Our Ministries
12 Sep

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy of the Word serves children 4 years old – 4th grade during the 8:30 am and 11:15 am Sunday Masses by helping them to understand God’s Word.

Please make sure your children go to the restroom before Mass begins. The children’s liturgy lesson is short, and children miss a lot if they leave to go to the restroom.

For more information or if you are interested in volunteering with Children’s Liturgy of the Word, please contact Miriam Flores at mflores@sfasat.org. Children and volunteers are dismissed from the sanctuary before the First Reading and return to the sanctuary before the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We will provide training and support to Children’s Liturgy volunteers.

12 Jul

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Go and Do Likewise

What must I do to gain eternal life? Love your neighbor. Who is my neighbor? Anyone in need? Be compassionate and do something. Go and do likewise.

This is a summary of our Sunday gospel reading. We are all familiar with the story of the Good Samaritan, the one who responds to the need, even when others have justified inaction. We probably all examine our consciences and try to think of times when we have been the Good Samaritan.

Today I invite us to think of ourselves as the other person in the narrative—the one that is ostracized, politically not deserving of care, not of a certain race, or gender or marital status, one who differs in cultural, religious and political matters.

Imagine yourself not as the Samaritan who wants to love God and neighbor, but as the person who is in need. Who among us “dying” or “left to die after being beaten?” A woman who has been raped? A mother, abandoned by her spouse, with several children to care for? A man with no hope? Can you see yourself at your most vulnerable time, deeply troubled, deep in despair with only one hope that someone, anyone will see and hear the pain, give credence to it, and with compassion do something to help.

One writer described the stranger who stops to help in this way:

Now imagine that the stranger who is most kind, most loving is not the upstanding citizen who looks and thinks like you. Imagine that she or he is that person you dismiss as a bigot or a heathen, a racist or an instigator, a misogynist or a baby-killer. Imagine that your succor is delivered by someone whom you would never consider to be your neighbor, your friend, your sister or brother in the faith. Imagine that your greatest need is filled by such a person. What would that teach us about the meaning of loving God and loving neighbor?

When the lawyer in the gospel story asks the question “who is my neighbor?” it seems that he, like us often, is trying to find the loophole that divides the world into neighbors and non-neighbors; the deserving poor, the undeserving poor; the refugee, the economic migrant; the freedom fighter, the terrorist; the needy, the scrounger; the shirker, the worker.

In other words, Jesus tells the story to teach us that God’s love and compassion knows no bounds. If we see and know the world as God does, there are no exceptions, no divisions in identifying who my neighbor is.

Jesus spoke with credibility: He himself was a refugee who with His parents escaped to Egypt when King Herod ordered a mass slaughter of children. Jesus was homeless and relied on others to provide support and shelter his entire life. Ultimately, He was executed by an unjust power who felt threatened by His challenge to realign with the Kingdom of God.

Today, our challenge is to follow Jesus in recognizing who our neighbor is with no exceptions. To do so is to open our ears to hear the cry of the most vulnerable among us, and with tender hearts to come in contact with suffering that calls us out of our selfishness. Jesus says: Go and do likewise.

08 Jul

To Celebrate a Life of Love: Hortencia Ofilia Guzman Santos

January 1, 1929-July 6, 2019

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the departing of our dear mother and matriarch of our family, Hortencia Ofilia Guzman Santos. After a very brave and courageous battle with cancer, Hortencia entered the house of The Lord, surrounded in love by her family. Lovingly remembered as “Opi” to her friends, “Tatan” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and “Tenchita” to many of her church friends. She set an example of moral values and most importantly to believe in God, and Jesus as our Savior. Loved by her husband, she was the subject of many poems written by him and dedicated to her. She was loved by all.

