Lectio Divina, which means Divine Reading/Listening, is one of the great treasures of the Christian tradition of prayer, dating back to the monastic third century Desert Fathers and Mothers.

God lives in His Word. The Word is a Divine Presence. Lectio Divina helps us to hear God’s voice through the Sacred Scriptures, pray about personal issues we are struggling with, and grow in intimacy with God. It is based on the teachings of Jesus about prayer.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. — Matthew 7:7-8

We can express to our Loving Lord whatever feelings or longings are stirred up in us by His Word — our struggles, hurts, epiphanies, and joys. As we let the Word of God open our minds and hearts to God, we find the acceptance, comfort, and healing that we long for, transforming us to a deeper union and oneness with Him. Our own story is the story of our Lord — The Mystery of Christ is the Mystery of our Life!

Converge @ St. Francis invites you to a Lectio Divina Series. This will be a 3-part series and will be held on October 6, 13 and 20 at 2:00 PM. The venue will be the Clare Room, Conference Room. If you are interested, please register here.

Join UGNAYAN, our Filipino Ministry, for the Feast Day Mass for San Lorenzo Ruiz. The Mass will be held Saturday, September 28 at 2pm in the Upper Church. Fr. Frank Critch will be presiding. All are welcome!

Do you love your pet?

Well, God does too!

St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and it’s part of our Franciscan tradition to bless our furry friends on or near Francis’ feast day.

So bring your cat or dog, fish or frog, or any friend you have to get blessed.

Sunday, September 29th at 1:30 PM

Please gather with your pet near the entrance of the church on W. 31st Street.  We will process in together for the blessing.

You are invited to join the Converge @ St. Francis Ministry for a screening of the documentary Building a Bridge, produced with Martin Scorcese and starring author and priest Fr. James Martin. This film follows Fr. Martin on his journey to bring the Catholic Church and the LGBT community closer together by building a bridge.

As a culmination of our 4-week study of the book by the same name, we will be showing the documentary during our last scheduled Book Club meeting of the fall. Join us Monday, September 30th at 6:30 PM downstairs in the Francis Room.  Please join us, even if you have not been part of the Book Club or read the book. All are welcome.

The Laudato Si Circle at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi is organizing another group walk on the High Line. This time there will be a giant treat waiting for us at our destination in the meatpacking district. The Great Elephant Migration is arriving in New York City. This powerful and captivating art installation features 100 life-size elephant sculptures that are making their way across the country raising awareness about conservation. Join others who share your passion for nature and art.

No registration is necessary.  Just show up at 9am on Saturday, September 21st at the entrance to the church on 32nd Street. The raindate will be Saturday, September 28.

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Join us at 10:30am for a 9/11 Remembrance Day Mass with FDNY Battalion 7.

Our regular daily Masses at 7:30am, 12pm, and 5:30pm will also be held that day.

The Converge @St. Francis Ministry invites you to a 4-week book club.  We will be reading:

Building a Bridge by James Martin, S.J.

Jesuit priest and NYT bestselling author James Martin issues an impassioned plea for Catholic leaders to relate to their LGBT flock in a new way, one characterized by compassion and openness. In this inspiring book, Father Martin turns to three virtues from the Catechism of the Catholic Church—“respect, compassion, and sensitivity”—as a model for how Catholic leadership and LGBT Catholics can move together on a “two-way bridge” toward reconciliation and love.

This groundbreaking new book includes spiritual and biblical resources for LGBT people and their families, friends, and allies. Building a Bridge is a compassionate book desperately needed in today’s climate of divisiveness.

Details:

MONDAYS, September 9, 16, 23, 30
6:30 PM
Francis Room

This is a free event, but registration is required.