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Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Francis Parish,
My staff took me to Puerta Vallarta for lunch this past Thursday to celebrate my 73rd birthday. Hard to believe. But now I‘m looking at 74. Hopefully another trip to P. V.

At the Spanish Mass, we have had seven first communions, one yesterday. During the consecration, I invite the communicants to join me. Today the younger daughter of Mikey, came with him. She couldn’t even see over the altar. What a wonderful sight. Hopefully, I can get you a picture of this.
I am so happy to see more people at the masses, people who have been away for a long time, since C 19. I know how much you miss coming to church, but you have to put your own safety first. If you don’t feel safe, stay home and watch mass on TV. This virus is still with us and will be for a while.
I am hoping to get to a driving range this week and whack a few golf balls. I hope I remember how to hold the club and take a controlled swing. It seems like such a long time.
We have some baptisms lined up for the next month and also some more first holy communions. That is a good sign. Unfortunately, the number of people attending has to be limited.
This week and next I will try to visit all our shut-ins and others who would like a priestly visit. It is so easy to lose track of our senior parishioners. We send out over 20 bulletins to parishioners each week. I‘m sure we could send more. If you know a parishioner who is home and would like a weekly bulletin, please contact the office.
The reality is that the days of a weekly bulletin are coming to a close. Pretty soon everything will be done online. Modern technology. Every morning I read the Hartford Courant online and find it very satisfying. Gotta go with the flow.
Thank you so much for your continued support for Hinka’s Cupboard and Amazing Grace food pantry. I also thank you for your donation so I can help the poor here in Middletown. Socks and snacks are always good, also money. I notice a real change in people now that the weather is warmer. Some optimism. Even those who sleep outside feel a little better now that the weather is warmer. Rain is still a big problem for them.
Let us be optimistic. Life is never easy for long. As the song goes, Jesus “never promised us a rose garden.” We have so many things to help us get through. I highly recommend that you read the daily mass readings. Just type in “daily
mass readings.” You will be amazed at how much you will enjoy them as part of your daily spiritual life. I do them each morning at 5:00 am in English, Spanish and Italian.