Normally, during this liturgical year, we read from the Gospel of St. Mark. However, we interrupt this cycle for the next five weeks to read from chapter 6 of St. John’s Gospel concerning the Bread of Life. This refers to the gift of the Eucharist which is central to our spiritual lives. The Church fathers gathered at Vatican II referred to the “Eucharist as the Summit and the Source of the Spiritual Life.” Bishop Soto has written a special Pastoral Letter to accompany our reflections. This letter is available on the website of the Diocese of Sacramento. Bread is considered a staple food in western diets and the Lord always used images that were easily recognizable to the people of his day. Bread stands for all the nourishment we need, both physical food and also the spiritual food necessary for us to thrive as human beings. Without bread, physical or spiritual, our life withers.
We start our readings from the Bread of Life section of the Gospel by recounting the Miraculous Feeding of the Multitude. This feeding is another example of Jesus’ compassion and goodness. However, it is more than that. Jesus’ words over the loaves, represent an anticipation of his Eucharistic actions at the Last Supper. The Eucharist is our food for the journey, provided for us by a Compassionate and Loving Savior, who promised not to leave us orphans. The Eucharist is also an expression of our unity. As we receive the Eucharist there are or should be no distinctions. We are all one. Our prayer this week should be to avail of these weeks of reflection to deepen our love for the Eucharist.
The pandemic continues to disrupt our lives despite the advance in conquering this plague by greater penetration of vaccines. Variants of the disease represent ongoing challenges. Our Christian respect for life provides a framework for continued vigilance. It should also prompt us to highlight the necessity to provide more opportunities for vaccination to under resourced communities and to assist in countering misinformation. Today is also the first liturgical celebration at the request of Pope Francis, of the contribution of Grandparents and Older People to our families and communities. May this be a day of blessing for all.
“The Hand of the Lord Feeds Us.” Psalm 145.
Fr. Des.
New Tranche of Outreach Pandemic Donations. June 2021.
Checks for $1000.00 each were forwarded this week to the following Local Organizations:
Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services.
Central Downtown Food Basket.
River City Food Bank.
Yolo County Foodbank, Woodland.
Stanford Settlement, Sacramento North Area.
Loaves and Fishes Sacramento.
Mercy Pedalers Sacramento.
Diocesan Aids Project.
During the Diocesan Financial Year: July 1 2020 - June 30 2021, your generosity has enabled us to donate a grand total of $22,000.00 to organizations serving the Poor, Hungry, Deprived and Homeless Populations in the Sacramento Region.
“Whoever Sows Bountifully will also Reap Bountifully. For God Loves a Cheerful Giver.” - Second Corinthians 9:6-8.
MASS SCHEDULE
• Saturday at 5:15pm in the church.
PLEASE NOTE:
Social Distancing will be observed. Masks are still required, 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.
• Sunday: 7:30am – Mass on patio in the courtyard of the Parish Center Terrace.
PLEASE NOTE: Social Distancing will be observed. Masks required. Limited seating.
• Sunday: 9:30am Mass in the CHURCH!
PLEASE NOTE:
Social Distancing will be observed.
Masks are still required, 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.
• WEEKDAY MASS THIS WEEK - Monday, Wednesday and Friday - at 12:10 outside, on patio in the courtyard of the Parish Center Terrace. Communion will be provided during Masses. PLEASE NOTE: Social Distancing will be observed. Masks required. Limited seating.
Would you like to open the Word of God by reflecting on the
Sunday Gospel readings with other women in the parish?
Please join us at 9:30 AM Saturday, July 31st for our next meeting of Women in Conversation Sacred Sharing. Our 90 minute gathering combines song, prayer, Scripture reading, and small group discussion, safely via Zoom. If you are interested, please send your RSVP by Thursday, July 29th to st.franciswomeninc@gmail.com to receive a link to join our gathering.
We’d love to see you!
Bishop Soto has asked that parish churches remain open for those wishing to offer private prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. 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, St. Francis School classes, 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.
