Meetings are held on the first Friday of every month at 10:30 a.m. in the Quiet Room after First Friday Adoration. For more information concerning Spirituality, email Bill at spirituality
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News & Upcoming Events
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his Apostles repeatedly – do not be afraid:
These are not idle words of comfort; they are God’s Living Words for all of us.
As long as we stay united to him, grounded in his love, we are assured of meaning, purpose, and everlasting joy – no matter how hard our journey through our earthly life may get.
- St Paul understood this well, just as we are invited to do.
- As he said in today’s Second Reading, even though sin, evil, and suffering weigh upon us all, Christ’s grace is infinitely more powerful:
- “For if by the transgression of the one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many.”
- Jeremiah understood it well too.
- In today’s First Reading, after listing his horrible sufferings, he shouts out a cheer of confidence in God:
- “But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.”
The Lord is our God and Savior.
- He proved it throughout his life, passion, death, resurrection, and His Ascension to Heaven.
- He has proven it thousands of times since, in the lives of the saints – those who have been faithful to his friendship and ministry.
- And he proves it every day right here on the altar, in the sacrifice of the Eucharist.
- Jesus will never abandon us. He’s our strength as we pray each day to be faithful to Him.
Today, let’s promise him that this week, whenever we feel anxiety or fear, we will call out to Jesus in prayer, inviting Him to speak to us in depths of our heart and soul. “Fear not, for I am with you”
We encourage you to share your spiritual journey with us at Spirituality@StFrancisyulee.org.
Join our community as we support one another in faith and deepen our relationship in Christ.
Take the next step and connect—we are excited to walk this path together. May God Bless you!
The Gospel of Matthew (9:36-10:8) reveals to us Jesus’ compassion, the call to prayer, and the apostolic mission of the Church. All of us believe in Jesus Christ and want to follow him – that’s why we’re here.
But today’s culture sometimes affects us. It tells us religion is private, for relaxation, or a way to feel good about ourselves. When that mentality affects us, it stunts our spiritual growth. It may lead to perpetual spiritual adolescents. How can we tell if we have a “faith equals feelings” mindset?
Here are some indicators:
• If we don’t spend quality time in personal prayer each day, no matter how we may feel;
• If we make little or no effort to continue studying the treasure of our Catholic faith;
• If we care more about “what we get out of” Mass than about what we put into it;
• If we make little or no effort to share our Catholic faith with those who don’t know Christ or who are away from the sacraments;
• If we rarely go to confession;
• If we rarely think about how we can put our God-given talents at the service of the Church.
These are warning signs. Treat them like yellow lights.
Christ wants us to mature in wisdom and faith. He wants us to love the Giver more than just the gifts. To do that, we must live our faith with all our mind, heart and soul.
Does one of these warning signs apply to you? Choose one area to improve and commit to it.
When we receive Christ in Holy Communion, let’s ask him to help us. Nothing would please him more. We encourage you to share your spiritual journey with us at Spirituality@StFrancisyulee.org.
Join our community as we support one another in faith and deepen our relationship with Christ. Take the next step and connect—we are excited to walk this path together. God Bless!
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
The Holy Eucharist is divine food that Christ gives us to renew us and make us more like him.
- In daily life, we often forget the wonder of this blessed sacrament.
- Today, let’s renew our faith and gratitude for His miraculous gift.
But we shouldn’t stop at simply being grateful. Just as those who eat well without being active get out of shape, the same is true spiritually.
- In a similar way, the same thing can happen to us in our spiritual lives.
- When we receive His Divine food and hear God’s Word—we take in many spiritual gifts.
- However, if we don’t put God’s gifts to use, our souls become complacent and stagnant.
For Christ’s grace to make us more like him, then, we need to try to live just as Christ lived.
This calls us to give ourselves to others, as Christ has given Himself to us.
- With this in mind, we all know people who are suffering, confused, or in trouble.
- This week, strengthened by the Holy Eucharist, let’s put our faith into action and be Christ’s messengers to them.
