28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Grateful One in Ten
“We are ten lepers, with scars and wounds—and hope for your healing touch. From our souls’ depths we raise our voices to you. ‘Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!’ As we glimpse the grace you pour upon us, we thank you.” (Anne Osdieck, https://liturgy.slu.edu/28OrdC101319/prayerpathmain.html)
I am so grateful to Anne for reminding me and us that at one time or another, we are all lepers. We can probably all name people we know, perhaps we ourselves have been “lepers” or the untouchables, shunned and avoided! Maybe it was when we were severely depressed. Maybe we were so angry, disgruntled and hard to be with. Maybe we were divorced and people took sides and blamed us. Maybe arguments over family inheritance or loyalties to family members led to shunning.
And then someone heard our cry (even the silent ones) and reached out and touched. Perhaps the healing came from a knowing glance, a tender look and a smile. Perhaps it was sitting in silence, accompanying, “sitting with” that provided a healing. Perhaps it was simple words of encouragement that give hope.
The Gospel reading focuses on the one in ten who came back and expressed gratitude—who gave thanks! Today we reflect on the times when we have “cried out for help,” received healing and expressed thanks. We approach the Eucharist each Sunday as “wounded” or “scarred” in need of healing, hoping for that touch, that glance, that person next to us who names us at the Greeting of Peace. And we say “Thank You.” That is the meaning of Eucharist—thanksgiving! And we the participants in this sacred liturgy are all the Body of Christ, reaching out and touching. And grace is poured upon us, individually and as a community, as a parish and as world Church.
To Celebrate a Life of Love: Vincent Howard
Vincent “Vin” was born on October 31, 1939, in Burlington, Massachusetts and passed on September 28, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas.
He and his wife were members of St. Francis of Assisi for 35+ years. Vin was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent F. and Edna M. (Harkins) Howard, brother Kenneth, and brother-in-law Joseph Derro (Carol). He is survived by his loving wife of 58+ years, Madeline. Father of Kenneth (Armand) of Dallas; and Craig (Maria) of San Antonio. Grandfather of Joseph (Julian), Sean (Michelle), Timothy (Courtney), and Nicole Savage (Ryan) of Dallas; and Danielle of Fort Worth. Brother of Sheila of Burlington, MA; Rosemary Wagner (Ron) of Spring Hill, FL; Joanne Graziosi (Albert) of Everett, MA; Kevin (Darlene) of San Francisco, CA; and Stephen (Joan) of Burlington, MA. Brother-in-law of Dr. Robert Derro (Lieselotte) of Duluth, GA. He is also survived by his great grandchildren James, Brady, John and Lucy; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Vin was a graduate of Burlington High School, Northeastern University and Suffolk University, Boston, MA. He was a longtime and devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox.
Services will be held in Boston, Massachusetts. A reception for family and friends in San Antonio will be announced at a later date.
Donations may be made to Mobile Loaves & Fishes, St. Francis of Assisi, 4201 De Zavala Road, San Antonio, TX 78249.
Anniversary of the Dedication of the Sanctuary of St. Francis of Assisi Church
Celebrate St. Francis
Build my Church! This was the message that St. Francis heard from Jesus in one of his many conversion experiences. As we celebrate the 18th anniversary of the dedication of our Church sanctuary on October 5, we have the opportunity to reflect on how we are “building” or “re-building” our Church and our Church community.
Our strengths in being a welcoming community, on providing opportunities to initiate new groups/communities for faith sharing and prayer experiences, and our emphasis on formation for the reception of all the sacraments are also our challenges for the future.
Are we inclusive in our invitations to participate in parish life? Do we have the same vitality and energy, the same, seeming wildness of St. Francis for the Gospel? Do we live the poverty, the dependence Francis had on Divine Providence, the Providence of God? Are we willing to accept suffering and the Cross in our lives? I invite you to take a moment to pray Art Laffin’s prayer to St. Francis at https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/prayer-feast-st-francis-assisi to help you meditate and reflect on these questions.
We celebrate our parish Feast Day this Sunday with prayer and thanksgiving at our Masses where we rededicate ourselves to living the mission of our parish.
We, the parish family of St. Francis of Assisi, formed in 1980, are gifted with wisdom, productivity and vitality. We are a Sacramental people journeying toward our Christian mission to know, love and serve Christ. To better know, love and serve Christ, we strive to emulate our patron, St. Francis of Assisi, by focusing our greater concern on the building of our people, giving our time, talent and treasures in reaching out to others, and promoting peace and harmony within God’s creation. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will continue to gather as community to grow in and strengthen our spirituality.
We also celebrate our community, our relationships with each other, and our working together to create stronger bonds with each other. We celebrate the ways that we serve our Church.
