the catholic community of st. francis of assisi
The Synod with Flat Francis in Rome
Gubbio and Flat Francis traveled with Marisa Ferrara, our parish’s Elementary Formation and First Sacraments Coordinator, and students from the University of Dayton in Ohio in mid-October to Italy. Flat Francis says, “We embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome, one that would bring us face-to-face with the heart of the Church’s discussions on synodality. Alongside over 150 students, campus ministers, and educators from 15 U.S. Catholic universities, we joined the Catholic Education Network to Encounter Rome and Synodality (CENTERS) group to explore what it means to build a more inclusive and representative Church.”
As you might imagine, having Gubbio, an Umbrian wolf, and a ‘flat friar’ traveling with this group was unusual, but Marisa ensured we felt welcomed in the student group! “Our week began,” mentioned Gubbio, “ with ‘synodal teach-ins’ held at the Lasallian Generalate.” The discussions mirrored the synod’s structure of ‘conversations in the spirit,’ dividing into smaller groups to discuss key topics on the Synod’s agenda, including women’s roles, LGBTQ inclusion, climate justice, migration, and interfaith dialogue. Flat Francis says, “We joined the climate justice group (my favorite as the Patron Saint of the Environment, of course!), where we exchanged ideas about how the Church can better address environmental issues and developed questions to bring to Synod delegates.” All the delegates were inspired to see so many young Catholics passionately engaging with the issues that will shape the Church’s future.
Volunteer Spotlight: Pam James
Pam James can weave, and not just a great story! Pam has been in Weaver’s Guilds, each with over 200 members, in three different states, Colorado, Texas, and North Carolina, and has been an avid weaver and mixed media artist for a long time. Every two years, there is a convention where she says, “Every well-known weaver attends and is probably teaching a class.” This past year, the convention was in Wichita, Kansas, where she entered a piece in the Mixed Media category and won 3rd Place!
How does this correlate to her work at St. Francis? She weaves her love of art with her leadership of the ‘Care for Creation’ ministry at St. Francis. “I’ve always been a bit of an ‘eco-freak,’” says Pam,” I grew up with the idea that you mustn’t waste. My sister-in-law is kind enough to call me resourceful, but I’m just cheap! I’ve always asked myself, ‘Why would I throw that away? I can use that.’” She exclusively uses ‘recycled yarn’ in weaving, embracing the ‘reuse’ principle of Care for Creation.
Ministry Spotlight: EM to Senior Centers and the Homebound
The celebration and reception of the Eucharist are fundamental as a sacrament in the Catholic faith. We often take for granted the ability to attend Mass and receive the body and blood of Christ; some are less fortunate. That is why the Catholic Community of St. Francis has eucharistic ministers who tend to those unable to attend Mass regularly. Shannon Hoffman, coordinator of the homebound ministry, explains, “Our ministry to the homebound and senior community parishioners focuses on sharing the love and teachings of Jesus with those who cannot attend Mass regularly due to illness or age-related challenges. We provide spiritual support, companionship, and the comfort of faith to individuals in their homes or care facilities.”
