the catholic community of st. francis of assisi
Jubilee Year of St. Francis
Welcome to a sacred year of reflection, renewal, and joyful celebration as we honor the Jubilee Year of Saint Francis of Assisi. Rooted in the spirit of humility, peace, and deep reverence for all creation, this Jubilee invites our community to rediscover the timeless wisdom of St. Francis and live more intentionally in harmony with God, one another, and the world around us.
Throughout this year, we will come together as a community in prayer, service, and celebration, embracing the Franciscan call to simplicity, compassion, and care for all living things.
The St. Francis Who Led Us Here
“Francis changed the church by refusing to give in to the prevalent view of the time that all creation was riddled with sin and ugliness. He helped remind the Church of God’s goodness inherent in all creation; it is this goodness that is more powerful and always victorious over sin, darkness, and death. The Church still needs to remember this powerful goodness, and, hopefully, the continued presence of the Franciscan movement in the world today can help to cultivate it.”
These words, spoken by an expert on Francis, are certainly true, but what do we really know about our patron saint as we commemorate the 800th anniversary of his Transitus? We have moved through many important 800th anniversaries of Francis over the last several years. From a Franciscan Friar website: “The great Franciscan Jubilee journey from 2023 to 2026 retraced the final years of St. Francis: from the approval of the Rule and the Christmas at Greccio in 1223, to the gift of the Stigmata in 1224, and the 1225 composition of the Canticle of the Creatures. The Transitus marks the end of this journey.”
Wedding Coordinators
The Wedding Planning Ministry is, as you might guess from the name, those ministers from the parish who make sure “getting hitched” comes off without a hitch. As Laura Cirone, one of the ministry volunteers, says, “The St. Francis Wedding Coordinator ministry assists engaged couples as they prepare for the sacrament of matrimony. Our ministry assists couples and their families at wedding rehearsals to answer any questions they have about the ceremony.” It doesn’t stop there, though.
“On the day of the wedding,” Laura adds, “our volunteers help the couple and the priest to ensure the ceremony runs smoothly and with decorum and beauty.” She emphasizes what any married couple recalls: “Wedding planning can be stressful! Despite the challenges couples face while planning, we in the ministry encourage couples to put God at the center of their relationship, and the rest will fall into place.”
2026 Bishop’s Annual Appeal
As a diocesan family, we are invited to join together in supporting the ministries, programs, and outreach efforts that bring Christ’s love into our parishes and communities. Your prayers and participation help strengthen Catholic education, support parish vitality, and extend care to those in need.
Please take time to reflect on how you can contribute to this mission of faith and service.