Nazareth Catholic Community
October 7, 2015 ~ 27th Week of Ordianry Time
CHAPLAIN'S CHATTER: THOUGHTS, REFLECTIONS AND MUSINGS FROM THE CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN
Greetings Everyone,
This past Sunday, October 4th, the Church celebrated the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi - my favorite saint! Francis, born in 1182, was the son of a very wealthy textile merchant in the medieval town of Assisi, Italy. In his late teens, Francis was known in Assisi for his excessive lifestyle of expensive clothing and partying. He dreamed of knighthood and longed for power and influence. In pursuit of that dream, he joined in the war between the Italian cities of Assisi and Perugia at the age of 20.
Francis was wounded in battle and taken prisoner; he spent a year imprisoned in a dungeon where he contracted malaria. He was freed after his father paid a ransom and he returned to Assisi. However, Francis had changed; his experiences of war and prison caused him to reevaluate his life and his priorities. Francis felt an inner emptiness and his heart longed for something more.
One day not too long after returning to Assisi, Francis had an awaking experience in prayer when he felt God calling him to do more with his life – God called Francis to “Go and rebuild my church.” Francis turned away his materialistic lifestyle and embraced a life of simplicity and service – where he found great joy!
Francis found the fulfillment his heart desired by living life not as others and culture thought he should, but rather by living simply focusing on what really mattered in life. Francis serves as a wonderful inspiration for all of us. Francis, while only in his early 20’s, started a movement that changed the world. He was able to do this because he lived simply and let God’s voice – found deep within his and all of our hearts – guide him along his life.
Francis heard God’s call and responded wholeheartedly. As we celebrate St. Francis of Assisi this week, ask yourself: How is God calling me? What am I being called to free myself from? Where do I find joy and fulfillment? How are you being invited to respond with your life?
Peace,
~ Jamie
Advent Service Retreat to St. Francis Inn 2015!
Friday, December 18 (or 12/17 depending on finals) to Tuesday, December 22, 2015
(takes place during the first week of your winter break)
ST. FRANCIS INN is Located in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Space is limited to 8 participants for this retreat!
Cost $60.00 (partial scholarships available)
St. Francis Inn is a Catholic Franciscan community located in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia where they minister among the poor and homeless by means of a soup kitchen, a thrift shop and a woman's day center. They empower persons to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, and to address structural injustice by building relationships, respecting their human dignity, helping them restore hope in their lives, and by living simply among them.
Priority is given to those who have not visited the Inn before. If you are interested or would like an application please RSVP below!
Check out this YouTube clip to see some of the faces of the Inn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szo5gH5X_eQ
Friday, Dec 18, 2015, 06:00 PM
St Francis Inn, Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Celebrating Thomas Merton at 100
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“The Zen Photography of Thomas Merton” Lecture by Paul M. Pearson,
7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2015. Forum, Otto Shults Community Center
"A Hidden Wholeness: The Zen Photography of Thomas Merton”
Exhibit from September 26 – November 4 during regular library hours. Presentation by Paul M. Pearson, Director and Archivist, Thomas Merton Center at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, September 26. 2015. http://www.naz.edu/library
William H. Shannon Chair in Catholic Studies Presents: Tina Beattie
October 22, 7 p.m.
Linehan Chapel, Golisano Academic Center
Bringing Women’s Gifts to the Table
October 23, 1:30 p.m.
Linehan Chapel, Golisano Academic Center
Tina Beattie is Professor of Catholic Studies and Director of the Digby Stuart Research Centre for Religion, Society, and Human Flourishing at the University of Roehampton in London. Her research interests are wide-ranging, but the theological significance of gender is central to all of these. She has written on a host of topics including Marian theology and devotion; theology, art, and mysticism; theology and gender theory; embodiment and sacramentality. Her current research focuses on issues of development, religion, and maternal well-being, as well as her continuing interest in the power of visual images to communicate theological ideas. A frequent contributor to BBC Radio 4 as well as to a number of other television and radio networks, she writes for the weekly Catholic journal, The Tablet, and The Guardian online. She works widely with parish groups, chaplaincies, and religious and lay communities, and she has been involved in interfaith dialogue for many years.
Among her recent publications are "The Theological Study of Gender" in The Oxford Handbook of the Study of Theology, Sexuality and Gender (2014); Theology after Postmodernity: Divining the Void—A Lacanian Reading of Thomas Aquinas (2013); and The New Atheists: The Twilight of Reason and the War on Religion (2007).
Do you know the story behind our processional cross we use at Mass?
Our processional cross is a replica of the San Damiano crucifix, which is known to be the icon that inspired St. Francis of Assisi to begin his life of service to the poor.
The original San Damiano crucifix hung in the little church of San Damiano , which was outside the walls of Assisi, Italy. When Francis stopped by the church to pray, he found the church to be “collapsing from old age…No one went down the worn staircase into the church: But Francis did, and with that act, the Franciscan Order was born.”
As Francis knelt in prayer before the painted Byzantine Cross, “Suddenly it seemed to him that Jesus’ gaze was fixed upon him…They were speaking and expressing a burning passion…Francis distinctly heard his name being called…‘Francis, go repair my house, which, as you see, is falling into ruin.’”
Francis stood up, frightened but moved. Believing that the message of the San Damiano Cross was to be taken literally, Francis began to repair the church by begging in Assisi for stones. Other young men came out to help with the renovation of the little church with the painted Cross. In time, Francis and his followers came to believe the message of the painted image on the wooden San Damiano Cross meant that Francis should rebuild the gospel church in the world through charity and service.
Are You Free on Wednesdays at 12:30? Come to Mass!
Divine Doughnuts
Coffee. Sprinkles.Prayer
Joint weekly gathering of the Nazareth Catholic and Protestant Communities
Nazareth College Catholic Community
Wednesday Mass: 12:30PM
Gluten free hosts available upon request.
For the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please e-mail one of our priests to schedule an appointment.
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div., Catholic Chaplain, Office: GAC 162
The Nazareth College Catholic Community is part of the Nazareth Center for Spirituality. All are always welcome!
Email: jfazio1@naz.edu
Website: http://www.naz.edu/center-for-spirituality/catholic-community
Location: Linehan Chapel, East Avenue, Rochester, NY, United States
Phone: 585 389 2308
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/35057526410/
Twitter: @NazCatholic
Nazareth College Catholic Community Pastoral Team:
Andrea Peters
apeters1@mail.naz.edu
Sr. Donna DelSanto, SSJ
ddelsanto@ssjrochester.org
Kayla Page
kpage0@mail.naz.edu
Fr. Robert Resier, SJ
rreiser@mcquaid.org
Fr. Matthew Temple, O.Carm.
Fr. Ed Salmon, SJ
esalmon@mcquaid.org
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div.
Fr. Richard Briclker
Pope Franics
Follow on Twitter: @Pontifex