ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI-ST. BLAISE PARISH

MISSION STATEMENT

As members of the Body of Christ in St. Francis of Assisi-St. Blaise Parish in Prospect Lefferts Gardens,

we seek to be one in our worship of the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Centered in our life of liturgical, communal, and personal prayer we work together to enable our multi-cultural,

multi-lingual faith community to live the Gospel more fully. We are committed to reaching out to the wider community as

instruments of peace and mercy.

MASS SCHEDULE

Weekdays: English

7:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday in Church

8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday in Chapel 335 Maple Street

Weekends

Saturday: Vigil 5:00 p.m. English Sunday: 9:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. English Sunday: 11:00 a.m. Español/Spanish Sunday: 5:00 p.m. Haitian Kreyol

SACRAMENTS RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

BAPTISM: Call the rectory for registration and the schedule of baptisms.

MARRIAGE: Couples are to make ar rangements at least six months prior to the wedding date. Call the rectory for an appointment.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Anyone ser iously ill may ask for this Sacrament of Healing. You may also request Holy Communion Calls for sick and home-bound parishioners. Call the rectory.

DEVOTIONS:

Daily Morning Prayer at 8:15 a.m. Holy Hour Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. First Fridays: Adoration after 8:30 a.m. Mass

Rev. Msgr. Paul W. Jervis, Pastor

In Residence: Rev. Fr. Jean-Pierre Ruiz

PARISH OFFICE & MAILING ADDRESS

319 Maple Street Brooklyn, NY 11225

PHONE: 718.756.2015 FAX: 718.756.1773 E-MAIL: sfa-stb@optonline.net

WEBSITE: www.sfa-stb.org

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PARISH SECRETARY: Ms. Fatmata B. Bangura

BOOKKEEPER: Ms. Joycelyn Adr ien

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE

335 Maple Street PHONE: 718.778.1302

DIRECTOR: Ms. Myrmonde Dor ismond

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC ACADEMY

400 Lincoln Road Brooklyn, NY 11225 PHONE: 718.778.3700 FAX: 718.778.7877

WEBSITE: www.sfabrooklyn.org PRINCIPAL: Ms. Danielle González

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Sister Barbara Yander

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRPERSON:

Ms. Lorraine Pierre

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI-ST. BLAISE PARISH www.sfa-stb.org

5º Domingo de Pascua

El domingo pasado el Evangelio nos hablaba sobre el Buen Pastor, ahora veremos con

atención sobre la vid y los sarmientos. La buena

noticia de este pasaje es el dar fruto, no nuestro fruto, que quede claro, pero, si el fruto del trabajo de Dios en los sarmientos. "Yo soy la vid y ustedes los sarmientos. El que permanece en mí y yo en el, ese da mucho fruto, pero sin mí no pueden hacer nada". (Juan 15:5). El Padre

nos forma por medio de las palabras de Jesús. Nuestro trabajo es continuar, de esta manera, podemos escuchar y responder a sus palabras y dar fruto abundante. ¿Qué significa todo esto para la persona que desea ser injertado en la vid que es Cristo? ¿Qué

significa ser sarmiento para la vida del cristiano?

Sencillamente, dejarse influenciar por la Palabra de Dios, lo demás viene por añadidura. Enseguida se notara el fruto

entregándose por los demás. Además, el pertenecer a Cristo no es sentido único es reciproco. "El que guarda sus mandamientos

permanece en Dios y Dios en él. Pues Dios permanece en nosotros, y lo sabemos por el Espíritu que nos ha dado.

(1 Juan 3:24). Es como dice el dicho. "Amor con amor se paga". Sin olvidar un elemento importante, Jesús, es el que congrega,

invita y anima a su seguimiento. Este Evangelio también invita a la poda de lo que no nos deja crecer en la vid. Los jardineros lo saben muy bien. Es mucho el trabajo, y requiere de entrega y

amor. Ahora, reflexionemos, en lo siguiente. ¿En qué me forma la Palabra de Dios? ¿Qué necesito de podar en mí, para dar más

fruto?

