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Day of Reflection
Many thanks to all the parishioners who worked so hard to make the Day of Reflection such a successful event. Your efforts are truly appreciated.
Mickey Roberts
Notice:
If you are going to be out of town for an extended period of time (over 30 days) or moving from our Parish, please notify the Church office so we can make the necessary arrangements with our stewardship envelope company, Our Sunday Visitor.
The Diocese of Little Rock Theology Institute will begin a new class in September. The objectives of the program are threefold: To enrich one’s faith journey; to foster an understanding and appreciation of one’s faith; and to provide a theological foundation for individuals interested in parish ministry.
The program meets on the first weekend of every month, September to June at St. John Pastoral Center in Little Rock, Friday evening 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. College credit from St. Gregory University is an option. Call the Religious Education Office in Little Rock 501-664-0340 ext. 323 for more information.
►St. Francis has an ongoing ministry offering assistance to our parishioners who have needs such as transportation to appointments, housework, or shopping for groceries. Our contact people are ready to hear your need and to try to meet it through our caring volunteers.
Contact Theresa Littell or Claudia Sands through the office 884-3349 .
►We have a need for additional drivers to assist parishioners with doctors appointments. If you can help with this, please leave your name and number in the office and someone from the St. Francis Outreach Committee will call you.
►St. Francis has expanded its Columbarium. There are a number of units available for purchase. Full payment or installment payments may be made. If you are interested, Columbarium pamphlets and agreements are available in Church office.
The 2010 Diocese of Little Rock directory is available. If you need a Mass time for another parish or want to call or e-mail a parish, priest, deacon or religious in the diocese, the directory is an invaluable resource. New this year: Photos of all priests in the diocese. It costs only $12. Send your check or money order to:
Directory, Arkansas Catholic
P.O. Box 7417
Little Rock, AR 72217
There are many immediate openings for weekday Mass intentions at St. Francis, as well. Also openings throughout the coming year. Please fill out a Mass intention envelope on the table in back of the Church or call Linn in the Church office (884-3349) to schedule a Mass intention for a loved one.
Prayer Intentions: Submit your prayer intentions to the diocese’s “Prayer Book of Intentions Online” at www.dolr.org/prayers/index.php. Prayer intentions are offered up once a week at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor.
Thank you for your generous donations to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.
Your gifts will support scholarships for Catholic students, innovative Catholic communications, and essential pastoral work in Europe and parts of Asia that were once under Soviet control.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 7, 2010
LITURGY MEETING...........................................................................................Tuesday @ 2:00 p.m.
CARE CAPS..................................................................................Thursday @ 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
PARISH COUNCIL............................................................................................Thursday @ 2:00 p.m.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS..................................................................................Friday @ 4:00 p.m.
FISH FRY.................................................................................................................Friday @ 5:00 p.m.
Have you changed your e-mail address? If you have, please notify Linn at the Church office (884-3349).
ARKANSAS CATHOLIC SUBSCRIPTION DRIVE
It is time to renew or sign up for Arkansas Catholic. With your subscription each week, you will get the news and information you need to live out your faith in the Diocese of Little Rock. Order yours today. The print edition is delivered to your mailbox every week. Subscriptions are only $22 a year ($20 for seniors). Subscription postcards are available at back of Church or call (501) 664-0125 today.
►We are always looking for new lectors, ushers and sacristan/altar servers at St. Francis. A training session or sessions will be provided for you. Call Fr. Oliver 884-3349 or Deacon Frank 723-8354 , if you are interested.
40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil
It is so important to continue to pray each day for God's mercy for all those suffering from the effects of abortion. Remember to pick up your packet of daily prayer, scripture, and reflection for this week after Mass or go to the website at www.40daysforlife.com.
Look for these packets each weekend until the prayer vigil concludes on March 28. If you are so moved, please contact Sherry Guess @ 884-6844 for upcoming efforts and events in our efforts to Respect Life.
Do you enjoy singing and want to help with the music ministry of the Church? Please contact Louise Shaw (825-6372) or Glenn Reynolds (884-7374).
Holy Land Pilgrimage
In celebration of Arkansas Catholic’s 100th anniversary, you are invited to join Bishop Anthony B. Taylor on a 10-day Lenten pilgrimage to the Holy Land March 17-26, 2011. This life-changing experience walking in Jesus’ footsteps includes daily Mass and rosary, biblical readings at the holy places, time for prayer and spiritual guidance, Mass at a local Catholic parish, and other cultural experiences.
The cost is $2,795 (all expenses included, with three daily meals, $100 discount if paying with check or money order). Registration and a $500 deposit are due before September 1, 2010. Full payment is due by January 1, 2011. Get a detailed itinerary at www.terrasanctapilgrimages.org. For more information, contact Terra Sancta Pilgrimages toll-free at (877) 423-3601.
