the catholic community of st. francis of assisi
Gathering to Renew Our Franciscan Spirit and Life
On Saturday, October 18th, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, the 5th annual Franciscan Spirit and Life Convocation will take place at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Why is this gathering something you should consider attending? As Father Steve Kluge said when the friars ‘officially’ left the parish in 2020, “You are what makes this community ‘Franciscan’, not us. You are the Franciscans at St. Francis of Assisi.” If you are someone who seeks more insight into what it means to be a Franciscan in the world, the title of the convocation, ‘Journey Toward the Heart of God: A Franciscan Vision for Today,’ should pique your interest. It would be time well spent as part of your faith exploration.
Father Kenneth Paulli, OFM, the keynote speaker for the day, has been a Franciscan priest of Holy Name Province for almost three decades and is an associate professor of education at Siena College. Fr. Paulli holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Siena College, a master’s degree in systematic theology from the Washington Theological Union, and a doctorate in religion and education from Columbia University in New York City. “Outside the Walls: Encountering God in the Unfamiliar” is Fr. Paulli’s first published book. He is a gifted and popular speaker at conferences, retreats, and parish missions across the United States to further the faith experience for those, like many at St. Francis, who want a deeper participation in the Franciscan charism and to build their relationship with God.
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: Feed the Need
Feed the Need is one of our ministries that seems self-explanatory by its name. As an outreach ministry providing home-cooked meals to those going through a life transition or a difficult time, the food they offer serves as a welcome respite from the daily chore of preparing a healthy dinner during stressful or busy periods. As Feed the Need coordinator Celesta Carlson says, “Whether they are recovering from surgery, grieving a loss, welcoming a new baby, or facing other challenges, our volunteers offer the comfort of a nourishing meal. Meals can be modified to fit any dietary restrictions or allergies of those receiving the meal.”
“These home-cooked meals, from the hands of our gifted cooks, bring comfort and nourishment to those unable to prepare them themselves. Each meal is not just food, but a blessing, lovingly crafted with time, talent, and treasure,” says Celesta. It’s not just providing the food, though. She says, “Every week, a devoted ministry member personally checks in with the families receiving meals. They listen to how they’re doing, make sure the meals are helpful, check to see if any adjustments are needed, and offer prayers for their needs. This ‘presence’ is the essence of community: awareness of one another’s needs drawing us closer together.”
