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About Our Parish
 The Pastor's Desk
This week the Church celebrates two important feasts: The Exultation of the Holy Cross on September 14th and Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15th. Each feast focuses on suffering, but not for the sake of pain and anguish; but rather to remind us of God’s power and mercy.
Historically, crucifixion was reserved for those the Romans considered the worst offenders such as: Enemies of the state, Slaves who rebelled; and the worst criminals. About 100 years before the death of Jesus on the cross, an estimated 5,000 slaves were crucified on the roads leading from Rome, condemned for challenging the state under a leader named Spartacus. You may have seen the movie that came out a number of years ago. Crucifixion was not an unusual means of exec
ution, which makes it remarkable that the cross became a symbol for the Christian faith. The use of the cross as a symbol of Christianity dates back to the second century. The Icythys (or fish symbol) and the Chi-Rho were more common, but in time the use of the cross grew.
The Gospels differ on what the Cross means. For the Synoptic Gospels, the cross was an implement of shame and humiliation. For St. Mark, the cross was also a symbol of liberation. For St. Matthew it was the emblem of death of Jesus as King of the Jews. And for St. Luke, the cross identifies Jesus with the poor and the downtro
dden. But for St. John’s Gospel, the Cross was a throne. For John, Jesus is elevated to the cross as a symbol of his seat as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The cross was elevated into Holy status after Constantine’s mother, St. Helena, traveled to Palestine in the 330s to identify the Holy sites of Jesus’ life and death. A church and basilica were built on the site of what would be called Constantine’s Shrine, which housed the remains of what was thought to be the true cross.
On the 15th we will celebrate the Feast of "Our Lady of Sorrows.” The placement of this feast reminds us the crosses we must bear in our own lives as well as the recognition that we can’t avoid them, but like Mary, we must accept them and grow from our experiences. Mary felt pain and sorrow in her life despite her status and faith in her son. This reminds us that we too cannot avoid suffering and sorrow. We must be like Mary and stay close to Jesus. In case you were wondering, the seven sorrows of Mary that are found in the Bible are: (1) The prophecy of Simeon, (2) The flight into Egypt, (3) The loss of the Child Jesus at Jerusalem, (4) Meeting Jesus on the road to Calvary, (5) The standing at the foot of the Cross, (6) The descent of Jesus from the Cross (traditionally known as “The Pieta”, and (7) The burial of Jesus.
Finally, we are just a few short weeks away from the parish feast weekend of September 24th and 25th. Hopefully you have bought your pre-sale bracelet for the rides on the 25th, or have made your final donation to one of the booths for the feast (Plants, Baked Goods, Jar-A-Do or the White Elephant). Please remember that the cut off for the White Elephant is Sept. 12th. I would also ask that you please purchase a ticket for the parish dinner on October 3rd as we honor our Fr. Francis Ignacuinos recipients. More details can be found on the insert in this weekend’s bulletin
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Mission Statement
Our Mission
We, the Community of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, commit ourselves to the unifying work of the Holy Spirit as it unfolds in the Living Tradition of the Church. We further commit ourselves to witness to that work in our everyday lives by serving God and each other, being missionaries of our Faith, reaching out to those in need, and being the welcoming arms of Christ to all.
Our calling is to worship God, to be disciples of Christ, and to serve with others.
PRAYER OF SAINT FRANCIS
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;
and 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
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From Fr. Yunior
Two and a half years ago I was assigned to St. Francis Church by the Archbishop. Although my assignment was starting in January, I remember Fr. Gene had asked me to come to the Appreciation Dinner and meet some of the parishioners of the parish. It fell on a Saturday, which was three days before the first day of my assignment. I decided to go to the annual dinner in the St. Francis School gym. I had my suit on and in my best disposition to meet the people, but as soon as I arrived I saw that the parish staff was serving the food, and sure enough Fr. Gene asked me to join them and help serve the food. I thought: Oh boy, you haven’t started your assignment yet… and here you are… working three days before the assignment starts.” Honestly, I had so much fun helping the staff and meeting so many wonderful people. I will never forget the feeling of being welcomed by everyone.
The Idea of coming to a new place was a little scary for me. I have to say that in the beginning I was really scared but soon enough all my fears disappeared. Ever since the very first day I came to St. Francis I felt very welcomed. The people at each Mass and all the groups and organization welcomed me in a way that I could not have expected. Soon after I started I began to work with everyone and visit the people of the parish. I had the opportunity to visit each one of the groups and also be involved in special occasions and functions in Saint Francis School. Working with the Altar Servers that came from St. Francis, Roosevelt, Lincoln, Grant and the Ridgefield Park High School has given me the opportunity to see the future of St. Francis Church. I am honored to have been involved in shaping and forming these wonderful children.
Another experience in the parish that has given me a lot of satisfaction has been establishing the Spanish community. I remember at the first interview with Fr. Gene, he told me that one of the concerns he discussed with the dioceses when requesting another priest was that the priest should speak Spanish. He wanted to reach out to the Spanish population of Ridgefield Park. I was chosen and welcomed by the many Hispanics like me. They had expressed to me their desire of having a Spanish Mass. In March2008, we established the Hispanic Apostolate of St. Francis, soon after the Charismatic Prayer Group was formed. We have made many friends and memories within the Hispanic community. It is something that will keep going for many years.