- We can find no greater joy in life than to spread to others the love we have received from Christ.
As we gather today, Jesus will give himself to us once again in Holy Communion.
When he does, let’s thank him for this tremendous gift.
This week, let’s promise to follow in his footsteps and carry forward what we have received.
We encourage you to share your spiritual journey with us at Spirituality@StFrancisyulee.org.
Join our community as we support one another in faith and deepen our relationship with Christ.
Take the next step and connect—we are excited to walk this path together. God Bless!
None of us would be here today if we didn’t believe Jesus Christ really is “the way, the truth, and the life.”
Our shared conviction is that true happiness is found through union with Christ.
- Today’s Gospel invites us to examine what is holding us back from deeper friendship with Christ.
Let’s take time this week for a spiritual inventory and respond to Christ’s call today. - During this time, turn off your cell phone, seek a quiet space, and spend time alone with God.
- While with God, thoughtfully examine the different areas of your life, asking whether anything might be hindering your relationship with Christ. Be honest and specific in your reflections.
To guide this process, we can reflect on three categories.
First, material things.
- Are there any material goods or pleasures that have grown out of proportion in my life?
- Is wealth, pleasure, or the desire leading me to selfishness, impatience, or sin?
Second, let’s consider our relationships.
- Are there any unhealthy relationships in my life?
- If so, we need to pray to God, asking for his grace, mercy, and love to guide us
Third, let’s reflect on “wasted” time in our lives.
- Have I let entertainment, hobbies, or pastime take over too much time in my mind, heart, and life?
- Taking time for daily silent prayer is a beautiful way to align your soul with Christ. Use the stillness to center yourself to Christ. Let it renew your spirit and help you discern your true calling.
As we leave today’s Mass, and as Jesus renews his commitment to us in the Eucharist, let’s, in turn, renew our commitment to him and our confidence in his goodness. As you go forth, choose one specific way to follow him more closely this week. Trust that while the path may be hard, it is always worth it.
We encourage you to share your spiritual journey with us at Spirituality@StFrancisyulee.org.
Join our community as we support one another in faith and deepen our relationship in Christ.
Take the next step and connect—we are excited to walk this path together. May God Bless you!
Spiritual Life Immersion
July 14th – July 17th 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Optional Workshop Available 2:30 p.m – 4:30 p.m.
This will be a wonderful Spiritual Life Immersion, rooted in Scripture and the great tradition of spiritual theology. Over these days, participants will discover how Lectio Divina and the Prayer of the Heart—the methods the Church Fathers gave us—actually prolong The Liturgy of The Word and The Liturgy of The Eucharist of the Mass. This and so much more will be covered over the four-day spiritual retreat.
FYI, for the last two years, I have been enrolled in the Spiritual Formation/Direction certification program through the School of Mary, and I can say that my prayer life and spiritual growth have been transformed by the teachings of Dr. Jean Khoury and the School of Mary’s instructors.
My spiritual life has deepened and continues to grow. Feel free to reach out. I have some printed brochures, and I will pass them out and also leave them in the Narthex within SFA. You can also download a BROCHURE HERE
Bill
Grieving with Great Hope is a bereavement program developed through Good Mourning Ministries to help us find that path.
Grieving with Great Hope is a six-week grief support workshop series that offers a prayerful, practical, and personal approach for anyone mourning the loss of a loved one. If you have lost a spouse, a child, a parent, another family member, or a friend recently, you are encouraged to attend. The presentations are on DVD, with breaks for small-group discussion, faith sharing, and fellowship. This program is also available on FORMED.
THE NEXT SESSION: TBA Sessions will be on Wednesdays at SFA from 1:00 p.m. for about 2 hours. A workbook is also provided, so please pre-register by contacting Tom Sintes at jesuswept@stfrancisyulee.org.
The “Jesus Wept” Honoring Your Grief” program was offered for the first time on May 20th, 2022. It was so well received and considered to be such a wonderful blessing, that it has evolved into the “Jesus Wept Consolation Ministry at St. Francis.”
