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.

We invite you to join our parish community by filling out the online registration form. Someone from our Newcomers Group will contact you shortly thereafter. As one family we come together to know, love, and serve the Lord as instruments of his peace.

Also,

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

Reverend Michael J. Schneller
Pastor

Uptown Canticle by Father Michael
September 12, 2021
 

Some of you may be familiar with the expression, “If you want to hear God laugh, tell God your plans.”  Well, God must be laughing hysterically. In February 2020 one month before the Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown, I purchased a ticket for a June vacation in England and Spain. Like many of you I had to cancel that trip. Since that ticket has an expiration date of March 31, 2022, I rescheduled that vacation to August 30, 2021. Well, God had other plans. This time hurricane Ida cancelled that vacation.
 
The blessing that followed was that the rectory became a fallout shelter because during the pastorate of Fr. Des Crotty, the parish  installed a generator in July 2007. I was able to welcome and shelter, six evacuees, my Sister, Eileen and her husband Ray, their daughter Gina and her husband Nate, and his nephew Scott, and finally Father Fred Kaddu. Father Fred is a Josephite Priest and Parochial Vicar at Corpus Christi-Epiphany Church on St. Bernard Avenue. He also  celebrates the Monday, 8:30 am mass  my day off. Fortunately, we enjoyed each other’s company and a few bottles of wine.
 
Now as individuals and parishioners we begin the task of recovery. Fortunately, in comparison to other parishes in our Archdiocese and beyond our St. Francis of Assisi Campus we emerged from Ida in fair condition. The winds of Ida blew down the fences that enclose the air-condition units behind the church and around the backyard of the rectory and a few shingles blew off the roof of the rectory.  Ida lifted the awing over the deck and placed it on the roof of my garage. In order to be compliance with FEMA and the insurer for the Archdiocese, we are expected to get two bids for the cost of the repairs. Initially, P & L Painting has already been  working to secure the rectory and prevent further water damage.
 
Power was restored to our neighborhood on Tuesday evening, September 7. And, we finally have access to the Internet. Shelly Chiappetta, Coordinator for Religious Education, has notified our PSR parents and students that classes will resume on September 19. At this writing we  are still planning to have the retreat on Sunday, September 19 for our candidates for Confirmation. I began to celebrate daily mass on Thursday, September 9 and look forward to welcoming you back this weekend, September 11 & 12.
 
If you are some one in your family or neighborhood, needs assistance, please contact us at the parish office. 
 
Let us ask the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor to continue to protect us from further damage during the remainder of this hurricane season and to hasten to help us in our recovery.