Without a doubt, she was greeted and received by family members who preceded her including her husband Judge Alberto A. Santos, her parents Ramon Guzman and Hortencia (Silva) Guzman, Olga & Frank Charles, daughter-in-law, Linda W. Santos and grandson, Jason Ernest Ochoa, Alfredo & Ma Asuncion Santos, Alfredo Jr. & Estela Santos, Herminia Santos, Apolonio B. Santos, Amador Morales, Arnulfo & Elva Santos, Maria & Horacio Munoz, Cristobal Luna, and numerous family members.

She will be dearly missed by her children and their spouses: Alberto (Carmen) Santos Jr., Ofilia (Robert) Chapa, Carmen (Carlos) Sandoval, Apolonio Fidel (Juanita) Santos, Isabel (Mark) Ochoa and Jose Alfredo (Terelyn) Santos, 18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Also, by her sister, Alicia Guzman Luna, aunt, Alicia T. Silva, sisters-in-law, Carmen S. Morales, and Mercedes G. Santos, and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

She married Alberto A. Santos on February 20, 1949. After raising 6 children, she worked for LISD as Purchasing Agent and retired in 1992.

At the top of her list of many accomplishments were those of devoted wife, great mom, loving grandmother, and caring great-grandmother. Hortencia was a devout Catholic who attended daily Mass and participated in overnight vigil prayers with the Nocturnal Adoration Society. She was a prayer warrior. She had a lifetime devotion to the Blessed Mother and Divine Mercy. She served our Lord as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist, CCD teacher, and lived her ACTS retreat.

Alberto and Hortencia always instilled the importance of a good education. They made arrangements to ensure that their children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren were able to afford the education that they, themselves, were not able to obtain. We want to express a very special thank you to our sister, Carmen, and her husband, Carlos Sandoval, for taking our dear mother into their home and providing her a loving place during her final years of life; and to her very special, dear friend and confessor, Reverend Father Francisco León, OSA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to her favorite charity: Augustine Fathers, and mailed to Holy Redeemer Church, 1612 Garcia St., Laredo, Texas 78040.

She was a lifelong member of Holy Redeemer Church. In the last five years, she attended St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Visitation will be at Holy Redeemer Church, 1612 Garcia St, Laredo, Texas on Wednesday, July 10th from 5 pm to 8 pm with a Rosary at 6 pm. Celebration of her life will also be at Holy Redeemer Church on Thursday, July 11th with a Mass at 9:30 am. There will be no procession so meet at the Church. Sharing of memories will follow after Mass at the Church Hall. Interment will be held at a later date.

5 July

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lightening the Load

If you are anything like me, you have a tendency to overpack. A two-night camping trip? I better bring an extra package of water bottles because the 28 pack plus the full package of Powerade we already have might not be enough. A trip home to hot and humid Louisiana to visit family in early September? I should pack a jacket in the very off-chance that the temperature somehow drops below 60°. A weekend ACTS retreat? I better bring a week’s worth of socks, just in case. You get the idea.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, St. Luke writes about Jesus appointing the 72 and sending them off in pairs. Jesus tells them, “Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way” (Luke 10:3-4).

Imagine yourself as one of the 72. Are you taken aback by the instructions you are receiving from Jesus? Are you wondering what you are getting yourself into? Perhaps Jesus and his words resonate with such assurance and belief in your ability that you are confident to go forth and spread the good news, trusting that God will provide for you along the way.

For me, I imagine I might approach Jesus and double-check with him before I depart with the others. “Lord, are you sure I shouldn’t bring a pair of sandals in case we encounter some rough or rocky terrain? You know? Just to be safe.” But there is no overpacking allowed on this journey.

What about the part where Jesus tells them not to greet anyone along the way? That sounds a little harsh and impolite, doesn’t it? I think the real meaning behind that line is not unfriendliness, but rather emphasizing the need to move with a sense of urgency on this important mission.

If we overpack, how can we move with this required urgency? Everything we would bring would weigh us down. This applies to our hearts as well. Let us take some time to examine what we carry in our hearts. Are we burdened by heavy loads like jealousy or anger, preventing us from being the active, dynamic missionary disciples we are called to be?