For over a year now this ministry has been evolving under the wings of the Holy Spirit, Jesus, the comforter, and the Father who supports and welcomes us all, especially those who have suffered the loss of a loved one.
After much prayer and guidance from the Diocese of St. Augustine and our Pastor, Father Slawek, we are now a full-fledged support group for our brothers and sisters in the frightening stages of grief, including comfort with anticipatory grief. A strong faith team guides and presents each program.
The Jesus Wept Ministry (our short endearing name for it) welcomes anyone who has lost a loved one such as those losses that occur before birth and all through childhood and onward. Our children are always our children, no matter their age. Loss of a spouse, loss of a sibling or a precious friend, loss of a parent-all are losses that often find us in need of the support of those who have walked this path as well as the need to be consoled through faith. Jesus Wept can do that.
The Jesus Wept Consolation Ministry at St. Francis is Christ-Centered and has at its heart the hope of the Resurrection. For information contact Tom Sintes at jesuswept@stfrancisyulee.org.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH PRAYER WATCH
For those who do not know, St. Francis of Assisi has a shelter for those in need of prayer, called PRAYER WATCH which is co-led by Bill Tighe, Mary Gustafson, and Sandy Pineault. Prayer Watch is for prayer requests and Prayers said by a growing number of parishioners. Currently, there are 100+ prayer warriors. We do not meet; however, we pray for all those on Prayer Watch. We pray for each other, our families, and our friends who need God’s help, lifting them up with our love and intense prayer. Sometimes we pray for our nation, the needs of the world, and those who are so desperately in need of them.
If you have a prayer request (especially an urgent one) e-mail prayerwatch@stfrancisyulee.org. Prayers by a growing number of parishioners will cover your needs. Currently, there are 100 prayer warriors. There is no set time to pray for these intentions. You may pray at any time. Have you considered signing up as a prayer partner? Praying with so many of our parishioners and others makes our prayer stronger and more acceptable to God. To be part of this expanded beloved ministry, BECOME A PRAYER PARTNER by sending your e-mail address to Prayer Watch, and you will be added to our list and receive intention requests via email.
You need only say, “Yes,” and, in whatever form of prayer you like, raise up those who request prayers. Once in the prayer partner group, you will receive the requests from Spirituality as they come through. That is all. No answering e-mails, only pray. No need to respond to Spirituality….just pray, as long or as hard as you wish. Even just one raising up an intention to God is taking part.
One of these days, even you may be in need of prayer…
The more we pray together the more powerful our prayer!
No matter where any of us roam, or the difficulty before us -reach out, your parish is here for you.
Our First "First Friday" Devotion
“At the Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, we meet the merciful love of God that passes through the Heart of Jesus Christ.” – Pope John Paul II
On Friday, May 6th, 2022 we were blessed with the First Friday Adoration at St. Francis of Assisi. Those attending gazed upon the Lord, and the Lord gazed upon each of them. St. Therese of Lisieux said that “Frequently only silence can express prayer.” In the dusk of the day, with the lights lowered, one could feel that reverent silence among all of us. The altar was ablaze with light so that our focus was upon Our Savior so silent and so attentive to the words of our hearts.
As we celebrate the risen Christ, we also celebrate that he has not left us, orphans. He is with us in the great sacrament of the Eucharist. Partaking of the Eucharist is our joy. And another joy is adoration. On May 6th we begin the evening first Friday Communion and Adoration. This means that we can take part in the beautiful tradition of the First Friday Devotions as well as keeping with the Lord in adoration.
The well-known Sacred Heart devotions are part of our Catholic history. These devotions take place every First Friday of the month in Catholic churches around the world. The Devotions of the Nine First Fridays were requested by Our Lord Himself through St Margaret Alocoque, a nun living in France in the 17th century. The particular intention is to offer reparation for the innumerable offenses committed against the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The requirement for fulfilling the devotion is to receive Holy Communion on each of the nine First Fridays. The Lord promised that those who did would die in the favor of the Lord and not die without the sacraments. You can research all the promises as there are twelve, the greatest being the last coming at the hour of our death.
