35 Years of Discipleship 1980 – 2015

THE Spirit OF ST. FRANCIS St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church | San Antonio, Texas Winter 2015 35 Years of Discipleship 1980 – 2015

2 Rebuild My Church 2 St. Francis Seminarians 3 Thirty-Five Years Strong Father Larry’s Message on the Our Parishioners in Priestly We Celebrate Our Founders, 35th Anniversary Formation Mission, and Values

4 A Journey to Baptism 6 Wake Up the World 7 A Spiritual Companion We Remember Our Call to The Year of Consecrated Spiritual Direction Insight From Discipleship During Lent Religious Life 2015 Director James LoPresti Rebuild My Church! Happy New Year of his earliest followers began to help This year, at St. Francis of Assisi, our to you all as we be- him. But as he meditated on the words general theme for the year is “Rebuild gin the new calendar of Christ, he began to realize that the My Church!” And no, we’re not going year of 2015! For Lord did not mean simply to rebuild the to build a new church building! Rath- us, at the St. Fran- physical chapel. Jesus really meant that er, we will focus on the renewal of our cis of Assisi Parish Francesco should rebuild the Church in own community in that founding spirit! Community, 2015 its spirit and mission! And we know that In January and February, we will “Re- begins the celebra- Francis was so radical in his following of connect” by completing a major review tion of our parish’s 35th anniversary of the Lord that his example and spirit have of our membership and information. In foundation! And our Holy Father, Pope endured right into our own moment of Lent, we will “Remember Our Baptism” Francis, has declared this year as a special history. by recalling to mind the meaning of our celebration for the Consecrated Life of What can this mean for us at St. Fran- baptism and the emphasis on baptism Religious Brothers and Sisters, like our cis of Assisi Parish? This church com- asked for by the Second Vatican Coun- religious sisters Rose and Linda Marie munity was founded with some very cil. In the Easter Season, we will focus on here in our own community. specific goals in mind, with a particular “Renewal in the Spirit” as we focus on When Francesco Bernadone, later spirit and way of living out the faith. The the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they known to us as St. Francis of Assisi, was original families, many of whom are still manifest in our lives as individuals and a young adult rediscovering his faith, with us, have remained faithful to that as a community. Over the summer, we he heard the words of Christ from the first “Franciscan culture” promoted here. will “Refresh” as we see how God’s Holy crucifix in the chapel of San Damiano But most of us have come in later years, Spirit calls us to listen to the Lord, be speak to him, “Rebuild my Church.” and many have come to St. Francis more remade as disciples, and continue on our Young Francesco could only wonder, at recently. We recognize something special mission. first, what this meant. The chapel had about this community in its spirit of wel- “Rebuild My Church!” Words spoken been falling into disrepair for some time, come and in its commitment to the ser- to Francesco Bernadone, and words spo- and so Francis initially thought that the vice of the poor and needy. And we like ken to us today. Lord wanted the physical chapel to be re- it! But how can we keep that spirit alive - Fr. Larry stored. He set about this task, and some in our time? R econnect. Remember. R enew. R efresh.

St. Francis Seminarians TheSpirit of St. Francis A Publication of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Very Rev. Larry Christian Pastor Rose Kruppa, CDP Editor and Staff Writer Charles T. Ramirez Brian Garcia Paul Melgarejo Jonathan George Are You Next? Layout Designer, Writer, Photographer Theology III Pre-Theology II Pre-Theology I Answer the Call. Cedar Joiner We celebrate these three parishioners in priestly formation at Assumption Publication Consultant Seminary. Please keep them in your daily prayers. Their call to the priesthood was fostered in the vibrant, rich liturgical life of our parish. Thank God for our Please send comments, questions, and spiritual home! May more answer God’s call to the priesthood and religious life! creative ideas for future publications to Photos Courtesy of Assumption Seminary Charles at [email protected]. 2 | The Spirit of St. Francis 35 Years of Discipleship We Celebrate Our Parish Founders, Mission, and Values By Sister Rose Kruppa, CDP

