St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Steeped in a rich and vibrant history of service and growth, St. Francis of Assisi has been serving the needs of Catholics for almost 125 years and welcomes young and old from all walks of life into our faith and social community. St. Francis prides itself on being a family-friendly church. We believe that all members of our church community are important to the celebration of the Eucharist.

We invite you to learn more about the parish by exploring this website. Please visit the “Our Parish” section to learn more about the church and its rich traditions. You can also learn how to exercise your stewardship of time and talent in one of the wonderful parish ministries by visiting the “Parish Ministries” section. Some of the many ways that you can become involved include: being an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion or Lector, singing in our choir, serving the needy through the Ministry to the Poor, or by joining our Senior Associates group. For the youngest members of our parish family, opportunities to get involved include serving Mass as altar servers and Children's Ministry, a group which coordinates a variety of activities including weekly Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Christmas Nativity Program, and May Crowning.

Also,

Thanks for visiting and please check out our Facebook page or subscribe to our weekly
Parish E-bulletin.

Reverend Michael J. Schneller
Pastor

January 15, 2023

Most of us, if not all, are familiar with the works of Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo (1475-1564).
When he was in his 70’s he wrote a letter to his nephew Lionardo about his great achievements as a sculptor, painter and poet. He said “Many believe — and I believe — I have been designated by God for this work. In spite of my old age, I do not want to give it up; I work out of love of God in whom I put all my hope.”

Michelangelo regarded his service to the church and the community as a vocation and not merely a job or yet another commission. He approached each work with reverence and humility, seeking to discover rather than create. As he sculpted, he claimed that he was uncovering a figure that already existed in the marble. He was not chiseling it or molding it according to his own set plan but setting it free to be whatever God intended it to be. When the great artist was at work, he wore a lighted candle fastened on a cap over his forehead so that no shadow of himself might fall upon the marble or the canvas.

These small vignettes about Michelangelo when taken in conjunction with today’s scriptures encourage in us a deeper appreciation of the truths they continue to teach us about God, about our vocations of marriage, priesthood religious or single life as our call to service.

Like the servant featured in the prophet Isaiah, like Paul (1 Cor) and like John the Baptizer, who speaks in today’s Gospel, Michelangelo understood that his role and his contributions were God-inspired and God-sustained. If he was great, it was God’s greatness reflected in him. If he, like the servant, brought light to others, it was God’s light shining through him that enabled others to find their way. Like John the Baptizer, Michelangelo knew that his work, however great it was and however much it was acclaimed, paled in comparison to the saving work of God in Christ.

The Italian artist always set a high standard and put forth his best effort in all he did. He once said, “The greatest danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.” Like all of us, however, Michelangelo was not without pride. Once, in a fit of rage when he heard a pilgrim to Rome credit one of his pietas to sculptor Christoforo Solari, Michelangelo took hammer and chisel and carved the following inscription on Mary’s sash: Michel Angelus Bonaratus Florent Facibat (“Michelangelo Buonarroti, Florentine, made this”). Later, he regretted his pride and his anger and never signed any of his other works. He remained content to let his work and his service speak for itself.

In Michelangelo’s approach to his work, and in the humility of Isaiah and Paul, John and Jesus, our efforts for others and our service to the Gospel should have a liberating quality. Allowing others not to be limited or encumbered by our efforts is to them to become their best selves.

As parents, teacher, mentor, pastor, friends and relatives, we are all called to extend our good influence to others in an attempt to guide and inspire, but not to control, constrain or manipulate in any way. The sacred scriptures challenge us today to aspire to a level of service that prefers to affirm rather than attack, to offer encouragement rather than critique, and to continue to hope rather than despair. Taking our cue from Isaiah, Paul, and John the Baptizer, we should make sure that the only horn we toot is the one that renders authentic witness to Jesus Christ so that other recognize him in us.

John the Baptist confesses in the gospel “I did not recognize him.” For some, “seeing Christ in others” is just “church talk,” difficult or even impossible to practice in “real life.” If an agnostic or a religious seeker asked you, “Where can I find this Jesus Christ today,” how would you respond?

What about us seeing Christ in others, would that change us? Have you seen Christ in someone sacrificing him or herself in order to help others? When have you seen Christ in someone who needed help, respect, guidance?
Jesus identified himself with the needy (Matt 25:35-40). He challenges us even to love our enemies.
Seeing Christ in others is not a naive sentimentalism toward every human being, even those who seek to destroy us.
The greatest challenge to “seeing Christ in others” is to treat everyone with respect and dignity even if their actions don’t warrant it. Christ sometimes comes offering help and comfort (e.g., physicians, attorneys working pro bono), and sometimes needing help and comfort (e.g., the poor, the disadvantaged, the elderly).

The greeting Namaste originated in India and Nepal. It literally means, “I bow to you.” The greeting is a recognition of the divine spark in another person. Let us bow to one another out of recognition of Jesus Christ.