Our Saint Francis deacons will be offering officiating at the first Fridays. We begin to build another important tradition of worship together in our own style.
Come, sing, pray, be still, and know that he is God.
Prayer Share is co-led by Angela Sukotsky, Stephen Lukacs, and Sandy Pineault. We meet monthly on the first Thursday from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm in the Chapel.
New! Parish Spiritual Lending Library Grow deeper in faith through Catholic spiritual reading! Our new lending library offers books on prayer, the saints, Scripture, spirituality, Church teaching, and more.
Dear Parish Family,
In our journey as disciples of Christ, spiritual reading is a powerful way to grow in holiness and knowledge of our faith. Inspired by the rich Catholic tradition of the saints and Doctors of the Church, we are excited to launch a Parish Spiritual Lending Library for all members.
This collection focuses on solid Catholic spirituality: lives of the saints, prayer guides, Scripture studies, works by Doctors such as St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Teresa of Ávila, and St. John of the Cross, papal teachings, and more.
Borrowing is simple:
- Check out books at: https://www.libib.com/u/saintfrancislibrary
- Loan period: 4 weeks (renewals welcome if no one is waiting).
- Return books: Contact Spirituality@St.Francisyulee.org
The loaner library is located at: https://www.libib.com/u/saintfrancislibrary
We encourage families, young adults, and all parishioners to participate. Book discussion groups or recommendations are most welcome.
May this library help us all ‘be transformed by the renewal of our minds’ (Romans 12:2).
Contact: Bill Tighe at Spirituality@St.Francisyulee.org ].
“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.’ – St. Jerome”
God bless!”
Diocese of St. Augustine Updates on Eucharistic Missionaries
Closing Months for the Year of Mission—and Beyond:
Walk with One resources: For a treasure-trove of resources to support the ongoing call for each of us to accompany one person on a life-changing journey closer to Jesus in the Eucharist.
Check out this Art of Accompaniment page for more information.
Olivia Kiernan is the daughter of St. Francis parishioners Tom and Denise Kiernan. Olivia is a missionary with Focus, and is sharing her Catholic faith with others on the college campus.
Hi, my name is Olivia Kiernan, and I am a FOCUS missionary! FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, is the largest collegiate apostolate spanning across the United States and internationally. The Lord has called me to serve college students at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas! I feel so blessed to be a part of this incredible team and encounter students on campus together!
I was raised Catholic but didn’t begin actively practicing my faith until college. At Creighton University, I was invited to a Bible study that introduced me to the beauty of the Catholic faith and helped me understand what it means to be Catholic and live life with Christ. Thanks to local missionaries, Jesuits on campus, and numerous friends, I was encouraged to develop a relationship with the Lord through prayer and frequenting the sacraments. I also attended a Summer Projects in Charleston, South Carolina which further strengthened my faith and gave me a taste of life as a missionary. As I went through my senior year, I knew I wanted to continue growing in my relationship with the Lord and walking alongside others. During the application and interview process with FOCUS, the Lord drew me closer to Him and gave me the opportunity to say “yes” to mission as a missionary.
As a missionary, I hope to live out the fullness of the Catholic faith and share it with others so that all might know Him and His abundance! We do this through facilitating Bible studies, leading students in group mentorship or discipleship, and encountering Christ together through fellowship, the sacraments, and the teachings of the Church!
Olivia Kiernan
Missionary — Wichita State University
Happy February! I hope your year is off to a great start and you are staying warm!
This spring semester began with our Seek conference, and I am so excited to share my experience with you! This is included later in the newsletter but if you want to listen to any of the inspiring talks or homilies from SEEK26, you can do so through the free SeekReplay app or by going to Seekreplay.com, which is also linked in this newsletter.
Please know of my prayers for you!
Olivia
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AT ST. FRANCIS
Ted Benning, a second year student at the Ignatius House for Spiritual Direction in Atlanta is a new parishioner at St. Francis. He is now accredited by the Diocese of St. Augustine and by Father Slawek to offer spiritual direction to parishioners.
