STEWARDSHIP AT St. FRANCIS PARISH

 One of the greatest gifts God gives us is the 24 hours we get at the start of each new day. All too often we squander some of these 1,440 minutes on unimportant things like watching TV or surfing the Internet. The idea of giving up some of our precious time can be very difficult but it also is a good place to start living as a Christian steward. One of the best ways to use our time, of course, is prayer. While you can always pray on your own, several opportunities for prayer and spiritual growth are also available in our parish, such as Daily Adoration: Divine Mercy Cenacle, Ministry of Praise and Legion of Mary to name a few.

      Volunteering is another way to return and share some of those minutes that God gives us.  A wide variety of ministries and groups contribute to and enrich life in our parish from liturgical ministers, choir,  and Altar Guild  to Christmas Sharing, Mary’s House and collection counters and much, much more. There’s something for everyone.

 Find out more at our Stewardship Fair

in Assisi Hall February 18-19.

HAITI SOLIDARITY WEEK will be celebrated by parishes in the Diocese of Richmond from February 4 through the 12th. This week is a time to promote a stronger connection to our twin parish of St. Louis on the island of LaGonave and to remember them in our prayers. Look for the Haiti Solidarity Week calendar in next week’s bulletin and try some of the suggested activities with your family. You will have a better understanding of life in our twin parish. Haiti Outreach members will be dispensing blue solidarity ribbons after each Mass next weekend. Wear one proudly through the week. Men anpil chay pa lou. Many hands make the load lighter. Mesi anpil. Thank you very much

MAMA MIA! Senior adults are invited to join their friends for lunch in Assisi Hall on Wednesday, February 1 after the 12:05 Mass. Our kitchen crew will be creating a tasty Italian specialty for you! Please let us reserve a spot for you by calling the office at 886-2262 by Tuesday, January 31. A free will offering of $4 is suggested.

MARY’S HOUSE REQUESTS: A new client is in need of an adult bed and a small dining table and chairs. If you have one you can donate, please contact Kristi Walsh or Lisa Olshove at 213-4673. This ministry is also in need of disposable diapers and parishioners willing to provide temporary housing to women in need.

THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL MEET on Tuesday, February 7 at 7 PM. Parishioners are always welcome to attend.

ADULT ED: Today (Sunday), Joe Burkholder will give a presentation on “Sin and Grace” . Join us on Sundays in Assisi Hall at 10:00 AM. Get some refreshments and settle in for  great information about our Catholic faith. Coming up February 5: a discussion about “The Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation” with Bill and Carey Wyatt,

VOCATION VIEW FROM TODAY’S READINGS: “Let each lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God has called you.” If you are considering a vocation to the consecrated life or priesthood, contact Father Michael Boehling at mboehling@rechmonddiocese.org or call 804-359-5661.

OUR PARISH WEBSITE is www.stfrancisparish.org. Have you seen what’s on there lately? Lots of St. Francis information! Be sure to check out the link for Respect Life and find that ministry’s new and wonderfully inspiring pages

2012 CALENDARS: There are a limited number of parish calendars left in the Parish Office. If you did not get one at the beginning of the year, please stop by and ask for one.

EWTN is an all-Catholic network that is now available to more parishioners on Comcast channel 291. You will find Masses, rosaries, Fr. Groeschel and loads of Catholic news, dramas and other fine programming.

       Eucharistic Adoration News

“In Matthew’s Gospel...we encounter one of Jesus’ most moving pleas: ’Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.’ (Mt 11:28-30) Jesus asks that we go to Him, the true wisdom. He proposes His “yoke”, the path of evangelical wisdom, which is neither doctrine to learn or nor an ethical proposal but rather a Person to follow: He Himself, the only begotten Son in perfect union with the Father.

     We also can address God with the confidence of sons and daughters, calling Him Father when we pray. But we have to keep the heart of a child, of those ”poor in spirit” in order to recognize that we are not self-sufficient...that we need God, that we have to seek Him, listen to Him, speak to Him. Prayer opens us to receiving the gift of God, His wisdom Himself, in order to accept the will of the Father in our lives and to find consolation in the weariness of the journey.”

         Pope Benedict XVI   December 7, 2011

MARDI GRAS POTLUCK: Adorers are invited to the annual “Fat Tuesday” feast on Tuesday, February 21 in Assisi Hall. Begin with Mass at 5:30 PM and bring a dish to share. Prospective adorers are also welcome. Find sign-up sheets in the chapel.

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THIS WEEK: Homebound Meals Feb. 1: Frank & Ellen Lockhart, Altar Guild Feb. 4: MonaLee Welliver, Judy Verga

READINGS FOR NEXT WEEKEND

FIRST READING:          Job 7:1-4, 6-7

SECOND READING:      1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23

GOSPEL:                     Mark 1:29-39

St. Francis Youth Ministry

COMING FEBRUARY 11: MEGA BINGO!!!

For everyone in Grades 6,7 & 8!!! Awesome prizes: games, puzzles, craft kits, monster wall ball  and more (20 in all)! Entry fee is at least one of these personal care items for SACRA clients—shampoo, toothpaste & toothbrush, soap, pet food, laundry & dish detergent, hand cream, chapstick or deodorant. Bringing a bag of these items is even better! A hot dog dinner is included Meet us in Assisi Hall on February 11 from 6-9 PM. Lots of FUN for all!!!