THE CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, 
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. 
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, 
come at least spiritually into my heart. 
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You. 
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
 
During these uncertain times, we can continue to stay connected to our faith through the many technologies available to us.

Coming back to public celebration of Mass will look and feel very different from what we are used to, at least for the foreseeable future.  Thank you for your patience and understanding. 
 
Our Weekend Mass Schedule:
Saturday:  4:30PM (English) and 7PM (Spanish)
Sunday:  8AM (English), 10AM (English) and 12PM (Spanish)
 
Our Weekday Mass Schedule:
Weekly: 7AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
 
When you do come to church, remember that we will be keeping the 6 feet social distancing rule; families will be able to sit together in one pew.  Masks are a necessity (your own or those we will provide); entrance to the church is limited to the north entrance by the Gathering Space; sanitizer is available; communion is restricted to the host only.   After each Mass, people will be asked to leave the church for the purpose of cleaning the church, Gathering Space, bathrooms, and doors.

In the coming weeks, we anticipate a need to share much information in regard to the changes happening at St. Francis of Assisi parish..  If you have not been receiving email updates, please consider updating your contact information by email or calling the parish center office.
 
Please Note:  The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains in effect.  The Church continues to be cautious and concerned for all who are vulnerable – the elderly and those with serious health issues – and anyone who feels that they would put their health at risk by coming to church.  Anyone who is not feeling well should NOT come to church.  God wants us to care for ourselves and one another in the best way possible!
 
May God bless us!
 
Fr Jim Berning

“Let us pray for the comfort of families and friends who are heartbroken, and pray for national reconciliation and the peace we yearn for.”  -  Pope Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offence, let me bring pardon.
Where there is discord, let me bring union.
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring your light.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
O Master, let me not seek as much
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that one receives,
it is in self-forgetting that one finds,
it is in pardoning that one is pardoned,
it is in dying that one is raised to eternal life. Amen.

Thank you to the 136 families that have already made their pledge.  We are currently over 80% of our goal of $57,800.  We encourage everyone’s participation so we may meet and exceed our goal.  You can make your online donation via this link:  https://www.catholicfsmn.org/catholic-ministries-appeal

As always, 100% of the monies reached over our goal are returned to the parish for a designated building project.  Our projects are as follows:  Security, Stained Glass Windows Repair and Maintenance and the lighting of the upper window in the balcony of the Immaculate Conception.  Thank you for everyone’s generosity, faith and participation!  During this year, may we all strive to Share His Good Gifts with All throughout the Catholic community in southern Minnesota.

Consider logging into http://formed.org!  FORMED is a revolutionary online platform featuring the best Catholic videos, audio talks, eBooks and movies from the Augustine Institute, St. Paul Center, Marian Fathers, Lighthouse Catholic Media, Ignatius Press and Word on Fire. All St. Francis of Assisi parishioners get access to this content for FREE, but you will need a Parish Code in order to access this content.

Please contact the Parish Center Office at francis@stfrancis-church.org or by calling 507-288-7313 during normal office hours to receive your Parish Code.

Learn more about the Catholic Advocacy Network - an initiative of the Minnesota Catholic Conference.  This network allows a person to easily stay informed about upcoming legislation,and to contact our state representatives to voice our concerns or support.  It includes thousands of Catholics and non-Catholics from Minnesota who are striving to live their faith in a challenging culture.

By joining the free network, you will receive periodic e-mails and a monthly E-Update in order to promote life and dignity. Consider visiting the Catholic Advocacy Network Action Center to join!

DAILY MASS:  7AM (English) Monday - Friday
SATURDAY:  4:30PM (English), 7PM (Spanish)
SUNDAY:  8AM (English), 10AM (English) and 12PM (Spanish)