Thankfully, Jesus gives us a way to lighten our load through the sacrament of Reconciliation. If you have not been in a while, it might be time to go and unpack that suitcase so that you can travel light again. Open your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to enter in and move you so that you can more fully share God’s love with others and return rejoicing like the 72 in the Gospel.

By Kenneth Caruthers, Director of Communication

28 Jun

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

But First

What “but first” can keep you from resolutely following Jesus today? What are you unwilling to say goodbye to as you walk with Christ? These are two important questions to ponder when we reflect on our personal response to Jesus’ invitation, “Follow Me.”

I know that I often say “but first” when I am trying to handle multiple requests within a limited time period. That’s probably a good thing, especially if I am prioritizing which actions are most important. I must admit that I also use that expression when I am procrastinating or putting off something that doesn’t seem quite as enjoyable at the time. And sometimes it is even an excuse for not acting on something that in my heart of hearts, I know will ask something of me that I am not ready to commit to doing.

I hear some of the same when I interview candidates who are beginning the process of completing their sacraments of initiation as adults. When I ask, “What brings you here today,” the response often includes admission that often there were distractions or competing priorities that kept them from taking action. The call to conversion, to follow Jesus, was postponed countless times. “But firsts” took over.

The cost of following Jesus is demanding. It must be wholehearted. Pope Francis describes our relationship with Jesus in this way:

Being Christian is not just obeying orders but means being Christ, thinking like him, acting like him, loving like him; it means letting him take possession of our life and change it, transform it.”

                                             (General Audience, Wednesday, April 10, 2017)

26 Jun

To Celebrate a Life of Love: Mary Esther Ramirez

December 19, 1941-June 16, 2019

Mary Esther Ramirez, 77, passed away on June 16, 2019, in Norfolk, Virginia. She was born on December 19, 1941, to Cipriano and Ynez Gomez in San Antonio, Texas. She was the beloved wife of Antonio I. Ramirez for 54 years, the mother of four children, grandmother to four, and great-grandmother to two.

Mary Esther was well-loved, and she knew how to love well. She cherished spending time with her sisters and brothers, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, and she loved to garden and feed birds. Mary Esther also enjoyed volunteering at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in the Mobile Loaves & Fishes ministry.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Antonio Ivon Ramirez; and daughter, Margaret Jean Ramirez. She is survived by her children, David A. Ramirez (Judith Ramirez) from Pensacola, FL, Patricia A. Hutson (Larry Hutson) from Jacksonville, FL, and Roland E. Ramirez from Plato, MO; grandchildren Jessica K. Lang (Jerry Lang), Zachary D. Ramirez, Jessica N. Boguslawski (John Boguslawski III), and Renee M. Ramirez; and great-grandchildren, Brayden J. Lang and Riley L. Lang.

Visitation will be held at Castle Ridge Mortuary on Monday, July 1, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., with the Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held July 2, 2019, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 9:00 a.m. Her interment will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter 1, at 11:00 a.m.