REGISTRATION FOR 2018-2019 IS NOW OPEN AT

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC

ACADEMY

Don’t miss out on scholarship opportunities!

Apply by TOMORROW (April 30, 2018)

Www.futuresineducation.org

To learn about benefits of a Catholic education,

Please contact

Principal Danielle M. Gonzalez at 718-778-3700

WE’RE SAVING A SEAT FOR YOU...

5ème dimanche de Pâques

En ce 5ème dimanche de Pâques, la liturgie nous parle

de l’Église et de sa naissance. Saul, le

persécuteur, est devenu Paul, le grand témoin de la foi (1ère

lecture). Il lui faudra beaucoup de temps pour se

faire accepter car sa présence rappelait trop de

mauvais souvenirs. Ne se sentant pas à l’aise dans les milieux conservateurs de Jérusalem, il a choisi de partir vers les grands larges. Grâce à son témoignage et surtout grâce à l’action de l’Esprit Saint, la bonne nouvelle a pu être annoncée au monde païen. Rien n’arrête les progrès de l’Eglise. Voilà un message

d’espérance pour nous chrétiens d’aujourd’hui. L’Esprit Saint ne cesse d’agir pour que notre témoignage donne du fruit.

Le problème c’est notre péché et celui du monde. Trop souvent, nous croyons qu’au point où nous en sommes, rien n’est

possible. Mais, nous dit saint Jean (2ème lecture) « si notre cœur nous accuse, Dieu est plus grand que notre cœur ». Si nous fixons notre regard sur Dieu, nous avons la certitude d’être

aimés, même si nous sommes de grands pécheurs. Forts de cette certitude joyeuse, nous pourrons à notre tour regarder les autres avec amour. Nous ne nous contenterons pas de paroles creuses mais nous aimerons les autres en esprit et en vérité ; ou

plutôt, c’est le Christ qui les aimera en nous et par nous. L’Évangile de saint Jean insiste sur la nécessité d’être reliés au

Christ comme le sarment est relié à la vigne. Jésus se présente à nous comme « la vraie vigne ». Il insiste sur le lien vital qui doit exister entre lui et son disciple. Nous savons qu’un sarment ne peut vivre s’il est coupé du cep de vigne. De même, un disciple qui ne demeure pas en Jésus ne peut rien faire. Il n’a aucune

utilité. Mais s’il est bien relié à son Seigneur, il donnera beaucoup de fruits.

Alors se pose l’inévitable question : Demeurer en Jésus, oui mais comment ? Comment pouvons-nous être sûrs de le rencontrer ? Cela ne se passe pas comme avec notre voisin de quartier ou de

village. On ne rencontre pas Jésus en direct mais par des intermédiaires.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society Trip to:

SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRES

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 TO SEE JESUS

COST: Adults $160.00; CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER $80.00

(includes motor coach bus, breakfast on bus, stop at Tanger Outlets, lunch at Millers Restuarant and Show)

Deadline to purchase tickets is August 26, 2018

(Installment payments may be made through August 26)

Contacts: Marina Farquhar: 718-774-7016, Donny Grayman: 718-493-0839, Kathleen Hypolite: 347-409-2438,

Margaret Valentine: 347-276-4990, Marie Aurelus: 917-916-6738

Bus leaves from Nostrand Ave. & Lincoln Rd. at 6:00 am

Sharp!!!

Annual Catholic Appeal 2018

A. We thank all who have participated with a gift to the 2017 Appeal and ask that

everyone prayerfully consider making a gift to the 2018

Appeal.

B. Each year, St. Francis of Assisi– St. Blaise R.C. Church and the Diocese of Brooklyn

engage in the Annual Catholic Appeal which supports Catholic programs throughout Brooklyn and Queens that effect in a

constructive manner the lives of countless individuals and families living in our neighborhoods.

C. The goal for our Parish is $67,276.00

We only reached half our goal last year because many of our parishioners failed to fulfill their pledges to the Appeal.

The parish will have to make up our incomplete goal by sending the monetary difference to the diocese.

