All Souls Day
Mass for All Souls Day, Monday, November 2, will be celebrated at St. Francis at 12 noon. All are invited.
Eucharistic Congress Nov. 6-7
On Nov. 6 and 7, a Eucharistic Congress will be held in Richmond as part of our bicentennial celebration, and it will also be available online (it will be livestreamed in Assisi Hall). The regular First Friday Holy Hour will be held at 3 p.m. at St. Francis. Event schedule from the Diocese of Richmond: Friday evening, November 6, 7:30 p.m.: livestream of opening address. Saturday, November 7, livestreamed Mass at 8:30 a.m., Eucharistic procession and Holy Hour at 11:00 a.m., and live Q&A sessions from presenters in the afternoon between 1 and 3 p.m. Additional information is available.
40 Days for Life Sept 24-Nov. 1
40 Days for Life begins on Wednesday, September 24, and runs through Sunday, November 1, at Planned Parenthood in Charlottesville. Please go online at 40daysforlife.com/charlottesville to view days and times available for sidewalk prayer, and sign up. If you are unable to attend the sidewalk vigils, please commit to weekly prayer and fasting for the protection of the unborn and their mothers; so many lives are depending on us!
Catholic Daughters to hold open house
Sunday, November 8, in Assisi Hall, all women, ages 18 and up, are invited to stop by around 12:45 p.m.(after the 11:30 a.m. Mass) to see some current Catholic Daughters members, ask questions, and find out what the Catholic Daughters of the Americas is all about.
Adult Faith Formation meets Sundays at 10 a.m.
Adult Faith Formation meets Sundays at 10 a.m. in Assisi Hall. Discussion currently centers on the topic “Metanoia: A Journey with Christ into Conversion” by Fr. Dave Pivonka.
Procedures for attending weekend Masses
There are three Masses on weekends: Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 8 and 11:30 a.m. Because of mandated social distancing, the church’s capacity has been drastically reduced. Signup forms will be open to all parishioners (no more restriction by last name) on Wednesday at noon. Links to these forms will be announced through Flocknote only. The signup forms are made available to everyone (all parishioners and guests as well) on Friday at 12 noon. The links to signing up will show up on the homepage beneath the slideshow at that time. Signups for the 5 p.m. Saturday Mass end on Saturday at 3 p.m., but the deadline for the two Sunday Masses is 7 p.m. If more people sign up for a Mass than the church can accommodate within pandemic restrictions, Assisi Hall will be available as an overflow space. Summary: signing up is still required, but there is no restriction by first letter of last name, and, as of Friday at noon, no restriction on who can sign up to attend. If there are any questions, call the parish office (540-886-2262) Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Youth nights continue
Millie Griesemer, formerly part-time campus minister intern at Virginia Tech, is continuing the Tuesday youth nights begun by the two seminarians who visited the parish earlier in the summer.. Young people are invited to stay after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Tuesday for prayer, food, and fellowship.
Masses livestreamed on parish Facebook page
For those unable to attend Mass in person, the liturgy from St. Francis is livestreamed on the parish Facebook page on Sundays at 8 a.m. and also on weekdays (Tuesday at 5:30, Wednesday-Friday at 12 noon). The videos remain posted after the Mass.
“Formed” content of the week
Follow this link to see the pick of the week from “Formed,” a collection of Catholic web content from many sources.
News of weekday Masses
Weekday Masses (celebrated Tuesday-Friday and on First Saturdays) are public Masses held in the church, and are open to those wishing to attend—without the necessity of signing up in advance. The Wednesday liturgy is for those in “vulnerable populations” who may wish to avoid larger groups of people. Note that other restrictions continiue to apply, such as the requirement that face masks be worn and worshippers maintain social distancing.
Formed: Catholic content on the web
With a subscription to “Formed,” every St. Francis parishioner has 24/7 access to the best Catholic content on any device, including your computer, smartphone, and tablet with internet access. “Formed” offers video programs that explain the Catholic faith, explore the deepest meaning of marriage, receive Bible studies on a variety of topics, and listen to inspiring audio talks. Presenters include Dr. Tim Gray, Dr. Edward Sri, Dr. Mary Healey, Chris Stefanick, Dr. Scott Hahn, Bishop Robert Barron, and many more. It is very easy to begin your free subscription to “Formed”: Go to www.formed.org. Under “How would you like to sign up?” select “I belong to a Parish or Organization.” Enter the parish code: VVW3G4. Enter your name and email address, and that’s it.
All who attend St. Francis urged to update parish registration information
It is important that the parish office have updated information on all St. Francis parishioners. Here is a direct link to the registration form. Please take a few minutes and register if you have done so previously or update the information on file for you and your family.