You might be wondering why I am writing about myself in the column this week. The reason is that last week I received a letter from the Clergy Personnel, in which Archbishop John Joseph Myers informed me of my new assignment. He is going to assign me as the parochial vicar of the Sacred Heart Cathedral of Newark. This reassignment came as a surprise to me. He suggested I would do well to work along side of Auxiliary Bishop Manuel A. Cruz, who recently was assigned the New Pastor of the Sacred Heart Cathedral. There are some other reasons behind this reassignment; the first is an increase in the Spanish population at the Cathedral, and also there are some Nuns (Monjas Del Sagrado Corazon) who are also from my country (D. R.). I have known them for many years now, and they have been at the Cathedral for more than 15 year. One of them (Sr. Ana Josepha) has been working with the Hispanic Apostolate of the Sacred Heart cathedral, and we will work together with her and the rest of the congriation.Therefore this change has nothing to do with any particular situation or any person here in the parish of St. Francis. I was asked to make a change in my status and I could not say no.
When I was asked to consider the possibility of a change, I expressed my sentiments and feelings regarding St. Francis Church. I feel that after two and a half years I am just starting to really know the people. I feel very comfortable here, and I also feel that I am just stepping on the grounds of St. Francis and that I have a long way to go, and so much more to learn. I expressed my feelings, but I knew that I had to do whatever the Archbishop asked me to do. He knows what the best is for the Archdiocese. My assignment at the Cathedral is effective on June 16, 2010; in other words next month.
The last thing I want to say is that it seems like it has been a long time since I came to St. Francis to live among you but I really feel like it was yesterday. I will miss all of you very much. I do want you to know that the distance which is going to separate us is just 20 minutes! I am going to be at the Cathedral of Newark; a place that is an attraction because of its beauty. Every Christian should know and see their mother Church. I will be there and waiting for you to come see me, so I can give you a tour Of the Cathedral. God Bless you my friends, See you soon!
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The time to go has come, this is goodbye my friend
it was nice to know you, my time here has come to an end.
Please don’t forget me as I won’t ever you,
but time to change is something I have to do.
I have new places to go new people to meet,
some maybe far others up the street.
I’m going to a new church now from which I once came
I pray it will be the same. One day we shall
meet again but now its time to say goodbye my friend!
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Mass Schedule
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| Saturday Eve |
5:30 PM |
| Sunday Morning |
7:30 AM |
Weekday Masses |
9:30 AM |
11:30 AM
7:30 AM |
Sacrament Of Penance |
| Monday's |
6:30 PM-7:00 PM |
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or by appointment
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| Office Hours |
| Rectory |
Mon-Fri |
9 AM-8 PM |
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Sat
Sun
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10 AM-6 PM
9 AM-Noon |
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Rectory Summer Hours
Monday-Thursday
9AM-7PM
Friday -
9AM-5PM
Saturday
10AM-6PM
Sunday
9AM-12:00
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School |
Mon-Fri |
8:15AM-2:30 |
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1st Fri |
8:15AM- 12:10
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| Parish Phone Numbers |
| Rectory |
201-641-6464
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| School |
201-641-9159
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Fax 201-641-2282
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| Religious Ed. Office |
201-641-3023
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| Social Services Helpline |
1-800-CCS-7413
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Parish History
St. Francis of Assisi Parish was founded over 100 years ago, as the 19th Century was coming to a close. A small group of Catholic families living in Ridgefield Park wanted to celebrate their faith and pass it on to their children here, rather than having to travel to parishes and neighboring communities. Over the subsequent years, they created a parochial life that was centered on the Eucharist and the other sacraments of the church. They had retreats, holy hours, and novenas. They formed their common beliefs. They built three churches and two schools and, along the way, created a vibrant and giving community.
More recently, reflecting Vatican II's vision of the Church as a community of God's people, St. Francis Parish has recruited and formed various lay leaders and ministers. They have developed liturgical, educational, and social ministries. They have created a Pastoral Council and a Finance Committee to assist in leading the parish. We have encouraged everyone and attracted many to take personal responsibility for the life of our parish.
Today as we begin the 21st Century and the 3rd Millennium, the same Spirit that motivated the Catholics of those generations is moving Christians everywhere to face new challenges. The bishops of the Council said that this new time will demand from Catholics a renewals of their faith, hope, and love. Pope John Paul II has characterized this renewal as "a transition from a faith based on habit...to a faith based on personal choice, a choice that is enlightened, convinced, and expressed in living witness".
We here at St. Francis of Assisi Parish are facing the same challenge. As expressed in our Parish Mission Statement, it is to respond to the "unifying work of the Holy Spirit as it unfolds in the Living Tradition of the Church". From the parish's returns of the Needs Assessment Questionnaire, the Pastoral Council and the Parish Staff have identified the central need of our community as the deepening of our appreciation of the Living Tradition.
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