25 Jun

To Celebrate a Life of Love: Lucio S. Guerra

November 8, 1935-June 23, 2019

Lucio S. Guerra, Jr., age 83, passed to a new life and entered eternal rest with the Lord on June 23, 2019 at 5:05 pm at Mission Regional Hospital in Mission, Texas. Born on November 8, 1935 in Rio Grande City, to Lucio S. Guerra, Sr., and Severina Lopez Guerra.   Lucio attended Rio Grande City High School and was a member of the band and FFA. He met the love of his life, Margarita R. Guerra while they were in junior high school.  After graduating they married on October 25, 1958 at Immaculate Conception Church of Rio Grande City. They began their lives in Mission and had 3 children.  Lucio was a carpenter, taught by his father, and built the family’s home in Mission where they still reside. After serving his Active Duty Tour both abroad and stateside, he returned home. Lucio later joined the US Army Reserve as a member of the 961st S&S Company in McAllen, Texas where he served for 10 years, later transferring to the Army National Guard in Mission, TX where he retired with the rank of Sgt. 1st class (E7) with 20 years of combined service. Lucio was an officer and Post Commander of CWV Post 1065 in Mission for two terms.  Lucio was a Troop Leader involved with Boy Scout Troop 83 which was affiliated with St. John of the Fields Catholic Church. Lucio also became a firefighter and served as Fire Marshall, Code Enforcement Officer and Inspector for the City of Mission Fire Department.   He retired after 30 years of service to the City of Mission. He is preceded in death by his parents Lucio and Severina Guerra and a brother Victor Manuel Guerra.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 61 years and his three children:  Martha Nydia Guerra, Javier Joel Guerra, and Maria Leticia Guerra and two grandsons, Benjamin Isaac Guerra and Jacob Elijah Guerra. He also leaves behind a daughter in law Irene Martinez Guerra. Also surviving him are his siblings: Elma G.  Fonseca (Victor), Joe F. Guerra, Cristina G. Bourbois (Joe), along with many nephews, nieces, and cousins. Lucio will continue to be remembered for his uncanny ability to tell a joke appropriate to whatever the situation called for…he will surely be making the angels laugh in heaven.

A very heartfelt thanks to Dr. Luis Arango and Dr. Carlos Pimentel.

A gathering of family and friends will take place on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Rivera Funeral Home, 1813 N Conway, in Mission from 4:00 PM to 9:00 Pm with the recital of the Holy Rosary to begin at 7:00 PM. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 28, 2019 at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Interment with full military honors at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission at 11:00 AM

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Rivera Funeral Home of Mission.

21 Jun

To Celebrate a Life of Love: Sharyl Rae Harrison

November 29, 1948-June 19, 2019
The vigil service for Sharyl Harrison will be on Sunday, June 23 at 6:30 pm at St. Francis of Assisi. The funeral Mass will be on Monday, June 24 at 10 am at St. Francis of Assisi. Eternal rest grant unto her, oh Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.

21 Jun

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

We Share What We Have

“They all ate and were satisfied.” Isn’t that the wish we have each time we sit down to a meal after much planning, preparation, and inviting? This Sunday’s gospel describes a multitude of people gathered to hear Jesus preach. As usual, Jesus becomes concerned for their hunger. We know the rest of the story. They had only five loaves and two fish, but all were fed. And they were satisfied. Perhaps they hungered for something other than food.

Br. John-Marmion Villa, BSC writes this in a commentary:

How happy Jesus would be if we learned how to recognize him in the breaking of the bread (Lk 24:31), to savor the moment of encounter, to relax in the peace of his presence, to worship the majesty of his humble appearance in the species of bread and wine. If we could make him happy just to recognize him, then I think our lives would also be happier because we would be compelled to give away what we had received. Then, we would have become what we have consumed.

David Kauffman’s lyrics teach us: “See what you are. Become what you eat. We are the Body of Christ.” We are to be the Body of Christ, to be in communion, to be Christ’s presence in all that we do and with all we meet. We give what we have received!

Pope Francis encourages us: “Jesus Christ loves you, he gave his life to save you, and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and feed you” (Evangelii Gaudium, 164).

16 Aug

Download Our Parish App!

Our St. Francis of Assisi app is available to download for Apple and Android smartphones. Stay connected with our parish throughout the week with instant notifications, quick access to online giving, Mass and Reconciliation reminders, easy access to our weekly bulletin, as well as additional features like prayers, saint of the day, and much more. Download our app today at www.myparishapp.com, text App to 55321, or search your phone’s app store for myParish.

For an app download guide, please click here.

We hope for our app to be a tool for fostering stronger parish life at St. Francis and better engaging the New Evangelization.