Spiritual direction is a method of one-on-one conversation with a spiritual companion (Spiritual Director) where our sacred experiences may be listened to. The Spiritual Director may be able to offer observations about your relationship with God, or how the Holy Spirit is working in your life. They help another grow in their relationship with God by listening, offering and then getting out of the way.
Contact Ted at 678-878-9023 or trbiii.benning@gmail.com
HOW WE PRAY FOR EACH OTHER AS A PARISH
Like any family, we care for and support each other when the difficulties of life arise, especially in prayer. St. Francis parish has a long history of doing this in a very meaningful way. We reach out to the power that is ours when we pray together in the following ways. We are all welcome to use and participate in these resources when they are needed.
BOOK OF INTENTIONS: Write your petitions in this book located in the narthex. The intentions written in the book are prayed for collectively at each Sunday Mass.
ROSARY AND DIVINE CHAPLET: Prayed by a group of parishioners in our Adoration Chapel, each weekday that Mass is celebrated, for the intentions in the Book of Intentions. The Rosary also recited each Sunday morning before the 8:00 am Mass.
CALL-IN ROSARY: A live interactive daily telephone ministry. Access it from wherever you are from 12 noon -12:30 pm. TELEPHONE: 1-508-924-3039
Each decade has its own intention:
+ First- Everyone affected by the Coronavirus and their families.
+ Second- All unborn children.
+ Third- all souls who have perished.
+ Fourth- all who are suffering and do not believe in God.
+ Fifth- Personal intentions and members of our parish community (all those listed in the weekly SF bulletin.)
Caring for the Caregiver.
A note of hope, love and inspiration to remind you that the Lord cares for you.
May the grace and peace of the Lord be with you in abundance,
–Deb and Kelly
Ponder
“Love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
Luke 6:35-38
Reflect
Jesus’ instructions to his disciples, in this Scripture passage, at first glance, is hard. Love enemies? Stop judging? Be merciful? Really? Surely our Lord was not a caregiver! For if he really knows what I’m going through, he would not say to love and forgive!
Or would he?
Love is not a mere feeling or emotion: love is willing the best and highest for another. Love is a choice, an act of the will. We certainly see this aspect of love in caregiving: the conscious decision to extend care and compassion even when it’s difficult. That’s love. To care even when the other is unkind. To return repeatedly to the bedside of our care recipient. To minister over and over to someone who does not understand or appreciate our actions. That’s love.
And we do it because not only is it the right thing to do, but also because we want the best for someone else. We respect their dignity, we see their worth. And so, we are caregivers.
And so, we love as Jesus would.
This kind of love and mercy the Lord is asking is not really something we can do on our own. It is only through a relationship with the Lord that we can show mercy and forgiveness in the way that he instructs. It is in our relationship with God that we find the strength and courage to love. It is in our relationship with God that we find the wherewithal to be merciful. It is in our relationship with God that we find the courage to forgive.
Putting love and mercy into practice takes creative imagining and effort, and the Holy Spirit moving in us, and through us. The behaviors Jesus proposes move us from ambitious standards of “do unto others as you would have them do to you” to the even higher standard of imitating God: “be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”. We are empowered to act in this way with mercy, love and forgiveness because of the extravagant good measure in which God continually acts towards us. We return to caregiving again and again, because God is with us. Through the promise of Christ something wonderfully new is offered to us – and the more we yield to it, the more it empowers and frees us.
Pray
Oh, Lord, you do hold up a high standard, to love others. To forgive those who have hurt me. To wish good for those who are unkind. You tell me I am to show and extend this kind of love and forgiveness.
Well, I can’t. I just can’t.
On my own, I can’t.
I need you. I need your Spirit to move in me where I fall short. To fill in my gaps. I need you. I hold onto your promise that you are with me. That as I try, even if it’s trying time and time again, you honor my efforts. You recognize my heartfelt attempt to imitate you. To live up to and embrace my calling as your child, your beloved child.
I praise you for your goodness, mercy and love.