Moses & the Burning Bush
Today, we hear the call of Moses to lead his people from oppression to freedom. God promises to be with them as they journey to a new life. Our participation in Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl unites us to prayer, fasting, and giving with the millions of people throughout the world.
CASA
Those of us who have been contributing to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal in the past are accustomed to receiving our solicitation in the mail. That will not be the case this year in order to save postage. The only solicitation will be the one in the parish. The envelopes are in the pews. Thanks for your support.
LADIES: Join others at St. Francis of Assisi Parish Hall on Friday, March 19 at 1:00 p.m. for the SPRING FASHION GALA XVII. XI Gamma Kappa of Beta Sigma Phi is hosting the style show at St. Francis. Refreshments will be served. Tickets are $5.00 and can be purchased from Therese Preusser, 884-3049 .
Contact your friends and join the many others for an afternoon of fun.
Widowed? Divorced? Separated? Beginning Experience helps those who have lost a loved one through separation, divorce or death. This weekend program helps deal with the natural grief process and offers an opportunity, through God, for dealing with the pain of loss and moving into the future with renewed hope.
The next weekend will be held February 26-28, 2010 at St. Scholastica in Fort Smith. Contact Information: In Arkansas 479-531-1883 or in Oklahoma 918-200-2981 or email tulsabe@lycos.com. For brochure: www.dolr.org.
PRAYER CHAIN
Anyone wishing to volunteer as a “Prayer Warrior” or anyone wishing to request prayers for someone who is sick may contact Terry Tice at 884-4313 or Sue Ross at 884-6460.
►If you wish to reach Fr. Oliver and you cannot contact him at the rectory (884-3349), you can reach him on his cell phone (501-240-7835). You may also contact him at his email address:
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday through Thursday
9:30 A.M. until 2:30 P.M.
Please remember in your prayers those who are ill, especially the following:
Alex Preusser, Rosemary Mahoney, Julie Frentrup, Linda McCurdy, Carol Bozant, Mike Roberts, Marie Niec, Christopher Cronin, Art Van Steelandt, Peter Deller, and Terrence Cronin
If you are ill or hospitalized and would like to be put on the prayer list and/or have Communion brought to you, please call the Parish office (884-3349). We don’t want you to be forgotten.
If you have not returned your Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal pledge card, please do so as soon as possible. You can drop it in the collection basket or return in the prepaid envelope. Thanks so much for your generous support.
Arkansas Catholic Directory Photo Contest
Arkansas Catholic is holding a contest to choose a photo for the cover of the 2011 diocesan directory. Any professional or amateur photographer in Arkansas can enter their photo of an interior or exterior architectural element at a Catholic church or institution. The first prize winner will also get a free copy of the directory and a subscription to Arkansas Catholic. March 19 is the deadline to enter the contest. For complete rules and an entry form, visit the Arkansas Catholic Web site at www.arkansas-catholic.org .
SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND:
—Building & Grounds—
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FISH FRY
Friday, March 12
$8.00 per person
Menu: Fried & Baked Fish with all the fixings - serving from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. - sign-up sheet on bulletin board in vestibule of the Church.
PARISHIONERS: Please sign up early for the annual HOLY THURSDAY dinner to be held on Thursday, April 1 at 4:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
It will be a "catered meal" by Rosie and hosted by Parish Life. The suggested donation is $8.00 per person but give what you can and be sure and join us. Dinner will be served at 4:00 p.m. Mass will be at 5:00 p.m. and adoration in the Hall will follow.
Remember, in order for this to go smoothly, we will have to serve at 4:00 p.m. We hope for 100% attendance, so please mark your calendar and join us. Thank you.
It will be a "catered meal" by Rosie and hosted by Parish Life. The suggested donation is $8.00 per person but give what you can and be sure and join us. Dinner will be served at 4:00 p.m. Mass will be at 5:00 p.m. and adoration in the Hall will follow.
Remember, in order for this to go smoothly, we will have to serve at 4:00 p.m. We hope for 100% attendance, so please mark your calendar and join us. Thank you.
CARE CAP SEW-IN . Escape from March Madness with a day spent helping ladies who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other illness. Thursday, March 11 is the day - 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. - St. Francis Parish Hall is the place. Come for as much of the day as you are able. People are needed to cut, pin, iron, package or sew. For more information, please contact Mickey Roberts at 745-7157 or Claudia Sands at 884-5446 .
Next week, our parish will take up the CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES COLLECTION. This Collection helps to fund six Catholic organizations that improve the quality of life and protect human dignity. Your gift will support agricultural development to strengthen economies and create food sustainability, provide outreach services to survivors of human trafficking, and supply pastoral care and advocacy for immigrants and refugees. By helping the marginalized and impoverished, you give hope to Jesus in disguise.
Please be charitable in next week’s Catholic Relief Services Collection.
Parish Council will meet this
Thursday, March 11 at 2:00 p.m.
in the Parish office meeting area.