Grapevine the St. Francis
March 2019
AN ENCOUNTER EVENT AT ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
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“[This program] is definitely good for those not sure how/if God is part of their life.”
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“I’ve been confronted with important life questions that I’ve avoided. I’ve begun to include God more in my daily life.”
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“This took me one step closer [in my relationship with Jesus]!”
This fall we launched a 6-week series for adults called Discover Christ which consists of a dinner, a short 20 minute presentation, and table discussion. The goal of Discover Christ is to provide a unique environment for people to explore the big ideas of God and faith. It’s open to anyone and specifically designed to allow people to share their doubts, hesitations, and beliefs about some of the big questions: What is the purpose of life? Who is Jesus and why does he matter? What is faith? Does God exist? Can we believe the Bible? Over 50 adults attended the dinners and we are excited to be hosting another opportunity for Discover Christ in the Spring on Wednesday nights. Here is what a few guests had to say about the series:
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“Thought provoking; this planted the seed that personal relationship with Jesus is just as important as other 'obligations' of being Catholic.”
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“[Discover Christ] allowed me to hear other perspectives of the faith from different walks of life.”
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“I have grown more to trust in God.”
sfatx.org/discoverchrist
If you are interested in attending the next Discover Christ series of dinners, check out the website for more details about upcoming sessions.
A NEWSLETTER OF ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH • 861 WILDWOOD LN, GRAPEVINE TX • SFATX.ORG
FROM THE PASTOR Dear Parish Family, I am sure that most of you are aware that I was assigned as the pastor of St. Francis effective Feb. 14. I am grateful to Bishop Olson for this appointment, and I am excited to join the parish family at St. Francis.
OFFICE HOURS Monday - 9:15 am - 8:30 pm Thursday (closed for lunch from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm)
Friday Sunday
9:15 am - 12:00 pm 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
CHURCH HOURS Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
8:00 am - 8:30 pm 8:00 am - 6:00 pm 8:00 am - 6:00 pm 7:00 am - 5:30 pm
MASS SCHEDULE WEEKENDS (nursery/guarderĂa) Saturday Vigil 5:00 pm Sunday (no nursery) 8:00 am 10:00 am (en espaĂąol) 1:00 pm 4:30 pm WEEKDAYS Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:30 am 6:00 pm 8:30 am 8:30 am
St. Francis of Assisi Church
861 Wildwood Lane Grapevine, Texas 76051 817.481.2685 // 817.488.3169 (f)
sfatx.org //
I personally know three of the previous pastors of your parish, and they only have good things to say about the community at St. Francis of Assisi. I am aware of the amazing job that Fr. Flynn did as your pastor. I know that he is a hard act to follow, and I have big shoes to fill. I hope to rely on the Lord and in your support in my ministry at St. Francis of Assisi. I am also aware that the parish is in the midst of a Capital Campaign, raising money for the future of St. Francis. I can assure you that the vision and plans for the future of the parish, proposed by Fr. Flynn and the committee, will be followed through. I am looking forward to joining the parish family in the many exciting activities planned for this Spring. I hope this issue of The Grapevine helps you better understand what has been underway at the parish and how you can get involved in the future. Please keep updated with everything we are doing, especially in the coming months as I settle in as pastor, by frequently visiting sfatx.org, joining our community on Facebook, and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@StFrancisTX). Please do pray for me and the members of our parish family during this time of transition. I have been praying for all of you ever since I learned of my appointment. May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts always! In Christ, Fr. Sojan George Pastor
Parish happenings PARISH HAPPENINGS
2019 COUNTRY WESTERN VOLUNTEER
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI • 2019
APPRECIATION PARTY HOLY WEEK This year’s party was the largest yet with over 350 people in attendance! Party goers raved about the yummy BBQ provided by parishioners Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q, the live country music by parishioner Justin Mason Band, line dancing lessons, and especially the Old West photo booth. The staff enjoyed celebrating and appreciating all the ways the many volunteers of our parish serve the community. It was a boot-stompin' good time!
