Religious Education - Children
Catechist BlogChristmas 2020 Message from our Pastor
Dear Parishioners, In a few days we will celebrate Christmas. This is normally a time of the year when families and friends gather in a spirit of joy and hope. To be able to celebrate this year as we have in the past, will be difficult, if not impossible. This...
Photography and Audio/Video Recording Notice
Live Stream Masses and our Christmas Masses are time in which folks in the church are recorded simply because you are in the church nave and sanctuary. By entering and by your presence here at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, you consent on behalf of yourself and/or your...
Parish Reception Job Posting
Long-time staff member, Marcia Connolly is retiring – congratulations to her! And so, the parish is interviewing to fill the job position of parish receptionist. The position is a full-time parish position (40 hours per week). Bilingual capability in English/Spanish...
Seems unfair, don’t you think?
We often forget that the season of Advent speaks to the betwixt and between of the Birth of Jesus and his Second Coming. So, we shouldn’t be surprised that our first reading is from the firebrand, no-holds-barred prophet Zephaniah. He makes no bones about it. Judgment...
Even if I’m not asking
Today’s psalm refrain asks: Teach me your ways, O Lord. Did you know that the psalm is chosen as a response to the first reading? In today’s first reading we hear about the pagan prophet Balaam. The reading is from the Book of Numbers, part of the narrative covering...
Being Reluctant
In today's readings for Mass, the refrain of the Psalm is "The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness." And that is a great thing to know and recall when we have sinned in ways large and small. And we should turn to God seeking forgiveness...
Discipleship
To take on the responsibility of discipleship is to take on one another’s burden. To bear the yoke of Christ is to give ourselves to His work of healing and reconciliation. Let us in this Advent recommit ourselves to embracing an attitude of compassion and empathy,...
How God works
Sometimes we “religious people,” like the scribes and the Pharisees in today’s Gospel, are quick to judge and to condemn. We think we have God all figured out and we know exactly where and how God works. The scribes and the Pharisees accuse Jesus of blasphemy because...
Needing to see
Let us contemplate for a moment the two blind men in today’s Gospel. Let’s imagine they go with their sticks on the road. They are running with difficulty and shouting: “Son of David, have pity on us.” Already exhausted, they reach Jesus. The blind men, who do not...
Listening and Doing
Daily Reflection by Fr. John O'Connor OFM There are two important teachings in this passage: Jesus demanded that individuals should listen. One of the challenges today is communication. During my years as Provincial, with the members of my administration I developed a...