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Saint Francis of Assisi |
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Announcements |
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St. Francis Elementary Dom Puglisi, Superintendent of Schools for our diocese, recently wrote the following note to school principals: "I visited the site of All Hallows where St. Francis Elementary School will be this year. What a tremendous show of faith and determination by Laurie and her staff. Two weeks ago everything was moved to the school, last week things unpacked, and this week putting it all together. In the meantime, teachers cancelled vacation plans and painted and cleaned. The neighbors have been very thankful for the way the school has reached out to them. Everyone looked tired but all had smiles on their faces. This is a true statement of what it means to be in Catholic education. ...Please join me in a strong congratulations to all involved at St. Francis, and please continue to keep them in your prayers." Discernment Process School Building: What's the Next Step? That is the question to be addressed in a discernment process that will identify the needs of both Parish and School, as well as potential options and solutions, and lead to a final recommendation to the Diocese. This process will be a collaborative effort between Fr. Anthony, principal Laurie Power, and a Discernment Committee comprised of three parishioners, three parents, one Parish Council representative, one School Advisory Commission representative, one Diocesan representative, and two experts (such as a structural engineers, an attorney, etc.). Fifteen parishioners have offered to serve, and we are in the process of selecting three to serve on the committee. We thank all those who have stepped forward. Your care for our parish is inspiring! We welcome any resources, references, or recommendations you may have that could help us in this discernment process. Please e-mail either me (parishcouncil@stfrancisparish.com) or Fr. Anthony (AnthonyG@stfrancisparish.com). Parents interested in participating are asked to contact Jill Rice, Parents' Club president (JRice@cde.ca.gov), since the Parents' Club will be selecting the three parent representatives.
Letter from Fr. Anthony Regarding St. Francis Elementary School Dear Parishioners: Last spring St. Francis School was closed for a few extra days around the Presidents' Day holiday so that engineers could carry out some maintenance and safely perform a seismic safety inspection of the school. We expected to find some issues .... to read the entire letter, click here. St. Francis Elementary Accredited! Congratulations to St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School which was just awarded a full six-year term of accreditation by WASC/WCEA. The six-year term, good through June 2016, is the highest possible term given. Congratulations to the staff, students, and families of SFE!
New Music Director Mike shares some of his thinking about music ministry: "Music Ministry is helping the assembly to raise its common voice to God. It is the means to and an expression of true community in a parish. It is hope and joy, affirmation and reconciliation, struggle and celebration." The Annual Catholic Appeal This year our 25% will go again to our Assistance to the Needy Fund, which provides help with utility bills, rent, motel lodging, bus tickets, and prescriptions on a one time basis to those most in need. Envelopes are in the pews and can be put in the collection basket or mailed to the appeal: Diocese of Sacramento, 2110 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95818.
Friars in the News Write to Fr. Louis Vitale
To view the latest correspondence from and about Fr. Louis, go to www.paceebene.org/letters-louie. News from Haiti There are 16 Franciscan friars in Haiti, and they are reported to be safe and sound. Of their three houses in the country, one in Port-au-Prince was badly damaged. The friars responded immediately by providing basic first aid to the injured in their area, and they have continued to support efforts to help the hungry and displaced population. "Speak to the Earth... ...and it Will Teach You: A Franciscan Perspective on Earth's Teaching," presented by Sr. Kathleen McCabe, OSF, on Thursday, February 18, 5:10-6:10pm in the Franciscan School of Theology Classroom in Berkeley. "A Pilgrimage of Hope... ...Challenges and Gratitude in the Ecumenical Journey," presented by Br. Jeffrey Gros, FSC, the 2009-2010 Kenan B. Osborne Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology. Wednesday, February 24, 7:00pm at the Bade Museum, Pacific School of Religion. Response by Rev. Dr. Louis Weill, Professor Emeritus of Liturgics, Church Divinity School of the Pacific. Reception at Franciscan School of Theology to follow." Franciscan Action Network Honors Father Larry Dunphy
In 2009, Father Larry was involved in over 19 legislative issues, including Middle East peace, economic justice, health care, immigration and ecology. FAN is a grassroots advocacy organization bringing a Franciscan voice to Washington, D.C. in matters of justice, peace and care for creation. To find out more about Fr. Larry and FAN, visit www.franciscanaction.org. Brother Mark Schroeder: Peacemaker on the Move
Brother Mark promoted nonviolence, from the simple act of biting one's tongue instead of saying something mean to risking arrest at sit-in protests. He said, "With nonviolence, you have to take action. Literally, you have to do it." From Pacific Currents: An Electronic Newsletter of Things Franciscan Parish Annual Report Our annual report celebrates our faith in action—the many ways in which we have discovered our gifts and shared them with one another, given of our time, offered our money for what we believe is important. Together, we are able to do more than we can alone, and our parish is alive in witnessing to the gospel in our ministries, our presence, and our offerings. We hope that you find many reasons to celebrate and offer thanks to God for your parish and all the ways our faith becomes a real witness as it is shared among our selves and with others in our annual report. God has richly blessed us this past year, and continues to pour out grace and gifts to be shared with one another. 2008-2009 Annual Financial Report
From the Pews: Submit Your Creative Work For reasons of space, we ask that submissions be no longer than 500 words. All work will be reviewed and may be edited by the Communications Committee for space or clarity.