& EASTER
Holy Thursday (4/18) 7:00 pm
Liturgy of the Eucharist, Washing of Feet, Transfer of Blessed Sacrament & Adoration until midnight
Good Friday (4/19) 3:00 pm 7:00 pm
Stations of the Cross Liturgy of the Word, Communion & Adoration of the Cross
Holy Saturday (4/20) 8:30 pm
The Easter Vigil: Easter Fire, Liturgy of the Word, Sacraments of Initiation & Liturgy of the Eucharist
Easter Sunday MASS TIMES: 8:00 am 10:00 am 12 :00 pm 2:00 pm (Spanish)
No 8:30 am Daily Mass on Holy Thursday or Good Friday, no adoration on Good Friday, no confession on Holy Saturday, and no 5 pm & 4:30 pm Masses on Easter Weekend.
LENTEN ACTIVITIES EVERY FRIDAY 5:00 - 7:00 pm Knights of Columbus Fish Fry 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross 7:45 pm Stations of the Cross (Spanish)
MAR 24&25
6:30 pm
Lent Mission
APRIL 1
7:00 pm
Reconciliation Service
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Preparing for Confirmation:ST. FRANCIS SPIRIT RETREAT 38 God has done it again! This past January, High School Young Church partnered with the Holy Spirit to accompany 85 students through our annual Confirmation Retreat.
At the start of the weekend, each small group leader asked their students a simple question: On a scale of 1-10, how is the retreat going for you? (one being “I really don’t want to be here,” ten being “THIS IS AMAZING, I never want to leave!”) Understandably, many students responded claiming they were a “two” or “three.” But by the end of Friday night, something began to change. After announcing the simple truth that God loves us, that He has a good and loving plan for each of us, and that sin is real and leads to death but Jesus offers us salvation and life to the fullest, students started to catch a glimpse of who God is and who they are. As one student claimed, “this is exactly what I needed to
hear!” We had a ton of fun, shared meals, discussed life’s biggest questions, and students - maybe for the first time - discovered community and friendship built on something truly pure and lasting. Finally, through confession, Mass, worship, and an extended time of adoration, students encountered Him.
By the end of the retreat, it was so cool to hear that students who came in as a “three” were leaving as a “nine” or even (we're not making this up) a “ten”! All of us: students, teen leaders, speakers, musicians, priests, and adult Core Members are always so amazed at what God can accomplish on this retreat. Please continue to pray for our students preparing for Confirmation this year. Confirmation is March 4th at 6:30pm.
OUR FAITH • OUR FAMILY • OUR FUTURE
A FINAL WORD FROM FR. FLYNN ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN: While the official ‘active’ phase of the campaign ended a few months ago, the drive to raise funding to meet our goals continues. In no way should anyone think or believe that the vision and plans for the future of this parish that I proposed will not now be followed through due to my departure. Your pledge and commitment to the campaign is not for me or ‘my plans’; it is for the parish of St. Francis Assisi. If you have made a pledge, I ask that you please hold true to that commitment and follow through by completing it. If you have been undecided about your commitment, I encourage you to prayerfully consider how you can make a difference for your parish family and help shape its future by joining those who have committed and make a gift that is sacrificial and meaningful to you. May God continue to bless you and thanks again for your faithfulness and devotion!
AN UPDATE FROM FR. SOJAN ON THE CAMPAIGN: As I begin my role as pastor here, I want to express my support for the ongoing Capital Campaign. I can assure you that the vision and plans for the future of the parish, as proposed by Fr. Flynn and the committee, will be followed through. While the exact construction timeline for the various projects is still being finalized, we have signed a contract with an architect and are making strides to begin the sanctuary renovations as early as the first week of May. I will keep the parish community informed as we know more details in the coming months. Thank you for your continued support of this important effort. Stay updated & make your pledge: sfatx.org/campaign
Outreach in ACTION
Thank You! We are so very thankful for our parish family and all they do assisting us with bringing a joyous Thanksgiving and Christmas to all our adopted families! We assisted over 400 individuals, which wouldn't be possible without your generosity.
