FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Greetings from Fr. Bob ...
Once again on October 4th the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. As Franciscans, it is a special day at Graymoor. The night before the Friars and Sisters come together for the Transitis, a ceremony commemorating the death of St. Francis. It specifies the living memory of Francis and it intensifies our commitment to follow Christ in the way of the poor man of Assisi.
Of all the saints of our Church, St. Francis is quite unique because it cannot be said that he is the sole property of Catholics. He seems to appeal to all Christians. I am told that the Dali Lama was eager to visit the place where Francis died.
This summer a number of people told me that they had been on a bus tour of Italy and that they had spent a day in Assisi. I knew what they were going to say next. All of them said, "A day was not enough. We must go back for a longer visit." A day is never enough in Assisi. There is so much to see and so much to experience.
From the moment you enter the great Basilica, you sense an atmosphere of recollection. You can walk slowly past the great works of the painter Giotto, depicting the life of St. Francis, then descend to the crypt and visit his tomb.
Perhaps, my favorite place in Assisi is the Chapel of San Damiano. This is the place where St. Francis heard the crucifix speak to him – "Francis, repair my house for you see it is falling into ruin." With that began one of the greatest movements in the history of our Church.
Then you can visit the Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels known as the Portiuncula. This chapel was rebuilt by Francis' own hands. It became the dearest place in the world to him. He said it should be the head and mother of the whole order.
Traveling in the footsteps of St. Francis, in Assisi and in the world, we can follow Jesus with joy, simplicity and love.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Bob Warren, SA
The Annual event, celebrating St. Francis of Assisi whose life and example embodied the psalmist's prayer, "Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures" will be held Sunday, October 6th. The day's events include:
11:00 AM - Sunday Eucharist - Pilgrim Hall
2:00 PM - Procession and Blessing of the Animals
Come and explore the rich tapestry of the Hudson River Valley and Graymoor’s autumn landscapes through the lens of your camera.
Using nature as a backdrop, this introductory photo workshop is geared for individuals who wish to expand their photographic skills and artistic horizons.
All photographers are welcome, including point-and-shoot camera owners. Space is limited - register today!
International Day of Peace was September 21. This day was established by the United Nations in 1981 and it brings education and awareness to help end global conflicts.
In attendance was Father John Keane, SA, Franciscan Friar of the Atonement. Prayers were offered for the leaders of the UN's nations so they may be strengthened in their resolve to work for peace and justice.
Christ the Redeemer in Sterling, VA, is a parish run by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement since 1972. Fr. Patrick Cogan, SA, Pastor since 2012, reports, "We continue to pray for all the victims of the Naval Yard shooting in Washington, DC, for their families, and for all the employees and first responders whose peace was shattered by this terrible act. Several members of Christ the Redeemer Parish including the bookkeeper, work at the Naval Yard and were very near to the shootings. Please keep these people, and all victims of violence, in your prayers as well, that they may heal."
Father Cogan also reports that nearly 2000 people attended a "Missa de Sanacion" (Healing Mass) at Christ the Redeemer, Sterling celebrated by Rev. Jose Hoyos, Director of the Spanish Apostolate for the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia on August 23, 2013.
St. Christopher's Inn, a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, offers temporary shelter to men suffering from chemical dependency on the grounds of Graymoor in Garrison, NY. This mission, headed by Father Bill Drobach, SA, helps from 700 to 1200 men annually.
In September, Father Bill blessed more than 140 motorcyclists honored the memory of one such man, Jeff Coursen, who died in a motorcycle accident four years ago on his way to an AA meeting. Mr. Coursen, a recovering alcoholic, had previously participated in a Graymoor Spiritual Life Center recovery retreat. His wife Beth said, "After his retreat, he became a whole different person—a spiritual person committed to helping others."
SHARE IN OUR MINISTRY OF PRAYER
This Month's Special Novenas >>
Novenas to St. Anthony, the "Saint of Miracles" and St. Jude, the "patron saint of hopeless causes"
Our faith teaches us that we can benefit from our communion with the Saints who have gone before us and reside now with God in His Heavenly Kingdom.