More information:
Step Ministry Newsletter: Box Seats - A View from the Steps Included in the first newsletter:
Read the newsletter: Summer 2008
More information:
Thank You: Annual Catholic Appeal Thank you for your participation and generosity. You can still participate in the Appeal:
St. Francis Reaches Out
These groups were selected by the Tithing Committee and approved by Fr. Anthony.
Reminder: No Alley Parking
In the
event of an emergency, first responders
need clear access to Brunsman
Hall, the school, friary, St. Clare’s
Chapel, the church and St. Francis Terrace. Thank you!
Faith in Action: Fair Trade Certified™ Products Fair Trade is a powerful tool that works, strengthening families and communities, empowering people to take care of themselves. It is a way to do God’s work and claim our common humanity, while enjoying products grown with love and care.
More Information:
www.transfairusa.org
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At our July 13 Parish Council Meeting, Parish Council members, parishioners, and parents in attendance discussed the current situation of our beloved St. Francis Elementary School.
I ask for your prayers and patience during this time. Our Parish community is faced with a tremendous task and will have to make some important decisions in the coming months that will define the face and future of our Parish and School. By the grace of God and through the faith of our Parish, I am certain we will make decisions that are in keeping with the vision of the St. Francis community we know and love.
Mike Humphrey will join our parish staff as Music Director, starting July 1. He hails from Ontario, CA where he has been responsible for music ministry at several parishes—eleven Masses per weekend! He's been in music ministry for 30 years, and has accompanied at over 40 parishes in several southern California dioceses. He's coordinated ecumenical concerts and choir concerts, as well as liturgies for up to 3,000 people with 100 vocalists and musicians. He's presented workshops at the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. In addition, he brings skills of directing, accompaniment, collaborative ministry, and—he's just a good guy!
Provides funds for people in need in our local community through agencies such as Catholic Social Service, Francis House and Wellspring Women's Center. 25% of the funds from our parish are returned to us for our own ministries to people in need. Last year we received pledges and donations of $11,485 as our share in this appeal.
Fr. Louis Vitale, OFM began serving a six-month prison sentence on January 25 for nonviolent, prayerful protest calling for closure of the School of the Americas at Ft. Benning, Georgia. You may write to him at:
The Staff of the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) honored Fr. Larry Dunphy, OFM, as the network's Most Active Member of 2009.
The Christmas Day issue of North County Times (northern San Diego County) featured the efforts of Br. Mark Schroeder, OFM, to foster peace, justice and the care for creation during his eight years at Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside. 
The St. Francis Parish Communications Committee of the Parish Council invites you to submit your own creative work–fiction,
nonfiction, poetry, photography, artwork--related to your spiritual journey for possible inclusion in a new feature called,
“From the Pews” that will appear in parish publications.
Summer 2008
The Diocese's 2010 Annual Catholic Appeal had a 6% increase in dollars over the 2009 appeal, receiving over 20,000 gifts and pledges totaling $2.6 million. At St. Francis, our gifts totaled $48,689 of which we will receive 25% for our ministries that provide assistance to those most vulnerable and in need.
At the September 2009 quarterly Tithing Committee meeting, the following advocacy organizations were designated to receive a check for $230 from the parish:
This is a gentle reminder to park in
designated parking spaces only. 
By purchasing Fair Trade Certified™ products, we use our consumer choice to put our faith into direct action.
Fair Trade helps farming families across Latin America, Africa and Asia to improve their quality of life by investing
in their farms and communities, protecting the environment and developing business skills.