Join us at the FESTIVAL!
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Be a Lazarus?
Are you familiar with any rich man and Lazarus stories in our lives today? Does it make you curious that only Lazarus is named? The rich man is generic. The poor man, the beggar has a name. Why do you think that is? Jesus has a reputation for turning things around, for turning them upside down. Often, the end result of his actions is not what we expect, or what our culture would promote.
Jesus reminds us that charity begins by seeing others through God’s eyes, as persons made in God’s image and worthy of our love and care. Who are the persons today that we might be called to see with “God’s eyes”? At the center of Catholic Social Teaching is the belief in the dignity of ALL persons.
Why do we have a responsibility to help those who are in need? How has your life been touched or changed when you have responded to someone in need? Have you spoken to someone about that conversion in your life?
Help me, Lord, to see the “Lazarus” that I meet this week. For this, let me/us work and pray!
To Celebrate a Life of Love: John Matthew Castillo
March 3, 2003-September 17, 2019
John Matthew Castillo, age 16, passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on March 3, 2003 in San Antonio to Humberto Rafael Castillo and Mary Elizabeth Friend. He was a junior at Great Hearts Northern Oaks school and a part-time employee of Milberger Nursery. John was an outstanding student, a voracious reader, a gifted and resourceful artist, and a talented athlete who excelled at swimming and track. Those who knew John appreciated his keen wit and his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone he met. They will remember his love of plants, nature, and all growing things, and his affection for animals. He was a natural leader and took genuine pleasure in helping others, from mowing neighbors’ lawns to volunteering at Habitat for Humanity. Most of all, John loved his parents, his younger brothers, his family, and his many friends of all ages. He will be deeply missed.
John is survived by his loving parents, Humberto and Mary Castillo of San Antonio; his brothers Michael Alexander and Christian Gabriel of San Antonio; grandparents John and Nancy Friend of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Humberto and Carmen Castillo of Villahermosa, Mexico; aunts and uncles Christy Friend and Brad Stratton of Columbia, South Carolina, Andy and Kate Friend of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Sean Friend of Austin, Texas, David Friend and Pat Bradley of New York City, Javier Castillo of Villahermosa, Mexico, and Rocio and Fernando Cabrera of Mexico City; and cousins Devin Friend and Chloe Friend of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Emma Stratton and Jane Stratton of Columbia, South Carolina, Samuel Friend of Austin, Texas, Viridiana, Fernanda, and Alexa Cabrera of Mexico City, and Regina and Emilio Castillo of Cancun, Mexico.
VISITATION
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2019
6:00 PM
VIGIL SERVICE WITH ROSARY
7:00 PM
PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH
2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 EAST
MASS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
10:00 AM
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH
4201 DE ZAVALA ROAD
Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the John Matthew Castillo Memorial Fund at GoFundMe.com.
JOHN MATTHEW CASTILLO
3 de marzo del 2003 – 17 de septiembre del 2019
John Matthew Castillo, de 16 años de edad, falleció el martes 17 de septiembre del 2019 en San Antonio, Texas. Nació el 3 de marzo del 2003 en San Antonio, hijo de Humberto Rafael Castillo y Mary Elizabeth Friend. Era estudiante de cuarto año de secundaria en la escuela Great Hearts Northern Oaks y trabajaba como empleado de medio tiempo en la jardinería Milberger Nursery. John fue un estudiante sobresaliente, un ávido lector, un artista talentoso e ingenioso, y un excelente atleta que sobresalió en la natación y carreras. Los que conocieron a John apreciaron su astuto ingenio y su habilidad de iniciar una conversación con cualquier persona que encontraba. Será recordado por su amor a las plantas, a la naturaleza, y todo lo que crece, así como su afecto por los animales. Era un líder natural y obtenía gozo genuino en ayudar a otros, ya fuera cortando el césped de vecinos o trabajando como voluntario en Habitat for Humanity, ayudando a construir casas para gente necesitada. Más que todo, John amaba a sus padres, a sus hermanos menores, a su familia, y a sus muchos amigos de todas edades. Nos hará una falta profunda.
A John le sobreviven sus amados padres, Humberto y Mary Castillo de San Antonio; sus hermanos Michael Alexander y Christian Gabriel de San Antonio; abuelos John y Nancy Friend de Lake Charles, Louisiana, y Humberto y Carmen Castillo de Villahermosa, México; tías y tíos Christy Friend y Brad Stratton de Columbia, Carolina del Sur, Andy y Kate Friend de Lake Charles, Louisiana, Sean Friend de Austin, Texas, David Friend y Pat Bradley de ciudad de Nueva York, Javier Castillo de Villahermosa, México, y Rocío y Fernando Cabrero de ciudad de México; y primos Devin Friend y Chloe Friend de Lake Charles, Louisiana, Emma Stratton y Jane Stratton de Columbia, Carolina del Sur, Samuel Friend de Austin, Texas, Viridiana, Fernanda y Alexa Cabrera de ciudad de México, y Regina y Emilio Castillo de Cancún, México.