WE ARE ALWAYS IN NEED OF ITEMS FOR OUR FOOD PANTRY! PLEASE SEE THE LIST IN THE BULLETIN OR CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE TO HELP!
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, OUR OUTREACH HELPED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN NEED!
$93,347 ASSISTANCE TOTAL
INCLUDING GIFTCARDS & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (BUT NOT THE ANGEL TREE GIFTS WHICH WERE SO NUMEROUS IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLACE A VALUE!)
250 families assisted
AT THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS
YOUTH CATECHESIS & YOUTH MINISTRY FROM POURING TO PRAYER Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Explained: A Series with Laura Nelson of Children's Catechesis “What does pouring beans have to do with learning about Jesus?” Ok, maybe I haven’t actually had someone ask me that question but I can almost read some parents’ minds when they first see that one of the works for the child in the Atrium is pouring beans. And I can understand why they might be confused or even a little concerned. After all, If I sign my teenager up for a driver’s ed course, I don’t want them learning to sew, right? That’s not what I signed them up for! But, there’s a reason the children learn to first pour beans and then, when they’re ready, water. It’s the same reason we have them working with a lot of what we call “Practical Life” materials, to prepare them for prayer. Think about it this way. Imagine that you don’t know how to drive. In fact, you’ve never even been in a car before. Now, imagine that someone gives you the keys, puts you in the car, and expects you to race in the Indianapolis 500. Would you be ready to race? NO! You don’t have the skills to drive a car in an empty parking lot much less to race an endurance race at top speeds through a sea of other fast-moving cars. It can be like that for a child who is expected to pray easily without being taught the skills they need to enable them to pray. In the Level 1 Atrium (for ages 3-6), we spend a lot of time offering the child materials that will help them build focus, concentration, and self-control. Without those things, it’s impossible to pray. Without self-control, we can’t settle our bodies to listen for God’s voice and we can’t control our will.
Save the dates!!
If we can’t control our will, we can’t choose to pray. And, without the skills of focus and concentration, we can’t settle our minds into prayerful communion with our Lord Jesus. So, yes, in the Atrium we pour beans. Then we pour water (which is much harder). We even polish silver and wood. And when the child works with these materials they’re gaining the skills they need so that they can answer the question we often ask them that leads them into a life of prayer, “What would you like to say to Jesus about this?” I think we adults have a lot to learn from observing the young children in the Atrium. It’s a reminder to us to slow down and focus, to calm our minds and bodies so that we can to reflect on God’s Word in Scripture, and to respond to Jesus’ invitation when we do. If we can remember that our participation in prayer depends in part on the cooperation of our minds and bodies, we can prioritize that as part of our own preparation for our time with God. If we rush into that time without a focused mind and a settled body, we may as well be a racecar driver without a driver’s license.
SUMMER FUN:
SUMMER KICK-OFF PARTY BARGE // June 7 SUMMER NIGHTS // June 11, 18 & July 2, 9, 16, 23 PAINTBALL // June 13 FEED OUR KIDS // July 22-24 LAKE DAY PICNIC // Aug 10
SUMMER FAITH:
DONUTS & DISCUSSION // June 7, 14 & July 12, 19, 26 SCRIPTURE STUDY // June 29 HAITI MISSION TRIP // June 20-27 STEUBENVILLE LONE STAR CONFERENCE // June 21-23 VBS TEEN LEADER TRAINING // June 8 & 15 COVECREST SUMMER CAMP // July 29 - Aug 3 This schedule is tentative. Stay tuned for the final IGNITE (INCOMING 9th GRADE RETREAT) // Aug 31 schedule and updates: sfayoungchurch.com
BIG EVENTS/TRIPS:
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Ministry spotlight Padre Pio once said, "Prayer is the best weapon we possess. It is the key that opens the heart of God." The Wednesday Morning Prayer Group, one ministry here at St. Francis of Assisi parish, truly takes this to heart. They have been in existence for over 35 years and just held their 1,000th prayer meeting, striving to bring people closer in relationship with the Triune God and Blessed Mother through praise and worship, prayer and education. Each member not only strives for their own personal holiness and relationship with God and Mary, but together they strive to impart the love of God to those in need through intercessory prayer. "Anyone who needs prayer can come to the Prayer Group or give any of the members their prayer intentions," says Diane Bates, one of the group leaders. "The group prays and sacrifices all week long for the intentions. We have a text message prayer chain for requests that come in between Wednesdays. We also offer daily prayers for the general needs of the diocese, including the bishop, priests, deacons, religious, and the St. Francis parish and staff." A son of a member has even seen the fruits of their ministry, noting, "In these meetings, the women lower their buckets a thousand feet into the spring of the Holy Spirit’s living water and bring it back up to drink from in order to grow in wisdom and to be loved by the Father into intercession and revelation. The group continually brings nourishment and life to the growing community at St. Francis and surrounding areas." If you are interested in joining this Catholic charismatic prayer group, they meet from 10:30am - noon on Wednesdays from mid-September to mid-May in Room 115.
