The Pastors Desk – April 28th

No doubt about it; there is definitely a true revival going on among Catholic young adults. It is not very large in numbers and not as yet very influential, but it is truly spreading about and attracting attention. These young people want to know specifics about their heritage. It is not just superficial curiosity; they are not, making critical or angry with church structures. 

They are searching for a sense of belonging! Surveys show that contemporary young adults are often lonely and seek the company of others. They are like-minded young adults who are exploring the ins and outs of Catholic belief and practice. We have a Coffee House young adult group here at St Francis! If you have a young adult, child, grandchild, niece, or nephew, invite them if they are between the ages of 20 and 40. 

The atmosphere is warm and friendly Catholic but welcoming to all and ask them to check it out. We strive to offer Catholic prayer and teachings but allow a good bit of time for fellowship and getting acquainted. More next week on this very promising development in the life of our church.

The Pastors Desk – April 21st

“FORMED” is a Catholic media company that has produce some 

first-rate programming. As a parish, we have joined this effort so that both individually and as a parish, we can access this great material.

Starting May 6, 2024, we are conducting Presence a 4 week, 1 ½ hour computer-based teaching! The work is first class and helpful to any Catholic seeking to celebrate the year of Eucharistic revival; please see the flyer here in the bulletin. The time is Tuesday in the lower church just after Mass. We will have a Morning and an Evening Group at 7:30pm Lower Church – sign up in the church vestibule or at the Rectory. Phyllis Pottinger, Deacon Allan Longo, and myself will be coordinating and presenting. Each participant will be given a manual to assist in their participation. Come and learn from this modern approach to the Eucharist and enjoy the updated visual and audio effects. 

This is a great way to close out our year of Eucharistic revival – you will not soon forget this pleasing program. You will grow in faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist!

The Pastors Desk – April 14th

People enjoy a new face in the pulpit, so Louis Bramonte of our Starfish Coffee House young adult ministry with his joy and youthful demeanor won the day last week! He spoke to familiarize people with the encouraging events occurring among our young adults lately! 

Amazingly enough a small, subtle revival is truly taking place among them. A second collection was taken up on their behalf, and we will give you a tally next week. Many parishioners gave generously, which will help fund many of our activities and projects. 

It is encouraging to see young adults speak up on behalf of our Catholic faith, and equally joyful to see our parishioners respond in the collection.

The time is getting close to the deadline for our Medjugorje pilgrimage. Contact me at the rectory for details if the Lord is prompting you to be a pilgrim this year.

The Pastors Desk – April 7th

Many throughout the Catholic world cannot imagine their prayer lives without the Chaplet of Divine Mercy! So much has it become a “fixture” in Catholic life! Today is “Mercy Sunday” with a special Mercy Mass at 3:00pm, the hour of mercy. Be certain to venerate the relic also! All this we owe to the providential intervention of Pope St. John Paul II, the “Polish Pope” – who rescued the writings of now St. Faustina from oblivion and made them available to the world-wide church. Without him, perhaps Sr. Faustina would be unknown today. Together with Fatima we now have the greatest private revelations of the last century available to all.

Let us celebrate this amazing revelation and prepare for the future with hope! 

We are planning a pilgrimage to Medjugorje for the Youth Festival in July. We as Catholic pastors are not only permitted to bring our people to Medjugorje but are now encouraged to bring them to this place of healing and confession!

Consider: Medjugorje where we are now encouraged to go in pilgrimage due to the immense spiritual fruit – conversions, confessions, vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We are going to the annual Youth Conference but you will not be disappointed. You will be “at home” regardless of your age! If you feel God tugging at your heart to go, don’t fight it – pray about it. With God all things are possible.

Call me at the rectory at 631-757-7435. We have descriptive literature which is helpful, and an information meeting this Wednesday, April 10 at 7:30pm in the rectory.