D. We count upon your support for the 2018 Catholic Appeal.

E. In the coming weeks, every family will be invited to participate in this appeal and prayerfully consider a pledge. Please join with us to respond to those in Brooklyn and Queens who are in need, and support the important work of our Diocese through a pledge to the

Annual Catholic Appeal today.

Pick up Your Raffle tickets now

Grand Raffle! Our parish festival is scheduled for Sunday, June 10. This year we will once again have our Grand Raffle: Frist Prize - $2,000, Second Prize - $1,000, Third Prize; $500. We ask all parishioners to please support this raffle. Your participation is needed to make it a success. Raffle books are being distributed to parishioners at this weekend’s

Masses. Additional raffle books are available at the church entrance and at the rectory.

Raffle money may be returned to the volunteers at the raffle table at the church entrance, or to the rectory. Raffle money placed in the collection basket at Mass on Sunday should be in a sealed

envelope with your name and address on the outside of the envelope.

Be Prayerful this

Easter. The Risen Lord wants to get

closer to you.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

5th Sunday of Easter

Are you ready for a trim? In today's Gospel, we hear

the familiar teaching of the vine and the

branches. Jesus reminds us that if we remain close

to him-living in humility, following God's law, loving our neighbor-we will notice a positive change in our life and the lives of those around us. "Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit." The Holy Spirit is life-giving. He is fruitful. The Spirit of God

won't refuse grace to a heart that is open. As we progress through life, learning how to live and love, we grow. Our personalities flower. We discover what it is to be a

blessing to others. We also experience lack, loss, and the results of our failures. We know what it is like to "wither" at times,

particularly the times when we willingly separate ourselves from Jesus. "Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in

me." For most of us, this experience of being disconnected and off track generates a desire to return to what is right and good, to

return to the vine. But this Gospel is more than "Are you in or are you out?" Even

when we remain in God, when we follow Jesus, we are not exempt from the challenge, the pruning. "Everyone that [bears

fruit] he prunes." A prudent trim is necessary in the natural world of trees and vines. Dead wood, broken shoots, and diseased

branches need to be cut back in order for the plant to bear fruit. Jesus wants us to be healthy! He says as much himself: "By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples." Take a look at your life today. Where are you bearing

fruit? Where do you need to be pruned?

Anointing of the Sick Mass

Our Parish will be having a Mass for praying and

anointing of our sick and homebound parishioners on Saturday, May 5 at 10 AM.

Because of this Mass, there is no 8:30 am Mass that day. Parishioners are asked to

begin making preparations for their sick family members and

friends to attend the Mass. Please do all that you can to help. Parishioners who

are suffering from long term ailments should

attend the Mass. More information to follow.

APRIL 29, 2018

May 5th & May 6th Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM

Com: E. Greene Lect: P. Smith

EMHC: D. Rouse, M. John, J. Ofodile. 9:00 AM Com: L. Payton. Lect: B. Johannes,

J. Tropnas. EMHC: J. Caines, V. Hodges, M. Valentine, S. Carter, J. Phillip, Y. Dyett, C. Watkis. 11:00 AM Com: S. Adams. Lect: O. Gomez. EMHC: A. Alvarez, N. Burdier, N. Lopez.

12:30 PM Com: P. Clarke. Lect: F. Gomes-Gregory, C. Thomas. EMHC: M. La Fontant, I. Alexis, A. Thomas,

G. Augustine, L. Jean-Baptiste, A. Seales. 5:00 PM Com: O. Jean-Gilles. Lect: J. Bissainthe. EMHC: R. Lavache, F. Sandeus, A. Delice.

This week’s Sanctuary Candle burns in

memory of Sylvanus T. Morris.

Weekly Holy Hour

Every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. our Parish Holy Hour takes place in the Church. During the Holy Hour, time is spent in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with prayer, hymns and silent meditation. Take the time from your busy schedule and come spend that time with the Lord who is ready to receive you

and speak to you!

