Reflecting on the Feast of St. Francis and the 800th Anniversary of His Passing…

Dear Parishioners,

As autumn opens before us and we gather as a faith community on this first Sunday of October, our hearts turn naturally to the great patriarch of our tradition: St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast day we celebrate on October 4th. For our parish family, rooted deeply in Franciscan spirituality, this liturgical season is far more than a calendar remembrance. It is a moment of profound gratitude, self-reflection, and renewed dedication to the Gospel path laid out by the Poor Man of Assisi.

This year’s celebration carries a special historical and spiritual weight. We are currently marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s Transitus—his transition from earthly life to eternal life in 1226. Eight centuries have passed since Francis welcomed “Sister Death” on the bare ground at the Portiuncula, yet his voice, his witness, and his revolutionary spiritual vision remain as urgent and vibrant today as they were in medieval Umbria.

The Urgency of the Franciscan Charism: It is easy to romanticize St. Francis as a gentle figure who spoke to birds and calmed wild wolves. While his deep connection to all created things is a beautiful hallmark of his life, the heart of the Franciscan charism is radical, challenging, and profoundly practical. St. Francis did not set out to create a lofty theological system; he simply wanted to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ without compromise.

In our modern world—often marked by division, consumerism, loneliness, and environmental strain—the Franciscan spirit offers essential medicine for our culture:

• Radical Fraternity and Reconciliation: In a culture that frequently categorizes people into “us” and “them,” Francis insisted on calling every human being—and indeed every created creature—brother and sister. He crossed social, economic, and religious barriers, famously meeting the Sultan in the midst of the Crusades to seek peace through encounter rather than force. As a parish, our calling is to be a sanctuary of true brotherhood where all are welcomed and reconciled.

• Simplicity and Joyful Dependence: Francis recognized that an attachment to material wealth often builds walls between people and fosters fear. By embracing Lady Poverty, he discovered freedom—a joy that comes not from what we possess, but from recognizing everything as a gift from a loving God. Living Franciscan simplicity today invites us to simplify our lifestyle, practice generous stewardship, and find contentment in God’s grace.

• Care for Our Common Home: Long before ecology became a science, Francis composed the Canticle of the Creatures, praising God through Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and Mother Earth. He saw creation as a primary revelation of God’s goodness. Today, as stewards of the Earth, the Franciscan charism urges us to treat creation not as a commodity to exploit, but as a sacred gift to protect and nurture for generations to come.
  
  
• Serving Christ in the Poor and Marginalized: Francis’ total transformation began not when he gave away his money, but when he embraced the leper—the person most rejected by his society. For Francis, to love God meant to draw near to those onthe fringes. As a Franciscan parish, our mission remains tied to serving the vulnerable, advocating for justice, and recognizing the face of Christ in every suffering neighbor.

Embracing Our Mission as a Franciscan Parish: As we mark this 800th centenary milestone, we are reminded that Franciscanism is not an artifact of history to be preserved in glass; it is a living way of being in the world. St. Francis famously heard the Lord speak from the San Damiano Cross: “Francis, go and rebuild my Church.” That mandate was not given to Francis alone—it is handed directly to us today.

How do we build up the Church in our neighborhood this October? We do so whenever we reach out to someone who is lonely, whenever we practice forgiveness in our families, whenever we choose simplicity over excess, and whenever we gather at the table of the Eucharist as true brothers and sisters.

Let us celebrate this Feast of St. Francis with renewed fervor. May the spirit of Assisi ignite our parish community, filling us with peace, humility, and the joy of the Gospel.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Peace and All Good,
Fr. Mike

Dear Parishioners,

As we gather each week to celebrate Mass, share in the Sacraments, and grow together in faith, it is easy to see the many ways God has blessed our parish community. Our church is far more than just a place where we meet on Sundays—it is a spiritual sanctuary, a beacon of hope in our local community, and a sacred home where generations of families have marked life’s most significant moments.

Like many of your own households, our parish family is navigating the realities of a changing economic landscape. The general rise in the cost of everyday living—from energy and utilities to basic operational supplies—affects our parish budget just as it does your homes. To continue providing the vibrant ministries, liturgical programs, and pastoral care that define our community, we must continuously adapt to these financial pressures while remaining faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to us.

Over the past year alone, significant investments have been made to maintain, preserve, and enhance our parish facilities and worship spaces:

▸ Major Structural Repairs: We invested approximately $290,000 to repair the church dome and repoint half of the exterior south wall.

▸ Worship & Liturgical Enhancements: We spent roughly $20,000 to upgrade our sound system for clearer audio during services, $6,500 for new chalices and patens for the altar, and $4,000 to replace the air conditioning compressor serving the choir loft to maintain a comfortable worship environment.

Looking ahead, caring for our historic physical infrastructure and expanding our community facilities require ongoing attention and continued investment:

• Preserving Our 121-Year-Old Church: Our main church building has stood as a testament of faith for over a century. While we have made great progress on the exterior, we still need to repoint more than half of the outside masonry before we can safely begin much-needed interior repairs. Additionally, critical restoration is still needed for the two large rose windows on the sides of the church.

• North Campus Renovations ($2.3M Project): Managing and maintaining our North Campus property remains an ongoing commitment. We are currently preparing for a comprehensive $2.3 million renovation of the auditorium kitchen and bathrooms, which we are hoping to start in about a month. This extensive project requires installing completely new plumbing and electrical systems, adding a building-wide sprinkler system, new equipment for the kitchen, and completing essential upgrades to make the entire facility and restrooms fully handicap accessible and up to code.
• Enhanced Campus Security: Ensuring the safety and peace of mind of everyone who enters our grounds is a top priority. We are looking at installing new security doors at St. Francis Hall, adding additional security cameras across all of our parish properties, and increasing our security presence during weekend Masses.

With these growing operational, structural, and safety needs in mind, we gently and prayerfully ask each family to consider whether a modest increase in your weekly offertory giving might be possible.

We fully recognize that financial circumstances differ for every household, and we ask only that you reflect on what works best for your budget. Whether through weekly envelope contributions, online giving, or the gift of your time and prayers, every contribution plays a vital role in sustaining our parish home.

Thank you for your steady generosity, your devotion, and your continued commitment to our shared mission. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones richly.

Peace and All Good,
Fr. Mike