winter2019retreatThe Church of St. Francis of Assisi is offering a
WINTER RETREAT FOR MINISTERS & VOLUNTEERS

February 7-9, 2020 (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon)
Loyola Jesuit Center
Morristown, New Jersey
(https://www.loyola.org/)

Join committed members of our St. Francis of Assisi Community for a weekend away at the beautiful Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, New Jersey.  This is a great opportunity to get away to refresh your spirit with a weekend full of prayer, reflections, and sharing of our faith.  And it is a great way to get to know others in your church community better.

The weekend is structured around the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours:  Night prayer on Friday, Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer on Saturday, and Morning Prayer and Mass on Sunday.  Between the times of prayer are 5 reflections on different aspects of our faith and we leave free time for individual reflection and prayer as well as time on Saturday evening for a social.

The weekend costs $225.00 which includes everything but your transportation to Morristown.  (NJ transit goes directly from Penn Station to Morristown)

Sign up will open immediately after the Holidays.  Space is limited to only 35 people.

Click here for photos and an article about the 2019 retreat.

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Here is some more information about the weekend:

WHO:
The 2019 Winter Retreat is open to all Church of St. Francis of Assisi ministers and volunteers of all ages.

WHAT:
This retreat is a chance for members of our community to escape the city for a couple of days to connect with one another and reconnect with God. There will be time to pray, hear talks, discuss the faith, and enjoy quiet time on the beautiful property of the Loyola Jesuit Center.

WHERE:
The Loyola Jesuit Center is located in Morristown, NJ, a one hour train ride from Penn Station to Morristown Line of NJ Transit.

Click HERE for a list of trains to and from Penn Station to Morristown.

The Retreat Team will make arrangements for transportation to and from the train station and the retreat center for anyone arriving between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. If you must take a later train you will need to take your own cab to the center.

WHEN:
Friday February 7th
check-in from 5 to 8 PM
to Sunday, February 9th, 1:00 PM

Cost: $ 225
This includes room and board Fri—Sun, retreat materials, music, snacks, etc. Travel expenses not included.

Space is limited and spots are only reserved when payment is received
Make check payable to: Church of St. Francis of Assisi (submit with retreat form available HERE)

⇒ or register online here ⇐

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: January 29, 2020
or while space is available

WHY:
Because sometimes it’s good to get away and pray. Jesus went up to the mountains to pray often… and so shall we.

For more information contact Edward Trochimczuk at -736-8500 x361

In an apostolic letter released September 30, 2019, Pope Francis declared that the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time will be devoted to the celebration and study of the Word of God. (September 30 is the feast day of St. Jerome, who is known especially for his translation of Scriptures into Latin.)

The document is called Aperuit illis, from its opening words, taken from St. Luke’s Gospel, where the Evangelist describes how the Risen Jesus appeared to His disciples, and how “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”

Recalling the importance given by the Second Vatican Council to rediscovering Sacred Scripture for the life of the Church, Pope Francis says he wrote this Apostolic Letter in response to requests from the faithful around the world to celebrate a Sunday of the Word of God.

A Certain Solemnity

Pope Francis invites local communities to find ways to “mark this Sunday with a certain solemnity.” He suggests that the sacred text be enthroned “in order to focus the attention of the assembly on the normative value of God’s Word.” In highlighting the proclamation of the Word of the Lord, it would be appropriate “to emphasize in the homily the honor that it is due,” writes the pope.

“Pastors can also find ways of giving a Bible, or one of its books, to the entire assembly as a way of showing the importance of learning how to read, appreciate and pray daily with Sacred Scripture.”

The Bible is for all

The Bible is not meant for a privileged few, continues Pope Francis. It belongs “to those called to hear its message and to recognize themselves in its words.” The Bible cannot be monopolized or restricted to select groups either, he writes, because it is “the book of the Lord’s people, who, in listening to it, move from dispersion and division towards unity.”

“Pastors are primarily responsible for explaining Sacred Scripture and helping everyone to understand it,” writes Pope Francis. Which is why the homily possesses “a quasi-sacramental character.” The pope warns against improvising or giving “long, pedantic homilies or wandering off into unrelated topics.”

The St. Francis Bereavement Ministry offers an opportunity for the bereaved to connect with others who grieve, and to seek a path of healing as they come to terms with their loss.

A Bereavement Support Group will meet on six Tuesdays from

January 28 to March 3,
from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

Please call Fr. Brian Smail, O.F.M. at 212-736-8500, Ext. 204 to inquire.

Interested persons should be at least three months into the grieving process. Pre-registration is required.