Wednesday Morning
Prayer Group
CHURCH ENVIRONMENT:
Change amidst Renovations
While the central focus of the Mass always remains the Eucharist, few ministries impact the sanctuary as the place for this Great Feast as much as the Church Environment Ministry. Throughout the years, this group of dedicated volunteers, led by Ofelia Armstrong and Carol Anne Crossan, has tirelessly ensured that each liturgical season has been highlighted and that the environment has enhanced the prayerful "mood" of the season, whether it be Ordinary Time, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter or Pentecost. "It is a lot of hard work and dedication but our Love for Christ has been deepened." says Ofelia. "I have been so fortunate to be involved with this ministry, but after 25 years of doing this, the time has come to hand over this job so new ideas and energy can be used to bring praise to God." As our parish looks forward to a renovated sanctuary in the fall, much will change about our sacred space. "The rich color and design will bring opportunities for a new approach" says Denise Brooks, director of liturgy & worship here at the parish. "We so appreciate everything Ofelia and Carol Anne and their team have done throughout the years. We hope a new team, with a bit of knowledge of the liturgy
(or a willingness to learn) as well as some creativity will step up to help move forward with the Church Environment Ministry when the renovations are complete." Most of the work the ministry does is behind the scenes, including ironing, climbing ladders to hang banners, putting lights on trees, and keeping flowers and plants maintained. This is important work, especially around the Christmas and Easter holidays when the decor is changed in a short window of time. "We are blessed to have a parishioner and florist, Camila Gerety, who will be handling flower arrangements moving forward," continues Denise. "But we hope that a few other individuals or families will answer the call to work alongside Camila, me, and Fr. Sojan as we determine how to best enhance our future sanctuary for each liturgical season." If you are interested in finding out about this ministry and how you might get involved, contact Denise Brooks at dbrooks@sfatx.org.
STAFF Q&A
MINISTERIO HISPANO DANIELLE MILLIKEN
Dani, who has worked as the coordinator of communications and digital media for 4 years, loves being able to serve her parish family. A bit about her & her role on staff here at St. Francis: Describe your role AT THE PARISH. I am essentially responsible for the parish website, this quarterly newsletter, our flocknote emails, social media and any other communication or digital media needs of the church. I have also helped with event planning on occasion. While I don't do the weekly bulletin, I also help Rosie with content/ promo images for that as needed. Given that my role is so "web-based," I have been blessed to work parttime and mostly from home, so that I can also be full-time mom to my kids. This is why you may not see me in the parish offices very often! Tell us a bit about your BACKGROUND. I am originally from southeast Missouri, where my family still lives. I moved to TX in fall 2006 to attend the University of Dallas (a small Catholic school in Irving), where I earned a BA in theology and an MBA with a focus on marketing. I met my husband, Madison, at UD, and we settled in Grapevine after getting married in December 2012. St. Francis immediately became our "home." After volunteering to help launch a new parish website in fall 2014, Fr. Flynn asked me to work for the parish after our daughter arrived that winter. It has been the biggest blessing to our family and my primary vocation as a wife and mom! We have 2 kids, Melea (4) & Jonah (17mo), and a third on the way, expected this July. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE Food? Pot roast and mashed potatoes, with carrots (the best part). FAVORITE MOVIE? The Little Mermaid. I even had an Ariel motorized car growing up! FAVORITE PLACE YOU HAVE BEEN? I spent an entire semester studying in Rome, so it's hard to pick, but probably Inishbofin, an island off the west coast of Ireland. Costa Rica is gorgeous as well. What'S A Favorite Bible Passage? Proverbs 31:30 -- such a beautiful passage for women. What is your fAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING HERE? I love how this parish is truly a "family" and that I am able to serve with my gifts for building the Kingdom. There is nothing better!
