September 30th has been designated as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a solemn day to remember those affected by the residential school system and to pray for healing and reconciliation for us all. On Sept. 30 our 9:00am Mass will be offered for the intentions of Truth and Reconciliation.
From September 22 to 30 we invite everyone in the parish to pray a Novena to the Martyrs for those hurt by residential schools. Click the button below to access the novena online, or call the parish office if you need a copy printed for you. Thank you for adding your prayers to ours for our Indigenous brothers and sisters.
Pope Francis has launched a Laudato Si’ Environmental Platform, with 7 goals to address climate change, asking that parishes worldwide commit to making real, practical and meaningful changes over the next 7 years, hoping that we can become better stewards of the Earth.
We are pleased to announce that St. Francis of Assisi Parish has made a commitment to develop our own parish Laudato Si’ Environmental Action Plan, to help each of our families individually and the parish as a whole come to appreciate God’s Creation in a deeper way and to learn how to live as part of Creation.
1000 Parishioners of St. Francis x 1000 Small Changes = 1 Million Collective Differences!
We invite you to watch Pope Francis’ video encouraging people all over the world to make a commitment to living an Integral Ecology. Below the video is a summary of the Goals for our Laudato Si’ Environmental Action Plan, as well as a link to our Parish Survey so you can give us feedback on projects we can incorporate into our Plan. As our plan unfolds you can check back here for updates, and watch the parish bulletin for upcoming projects you can get involved in.
Chair: Clayton Klaver, retired WCDSB teacher and current nurturer of nature
Member: Wanda Cakebread, retired teacher/chaplain and person of hope
Members: Francis & Valerie, parents advocating at their children’s school
Member: Sandy Milne, ecumenical, interfaith and Faith Climate Justice liaison
Member: Elizabeth Sauer, professor and Development & Peace advocate
Staff Member: Alice Soeder, Admin Assistant and Apostle of the Resurrection
We would love to add more members to our team, if you would like to join us please contact the parish office at stfranciskitchener@hamiltondiocese.com or 519-745-7301.
Our Feast Day, October 4th, is fast approaching! We are looking forward to being able to celebrate our patron saint at all the Masses on the weekend of October 2/3, with special readings, hymns and prayers. Unfortunately we are not able to have our Pasta Supper again this year, but we are very happy to be able to celebrate our annual:
Blessing of Animals
Our Blessing of Animals will take place on Mon. Oct. 4 at 7pm in the Peace Garden. We invite you to bring your pets to be blessed by Fr. Raphael. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
As part of our Feast Day celebrations and to conclude our 60th Anniversary “year” we are very happy to welcome Bishop Crosby to preside at a special Mass on Sunday October 3 at 2pm. Bishop Crosby will bless our new statue, St. Francis in Exultation, created by Timothy Schmalz, following Mass and those attending are invited to stay to enjoy a cupcake and refreshments on the church grounds. Due to limited seating and COVID restrictions you must call or email the parish office by October 1 to register for the Mass. All COVID protocols including mask wearing will be observed at the Mass, blessing and outdoor reception. If you can help with the reception please call the office.
All are invited to join St. Jerome’s University’s Fall 2021 series of Lectures in Catholic Experience which will take place virtually.
The first lecture will feature Michael E. O’Sullivan, a Professor of History at Marist College. His lecture is entitled, Apocalypse and Salvation: Faith in Catholic Miracles in Twentieth-Century Germany and will take place on Friday September 24th at 7:30 pm. See the LCE website for more information and the link to attend the lecture.
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame features the stories of athletes who have made a difference in their sport, in their communities and in this nation. As well as the physical museum there is also a Virtual Museum which features many of the exhibits for us to enjoy at home.
One section is dedicated to Indigenous Athletes, and focuses on Tom Cogwagee Longboat of the Onondaga First Nation who was an award winning long-distance runner, and twin sisters Sharon & Shirley Firth from Aklavik, Northwest Territories who won numerous awards for cross-country skiing. We invite you today to visit the Virtual Museum and learn more about these incredible athletes who overcame so many obstacles to become inspirations for all of us Canadians.
Interested in learning more about our Catholic Faith?
Join Bishop Wayne Lobsinger for “Evenings with His Excellency” on the second Friday of each month, 7:00 – 8:30 pm in Canadian Martyrs Church, Hamilton, or watch live online. Each month we will methodically go through the “Catechism of the Catholic Church”. There is no registration, no fee and no homework. Come ready to learn and ask all the questions you always wanted to ask about our Catholic Faith.
The first Evening with His Excellency is September 10th, tonight!. Click the button below to watch online beginning at 7pm.