Amen.
“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to thee, when my heart is faint.
Lead thou me to the rock that is higher than I; for thou art my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in thy tent for ever!
Oh to be safe under the shelter of thy wings!”
Psalm 61:1-4
Respond
Live It Out Challenge
“Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
There’s a beautiful promise at the end of Jesus’ sermon. It’s a promise and a reminder. A promise of all the good God has for us, the “gifts that will be given to you”. It is also a reminder to place our trust in God. We well know that in this life there are difficulties and suffering. They are, after all, a part of our life as caregivers. But, Jesus reminds us, our trust must be in God, acknowledging that God supplies our ‘daily bread’ as well as ‘every good and gracious gift’. And, God is not stingy, no, his gifts are a ‘good measure, packed together, shaken down and overflowing’. What a delightful image! God has gifts overflowing for you!
Living it out challenge
Count your gifts. When we focus on what we lack (and let’s face it we all do that sometimes!) we feel discouraged and discontented. In contrast gratitude involves thanking God for everything his has given you. This acknowledgement shifts your focus from scarcity to abundance.
Recognize your gifts. Celebrate your blessings. And here’s the hard part, recognize the gifts that others are, see their value and acknowledge their achievements. So, go ahead, grab a pen and start counting.
Friday is National Caregiver Day!
And We’re Celebrating You!
National Caregiver Day could also be called “Thank a Caregiver” day and we hope this installment of Nourishment for Your Soul Newsletter is overflowing with our gratitude and support for all you do! Like you, we’re caregivers and we know the days are not always easy. We thank you for all you do for your family. For the community. Your love and care is invaluable; you provide dignity and worth to your loved one. Day in and day out. You courageously stepped forward, extending love and compassion. Thank you.
Of course, the special kindness and patience of caregivers should be celebrated every day!
Your value to us is not only on National Caregivers Day, but each and every day, as you devote you days to care for your loved one. You have skills and resiliency in even the most difficult situations. You are patient and kind. Yours are the hands that extend healing and hope. You demonstrate Christ’s hope to this world.
You make a difference, today and everyday.
Nourish for Caregivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Our mission is to support and empower caregivers through the gift of faith.
Set aside an hour just for you!
Offered TWICE this week:
Every Tuesday Morning: 11AM ET, 10AM CT, 9AM MT, 8AM PT
Monthly: 2nd Thursday Evening: 8PM ET, 7PM CT, 6PM MT, 5PM PT
The nourishment you need during your caregiving days!
Just click the button below to join us on Zoom a few minutes before our start time.
The Caregiver’s Companion
This guided prayer journal was created to help you find sacred moments and blessings in your caregiving journey. Every chapter includes prayers, reflections, journaling activities, and advice on how to live out what you have learned. This resource helps you discern what issues you struggle with daily and how you can address and care for your own specific needs.
Available on Amazon and many other booksellers. Or, through our publisher, Ave Maria Press you can get it at a discount. Click on image above or use QR code, and enter CAREGIVER15 at checkout for 22% off discount.
A Breath Prayer shared by Sandy Pineault
This morning, the Lord put on my heart something that was illuminating for my soul and prayer, and that perhaps will help you.
I had forgotten the great importance of breath in prayer. All these things I had once known and put aside… Jesus often breathed on a sick person seeking healing. Using His breath and touch to heal.
In my prayer this morning, I started to watch my breath, and in doing so, it chased the distractions from my mind. Now, I am sharing this with
you. I think God sent it to me to help both of us reach out to Him. To remind us that He is very much in our hearts in our journey. That with His Grace, all things are possible.
To begin: Go into a quiet place and close the door. If someone else is home, let them know you need not to be disturbed, this is your time with the Lord.
Lie on the floor or on your bed. Put a pillow under your knees if that makes you comfortable. Make sure you feel that you are held by God. Cover yourself with a blanket or quilt. Be warm. Perhaps you have a quilt that has a warm memory, use that. I use one that my mother made for me.