VELORIO
LUNES, 23 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2019
6:00 PM
SERVICIO DE VIGILIA CON ROSARIO
7:00 PM
PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH
2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 EAST
MISA
MARTES, 24 DE SEPTIEMBRE DEL 2019
10:00 AM
IGLESIA CATÓLICA DE SAN FRANCISCO DE ASÍS
4201 DE ZAVALA ROAD
Sus restos serán pasados al cementerio Holy Cross para su santa sepultura.
To Celebrate a Life of Love: Richard M. Garcia, Sr.
December 3, 1928-September 9, 2019
Richard M. Garcia, Sr. passed away to a better life on September 9, 2019 at the age of 90. Richard was a World War II Marine Corp Veteran, retired Army Reservist, and retired Civil Service Servant who retired in Corpus Christi in 1985. Richard lived a wonderful, active life and was a very giving person. He will be remembered by some for his impeccable penmanship and thoughtfulness of not forgetting to send a card for someone’s special occasion or celebration.
Richard came from a long line of well-known musicians, including his father, Manuel, and uncles, Albeto (Beto was one of the Corpus Christi Texas Jazz Festival founders.) and Rudy. As an accomplished trumpet player throughout much of his life, Richard was a part of a rich community of music. While in the Marine Corp Band, Richard performed in many USO shows alongside celebrity performers and at the White House. During his many years of performing, he played 2nd and 3rd chair in the Corpus Christi Symphony. He also played at the Yacht Club, Petroleum Club, Town Club, the Summer T-Head Concerts, Corpus Christi Country Club, Cole Park Amphitheater, the Annual Texas Jazz Festivals, and San Antonio Convention Center. Our home was always filled with sounds of music.
He is preceded by his wife of 56 years, Rita M. Garcia. He is survived by his children, Richard M. Garcia, Jr., Cecilia “Cookie” Tijerina (Daniel), Mary Katherine “Katy” Fiel (Alexander), Melissa M. Garcia-Edwards; grandchildren, Nicholas Tijerina, Kristina Tijerina, Elijah Edwards, and Olivia Edwards.
Visitation will be held at Sunset Funeral Home on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be at St. Francis of Assisi on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 9:30 am, with interment to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 11:30 am followed by lunch with the family and friends. He will be missed by all.
Direccion Espiritual
Estas experimentando en tu vida un nuevo sentido de Dios? Estas enfrentando tomar una importante decision o discernimiento a un llamado? Quieres ser consciente de la presencia de Dios en los aspectos diarios de la vida? Quieres profundizar la vida de oracion y communion con Dios aqui mismo en tu parroquia, entonces communicate con Noelia Saavedra al telefono 210.833.8088 o al correo electronico saavedranoelia@yahoo.com.
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
God and Wealth
A poster I came across recently said: God does not need your money. God needs your heart! How perfectly this fits with this weekend’s readings! The prophet Amos warns that advancement or economic success should not mean trampling on the poor. His prophetic voice shouts out to proclaim God’s love and care for the poor. Wealth can exclude such love and care from our daily lives. And Luke tells us that we can’t serve both God and money. Do we choose God? Our patron, Saint Francis of Assisi, certainly did choose God.
Alice Camille in Exploring The Sunday Readings, a guide many of you use for your Small Church Communities (SCC) faith sharing, asks these questions:
If virtues were dollars, how wealthy would you be? If prayers were coins, would you have amassed a fortune yet? If kind words were cash, what would be in your piggy bank at the end of each day? If an automatic payment were made to your bank account every time you forgave someone a slight or an injury, would you be well on your way to a retirement home in kingdom come?
Life Beyond Divorce Ministry
While we do not advocate divorce, we understand the need for pastoral care for families going through the painful experience of separation and divorce.
Please contact Sally T. Gomez-Jung at 210.317.5405 or sallytgomez@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to learn more about this ministry.
To Celebrate a Life of Love: Richard “Rick” David Griffin
October 20, 1922-September 13, 2019
Richard David Griffin, SCPO/USN Retired, was born in 1922 in Evansville, Indiana, to David and Nora Belle Griffin. He was called home to reside with his Lord and Savior on September 13, 2019.