Many Catholics seek the intercession of the Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, known as the patron of hopeless causes, in desperate times because he so faithfully believed in the mercy and love of God. Others turn to St. Anthony in times of crisis and sorrow, asking for and receiving the comfort of his intercession since his death more than 700 years ago.
We hope you will join with us as we honor both of these beloved saints in October. A Special Novena of Masses honoring St. Anthony of Padua, our fellow Franciscan, begins on October 19 and continues on with our second Special Novena celebrating the Feast of St. Jude beginning on October 28.
Looking Ahead - All Souls Month >>
November is All Souls Month. The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement will celebrate three consecutive All Souls Novenas of Masses beginning November 2nd, then include three additional solemn All Souls Masses for a full month of remembrances.
Join us as we remember and pray for dearly departed loved ones.
The Graymoor Spiritual Union >>
When someone dies, the sadness and grief can be unbearable. Those closest to the deceased often feel like they're not sure how they will go on, or what they will do next. At these times, the special remembrances of prayers and condolences from friends and loved ones are truly heaven-sent gifts.
When you are need of a special expression of your caring for a friend or loved one, send a Perpetual Remembrance Enrollment card enrolling a dearly departed in the Graymoor Spiritual Union of Masses and prayers. Your gift will be comfort and also support the good works of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. A large selection of additional cards are available at www.AtonementFriars.org/MassCards.
Deluxe White Mass Enrollment "in Loving Memory with Jesus"
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2013 Special
Events Calendar
Sharing Hope Celebration Dinner
Friday, October 11
The Pierre, NYC
Benefactor Appreciation Day, Hartford, CT
Tuesday, September 24
Benefactor Appreciation Day at Graymoor
Friday, November 1
Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
Headquartered at Graymoor in Garrison, NY, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement is a Roman Catholic religious community with social, pastoral and ecumenical ministries in the United States, Canada, England, Italy, and Japan.
OUR MINISTRIES:
Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
In the Franciscan tradition of hospitality, Graymoor Spiritual Life Center welcomes individuals and groups of all faiths for spiritual retreats, meetings, conferences and pilgrimages.
Located on a mountaintop overlooking the Hudson River Valley, facilities include overnight accommodations, large dining room, a library, three chapels, as well as meeting/seminar facilities.
Centro Pro Unione
Christian Unity and
Ecumenical Research
The Centro Pro Unione, founded and directed by the Society of the Atonement, is an ecumenical research and action center. Its purpose is to give space for dialogue, to be a place for study, research and information in ecumenism: theological, pastoral, social and spiritual.
Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute
Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute promotes Christian unity and interreligious dialogue in North America through its monthly (except August) journal, Ecumenical Trends, Lecture Series, and Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources.
St. Christopher's Inn
Residential Shelter & Substance Abuse Treatment Center
St. Christopher's Inn is a temporary shelter dedicated to the rehabilitation of men in crisis. Today the Inn shelters over 1,200 men per year, most of whom suffer from alcohol and/or drug addiction.
Our mission is to offer a continuum of quality health care services that facilitate physical, emotional, and spiritual healing by providing chemical dependency treatment, primary health care, and temporary housing.
Parish Ministries /
Atonement Centers
The Friars of the Atonement serve in parish ministries throughout the world. To visit parish websites, click on the link below:
St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, Apex, NC
Christ the Redeemer Roman Catholic Church, Sterling, VA
Chapel of Our Savior, Brockton, Massachusetts
St. Odilia Catholic Church, Los Angeles CA
St. Joan of Arc Parish, Toronto Ontario, Canada
St. Joseph the Worker, Richmond British Columbia, Canada
St. Joseph’s Church, Tsurumi-ku Yokohama, Japan
Atonement Friars eNews is the monthly e-newsletter of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
P.O. Box 300, Garrison, New York, 10524, Tel. (845) 424-3671, Fax 845-424-2168
Contact the Friars at: Info@AtonementFriars.org