Put your cell phone on mute. Take off your Smart Watch if you have one. Make the room as dark as possible. If you have one, put on a dark eye mask.
Where you are will be your chapel. No music, no candles, only you and your God. For now, you will let my voice guide you; soon, you will not need this anymore.
Now- starting with some quieting of your body, like uncrossing your legs, smoothing your forehead into a sort of smile, and unclenching your jaw. Relax your arms beside you and open the palms of your hands to God. Feel every part of your body that is carrying your weight and notice yourself sinking into the bed or floor. If you fall asleep, praise God.
Start to watch your breath…do not change it, watch it gently like one watching raindrops fall. Then start breathing through your nose and out your mouth. Gently let your tongue touch the area behind your front teeth.
As you breathe in, start to pray Yah, and then on the outbreath Weh. Yahweh. The ancient Name of God. You can add your favorite Name of God and know that His Strength will strengthen you. Such as Yahweh Shalom: Prince of Peace, or Jes-us, I love You.
As you progress, you will hold the out-breath longer and will go deeper into your prayer and rest. You will be opening your heart to God and letting yourself listen to Him and surrender.
The Names of God will bless and quiet you. At the end of this reading, we will add some more Names of God.
Watch your body gently and see where you are trying to hold on to your own power and not God’s. Let it go to Him who loves you. Offer any tension or fear to Him.
Imagine that an angel is with you and that angel has taken your head and shoulders onto his lap. Jesus has sent the angel to minister unto your body and soul. Melt in rest into the angel’s lap.
Watch your breath as if you were outside yourself. Quietly, humbly, trusting, trusting. Stay quietly after your breathing session. Jesus says to your heart, “rest, my child, I have You, I have it all…
You will increasingly feel more relaxed after every Breath Prayer, allow yourself to go slowly afterward and do not rush body and soul. Be Blessed and quieted, He is the Mighty One, the Holy One.
Amen
AUDIO:
WHY SPIRITUAL BREATHING? We need time to pray each day if we want to grow Spiritually in Christ. Our souls need prayer like our bodies need oxygen. To be filled more with Christ’s love, we need to take in what Pope Francis called “the deep breath of prayer.” The above attached “Breath Prayer” by Sandy Pineault is a beautiful way of taking in “the deep breath of prayer”
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
2023 is the Year of Parish Revival where every parish in the country will experience profound renewal while participating in grassroots efforts inspired by the four pillars of the Revival. Parishes will be equipped with simple, proven tools to invite their community into the following:
Reinvigorate Worship – Renewing the emphasis on the celebration of the liturgy.
Personal Encounters – Host monthly Encounter Nights, featuring Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Confession.
Robust Formation – Implementing the “Jesus and the Eucharist” small group initiative.
Send Missionaries – Bring lapsed brothers and sisters home with the “Invite One Back” campaign and recommit to serving the poor in the community in a new way.
Our Parish Eucharistic Revival will be kicked off at St. Francis in November. During the month of November, the St. Thomas Aquinas prayer “Preparation for Mass” will be recited before Sunday Mass. It is found on page 327 in the Sunday Missile or downloaded HERE
Let us all PRAY the National Eucharistic Prayer each evening at 7:00 pm from October 21st, 2023 to November 21st, 2023. Together we will pray for the success of Eucharistic Revival in ourselves, our families, our parish, Diocese and nation. YOU ARE INVITED to start this revival together as a parish family at an open gathering on Wednesday, NOVEMBER 7th, 2023 at 6:30 pm at St. Francis. Come and let us begin to see the WONDER OF THE LORD ALWAYS AMONG US.
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who promised to stay with us always, until the end of the age. Reawaken our wonder at His Presence in the most Holy Eucharist. May our hearts burn within us as He opens the Scriptures and breaks the bread. Give us the eyes of faith to recognize His presence in our brothers and sisters, especially in the face of the poor and suffering. Nourished by the Eucharist, send us forth to walk faithfully as missionary disciples, proclaiming the Gospel to every heart and extending Your kingdom to every land. We ask You this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Dear Parishioners,
As we continue this year of Eucharistic Revival, we would like to invite you to grow closer to Jesus alongside fellow parishioners through the Jesus and The Eucharist Study. This study was specifically designed for this Year of Parish Revival, and we will be joining many other parishes throughout the United States who are participating in this small group study as we journey together through this three-year National Eucharistic Revival.
