This Sunday at the 5:00 PM Sunday liturgy, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi will celebrate the first of three special, intense prayers over those in our community preparing to be baptized this Easter. These prayers, called the “Scrutinies,” capture the very heart of the spirituality of Lent. We began this sacred season marking our heads with ashes and hearing the exhortation: Repent, and be faithful to the Gospel!

Lent calls us to a turning, in Latin, a conversion. The prayer, fasting and almsgiving of Lent are meant to strengthen our conversion away from sin and toward a deeper commitment to Christ. The scrutinies distill this journey into three intense liturgical prayers on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent. Each scrutiny is composed of three parts: solemn silent prayer for the Elect followed by spoken intercessions for their conversion, a prayer of exorcism that they might turn away from evil, and the laying on of hands where the priest calls down the Holy Spirit to help them be faithful to the Gospel. All of this is to scrutinize the readiness of the Elect for their Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

We should make no mistake here: we are not scrutinizing anyone. It is God who scrutinizes His Elect, sifting through what needs to be left behind and strengthening what is good in his people. God scrutinizes all of us in just the same way. As Psalm 139 says, God knows us and He probes us.The scrutinies are celebrations for all of us. Certainly we are invited to pray for the Elect, but also pray for ourselves that we too may be more faithful disciples. We must open ourselves to be scrutinized by God so that we might turn away from our sin and ask God to strengthen all that is upright, strong, and good in us.

The First Scrutiny is the scrutiny of water. This week we hear the Gospel of the Woman at the Well. There are references to thirst in the reading: physical thirst as well as spiritual thirst. Jesus is thirsty. The woman is thirsty. There is water that quenches for a time. There is living water that quenches thirst for eternity. The first scrutiny invites us to examine ourselves: what do I really thirst for? Am I thirsty for the things that the world offers that will not really quench my thirst: Money? Fame? Power? Beauty? Status? The water from these wells do not really quench our thirst. Or are we thirsting for the Living Water which Christ offers? Love, Peace, Justice, Patience, Gratitude, Mercy, Faithfulness…?

As we pray for our Elect this week, maybe we can ask also ourselves: From which well do we spend our time and energy filling our bucket? Are we seeking water that does not satisfy? Or are we seeking the Living Water only Christ can give?

-Joseph Nuzzi,
Director of Evangelization

Next week: The Scrutinies and the Reality of Evil

A ‘Wills’ Seminar will beheld at St. Francis of Assisi

Saturday,March 18th
after the 4:00 PM Mass
Clare Room of the St. Francis Parish House.

Do you have a will?
Do you have questions about the will that you already have?
Are their tax shields for your inheritance by making charitable grants in your will?

These questions and more will be answered by an attorney, experienced in this area of law, during the seminar.

He will give a presentation and there will be time for questions and answers.

Free of charge.

The Ugnayan Filipino Ministry is organizing a Day Pilgrimage to the National Shrines of Our Lady of Czestochowa and St. Rita of Cascia on Saturday, March 25.

Donation: $60.

For more information, please email filipinoministry@stfrancisnyc.org.

The Ugnayan Filipino Ministry is hosting an afternoon of recollection with Fr. Brian Smail, O.F.M.

Saturday, March 11
1:00 to 4:00 PM
Lower Church.

Fr. Brian’s topic will be: ‘Our Lenten Journey: Where is God Calling You?’

The ministry extends its hospitality to the non-Filipino members of our church community.

In the Franciscan spirit, all are welcome.

For more information,please email filipinoministry@stfrancisnyc.org.

Scroll down for schedule of Masses, Confessions
and Imposition of Ashes

Welcome to St. Francis of Assisi!

Here is some information you might find helpful about our parish community

Inspired by the Franciscan tradition of ministering to people who are alienated, displaced, or persecuted, the “pilgrims and strangers” in our midst, The Migrant Center at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi welcomes immigrants/migrants of various ethnic backgrounds regardless of political or religious affiliation.

Click here for the Statement of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in support of immigrants.

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi has a vibrant community of young adult Catholics in their 20’s and 30’s who celebrate life and faith together.  Our Young Adult Ministry combines spiritual, social and outreach events to support our life together.

Click here for more information about your Young Adult Ministry.

In the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.” The Church of St. Francis of Assisi LGBT Ministry is a fellowship where gay and lesbian people of faith are welcome to explore their spirituality and share their experience, strength, and hope with one another. We actively provide and promote faith opportunities that build community for those who have experienced spiritual disconnection. We attempt to fulfill our mission by providing a safe place for spiritual events, educational and social activities, and outreach to the larger parish and Archdiocesan community.

To find out more about our LGBT ministry please contact Meredith Augustin at maugustin@stfrancisnyc.org

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which people can question, search, and inquire into the Catholic faith. It is a journey which leads many to seek full membership in our Church. For others this journey may not lead to full membership. Either way, all are welcome to come and see, to ask questions, and to look more deeply.

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To find out more about our RCIA ministry email Joe Nuzzi at jnuzzi@stfrancisnyc.org

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.

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

ASH WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

Masses in the upper church:

7:00, 7:45, 8:30, 11:30 AM,
12:15, 1:15, 4:30, 5:30, 6:30 PM

Confessions in the lower church:

• 7:30-8:30 AM

• 11:00 AM-6:00 PM

Imposition of ashes in the lower church:

7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and in the upper church following the 6:30 PM Mass

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Masses in the upper church:

7:00, 7:45, 8:30, 11:30 AM,
12:15, 1:15, 4:30, 5:30, 6:30 PM

Confessions in the lower church:

• 7:30-8:30 AM

• 11:00 AM-6:00 PM

Imposition of ashes in the lower church:

7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and in the upper church following the 6:30 PM Mass

The Winter/Spring 2017 session of the St. Francis Adult Education program gets underway the beginning of February and will continue throughout the early spring.

Brochures are available in the church, and you can also register online now at stfrancisnyc.org/courses.

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF THIS FALL’S COURSE OFFERINGS.

Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick brings the presence and healing power of Christ to those who are ill.  We invite all who are sick and those who would like to pray for them to come to this celebration of the sacrament.

Is anyone among you sick? They should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord,  and the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up. If they have committed any sins, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

(James 5:14-16)

Join us 6:00 – 9:00 PM in San Damiano Hall

RSVP preferred, not required to: youngadults@stfrancisnyc.org

All parishioners and friends are welcome to join the young adult ministry for a casual evening of socializing and game play.

What to bring:

A favorite board game if you have one and a beverage or snack to share.

Feel free to bring your dinner with you when you come