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Put Things into Perspective

by Fr. Lalo Jara OFM | Feb 17, 2022

It is said that on a certain occasion a homeless man entered a church with his bottle of wine, his old clothes, and his badly groomed beard. Upon entering, the person who saw him looked at him displeased, and invited him to sit on the last bench and in the corner against the wall. During the meeting, the pastor of the church reported that, as everyone already knew, the new pastor who would replace him was going to be presented. When called, that man who had been hidden and set aside in a...

Knowing Jesus

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Jan 22, 2022

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” So said Pope Francis on June 15th of last year as part of a papal audience. But it is not original to Pope Francis; he is quoting St. Jerome, the great biblical scholar and translator from the late 4th and early 5th century. What about you? What is your comfort level with Sacred Scripture? Where would you place yourself on the scale? Our Catholic fluency in Scripture could use some upgrades. And it is not that we aren’t fluent. Heck, we...

The Sabbath, a time to focus on what’s important!

by Fr. John O'Connor OFM | Jan 18, 2022

In her book Einstein and the Rabbi: Searching for the Soul, Rabbi Naomi Levy writes about Henry, a member of her congregation. Henry’s internet startup was booming – he was making more money than he’d ever dreamed of. He was thirty-six, happily married with an adorable, energetic son. But Henry was feeling empty. Something was missing in his life – he sensed that he had “forgotten something,” but didn’t know what. Yeah, he admitted to the rabbi, he was constantly “plugged into” the office...

Sunday of the Word of God

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Jan 17, 2022

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16–17) The Sunday of the Word of God in the Catholic Church takes place on the third Sunday in Ordinary Time - this coming Sunday. It was established in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, issued motu proprio (of his own initiative), Aperuit illis, “to be devoted to the celebration,...

God’s Guidance

by Fr. Lalo Jara OFM | Jan 13, 2022

Today’s First Reading relates to the battle between the Philistines and the people of Israel. The people of Israel bring the Ark of the Covenant to the battle believing that if they have the holy Ark of God’s presence with them, then they will not lose the battle. They are acting superstitiously. The Philistines win the battle, and they capture the Ark of the Covenant. Eli’s two sons are killed. Eli’s sons, along with the army leaders, made the mistake of thinking that just because they were...

Where the love of God goes…

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Jan 5, 2022

Some forty-six years ago in November 1975 an intense low pressure system was crossing the Great Lakes, with winds gusting to well above hurricane force, and waves the size of mountains. The forecast has been for clear sailing. Over 200 mariners were lost that day. Among the lost souls that day were the captain and crew of the large iron ore carrier Edmund Fitzgerald. Storms and loss of lives are part of life on the Lakes. However, this event was made famous by Gordon Lightfoot’s song “The...

2021 Christmas Season Mass Schedule

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Dec 16, 2021

Here is our celebrations of Mass during the upcoming Week of Christmas and beyond Dec. 20th thru Dec. 23rd: 8:45 am daily Mass Dec. 24th (Christmas Eve): 4:00 pm (English) ** 6:00 pm (English) ** 8:00 pm (Spanish - live streamed) 10:30 (English - live streamed) ** if the number of people attending exceeds the capacity of the church, a limited overflow Mass will be offered in the school cafeteria! Dec 25th (Christmas Day) 9:00 am (English) 11:00 am (English) Note: The normal Saturday...

The Immaculate Conception

by Transfer Agent | Dec 3, 2021

It’s important to understand what the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is and what it is not. Some people think the term refers to Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a human father; but that is the Virgin Birth. Others think the Immaculate Conception means Mary was conceived “by the power of the Holy Spirit,” in the way Jesus was, but that, too, is incorrect. The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was...

Thanksgiving Blessings

by Fr. John O'Connor OFM | Nov 14, 2021

On behalf of the Friars and staff here at St. Francis I wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving. The feast of Thanksgiving reminds all of us of the importance of moments of gratitude; the value of seeing what is good and right in our world. Let our Thanksgiving be a celebration where we view our world not just in terms of the material things that we have been gifted, but also in the good and meaningful actions that we can do for others, and that have been done for us. May we be aware of God’s...

Fr John’s Update: Visit to Camp Upshur

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Nov 10, 2021

On Tuesday, November 9th, Fr. John and Bishop Burbidge visited the Afghan refugees at Camp Upshur, Marine Corp Base Quantico. Watch Fr. John's report of the visit - images and video of the refugee were understandably not permitted as many have relatives living in Afghanistan.