Each session is full of rich theological content, powerful testimonies and unique and timely messages from individual bishops across the country. This is a great opportunity to dive more deeply into the richness of our sacred year together.
Please join us on either Tuesday, January 2th, at 9:30 a.m. (after Mass), or Thursday, January 4th, at 10:30 a.m. (after Adoration) for this seven-week study. Note: it is not necessary to attend all sessions, as each one is separate.
Questions? spirituality@stfrancisyulee.org
Recently I interviewed a Missionary of Charity in the Bronx, who told me about a time she was working outside the convent garden and noticed a man on the top of a nearby high rise. He was leaning over the edge with one foot.
It was a serious scene. Quickly, there were police and a net was placed underneath him.
Moved with fear and compassion, she ran inside, calling “Sisters. We must pray. A man is thinking about jumping from the roof!”
Every sister in that house hurried to the sidewalk. One of them, Sister Claire, had a moment of inspiration, “We must get Jesus!” With the permission of the convant superior, the Eucharist was brought out to the sidewalk and quickly passed along to a priest who had joined the prayers.
Something incredible happened. Father ran towards the troubled man as the sister continued praying on the ground. At the top, he got the man’s attention. Softly, gently, but with conviction, he said, “You are loved. Jesus is here. Do not be afraid. Jesus is here.”
His words thankfully penetrated the man’s awareness. He slowly moved from the edge and made his way towards father. Then he collapsed and sobbed into his arms.
We may never know what occurred in that man’s heart that day, or what he personally experienced from the Sacramental presence of Jesus, but we do know things by their fruits. Something changed for this man when he met Jesus. Something happened when Father brought Jesus to a soul in trouble.
Let your God love you.
Be silent.
Be still.
Alone,
Empty,
Before your God.
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be still.
Let your God look upon you.
That is all
God knows.
God understands.
God loves you
With an enormous love
And only wants
To look upon you
With that love.
Quiet
Still
Be.
Let your God –
Love you.
The priest is a mediator between God and man.
“ The priest’s mission is to be a mediator, a bridge that connects, and thereby to bring human beings to God, to His redemption, to His true light, to His true life”
Pope Benedict XVI
The following article is a beautiful tribute to Priests as fathers. We are sure blessed at St Francis of Assisi to have Fr. Slawek as a Father! May God bless him and may the Spirit always support him with wisdom, strength, and courage.
https://theologyofhome.com/blogs/in-place-in-person/why-we-call-them-fathers
Blessings,
Roberta
“ When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain, Jesus’ touch can call us back to life again.”
What a beautiful hymn!
Blessings,
Roberta Nataloni
“ Bless the Lord my soul!
Lord God, how great you are,
Clothed in majesty and glory,
Wrapped in light as in a robe!
You stretch out the heavens like a tent.”
Eclipse brings Americans together, provokes thought on higher subjects https://aleteia.org/2024/04/09/eclipse-brings-americans-together-provokes-thought-on-higher-subjects/
The Love that moves the sun and the other stars.”
Dante Alighieri, Paradiso
Roberta Nataloni
We just completed Holy Week, but the grace and beauty of it still lingers in our hearts. It is a week of profound sadness, but also of a very profound Joy: we know that death was conquered, death does not terrify us any longer.
“We are Easter people, and Allelujah is our song!” St John Paul II
https://aleteia.org/2024/04/01/profound-young-saint-can-help-you-honor-the-eucharist-in-april/
“Unite our hearts to your Immaculate Heart so that they may find their true and lasting home in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Ever guide us along the pilgrimage of life to our eternal home with Him.” Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke
Have a blessed day,
Roberta Nataloni
Eucharistic Revival Gathering – November 7th, 2023
