During the Season of Advent we are introduced to Biblical Figures who prepared the way for Christ to be born into the world. Last Sunday we were introduced to the figure of Jeremiah, the Prophet. In Christian terms, we see the words of the Prophets fulfilled in Christ. Our Jewish brothers and sisters would interpret them as prophecies concerning the future messiah. Many of the titles we use for Christ during Advent and Christmas, such as Prince of Peace and Emmanuel, are taken directly from the Prophet Isaiah. We read extensively from him during the remainder of Advent and throughout the Christmas Season.
Today, we are introduced to the first of the New Testament characters who prepared the way for the birth of Christ, through the figure of St. John the Baptist. He was born six months before Christ and prepared the way for Christ through his public ministry, which preceded that of the Lord. He presents a somewhat fearsome figure in today’s gospel. The description of St. John in the reading today is reminiscent of the biblical rendering of the prophet Elijah. In this extract, St. John directs a particular call to repentance to the Pharisees and the Sadducees, religious leaders who were also criticized by Jesus in his public ministry.
The call to repentance is one of the major themes of Advent. We can be tempted to think of repentance negatively, yet the call of the gospels is one of repentance, which literally means return to the Lord. Advent is therefore given to us as a time to refocus ourselves on that same Lord as a preparation to worthily celebrate the Christmas mysteries. We could make no better resolution than to do this by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation at this time. Confession will continue to be offered from 3pm - 4pm on the Saturdays of Advent. If you wish to receive reconciliation at any stage feel free to approach me before or after mass on Weekdays or Sundays. Additionally, you can phone the parish office for an appointment. Call 916-443-8084, when the phone is answered press 115, which will connect you to my extension, and leave a message if I am not available.
Advent is a graced time given to us to develop ourselves in the spiritual life. We should grasp the opportunity wholeheartedly, particularly through acts of sacrifice and prayer. The pandemic means that we are living in an age of uncertainty. The discovery of a new variant has inserted further uncertainty at a time when we felt that much progress had been achieved through greater uptake of vaccination and our vigilant observance of necessary disease prevention measures appeared to be yielding positive outcomes. Our Faith assures us that the Lord offers real certainty in our lives. Despite the vicissitudes of life, the one certainty is that our God is with us at all times. The celebration of Advent/Christmas reminds us that the Lord came into this world to assure us of the gift of salvation and to affirm that he accompanies and strengthens us: never more so, than in times of difficulty. With such reassurance and faith,we will be enabled to triumph.
“Be Vigilant at all times and Pray.” Luke 21:36.
- Fr. Des
MASS SCHEDULE
PLEASE NOTE FOR ALL CHURCH MASSES:
Masks are still required. Social Distancing will be observed, as is sanitizing
prior to receiving Communion. Limited seating! As contact tracing is no longer required, all the doors of the church will be open for entering and exiting the church.
• Saturday at 5:15pm in the CHURCH • Sunday at 7:30am in the CHURCH • Sunday at 9:30am in the CHURCH
The 9:30am Mass will be livestreamed as usual (https://bit.ly/37XEfK3).
• WEEKDAY MASS THIS WEEK
THERE WILL BE NO MASS ON Monday, Dec. 06
12:10pm - Wednesday Dec 08, in the church;
also livestreamed on our YouTube page (https://bit.ly/37XEfK3)
12:10pm - Friday (Dec 10) -Daily Mass in the Parish Center Courtyard
Please note that for all weekday masses social distancing will be observed,
masks are required, sanitizing prior to receiving Communion will be offered,
and seating is limited.
Friday, Dec 24 – Christmas Eve
4:00pm – Mass - Church + Livestream
9:00pm – Lesson & Carols – Church + Livestream
10:00pm – Mass – Church + Livestream
Saturday, Dec 25 – Christmas Day
7:30am – Mass – Church
9:30am – Mass – Church + Livestream There will be no 5:15 Mass on Christmas Day
Sunday, Dec 26 – Feast of the Holy Family
7:30am – Mass – Church
9:30am – Mass – Church + Livestream
Saturday, January 01, 2022 – New Year’s Day
5:15pm – Mass – Church
Sunday, Jan 2, 2022 – Epiphany of the Lord
7:30am – Mass – Church
9:30am – Mass – Church + Livestream
Waiting for Joyful Hope, with reflections for the days of the Advent and Christmas seasons,
is available after all the Masses beginning on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27/28,
for a $1 donation.
As we have done in years past, we provide links to some sources if you wish to
purchase a booklet on your own:
St. Francis Homecoming
Gala 2022
February 19, 2022
at the Hilton on Arden West
OCTOBER 2021 DONATION REPORT
The Finance Council is providing a monthly look at contributions.
Stewardship: $37,106.72
Building Fund: $2,179
Assistance to the Needy/Outreach: $2,915
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
School volunteers will be at
the doors of the church:
December 4/5, 11/12 and 18/19
at all Masses!
St. Francis Church will be open from 9:00am-3:00pm weekdays for private prayer. Entrance to the church is by the side door in the breezeway.
Please check this page for updates.
Individual confession will be offered by appointment only.
Please call Fr. Des directly at (916) 443-8084 (ext 115).
All parish meetings and parish Faith Formation
programs remain cancelled or on Zoom until further notice. And the Parish Office is closed to the public for the time being.
Please continue to check our website as we will be posting new information as
it becomes available.
Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
Loving God, grant that your healing grace may flow to all those who are suffering or ill,
and that your strength and love may be with all those close to these brothers and sisters, for those who are providing care for them, and for all those who offer prayer on their behalf. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PARISH NEWS
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
The Bereavement Ministry of St. Francis of Assisi is offering a Grief Support Group on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month via ZOOM from 6:30-8:00pm.
To participate contact a facilitator no later than 2 days before a meeting.
Julie Garcia Swiecicki 1 916 359-2672 juliagds@att.net
Theresa Arciniega 1 916 359-7732 tarciniega333@gmail.com
Kent Meyer 1 916 206-1414 kentonmeyers@stfrancisparish.com
COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUND
The St. Francis Communion Visitation Ministry is currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Please join us in praying the Act of Spiritual Communion during the Eucharist online. In addition, the Ministry is sending prayer cards to anyone who requests them. The cards include the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe from the new oil painting in the south transept of our church, and the Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe for Protection from Coronavirus, as provided by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The prayer card is available in English or Spanish. To receive it, please email your mailing address to the Ministry at sfcommunionvisitation@gmail.com.
(VIRTUAL) FRANCISCAN CROWN ROSARY
On the first Saturday of each month, 9-10am, we pray the Franciscan Crown Rosary, followed by conversation and fellowship. Please sign up by emailing Louis at louisvasquez123@hotmail.com. A Zoom invitation will be emailed to you.
Honoring our Franciscan tradition, St. Francis Parish is a Catholic Christian Community building the reign of God in the spirit and path of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. We value vibrant liturgy and personal prayer as a way to worship God and celebrate life.
We are an inclusive community respecting the dignity of all persons and supporting the journey of each person. We respond to the command of Jesus to love by welcoming all, evangelizing, supporting spiritual growth, and being Eucharist to each other.
Challenged by the Holy Spirit, we reach beyond ourselves to care for our neighbors, the poor, the marginalized, and those alienated by our Catholic Church. We aspire to be witnesses and prophets advocating for justice in the world and in the church.
