October 4, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This weekend, we have the joy of a very special Sunday celebration: Bishop Raica has given us permission to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi this Sunday, in place of the usual Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our Catholic tradition is so blessed with many amazing saints, and I think it’s wonderful that this very special one, who has inspired devotion and commitment in so many Christians, gets to “peek into” the Sunday liturgy this year. The main reason for the permission is that this year marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ passing, but in God’s providence, the celebration of the “Poor Man of Assisi” speaks to many things that are very relevant today. First, in the popular imagination, St. Francis is well known for his love for animals and indeed all of creation. His famous hymn of praise to God calls upon all of creation, including “Brother Sun” and “Sister Moon,” to join him in that praise. And perhaps you’ve heard the story of how once St. Francis visited a town, and after preaching the Gospel there, he felt such love that he also decided to the birds, who listened and responded with joyful song. With so many lives affected by natural disaster and an increasingly unusual climate, St. Francis is a reminder of the importance of taking good care of the good earth God has entrusted to us. My prayer is that the Blessing of Animals this Saturday will inspire that same attitude in each of us! Second, St. Francis speaks well to this moment in our parish life: Stewardship Month. He’s an amazing example of what God can do for us, when we place everything at his service. The spirituality of St. Francis and his successors is known for its emphasis on poverty: on seeing everything we have as an unmerited blessing from God, on being willing to put those blessings to work on behalf of those in need, and ultimately on joyfully recognizing the presence of Christ in the faces of those in need. As we deepen our reflection on stewardship in the coming weeks, let’s take inspiration from St. Francis, who accomplished amazing things through his radical commitment to Christ and his heartfelt appreciation for God’s countless blessings. Through the intercession of St. Thomas and Our Lady of the Rosary, let’s join St. Francis’ song of praise to God, by placing everything we have and everything we are at the Lord’s service. God bless,

Father Jantz