12/21/20 Letter

Dear St. Francis Parish family,
Advent is much more than a time of frenetic activity between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is a season all to itself that all too often gets overlooked. The word Advent comes from the Latin noun Adventus, which means approach or arrival. Who is approaching or whose arrival are we awaiting? Christmas, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a commemoration of Jesus’ first coming in time as John tells us: “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son into the world not to judge or condemn, but to set free” (John 3:16): this event has already taken place in time. Our faith also proclaims that Christ will come again at the end of time to judge the living and the dead (cfr. Matthew 25). Surely we can prepare for this final coming of Christ, but what about the time between the Incarnation and the Final Judgment? Advent is an invitation to stop, quiet down, pray and reflect about the coming of Jesus Christ into our lives, here now: today. So, how can I use this Advent to prepare my life, not for Christmas, but for Christ? Where do I need to make room to let Him enter? These four weeks of Advent are a gift of time to look at our lives and reflect on how well I have welcomed Jesus Christ into my life as the Lord of my life. When I pray: “Come, Lord Jesus”, do I really mean it? Take time this Advent to pray, read scripture, attend the Sacraments ( especially Eucharist and Penance) and truly make time and space for Jesus Christ in your life. Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay.
God Bless, Fr. Dan

This quote is from a speech given by Col. Douglas McArthur McBride, Jr. 13th. ESC Commander, June 30, 2016. When I first saw this quote, I was taken and moved by the simplicity and honesty of it.  As we look forward  to celebrating Veterans Day this November 11, I think that it is important for all of us to remember that freedom is not free and it was bought and is protected for us by the service, sacrifice and lives of all of those who have served and are currently serving in our Armed Forces. Please remember to pray for these heroes of our freedom and when you see a Veteran remember to say: “Thank you for your service.” May God bless them all and may God continue to bless America.

God Bless you,

Fr Dan

Bishop Lucia’s Letter dated 10-21-20

Faithful Citizenship Video

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship document

Sun Column dated 10-15-20

Assisting the faithful in forming their consciences as they prepare to vote by offering the following  bulletin insert

Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the bread of life and the one true vine.
I believe that you are truly present
in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.
I seek you.
I worship and adore you.

Since I cannot receive you
in the eucharistic bread and wine,
I pray that you will come into my heart and soul,
that I may be united to you,
by your all-powerful and ever-present Holy Spirit.

Let me receive you, and be nourished by you.
Become for me the manna in my wilderness,
the bread of angels
for my very human journey through time,
a foretaste of the heavenly banquet,
and solace in the hour of my death.

I pray all this, trusting that you yourself are
our Life, our Peace, and our everlasting Joy.

Amen.

~Teresa Berger, Pray Tell Blog

This prayer was originally published by USCatholic.org. St. Francis Xavier Church has been granted permission rights from U.S. Catholic to post this prayer on its website and Facebook page.

Letter from Bishop Lucia

A Prayer for Civility

Dear St. Francis Xavier family,

This past Saturday I had the great honor and joy of celebrating with my friend, Rabbi Dan Fellman and his family, the Bar Mitzvah of their son. Bar Mitzvah means ‘son of the commandment’; a celebration at which the young man is proclaimed to be an adult member of the Jewish community with all of the duties and responsibilities associated with being an adult in the faith. This is similar to our own Confirmation at which the young man or woman proclaims the faith to be their own, is sealed with the Holy Spirit, and begins to take an active, adult role in our Catholic Faith family. I couldn’t help but to pray at the Bar Mitzvah, how important a faith family is and how necessary to provide all of our young people with a firm foundation of faith, moral values and a sense of belonging to something much greater than themselves. A faith community connects us with our past, helps us to live responsibility in the present and gives hope and meaning to our future. I was also moved to pray for a true understanding between people of all faiths and a celebration of all of our common humanity. To Rabbi Dan’s son, our own young men and women, and all who will come after us and them in our journey of faith, ‘mazel tov’ (good fortune), and it is my prayer that you always stay connected to your faith, God and the community.
God bless,
Fr. Dan