In the Gospel this week the brothers James and John ask to be given seats of honor when Jesus enters into glory in the Kingdom. Once again the disciples seem to be selective in what they hear Jesus say. They want to share Jesus’ glory, but they do not appear to understand that his glory will be preceded by his suffering. Jesus notes their lack of understanding and predicts suffering they will endure for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus says that the honor they seek is not his to give. When the other apostles hear what James and John have asked, St. Mark reports that they are indignant. Jesus avails of this opportunity to teach them true Kingdom values. Jesus’ Kingdom is not about who wears the crown, but rather involves embracing the cross through lives of service.
Jesus explains the importance of service and sacrifice in the life of a disciple. In particular, he seems to be preparing the Apostles for leadership roles in the community following his Death and Resurrection. Jesus’ image of authority is one where leaders gain their authority through lives of service. Jesus contrasts this image with the model of leadership given by the rulers of the Gentiles, which is based on dominance. Jesus does himself what he asks others to do: to serve, not to be served; to give love freely, to reach out to those in need, not to wait for approval. Christian discipleship is a service which will never become obsolete. There is need for service by and to everyone. This service should aim to harness and celebrate the giftedness of all God’s People. In the Gospel, Jesus makes reference to the cup he will drink and also to baptism.
The Christian imperative to be People of Love is exemplified in the Call to Service of one another. This call is relevant to all time, particularly so, during this time of pandemic. We can best serve God and the Mandate to Serve by continuing to observe necessary health prevention measures, including promotion of the need for greater uptake of vaccination. Our Christian Catholic Faith calls us to promote community among all peoples, not just those who share our Faith Community and outlook. The Gospels challenge us to incorporate the Radical Invitation of the Lord in our Daily interactions and activities. We should always pray for the Grace to accept that invitation and thereby discover true greatness.
“Whoever wishes to be great among you, will be your servant.” Mark 10 : 43.
- Fr. Des
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.
As you know, the church sets aside the month of November to honor those who have gone before us.
This year we will honor those in our parish and in our families who have died in the past year with the
annual Litany of Remembrance at all the Masses on the weekend of November 6/7.
We invite you to honor a loved one (family member or friend) who died between
November 2020 and October 2021 by sending us the following:
• The person’s name
• Date of birth
• Date of death
• Electronic photograph, if you have one
The deadline for submission is October 31.
Email the information and photograph to bethw@stfrancisparish.com
CHILDREN’S FAITH FORMATION CLASSES BEGIN ON OCTOBER 10 (THIS WEEK!) ... REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!
Due to the continuing challenges presented by the corona virus, the 2021/2022 Faith Formation Program for children attending public schools in grades 1 through 8 will be done remotely.
The in-person program during the 9:30 Mass for children of nursery, preschool, and Kindergarten age is still suspended because of the pandemic.
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, October 16th 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, October 14th to st.franciswomeninc@gmail.com to receive a link to join our gathering.
We’d love to see you!
Gala Auction and Raffle Donation Days
Saturday, November 6 – 4-6 p.m.
Sunday, November 7 – 8-11 a.m.
Might you have new, gently used or antique items you’d like to donate for our Gala fund-raising efforts? Bring your donations to church on the above dates and times. Most items are fully tax-deductible. Gala Committee members will provide a short form for you to complete to assure your contributions are properly credited. Look for our table in the parking lot.
Popular items include bottles of wine (we can NEVER have enough wine!), objets d’art, home décor, spiritual items, electronics and kitchenware. Unsure of your items? Drop by and let’s chat - we can arrange for pick-up on a later date. Thank you in advance for your donations and support!
14th Annual St. Francis Gala
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Watch Flocknotes for more details and your chance to purchase tickets in the weeks ahead!
For those interested in contributing to disaster relief:
Daily, the news captures the dramatic evacuation of Afghani refugees from the Kabul airport. To date, more than 80,000 men, women and children have been airlifted out of Afghanistan. A final destination for many will be the United States. Refugee resettlement agencies across the country, including Sacramento, are gearing up to meet this massive need.
Agencies in the Sacramento area which provide refugee resettlement services are:
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) - https://www.sacramentofoodbank.org (916) 456-1980.
The Diocese of Sacramento has a long tradition of resettling refugees through its Catholic Social Service agency. That ministry continues with SFBFS offering Refugee Resettlement Services through a collaboration with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services Office. Because of the influx of families from Afghanistan, SFBFS has an immediate need for cash donations to help with temporary housing, clothing and culturally appropriate food. Donations can be payable to Catholic Charities - Refugee Resettlement Fund, and sent to Diocese of Sacramento, 2110 Broadway, Sacramento CA 95818
Opening Doors, Inc. – https://openingdoorsinc.org (916) 492-2591.
Immediately most helpful are cash donations to assist with temporary and permanent housing and gift cards for food, Door Dash and other food delivery services.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) - https://www.rescue.org/united-states/sacramento-ca (916) 482-0120.
IRC’s newly established Soft Landing Fund will help arriving Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) families from Afghanistan start their new life in Northern California. IRC Northern California is raising $300,000 for this fund. One hundred percent of donations will be disbursed to cover emergency temporary housing as well as rental and utility assistance. Donations can be made at https://help.rescue.org/donate/Softlandingfund
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - EPHESIANS 2:10
AUGUST 2021 DONATION REPORT
The Finance Council is providing a monthly
look at contributions.
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.
