despite our best efforts, parish collections have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, while our expenses continue to rise. Your financial support is essential to sustain our mission here in midtown Manhattan.

We invite you to support our mission as we work to preserve our beloved sanctuary — to provide a spiritual home for all who seek peace, purpose, and inspiration through the Eucharist, homilies, and in Reconciliation; music, Adult Education Courses, other programs and ministries, or merely find a quiet place. These simple acts renew our spirits, open our hearts to receive the Christ Child and allow the true meaning of Christmas to guide our lives.

This Christmas, let us bring the spirit of Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Jerusalem into our homes, neighborhoods, and parish churches — especially here at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi!

I close with a stanza from the famous poem by Madeline Sweeny Miller “How Far to Bethlehem” who also believes we should bring the spirit of Bethlehem to our homes.

It isn’t far to Bethlehem Town!
It’s anywhere that Christ comes down
And finds in people’s friendly face
A welcome and abiding place.
The road to Bethlehem runs right through
The homes of folks like me and you.

On behalf of our Franciscan friars and staff of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, I wish you all a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Holy New Year!

Blessings to you,

Father Brian Jordan, OFM
Pastor

Blessed Are You Who Believe

Jesus breathed air just like us. He walked under the same sun. He needed food and clean water. We are called to clear a path for him to come again. Do we really want him to find people starving on a beach wasted with plastic and dead fish?

In this time of active waiting, we are pregnant with a jubilee tradition. 2025 will be a time to forgive debt, rest the land, and slow down production and consumption. May our hearts overcome our throwaway culture of indifference and self-interest. Instead, let us share our possessions and care about strangers. Let our time and our smiles be the gifts we give. For the sake of our common home, will you commit to doing something differently? Blessed are you who say yes.

To be made flesh is the glory of humanity. It means that we are teachable, malleable, and full of possibility. — Joan Chittister

To learn more about the Laudato Si Circle at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, email stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.

The next in-person meeting of the Laudato Si Circle will be Thursday, December 26th 6:30 – 8:00 PM in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the St. Francis House. All are welcome.

Stop Collecting More Than What Is Prescribed

Pope Francis talks about the need to “break with the logic of selfishness… a world of exacerbated consumption is at the same time a world which mistreats life in all its forms.”

Caring about the climate crisis is not a new and radical idea that started with Pope Francis. It is an essential part of Catholic social teaching, not an optional add-on. What might be radical is our understanding that everything is interconnected and that caring for the Earth is linked to caring for others. God is near. We don’t need to collect more than what is prescribed.

Many people know that our current progress and the mere amassing of things and pleasures are not enough to give meaning and joy to the human heart, yet they feel unable to give up what the market sets before them. Pope Francis — (LS209)

To learn more about the Laudato Si Circle at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, email stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.

The next in-person meeting of the Laudato Si Circle will be Thursday, December 26th 6:30 – 8:00 PM in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the St. Francis House. All are welcome.

“Look to the East and See Your Children”

Some day this week, get up extra early while it’s still dark. Sit in the dark and wait. Watch the way God’s light comes into the world — slowly and generously.

Let this be our cue to slow down, consume less, and conserve more for our children and for those who will come after us. Let this be our new tradition, to unplug a little more each day. Take advantage of the dark to enjoy a few hours of living by candlelight. Meditate on the beauty of lights in windows and on trees.

Come Emmanuel! Make us ever more hopeful people for a hopeful planet. Let us be part of Your light of hope to the world. — from the Laudato Si advent prayer

To learn more about the Laudato Si Circle at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, email stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.

The next in-person meeting of the Laudato Si Circle will be Thursday, December 26th 6:30 – 8:00 PM in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the St. Francis House. All are welcome.

“Beware That Your Hearts Do Not Become Drowsy”

Here are five things to remember about the climate crisis:

• IT IS REAL. Conspiracy theories offer an easy way out, but don’t be fooled by them.
• IT IS US. Human beings, with our lifestyles of dependence on things and fossil fuels, are measurably the cause.
• IT IS BAD. Sea levels have risen and the oceans are warmer and more acidic, causing more frequent and catastrophic extreme weather. Millions of people have been displaced because of it.
• SCIENTISTS AGREE. There is near-unanimous consensus among scientists that the climate is changing and that it is a result of human activity.
• THERE IS HOPE. It’s not too late to set things right again. We have the know-how. What we need is the will of the people. We are who we’re waiting for.

Twenty-five years ago, people could be excused for not knowing much, or doing much, about climate change. Today we have no excuse. — Desmond Tutu

To learn more about what you can do, email us at stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com.

The next in-person meeting of the Laudato Si Circle will be Thursday, December 26th 6:30 – 8:00 PM in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the St. Francis House. All are welcome.