UNA MIRADA AL V
ENCUENTRO
Después del V Encuentro que se realizó aquí en Grapevine en el Gaylord Resort, queremos retomar la motivación del Papa y continuar con los objetivos siendo uno de ellos : Llamar a todos los católicos en los Estados Unidos a ser misioneros auténticos y alegres que sean testigos del amor de Dios con una voz profé¬tica en una iglesia culturalmente diversa.
“El V Encuentro es una manera concreta en los Estados Unidos para responder al desafío de salir de cualquier tipo de comodidad y convertirse en fermentos de comunión con todos los que buscan un futuro de esperanza, especialmente con los jóvenes y las familias que viven en las periferias de nuestra sociedad ... El V Encuentro reconoce y valora los dones que los Católicos Hispanos ofrecen hoy y seguirán ofreciendo en lo futuro a la iglesia de su país ... El V Encuentro trae a los inmigrantes un sentido de mayor comunidad, amistad, apoyo ... También a ha sido un instrumento de gracia que condujo a la conversión del corazón de muchas personas y sobre todo a la conversión pastoral ... De manera particular, les pido que consideren en qué manera sus iglesias particulares pueden responder mejor a la creciente presencia, a los dones y al potencial de la juventud y de las familias hispanas y de otras culturas. Estoy consiente del aporte que la comunidad hispana ofrece a la vida de la nación y rezo para que el V Encuentro continúe contribuyendo a la renovación de la sociedad y al apostolado de la iglesia en los Estados Unidos de América”. (Papa Francisco) Se discutieron muchos temas y uno de ellos es que la comunidad católica hispana está creciendo inmensamente y un desafío será que los podamos servir y acompañarlos eficientemente y no terminen abandonando su fe o uniéndose a otras denominaciones como hemos podido observar que ha pasado en algunos lugares en que el acompañamiento ha sido muy pobre o no existente El grupo del V Encuentro de nuestra Parroquia tuvo una activa participación en el Encuentro Nacional y sigue teniendo reuniones mensuales para continuar con la labor de Evangelización encomendada por el Papa Francisco. ¡Ven, participa y únete a nuestros esfuerzos! the St. Francis
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Staff Blog Samplings
True Presence Joseph Barringhaus Coordinator of Events & Digitial Media Assistant Do you believe that the body and blood of Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist? Are you willing to feel embarrassed because of it? Part of being Catholic is believing in the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, something the Catechism goes into great detail on. However, one of my favorite pieces of the Catechism is actually a compilation of our saints found in paragraph 1381. "That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that 'cannot be apprehended by the senses,' says St. Thomas, 'but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.' For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 ('This is my body which is given for you.'), St. Cyril says: 'Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie.'" We can’t see it, we can’t feel it, we can’t hear it; but, we know, through faith, that this ordinary bread and wine is transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus. It’s not
something that I can show scientifically, rather something that must be viewed through the eyes of faith.
I’m a defender of the idea that believing is often easiest when it doesn’t challenge you. When it comes to the Eucharist, I’ll catch people off-guard. I’ve been known to say just how much I love when people abstain from receiving the Eucharist at Mass. I say that not because I don’t want them to receive Jesus, but because it’s hard to cross your arms or stay seated in the pew when you’re in a state of mortal sin or maybe you ate just a little too close to Mass. We never know why that person didn’t receive, but if you’ve ever sat back in your pew or crossed your arms in line, you know the judgment feeling I’m talking about. I try to make it a habit that when my friends abstain from receiving and I perhaps notice, I don’t ask them what they did and I certainly try not to judge them. Rather, I say a prayer for them gladly acknowledging and understanding that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. They understand the real presence of Jesus at the Mass, and their reverence for that is inspiring.
