During the season of Lent we invite you to encounter Jesus once again as we journey towards the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. We offer a number of opportunities to deepen your relationship with the Lord through prayer and learning.
Stations of the Cross
Fridays after the 12:30 and 5:30 PM Masses
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Tea with Jesus: Lenten Scripture Sharing
Sundays: March 10, 17, 24, 31, and April 7 at 4:00 PM Clare Room
St. Francis of Assisi’s LGBT+Ministry and Young Adult Ministry invites you to a scripture sharing about Lenten Gospels. Tea and light refreshments will be served. After our sharing, we will attend the 5:00 Mass together. All are welcome!
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Sin, Forgiveness, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Wednesdays: March 13 – April 3, 2019 • 6:15 – 7:15 PM
Over the course of its long history, millions of people have come to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi seeking the healing, compassion and forgiveness of Christ—especially in the sacrament of reconciliation. This year, our parish celebrates its 175th anniversary. As part of that celebration, this course will reflect on an experience that is central to the parish’s mission: the graced encounter between us sinners and the God of infinite mercy. The classes will review the biblical understanding of sin and reconciliation, the history of the sacrament of penance, and the opportunities and challenges for the renewal of the sacrament today. Register online HERE or at the reception desk in the Parish House.
Instructor: Fr. William Beaudin, O.F.M.
St. Francis Adult Education Center, Classroom 4; Fee: $40.00
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Have Mercy, O God, in Your Kindness: Solemn Lenten Vespers
Thursday, March 28, 2019 • 6:30 – 8:00 PM • Upper Church
Instruction and celebration come together in a “lecture-demonstration” of Solemn Vespers, one of the pillars of the official prayer of the Church. The evening will include an introduction to the Lenten season, to the Jewish and Christian dimensions of the psalms we will be singing, and to the music we will be performing in praise of God “whose mercy endures forever.”
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A Lenten Afternoon of Prayer
Saturday, April 6, 2019 • 2:00 – 5:00 PM • San Damiano Hall
Is our cross too small? The central symbol of our Christian faith is often reduced physically to a trinket, spiritually to an object of private devotion, and theologically to the appeasement of an angry God demanding satisfaction for sin. As a preparation for Passiontide, Fr. William will offer two retreat conferences that, hopefully, will widen and deepen the participants’ perspective on the crucifixion of Jesus. The afternoon will include communal prayer as well as time for personal reflection, and conclude, for those who wish to participate, with St. Francis of Assisi Parish’s 5:15 PM Vigil Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Lent.
Facilitator: Fr. William Beaudin, O.F.M. Fee: $15.00
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Encounter:
From the Heart of Pope Francis
Friday, April 12, 2019 • 7:30 PM • Upper Church
By his words and actions, Pope Francis compels the global Church to a radically renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Encounter: From the Heart of Pope Francis animates this call in song, story, and prayer, inviting us to risk stepping toward Jesus in both the blessing and the bruising of daily life. Encounter takes us to the front lines of God’s field hospital, calling us to a revolution of tenderness in a world desperate for healing and hope.
Join renowned composers Tony Alonso and Chris DeSilva, together with the widely acclaimed preacher, Monsignor Ray East, along with our director of music, Meredith Augustin, and our music ministry for this powerful event.
For tickets go to stfrancisnyc.org/encounter2019
$20 online, $25 at the door.