Cathedral Family,
In this Jubilee Year, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has called the universal church to reflect on the life and legacy of our great patron, St. Francis of Assisi. It was on October 4th, 800 years ago, that St. Francis’s mission in this world was complete, and he received his heavenly reward for all of his labor here on Earth. His monolithic legacy in the Church that leaves ripple effects through the centuries all started with ‘a call’ in the simplicity of his prayer– a call to holiness that God echoes in the chambers of our hearts every day as sons and daughters.
In the 13th century, the world and the Church were riddled with scandal, corruption, mediocrity, and cynicism toward the Christian Church in Europe. The time St. Francis lived in is not much different from our time in 2026 or any past generation throughout the world. God’s response to the hardships and challenges his people have faced throughout history is always the same: individuals like you and me answering the call to holiness.
A new saint is always raised in response to the world's and the Church’s greatest needs. Francis, in his time, was a young man from a wealthy merchant family who was called by God in the Church of San Damiano in Assisi, Italy. Wandering in the area, Francis found himself in this broken-down church and decided to pray before our crucified Lord. In the silence of his own heart, he heard the Lord's voice say, “Rebuild My House,” which many now refer to as “Rebuild My Church.” In this moment of encounter, Francis thought God was asking him to rebuild the literal, broken-down church he was in, which he did, but God’s plan was much greater.
St. Francis went on to live a life of holiness, dedicated to a radical love for the poor, and his transformed life attracted many others to follow him and reconsider the gift of their Catholic faith in their own lives. Over the course of his life, approximately 6,000 joined the Franciscan Friars across Italy, Germany, and England. It was his daily ‘yes’ to the call to holiness that re-ignited the fire in the hearts of many in the lukewarm church of his day.
As we celebrate our patron this coming week, we must realize that he is not a distant historical figure — rather, Francis is alive in the communion of saints. He intercedes for us and is deeply invested in fostering our vibrant commitment to the Christian life. May God raise up great saints in our parish and school to renew the Church in our time.
To celebrate the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, I invite you to our parish picnic next Sunday, October 4th, after the 12 p.m. Mass. Please come! It will be a great time for us to gather as one community and welcome new friends who are new to the parish or our area. Through our hospitality, we invite others into the life of a Christian community and discipleship. One way we can extend a culture of hospitality is by joining together in a spirit of openness and welcome to one another.
Finally, I ask your prayers for a special anniversary of my own. This Wednesday, September 30th marks my 5th anniversary as the Rector of St. Francis Cathedral. I am deeply grateful for this appointment in my life and cherish the gift of leading such a beautiful community. Please pray that I may be a priest and pastor who truly listens to the Lord and strives to lead our community after His own heart.
Have a blessed week, and look forward to celebrating with you next weekend!
Father Christy