Mercy Not Sacrifice: A Reflection for Lent Brett Metzler, Seminarian on Pastoral Year "But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice." Matt 9:13 “How much weight did you lose?” “How long were you able to not eat chocolate?” “I’m so glad you gave up coffee for two months...” ...are all things Jesus will not say to us when we die. “What did you do for the least of these? And Did you know me?” are much more likely to be in his questionnaire. Too often, those of us who enter into the season of Lent end up focussing primarily on ourselves, on what we are able to give up, and on what we are able to accomplish by strengthening our resolutions. Sometimes we have good motives such as holiness and virtue. Other times we are really just secretly wanting to lose weight. Is this really what the season is all about?
I recently visited a man who told me that one day his legs stopped working, he went to the hospital, and he eventually ended up in a nursing home. He couldn’t be older than 65, he’s been there for four years, and has no family. He was alone. How many people are there in and around our parishes like this man? How many people in our prisons, our homeless shelters, our nursing homes, hospitals, and even in our own families are alone and without a member of the body of Christ to be with them and keep them connected? What are we doing for the least of these? Do we think about them? Or do we ignore them?
LIGHT IT UP Tim Jara Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Few moments have shaken my resolve to be Catholic as much as the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report released last year. The scandal and crimes committed by priests, the silence...the victims. It is hard to take in. As Catholics, we care deeply about people! And as my wife once told me: “those who love deeply, grieve deeply.” In light of what’s happened, we are all grieving deeply for those harmed by deceit and abuse. Still wrestling with this heartache and horror, I want to take a moment to share a few thoughts: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). The Catholic Church is not holy because we are holy. The Church is holy because Jesus is holy. When I look at the cross, I see a Savior put to death by the very people He came to save. I see that love, despite evil all around, brings light into the darkness. “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32). We are all sick. The Church needs healing. The world needs healing. And only Jesus has the cure. No...He is the cure. But it’s only when you and I recognize our own brokenness that true healing can take place. As Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once wrote, “If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were “Whatever you have done for the least of these, you did for me.” Jesus is very clear in his teachings that what we do for these members of our society, Jesus counts it as being done for himself. A few years ago, my grandfather was getting up into his late nineties and things were getting rough. He wanted to live alone in his own home during the day, but at night time he would often call crying because he was so lonely. My parents did the best they could. Often they would go get him in the evening and bring him back in the morning. A 30 minute drive. It was a hassle. It was stressful. One day my dad told me how hard it was getting. I told my dad what my spiritual director told me. “Dad, in these days,
necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?” Searching the hearts of men and women, searching the whole world, I imagine Jesus finding sin in our hearts, and instead of rejecting us as we deserve - He sees the pain our sin causes us and longs to heal us - each of us - you...me. Maybe today, more than any other day, we can choose to be a light despite the darkness. When we find evil where it should never be found, let’s do something otherworldly - heavenly - about it. It only takes one person to be the difference between Judas and Peter. Repent, abide with Jesus, hold fast. Because “all the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” - St. Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. Papa IS Christ. What you do for him, you are literally doing for Jesus.” After this realization, the cross of serving Papa became lighter and more joyful. There are many different ways of growing closer to Christ during Lent. Spending time in adoration, praying the rosary daily, more scripture reading, fasting from unnecessary foods. It is important to realize, however, that all of these things have the virtue of charity as their end goal. How does praying lead us to see Jesus Christ in the least of these? How does fasting strengthen our wills to be more patient with the least of these within our families, especially the elderly? Challenge yourself during this Lent, that whatever penance you take on, it will lead to you forget yourself for the sake of Jesus Christ and the weakest members of his Body. the St. Francis
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CIS OF A N A
SS ISI
ST. FR
SCHOOL NEWS
P RESCHOOL
On behalf of the St. Francis of Assisi Preschool, you are invited to come discover the warm and enriching environment that we’ve provided for the children and families of St. Francis for over 25 years. The St. Francis of Assisi Preschool believes in educating the total child through spiritual, social, cognitive, and physical activities that support their natural development. Every student gets frequent opportunities to learn about their faith through prayer, blessings, the saints, and Chapel time. In addition, our developmentally appropriate curriculum prepares our students to meet the social, emotional, and intellectual expectations of Kindergarten. You can take comfort in the knowledge that our teachers are highly qualified and experienced. St. Francis Preschool will soon be enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year. To find out more or to schedule a tour, please contact us at 817-481-2685 ext 230 or preschool@sfatx.org.
