Franciscans for Justice.” Each Class with Additional Materials Sent by Email After Each Class …
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CherishingNurturing ourour FranciscanFranciscan TraditionTradition St. Francis of Assisi Parish February 17, 2019 The Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time SERMON on the plain Jesus came down with the twelve and stood on a stretch of level ground with a great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem ... image found online, attributed to Gustave Dore (public domain) From the Pastor’s Desk The world today, as much as any time in history, is divided into people who can be described as the “haves” and the “have-nots”. This is seen clearly in the stark contrast between the affluent Western World and the Developing World. The scriptures today focus on such contrasts. Today in the Gospel we read St. Luke’s formulation of the Beatitudes. St. Luke’s vision recounts the concern Jesus had for the poor and the marginalized. The Lucan Jesus speaks of those who are the real poor, hungry, and the sorrowful - and contrasts them with the rich, the well fed, and the merrymakers. The poor are favored by God, while the rich face a bleak future if they do not amend their ways. In the reading from the Hebrew Scriptures, the Prophet Jeremiah uses imagery from nature to make the same contrast about the human condition. The tree in verdant splendor is close to the river with an ample supply of water. The bush, on the other hand, is planted in a wasted and arid desert with no sustenance to assure growth. This is given as a metaphor for human choices, with some placing their whole trust in God, and others in human pursuits. A careful reading of the extract from St. Paul today helps towards countering these contrasts. It is the Resurrection of Christ that makes all the difference. No Resurrection, no Holy Spirit. The Risen Christ means a spirit filled Christian. To believe in the Risen Christ and to place our trust in him is to be the tree planted near living water. Christ reminded his listeners, and us, that the poor are always with us. This does not mean that we are to be complacent but, rather, should be continually challenged to help eliminate or reduce poverty and deprivation. This remains the continual call and challenge of Christianity. This weekend we celebrate Presidents Day in the United States. Please keep all elected officials in your prayers at this critical time in our nation’s history. During his address to a Joint Session of Congress in 2015, Pope Francis identified Presi- dent Abraham Lincoln as an American Prophet. This should serve to remind us to challenge all elected officers and to remind them of their duty to truly care for and be transformational in their service to all the people of the nation. This should be especially evident in their care for the poor and the marginalized. Peace and Every Good in the Tradition of St. Francis and St Clare. Fr. Des. WEEKEND MASSES WEEKDAY MASSES RECONCILIATION CHURCH HOURS Saturday Vigil 5:15pm (in St. Clare Chapel) Saturday 4:00-5:00pm M-Th 9:00am-3:00pm Sunday 7:30am, 9:30am, Noon 12:10pm or by appointment Fri 9:00am-1:30pm stfrancisparish.com•facebook.com/SFAPSacramento Better Angels will be Holding a Red / Blue Workshop at St. Francis in March The level of divisiveness and demonization in our politics and in our social fabric is unproductive and harmful to our country. Better Angels is a bipartisan citizens group dedicated to bridging the political divide by building a new way to talk with one another, participate in public life, and influence the direction of the nation. What is a Red/Blue Workshop? It’s a workshop bringing together 7 to 9 conservative/Republican- leaning citizens and 7 to 9 progressive/Democratic-leaning citizens for a day of structured conversations. Workshop Goals: ● To better understand the experiences and beliefs of those on the other side of the political divide and reduce political polarization. ● To see if there are areas of commonality in addition to differences. ● To learn something that might be helpful to others in our community and the nation. The Process: The workshop is facilitated by two Better Angels moderators who en- sure a setting hospitable to red and blue participants alike. The focus is on listening and reflecting, rather than debating and persuading. Interested in Participating? Contact St. Francis parishioners Diane & Dennis Mahoney: Diane Mahoney (blues) 916-215-2673 [email protected] Dennis Mahoney (reds) 916-900-4452 [email protected] MyParish is also available from the Apple or Android online stores. Immediate Full Time Custodian To provide custodial services to the Parish properties. Maintains cleanliness of sites • Sweep, scrub, wax or polish concrete, floors and vacuums St. Francis