A few months ago, many of the founding members of our St. Francis of Assisi Parish Community gathered at the 5 pm Saturday Mass to reminisce and to share a blessing. Not all could be present, but those who came could not hide their joy at being together again. And those of us who were present were filled with grat- itude to them for all that we inherited from their risk-taking and their willing- ness to start something new. Thirty-five years later, we are vibrant and strong and ready to celebrate our very rich parish Photos: Parish founders gather for a group photo at a Mass in their honor (above). Photo history. by Eileen Kleffner. Cantor Mike Duggan leads the congregation in the Responsorial Psalm during Mass (below). Photo by Charles Ramirez. The 35 year history of St. Francis is truly blessed. We celebrate three gen- blessed, we want to celebrate 35 years of We’d like to collect the 35 most mem- erations of family members who found building the welcoming community at orable experiences in the history of St. a home in this faith community and St. Francis. The goals of our observance Francis. Stories will be great. We’d also passed on many of the values and tradi- include: to celebrate our rich history, to like to create a mobile Welcome Booth tions that make St. Francis a unique par- use our strengths as a faith community for the Gathering Space that will contin- ish. We celebrate to create our future, ue to enlarge our “Welcome experience” lay leadership in “We want to celebrate 35 years focus on our parish for visitors and new members. In the every area of parish of building the welcoming mission, spirit, and spirit of our patron, St. Francis, we plan life—in sacramen- values with an em- to revive our efforts in care for all cre- tal preparation, in community at St. Francis... ” phasis on the words ation, especially in our recycling efforts formation for mar- St. Francis heard at and care of our gardens. We’ll have some riage, in enrichment of sacramental mar- San Damiano, “Rebuild my Church,” gatherings of parish members of all ages riage, in liturgical ministries, in service and to communicate the parish culture to talk about what we imagine for our and outreach projects that are prompt- (beliefs, values, customs, ways of doing future. And we’ve already scheduled a ed by Catholic Social Teaching, in faith things) to newcomers and the next gen- dance with Cactus Country for August formation during all stages of our lives, eration of parishioners. 1, 2015 to celebrate our families! and in responsiveness to the needs of our Although we have some ideas about What ideas do you have? We’re ea- members. how we could celebrate this year, we ger to hear from you. Contact me, Sister Knowing that we have been richly are open to suggestions from all of you! Rose, in the office.

Winter 2015 | 3 A Journey to the Waters of Baptism We Remember Our Call to Discipleship By Charles Ramirez

The season of Lent quickly approach- intended to encourage and challenge es and the Church around the world families to draw closer to the Lord. The stirs. As a time of prayer, penance, and mission will begin during all the Masses fasting to prepare for the Lord’s passion, on the weekend of February 28–March death, and resurrection, Lent at St. Fran- 1, 2015 and will continue on the eve- Ash Wednesday cis of Assisi offers many dynamic, engag- nings of March 2–3, ending with a pen- February 18 ing opportunities during these special ance service on the evening of March 4. 6:30 am Mass 40 days, all focused around the season’s Fr. Jonathan Felux will lead the mission, 8:30 am Mass theme, “Remember Your Baptism.” speaking on The Joy of the Gospel, a topic 12 pm Liturgy of the Word To orient parishioners to the spirit of with which families will have already be- 5 pm Liturgy of the Word this theme, the church will gift each reg- come familiar. By refreshing the faithful, 7 pm Mass istered family with a copy of Pope Fran- encouraging the struggling, and reaching cis’ first apostolic exhortation, The Joy of out to the non-believing, the mission the Gospel. Families will have the oppor- leads those present into a response of tunity to reflect on their reading through faith and a relationship of love. weekly reflection questions written by Each water drop to the right rep- our pastor, Fr. Larry Christian, and pub- resents a step on our Lenten journey. lished in the bulletin and on the parish These are ways we can deepen our rela- website. tionship with Jesus while remembering Our Lenten Mission offers 3–4 con- our baptism. secutive evenings of focused reflection Photo Above: Parishioners stand to begin the liturgical procession. Photo by Charles 40 Cans for Ramirez. Below: A family prays together during Mass. Photo by Oscar McAnally. Lent Drive Feb. 18–Apr. 5 Bring in canned goods for the poor.