Rick is survived by his daughter, Laura G. Pearson; granddaughter, Kristine Pearson Neff; grandson, David Pearson, his wife Desiree and their five children Nathaniel, Christian, Noah, Paul, and Faith; step-niece Christine Boubel, step-great-nephews and niece Kirk Boubel, his wife Daphne and their three children Samantha, Jordan, and John; Jennifer Przybylski (sch-bil-ski) and husband Jim and their two children Gavin and Madeline Lorraine; Jeffrey Boubel, his wife Tiffany and their three children Dawson, Shelby and Joslyn.
He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Nora Bell Griffin; sister and brother Evelyn and Charles Griffin, sister-in-law, Madelyn Boubel Koepp and brother-in-law Harold “Red” Koepp; step-nephew, Thomas R. Boubel.
Life Legacy
Richard’s mother passed when he was three years old and his family moved to Jackson, Michigan, where he enjoyed life on a farm with a natural lake, wild berries, and a library stocked with many books; it was here that he developed his love for reading. When his father could no longer provide, Richard went to live in an orphanage and with foster care families; the family was later reunited. He graduated from high school in 1940, then he enlisted in the Navy, where he served for over 30 years in aviation maintenance and recruiting. Rick said that once he joined the Navy “he found the perfect home.”
Throughout his Naval Career, Richard completed multiple tours and was never stationed on a ship. He served for 25 years in Naval Aviation, stationed on Air Force Bases and Naval Air Stations, then he served 5 years as Chief Recruiter in the San Francisco area. He retired thereafter, with the intention of staying in the area, and remained there until the sudden death of his late wife, Mary Ann, whom he met after World War II, when he was stationed in Corpus Christi and while on liberty in San Antonio. Later, they were married and had one daughter, Laura. Rick was later stationed at Hickam AFB (he served two tours here) and when he wasn’t flying, he enjoyed playing in the ocean and on the beach with Laura. Rick’s tours also include Basic Training at Great Lakes Naval Station in North Chicago, tech training at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL, several islands in the Pacific during World War II, Hutchison Kansas Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station (2 tours), McGuire AFB, and recruiting in San Francisco, CA until retirement. After the passing of his late wife, Rick moved to Oregon and Iowa, where he restored two old houses. He eventually moved back to San Antonio and worked in apartment maintenance. It was during this time that he met Lorraine at a cousin’s birthday party. They were married soon after and Rick officially became a “Texas citizen” after marrying two Texas women. They enjoyed celebrating their anniversary each year on St. Patrick’s Day; at their age, they said they needed “the luck of the Irish” for a successful marriage. Rick told everyone that at their first meeting, he drank champagne from her slipper; Lorraine says it was more like “he spilled beer in her sandal!” After retiring for the second time, from apartment maintenance, Rick volunteered for about a year at the Naval Service Center, near Fort Sam Houston. He then volunteered for about 17 years at the Wellness Clinic at Wilford Hall Medical Center and participated in a study of cholesterol medications. One of the things he enjoyed most was attending his grandson David’s football games and plays while he was attending Robert E. Lee High School.
Rick wanted to live until the year 2000 to witness the New Millennium and after that, he set a goal to see his great-grandsons play high school football. His prayers were answered—God blessed him with long life. The oldest great-grandson, Nathaniel, played the position of quarterback at Churchill and the second oldest, Christian, played defense at Churchill and Johnson High Schools. Great-grandpa enjoyed watching their games. Thereafter he was too
uncomfortable in stadium seating to watch his two other great-grandsons Noah and Paul play football.
After traveling to so many different places while in the Navy, Rick developed a love for and was ready to go to anywhere at any time! In fact, Rick told Lorraine she needed to retire so they could travel before they got too old and they enjoyed many journeys to the coast with family. They had many opportunities to travel in their home country and to travel abroad, though they traveled only in the United States after the events of 9-11. Their journeys include travel to Italy, Greece, the British Isles, an Alaskan Cruise, and the Great Northwest and Canada; they also traveled to many of Rick’s annual Navy VRs Squadron Reunions held in the United States.
Rick converted to Catholicism in 1990 and joined the Men’s Club, where he helped on various projects and was one of the first teams who prepared the “world famous” sausage and chicken. He also enjoyed serving as a hospitality minister for several years and four years of membership on Hank and Flo Tripp’s Silver Stars team, where he and Lorraine helped prepare and serve meals and provide the evening’s entertainment one evening a month—Rick and Hank are both remembered for their rendition of “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before” as Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias. He also volunteered with Mobile Loaves & Fishes for approximately 8 years, from inception and joined three teams, including delivery, preparation, and egg boiling.
At just shy of 97 years, Rick had a long, blessed life, and was a blessing to all his family and friends.
ROSARY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2019
7:00 P.M.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH
FUNERAL MASS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
9:45 A.M.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH
Father Tony Vilano will officiate. Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Mobile Loaves & Fishes, 4201 De Zavala Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78249, or a charity of your choice.