of Assisi Parish rugs and carpets • Cleans and dusts walls, furniture, woodwork and other Can you help? equipment • Pick up refuse on grounds and sweeps walks and Step and Breakfast Ministries entrances are looking for volunteers! Performs various other duties as needs occur • Light and turn off room heaters and and hot water heaters If you’d like more information, please email • Move or rearrange chairs, tables desks, and other furniture [email protected] or and equipment • Replace light globes [email protected] • Make minor repairs to office furniture • Maintain equipment used in work The Pastor, Staff, and parishioners of St Francis Parish share a great • Report safety, fire and sanitary hazards devotion toward caring for the poor and homeless. Through our • Water lawns and shrubs Step/Breakfast Ministry, we are able to provide shelter to 16 guests each evening. A light supper is also provided by the Step Ministers. Peforms other duties as required. When weather permits, the Step Ministers and guests sit together Skills: Working knowledge of modern cleaning methods, un- in the courtyard and share stories about their lives, their hopes and derstands use and care of cleaning materials and equipment. Ability to work cooperatively with others and follow oral and their dreams. In the morning, a light breakfast is provided before written directions; ability to follow a work schedule. Must be the guests go out to bravely face their day. able to serve in a manner consistent with the mission of the Catholic Church. The Step/Breakfast ministry provides a great opportunity to live our faith. Please contact us (see email addresses above) if you think this A full job description will be available soon,but to express might be a good fit for you. interest in this immediate opening, please send a cover letter, resume and references to [email protected]. http://stfrancisparish.com/step_ministry.htm 2 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL 2019 Let us come together as Catholics through the Coming up next Annual Catholic Appeal Saturday - Feb 23 On March 2-3, we will once again have the opportunity to be Christ There is a full day of activity to others. The Appeal is solely next Saturday, Feb 23. Here is dedicated to the social mission what is going on: of the Church here in Northern California. Together as Catholics, 11:00am Baptisms of Children the Appeal is a way we can all give On Saturday, February 23, at 11:00am, eight through the Church to help our children will be baptized! All are invited to sisters and brothers in a powerful join with these families to witness this joyful way. Each of our gifts, no matter celebration and to welcome these children into the amount, really do make a the faith community of St. Francis of Assisi. difference in someone’s life. Please prayerfully consider what 3:00pm - Reconciliation will be offered early, you can give this year. this week only. Prayer of the Faithful For the People of God in the 4:00pm - Vigil Mass will also start early, Diocese of Sacramento...as we this week only. consider all that God has so generously given us, that He will 5:00pm-10:00pm - 11th Annual Mardis Gras open our hearts as we consider This year themed Carnival (see pages 6 and 7). It our participation in the Annual is not too late to make your reservation at Catholic Appeal and for our sisters bit.ly/2019GalaSFAP and brothers we pray...Lord, hear our prayer. YOUR GIFT MATTERS in Northern California Feb 28 Being Francisan- Building with Living Stones 7pm The third session on Franciscan Life with Bro. Mark Schroeder, OFM bRUNSMAN (prior attendance is not required - all are welcome) / Sponsored by the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Pathways to Justice Committee hALL had an Bro. Mark, from our local friary, will be your guide. We will start incarnationalSt. Francis faithof Assisithat has influencedand St. Clare our world of forAssisi over 800 years. promptly at 7PM and have a guaranteed ending by 8:30PM. Brunsman You can learn more about these saints and the movement they Hall. All are welcome. started. You are part of this movement! Come join in a study course As the course title suggests, each of the classes will build upon the that will deepen your own insights and commitment to following previous. Yet we don’t want anyone staying away if you cannot attend the Gospel of Christ—in the spirit of Francis and Clare. each class. Come once, twice, or to all. This is a study course. Nothing strenuous, yet there is “homework” A donation would be appreciated, reading offered. Our guide, Build With Living Stones, comes from given to Bro. Mark’s ministry, the Franciscan Institute. All reading materials will be provided at “Franciscans for Justice.” each class with additional materials sent by email after each class ….