Mardi Gras Party February 17 6:30 pm Henke Hall

4 | The Spirit of St. Francis Pope Francis A Lenten Message Lenten Mission Feb. 28–Mar. 4 Dear brothers and sisters, may Feb. 28/Mar. 1 this Lenten season find the Mar. 2 | 7 pm whole Church ready to bear witness to Mar. 3 | 7 pm all those who live in material, moral and Mar. 4 | 7 pm “spiritual destitution the Gospel message of the merciful love of God our Father, who is ready to embrace everyone in Christ. We can do this to the extent that we imitate Christ who became poor and Stations of enriched us by his poverty. Lent is a fit- ting time for self-denial; we would do the Cross well to ask ourselves what we can give up All Fridays of Lent in order to help and enrich others by our 7 pm Prayer own poverty. Let us not forget that real Service poverty hurts: no self-denial is real with- out this dimension of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt. May the Holy Spirit, through whom we are “as poor, yet making many rich; The Joy of as having nothing, and yet possessing ev- erything” (2 Cor 6:10), sustain us in our the Gospel resolutions and increase our concern and By Pope Francis responsibility for human destitution, so Book Gift to that we can become merciful and act with Parish Families mercy. In expressing this hope, I likewise pray that each individual member of the faithful and every Church community Taize Prayer will undertake a fruitful Lenten journey. February 27 I ask all of you to pray for me. 7 pm | Church May the Lord bless you and Our Lady keep you safe. - Given in Rome, Lent 2014 ” Photos (Clockwise): Lent decor on the ambo; A family listens to the Gospel (By Oscar McAnally); A youth proclaims the Word; Deacon Gene anoints a woman with ashes; A table is prepared with ashes for distribution. Photos and design by Charles Ramirez. Winter 2015 | 5 A Prayer for the Year of Consecrated Life

O God, throughout the ages Wake Up the World! you have called women and men to pursue lives of perfect The Year of Consecrated Life 2015 charity through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, On the last Friday in January of 2014, by Pope Francis. On this day, we give and obedience. Pope Francis stated that the next liturgi- thanks for the women and men who cal year will be dedicated to those who have committed their lives to living and During this Year of Consecrated live in religious communities: professed working in and through a religious com- Life, we give you thanks for these brothers and sisters. It will be a Year for munity. They do so much good in the courageous witnesses of Faith Consecrated Life. The theme of this year world. As the Holy Father has said, “the and models of inspiration. Their is, “Wake Up the World!” The church cel- consecrated life appears to us just as it ebrates the fiftieth anniversary of Vatican really is: a gift of God!” pursuit of holy lives teaches us Council II in these next three years. Each Each of us, most likely, has had ac- to make a more perfect offering of the three years, major documents were quaintances that were religious sisters of ourselves to you. Continue to released by the Council Fathers. The year or brothers. They might have been a enrich your Church by calling 2015 will mark the anniversary of the re- grade school teacher or someone who forth sons and daughters who, lease of the document entitled “Lumen has shared the faith with us in a special having found the pearl of great Gentium,” which literally means "Light way. This coming year, take time to ask price, treasure the Kingdom of of the World." The document contains a young person if he or she has thought Heaven above all things. an entire section on the life of consecrat- about a vocation as a professed sister or ed men and women. a professed brother. Often that is how a Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Through baptism, we are all called to vocation in church ministry begins, by your Son, who lives and reigns a life of holiness. Each of us has a vo- someone inviting and asking. with you in the unity of the cation. Each year the Church celebrates We take this coming year to person- Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and honors men and women in religious ally thank Sr. Rose, Sr. Linda Marie, and and ever. Amen. communities with the World Day for all consecrated religious for their years of Consecrated Life, and in a special way in faithful service to the church and to in- this Year of Consecrated Life called for vite others to answer the call. Congratulations St. Francis of Assisi Commmunity Happy anniversary and congratulations to all our parish families! of Discipleship 35 Years May the Lord bless us and keep us! May his face shine upon us! May we rejoice with the Lord in his unfathomable gifts to us all the days of our lives!