Join the Young Adults of St. Francis of Assisi for a screening of Netflix’s “The Two Popes.” Come meet others in their 20’s and 30’s to share in film, food, and fellowship. We look forward to meeting you!

Wednesday, January 22, 2020
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Clare Room

Existing members of SFA Young Adults, we encourage you to invite any friends who might enjoy learning more about us.

Pizza will be provided. We invite attendees to help us defray the cost of it with a voluntary donation.  BYOB

Film Description:
At a key turning point for the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI forms a surprising friendship with the future Pope Francis. Inspired by true events. Starring:Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Juan Minujín. 2019. PG-13. 2h 5m.

RSVP to youngadults@stfrancisnyc.org if you plan to attend or with any questions.

Sanctuary is a series of hour-long, interactive concerts offering a musical respite from the constant barrage of media and the pressures of daily life in the modern world.

Inspiration and connection are to be found in the music itself and through the stories behind the creation of the artworks, the lives of the composers, and in the experience of the performers on stage.

Sanctuary is a way to experience the beauty of the human spirit through music new, old, and traditional. 

On Monday, January 20, 2020 our nation will commemorate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.

Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 AM.

There will be no confessions, and the church offices will be closed for the day.*

(*please note: when the church offices are closed all ministry meetings, classes and self-help groups are suspended)

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

NEW YEAR’S EVE,
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019
Vigil Masses at 4:30 & 5:30 PM
There will be no confessions.

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NEW YEAR’S DAY,
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020
Mass in Korean at 9:15 AM
Mass in English at 11:30 AM
There will be no Confessions.

LO, HE COMES! ADVENT VESPERS

Thursday, December 5, 2019 • 6:30 – 7:30 PM

 Solemn Sung Vespers is one of the pillars of the official prayer of the Church. Come and celebrate the holy season of Advent by chanting the psalms—the hymns of ancient Israel; by listening to the Advent message proclaimed in God’s Word; and by reflecting on that Word with the help of a homily and sacred silence.

AN ADVENT AFTERNOON OF PRAYER

Saturday, December 14, 2019
2:00 – 5:00 PM; San Damiano Hall • Fee: $20.00

 The biblical stories of Advent and Christmas have inspired some of the world’s finest artists. Fr. Michael Reyes, O.F.M., a visual artist currently completing a Master of Fine Arts degree at New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture, will draw on his knowledge of art and the process of painting to help participants reflect on the characters and themes of Advent. The afternoon will include Fr. Michael’s presentations, communal prayer, time for quiet meditation and the opportunity to celebrate our parish’s 5:15 PM Vigil Mass for the Third Sunday of Advent.

Advent Novena of “Simbang Gabi” Masses

The traditional novena of Masses before Christmas (“Simbang Gabi Misa de Aguinaldo”) will be celebrated in the lower church on the following days:

Sunday, December 15, at 4:30 PM
Monday to Saturday, December 16-21, at 6:15 PM
Sunday, December 22, at 4:30 PM
Monday, December 23, at 6:15 PM

For more information and choir participation in these Masses, please email filipinoministry@stfrancisnyc.org.

Carols with the Choir:  Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 3:00 PM

Join our choir and instrumentalists for beautiful music that celebrates the season of joy.

A free-will offering will be taken.

Christmas Eve: Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Vigil Masses of Christmas at 4:30 & 5:30 PM
Vigil Mass in Korean at 7:30 PM
Carol singing at 11:30 PM followed by
Mass at 12:00 Midnight
There will be no Confessions on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Masses at 8:00, 9:15 (Korean), 9:30 (Lower Church),
11:00 AM and 12:30 PM
There will be no Confessions.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Mass at 11:30 AM.
There will be no Confessions.

New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Vigil Masses at 4:30 & 5:30 PM
There will be no confessions.

New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Mass in Korean at 9:15 AM
Mass in English at 11:30 AM
There will be no Confessions.

The traditional novena of Masses before Christmas (“Simbang Gabi”) are celebrated in the Lower Church from Sunday, December 15 to Monday, December 23. The Masses are sponsored by the Ugnayan Filipino Ministry and Friends.

Everyone is invited!

Sunday, December 15, at 4:30 PM
Monday, December 16 to Saturday, December 21 at 6:15 PM
Sunday, December 22 at 4:30 PM
Monday, December 23, at 6:15 PM
Sunday, December 23 at 4:00 PM

Our Carols with the Choir Concert is one of the most exciting musical events at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi.

Join us Sunday, December 15th, at 3pm.

This beautiful afternoon includes performances from our music ministry, cantors, string quartet and more. Sing along with the choir to some of your favorite Christmas Carols. You don’t want to miss it!