MORE INFO: sfatx.org/preschool
St. Francis Families
Mason Family Tell us a bit about your family. We are the Mason family. Justin and Theresa have been married almost 7 years and own a residential real estate brokerage in Grapevine, MIG Real Estate. Justin also sings and plays country music. We have three young children - John is 4 years old, Ellie is 2.5 and Kate is 1.5. We live in Grapevine and are active in the Grapevine community and Grapevine Chamber of Commerce. We love sports, especially Notre Dame football (where Theresa went to school) and the Dallas Cowboys. Do you have any fun or interesting family traditions? At the dinner table each night, we all take turns sharing our favorite thing from the day. Since our kids are young, the answers each day can be quite entertaining! What is one way your family prays together? We try to say prayers together before bed every night. This year we added a new tradition. We save our Christmas cards from the year and put them on a circle ring. Each night we flip to the next card and say a special prayer for that family during our bedtime prayers. What is a favorite scripture passage for your family? "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15). Our family and our faith are our number one priorities. Regardless of outside secular pressures and negative influences, we choose to live a life of love and service to God.
What is an interesting fact about your family that people may not suspect or know? When Justin and Theresa met, Justin didn’t know how to play guitar and never sang in front of anyone. Justin taught himself how to play guitar in 2013 and started a band 6 months later. Since that time, he has played at Billy Bob’s and many fairs and festivals around the State! John, Ellie and Kate are Justin’s biggest fans. What drew you to St. Francis of Assisi Parish? We started going to St. Francis when Theresa moved to Grapevine and lived within walking distance of the parish! Justin and Theresa were married at St. Francis and all three of our kids were baptized here. We are grateful for the friendships and relationships we have formed with fellow parishioners at St. Francis and are very glad to call this our parish home! What mass does your family typically attend and what parish ministries are your family involved in? We usually attend the 4:30 mass on Sunday afternoon, but sometimes go at 10am depending upon our weekend schedule. Theresa is a part of the Pastoral Advisory Council and the MOMS ministry and also serves as a Eucharistic Minister. John attends the St. Francis Preschool. Justin and his band recently performed at the Volunteer Appreciation Event for the parish. He also played guitar for the 11:30am mass back when it was still around and he was just starting to play. What do you love most about the parish? We love the homey feel of the parish and the welcoming atmosphere for families, young and old. These featured families, along with all our parish families, contribute to what makes St. Francis a thriving community. We are honored they call us home. To nominate a family to be featured, email Dani Milliken at dmilliken@sfatx.org.
rF . Flynn GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS!
A few memories of our former pastor throughout his 5+ years here:
the St. Francis
Grapevine
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NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID GRAPEVINE, TX PERMIT NO. 87
861 Wildwood Lane Grapevine, TX 76051 Return Service Requested
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI LENT MISSION
SUNDAY + MONDAY
MARCH 24 & 25
6:30-8:30pm | Family Life Center SFATX.ORG/LENTMISSION FEATURING PAUL GEORGE
Paul has been married to his wife, Gretchen, for 20 years, and they have five children. Paul currently works as a sought-after speaker, consultant, and life coach. He is the author of Rethink Happiness: Dare to Embrace God and Experience True Joy. He has a master's degree in theology from the University of Dallas and resides in Lafayette, LA.
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