We entrust our next 35 years into the loving hands of our patron, St. Francis of Assisi. Amen. What Spiritual Direction Are You On? An Interview with Spiritual Director Jim LoPresti

By Charles Ramirez

St. Francis parishioners: Do you know ology schools, institutes, retreat centers, how blessed you are? Many parishes do Quick Bit: Sharing your spiritual St. Peter Upon the Water, the Archdio- not offer spiritual direction as we do at journey with a companion who will cese of San Antonio, or parish offices. St. Francis of Assisi. During our 35th help you build a closer relationship Anniversary year, we want to introduce with God. Quick Bit: Consider several names and highlight Spiritual Direction. We of spiritual directors to interview be- hope you will utilize this resource on Many Christians may feel called to this fore making a decision. your journey to build a closer relation- companionship on their spiritual journey. ship with God. I sat down with our Who is a candidate to receive spiritual di- Many parishes do not have spiritual direc- Spiritual Director, Jim LoPresti as he de- rection? tion offered as we do at St. Francis of Assisi. scribed what spiritual direction means. How does spiritual direction contribute to Some reasons why people seek spiri- the parish mission of discipleship? Thanks for meeting with me, Jim. Spiritual tual direction arise from a sense that they Direction is an integral part of our Catho- would like to have a closer relationship When one has a more intimate rela- lic Tradition, but many parishioners do not with God. It could be someone who has tionship with God, a strong prayer life, a even know what we are referring to when experienced the loss of a loved one or clearer sense of what God is calling you we use these words. Let’s start with a basic perhaps it is someone who feels a rest- to do and be, they become more aware question: What is spiritual direction? lessness in their life or is conflicted. Some of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus have come to spiritual direction because Christ. They then desire to do God’s will I like to describe spiritual direction as they want to know more about the mys- in their lives and part of that is serving as the process of one person walking with tical side of their faith. A trained spiritual Christ commanded. In serving, then, we another on his or her spiritual journey to director can walk with them, listen for build community and follow Jesus’ com- grow in intimacy with God. The spiritual the movement of the Holy Spirit, and mandment, “Love one another. As I have director serves as a friend who prays, lis- hold them accountable for exercising the loved you, so you also should love one tens, shares, and supports the directee as disciplines and practices of the spiritual another” (John 14: 34). he or she explores their relationship with life. God. We are all on this spiritual journey Quick Bit: A more intimate relation- to grow deeper in faith and respond to Quick Bit: People seek spiritual di- ship with God leads one to identify God’s call to better love and serve others. rection for numerous reasons, yet as a disciple of Jesus Christ in ser- all want to deepen their relationship vice. with God.

Many different types of people exist, all with Jim’s Recommendations different spiritualties. How does one find a spiritual director? What is the process? Want to learn more? Jim recommends these books to deepend your knowledge Finding a spiritual director is a very of spiritual direction. personal and spiritual quest. I recom- mend that a person who seeks a spiritual Spiritual Direction by Henri Nouwen director consider the names of several candidates to interview. You can obtain The Practice of Spiritual Direction names from priests, sisters, friends, the- William A. Barry & William J. Connolly

The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser St. Francis of Assisi NON PROFIT ORG Catholic Church U.S. POSTAGE 4201 De Zavala Road San Antonio, TX 78249 PAID (210) 492-4600 | www.sfasat.org SAN ANTONIO, TX PERMIT NO. 775

Liturgy Schedule Save the Date

Weekends Feb. 17 Mardi Gras Party Saturday | 5:00 pm Feb. 18 Ash Wednesday Sunday | 8:30 am | 11:15 am Feb. 21–22 Archbishop’s Appeal Weekend 5:00 pm Feb. 27 Taize Prayer Service

Apr. 5 Easter Sunday Liturgy of the Word & Communion Service Apr. 11 Women’s Council Style Show Monday - Thursday | 6:30 am Apr. 18 Men’s Club Golf Tournament

Apr. 30–May 1 Women’s ACTS Retreat Reconciliation Sat. | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm May 9 Casino Night and by appointment. May 31 Summer Family Ice Cream Social

Photo: Deacon Jim Hewson baptizes a child during Mass, a distinct tradition of the parish that allows the community to witness and welcome new members of our faith. Photo by Charles Ramirez.