Reflection on Sunday's Gospel (06/26/22)
- The 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
This is my final reflection as I will take up my new appointment at St. Mel's on Friday July 1st. I avail of this opportunity to thank you for your co-operation and faithfulness over the past six years. Being the first non-Franciscan pastor of St. Francis presented unique challenges, this combined with the pandemic over the past two years, posed additional demands. The one reassuring constant, as I stated in my reflections so often, is that the Lord accompanies and strengthens his people at all times. I wish also to express my appreciation to the Parish Staff, and to all parishioners who give so generously of their time and talent to the various parish ministries. Special thanks to Beth White, for her tremendous service to the Diocese over many years and latterly at St. Francis, who is retiring at this time also. May the Lord grant her many years of contented and fulfilled retirement. Please pray for your new pastor Fr. Rey and let us continue to hold one another in prayer.
Last Sunday, if we had celebrated the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time instead of the Feast of Corpus Christi, we would have heard how Jesus told the disciples that the way of the Messiah led to the Cross. Today’s Gospel begins with a reminder that the journey on which he has embarked will end in the triumph of his return to Heaven. Today’s Gospel has two parts - the description of an incident during the final journey and three stories about would be disciples. The long journey from Galilee to Jerusalem led through hostile territory. It involved passing through the region of Samaria. The inhabitants of Samaria were originally Jewish but were now regarded as Apostates by the Jews. Jesus treats them as people whose Jewish roots entitle them to a privileged place in the Kingdom of God. The messengers he sends to announce his arrival are rejected. Two of his disciples, the brothers James and John, want to take retaliation for the Samaritans indifferent response. Jesus rebukes them as misunderstanding his message of forgiveness and love.
The next part of the Gospel is made up of three incidents involving prospective disciples. The first is a potential disciple who says that he will follow Jesus wherever he goes, but it takes very little for him to be dissuaded. The second incident involves someone who is invited to join the band of disciples. He is willing, but there is a problem, his father has just died. Jesus’ answer to leave the dead to bury the dead, strikes us as inhuman. However, Jesus does this to emphasize the priority of serving the Kingdom. The third person seems to be making a reasonable request -- he is willing to follow but wants to say goodbye to his family. Jesus answers with a proverb about laying the hand to the plow and not looking back. These three stories of would be disciples are challenging. In the Second reading, St. Paul tells us that God calls us to live in freedom: a freedom that asks us to respond in love by placing ourselves in the service of one another and thereby in the service of God. As we read the stories of Jesus and his would be disciples, what is most clear is how he calls people to generosity, even heroism, to follow him on a Path that leads to the Cross. The incidents recalled in the gospel could be called vocation stories. They serve to remind us that we are all called to a Vocation of Love in the service of the Lord.
In advance - wishing you a safe and enjoyable July 4th extended weekend.
"Serve one another in Love." Galatians 5:13.
Slan agus Beannacht. Gaelic : Farewell and Blessings.
- Fr. Des.
MASS SCHEDULE
PLEASE NOTE FOR ALL CHURCH MASSES:
For the safety of all we will continue with our mask policy. Social Distancing will be observed. Hand sanitizing will be offered prior to receiving Communion. Limited seating!
• 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 - Monday, Wednesday and Friday -
Daily Mass at 12:10 will be in the church.
PLEASE NOTE FOR ALL CHURCH MASSES:
For the safety of all we will continue with our mask policy. Social Distancing will be observed. Hand sanitizing will be offered prior to receiving Communion. Limited seating!
Farewell Fr. Des
A basket will be available in the church for cards until June 29th. You may also mail cards directly to
Rev. Desmond O'Reilly St. Francis
1066 26th Street
Sacramento CA 95816
WHERE IS FR. DES GOING?
On June 4th and 5th Fr. Des announced during Mass the he would be going to St. Mel church in Fair Oaks on July 1.
Fr. Des said that he was looking forward
to St. Mel's as it is a well established Parish with a history of Irish Pastors.
WHO IS COMING TO ST. FRANCIS?
Fr. Des also announced that Rev. Rey Bersabal will be the new Pastor at St. Francis starting July 1, 2022. Fr. Rey currently is Pastor at St. James in Davis.
2022 Parish Pastoral Council Elections
Candidates elected to the Parish Pastoral Council
will begin
their terms as of July 12, 2022:
Special Thanks to retiring Parish Council Members for their long service to our Parish.
Also thanks to all serving members.
Those Retiring:
Francine Freitas
Sue Kenney
Linda Hill
Jo Gonsalvez
Margaret Healey
Bob Reid
Those Currenting Serving
Ed Condon
Darrin Greer
Emer McKenna
Janet Vitt
Patrick Mahan
All The Best,
Rev. Desmond T. O'Reilly, Pastor
LET’S THANK BETH!!
RETIREMENT RECEPTION Sunday, June 26th
With gratitude and joy for Beth White’s 35 years of dedicated service to the
Sacramento Diocese including 7 years at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, you are invited to honor and congratulate Beth upon her retirement. Reception and refreshments in the parking lot following the 9:30 AM Mass, Sunday, June 26th.
A basket will be available in the church and at the reception for notes and cards for Beth.
Sponsored by the Parish and Finance Councils. Committee:
Francine Freitas, Patrick Mahan, Judy Miranda and Bob Reid.
Rite of Christian Initiation for
Adults and Children:
If you are looking for a spiritual home or are baptized Catholic but have not yet received Eucharist or Confirmation, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), and RCIA Adapted for Children may be for you. A new group is forming soon.
If interested, complete a registration form online at
http://bit.ly/SacPrepForm
(NEW) 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 on Saturday, July 9th 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 7th to st.franciswomeninc@gmail.com to receive a link to join our gathering.
We’d love to see you!
St. Francis Homecoming Gala 2022
Make your reservation for our 2022 GALA ... $65.00 early bird discount through 6/30/22,
then $80.00 starting July 1.
St. Francis Homecoming Gala 2022
August 27, 2022
at the Hilton on Arden West
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.
Confession: Saturday 4:30-5:00pm or after 12:10pm Mass Mon., Wed.,and Fri.
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.