Raffle tickets for Annual Festival

In preparation for the Festival, the raffle books are now available for parishioners to uplift from Festival Committee members after Mass or from the Rectory. Please sell as

many raffle books to ensure maximum success.

Collection Report Weekend: April 21st & April 22nd

Adults Attendance Contribution 5:00 P.M. 122 $1,924.00 9: 00 A.M. 271 $3,867.00 11:00 A.M. 128 $ 708.00 12:30 P.M. 253 $1,337.00 5:00 P.M. 121 $ 480.00 On-Line Giving $ 500.35 TOTAL 895 $8,816.35 Candles: $87.00 Fuel & Maintenance: $1,844.00

APRIL 29, 2018

Saturday April 28th —Vigil of the Fifth Sunday of Easter 5:00 PM Thanksgiving for all Saints/Yolande Ancion Sunday April 29th—Fifth Sunday of Easter 9:00 AM †Green, Harper & Rivera Families/Luis Rivera 11:00 AM B’Day Blessings for Anselmo Fareaux/Parents

12:30 PM †Aletha Francia/Ena Pierre 5:00 PM †Andréa & Sauveur Fortune/Marie Ang Bois Monday April 30th—Easter Weekday

7:30AM B’Day Blessings for Tatiana Jn-Gilles/Grandma Tuesday May 1st—St. Joseph the Worker 8:30 AM †Myrna & Ja-Elle Skerritt/The Family Wednesday May 2nd—St. Athanasius, Bishop 7:30 AM Thanksgiving for the Family/Margery Murray Thursday May 3rd—Sts. Philip & James, Apostles 8:30 AM †Adele Sullivan/The Reid Family Friday May 4th—Easter Weekday 7:30 AM †Irene Cabey/Family Saturday May 5th—Easter Weekday 10:00 AM Mass of annointing for the sick 5:00 PM Deceased members of the Williams family/Pearl Sunday May 6th—Sixth Sunday of Easter 9 :00 AM B’Day Blessings for Pearl Morrison 11:00 PM Blessed Virgin Mary/Contrera Family 12:30 PM †Adele Sullivan/Nola Timm

5:00 PM Deliverance for the Maurancy Family

Our Sick: Rose Baptiste, Gertrude

Conception, Simone Marseille, J. Patrick Alexis, , Glenna Williams, Jeanette

Sandiford, Josephine Mosely, Deotha Armstrong, Josephine Pierre-Louis, Tracey Austin, Darius Hayward, Violet Ryan, Orin Fisher, Maura St. Clair,, Alex, Dee, Shane

Dabareo, Mavis Pique, Oscar Joseph, Robert Matthew, Debra Dookwah-Brown, Angela Silverio, Marie Brutus, Claire McAtrthur, Celine Mosley, Letna Murden, Louis Murrell, Eguelino Edouard,

Joan Cato, Carlyle Martial and John Collymore.

IN LOVING MEMORY

Our Recently Deceased:

Ena Gaillard, Augustin Previlon, Ceferina Rivera Lebron,

Athur Tate, Paulette Beaubrun and Fr. Robert Robinson.

Readings for the Week of April 29, 2018

Sunday: Acts 9:26-31/Ps 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32 [26a]/1 Jn 3:18-24/Jn 15:1-8

Monday: Acts 14:5-18/Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16 [1ab]/Jn 14:21-

26

Tuesday: Acts 14:19-28/Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21 [cf. 12]/Jn 14:27-31a

St. Joseph the Worker: Gn 1:26--2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-

24/Ps 90:2, 3-4, 12-13, 14 and 16 [cf. 17b]/Mt 13:54-58

Wednesday: Acts 15:1-6/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 [cf. 1]/Jn 15:1-8

Thursday: 1 Cor 15:1-8/Ps 19:2-3, 4-5 [5]/Jn 14:6-14

Friday: Acts 15:22-31/Ps 57:8-9, 10 and 12 [10a]/Jn 15:12-17

Saturday: Acts 16:1-10/Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 5/Jn 15:18-21

Next Sunday: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 [cf. 2b]/1 Jn 4:7-10/Jn 15:9-17