All Are Welcome: St. Francis of Assisi Parish

Sacramento, CA

aerial photo of St. Francis of Assisi Parish

From the Pastor's Desk

Today we continue to hear Gospel accounts of Jesus' appearances to his disciples following his Resurrection.

The extract today from the Gospel of St. Luke follows immediately after the recounting of Jesus' appearance to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. St. Luke's account of the Risen Jesus' appearance to the disciples in Jerusalem has parallels with the story in St. John's Gospel that we read last Sunday. The parallels are: Jesus' greetings of peace, his invitation to touch him, and the disciples' doubt. As well as inviting the disciples to inspect the marks of his wounds, Jesus gives further proof of the resurrection by eating with the disciples. A ghost would have no need to eat, but this shared meal also has overtones of the Last supper and the giving of the Eucharist.

Jesus then uncovers for them the significance of what was written about him in the Hebrew Scriptures. So too, our celebration of the Mass is an encounter with Jesus, through the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. As Jesus commissioned his disciples to be witnesses to what the Scriptures foretold, our celebration of the Eucharist commissions us. Like the disciples, we are sent to announce the Good News of Jesus and His saving mission through our lives. St. Francis, we are told by attribution, reportedly said "Preach the Gospel, and if Necessary use Words". This succinctly summarizes the mission of all baptized Christians.

We continue to struggle with the Corona Virus despite the increasing number of people who have been vaccinated and the Governor's outline of a proposed path to enable a return to a semblance of normality. New variants of the Virus continue to proliferate, so we should be on our guard against complacency. Persistence and perseverance with observation of all necessary precautionary measures will serve to help eliminate the threat posed by this pernicious virus. The Gospel this week serves to remind us that the Risen Lord is with his people and that He will strengthen and empower us despite pandemic fatigue. We rejoice that the Risen Lord is with us.

"You are witnesses of these things." Luke 24:48.

Fr. Des.

(UPDATE!) MASS SCHEDULE - this weekend (Sunday, April 25, 2021)

• 7:30am – Mass on patio in the courtyard of the Parish Center Terrace.
PLEASE NOTE: Social Distancing will be observed. Masks required. Limited seating.

• 9:30am Mass in the CHURCH!
PLEASE NOTE:
Social Distancing will be observed.
Masks required! Limited seating!
Entrance is through the breezeway only.

The 9:30am Mass will be livestreamed as usual (https://bit.ly/37XEfK3).

• WEEKDAY MASS - 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.

Revisit each day of the Sacred Triduum
on our YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/37XEfK3

Also available: Stations of the Cross during a Pandemic, and more!
https://bit.ly/37XEfK3

Caring for Creation in California:
Church Leaders Respond to Laudato Si

Join the Pathways for Justice Ministry for an evening discussion of our California bishops’ pastoral letter that “invite[s] the people of California to reflect on ways we can more faithfully and effectively care for creation in thanksgiving to God for this great gift.”

Leading our discussion will be Raymond Burnell, former Director of Education & Environmental Stewardship for the California Catholic Conference. Ray will also share his insights into fossil fuel divestment issues in his current role as Director of Catholic Responsible Investments at Christian Brothers Investment Services.

Come with your ideas and your questions on
Monday, April 26th at 7 pm.
Register for this Zoom meeting at
pathwaysforjustice@stfrancisparish.com

The Bereavement Ministry of St. Francis of Assisi
is offering two Consolation/Support Groups
via ZOOM on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays
of the month beginning May 4, 2021.

A COVID 19 Support Group, the 1st Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8:00 pm, beginning 5/4/21, for individuals wrestling with the myriad emotional, psychological and spiritual losses from COVID 19. RSVP: no later than 5/3/21
A Grief Support Group, the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8:00 pm, beginning 5/18/21, for individuals mourning the physical death of a loved one. RSVP: no later than 5/17/21

Both will be ongoing as needed. Some may feel the need to attend both having been impacted by a death/s and COVID19.

To participate and receive materials and ZOOM passcode, please contact one of the following:

Julie Garcia Swiecicki 1 916 359-2672        juliagds@att.net
Theresa Arciniega      1 916 359-7732        tarciniega333@gmail.com
Kent Meyers             1 916 206-1414        kentonmeyers@stfrancisparish.com

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.

Support Your Parish
https://www.scd.org/catholic-foundation/support-your-parish
or via Online Giving

Support Your School
https://www.scd.org/catholic-foundation/support-your-school

LIVE STREAMING MASS

Sunday - 04/18/21 - The Third Sunday of Easter
Our Songsheet
JS Paluch Songsheet
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5e7ld17-JU

Videos can be can also accessed by using these links:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxrC_xaCQnu2_axUeGt1TNw
or https://bit.ly/37XEfK3

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.

To help us “Keep Holy the Lord’s Day”,
many churches offer Masses live streamed.
The Diocese of Sacramento Live Streaming list of churches:
https://www.scd.org/coronavirus/livestream-mass

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

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.

Office Hours

Closed to the public. Staff may be reached by leaving an email or voicemail message.

Who We Are

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.

All Are Welcome

Upcoming Events

Opportunities