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Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Francis Parish,
I don’t know how much more depressing it can get to read or watch the news these days. Mass shootings in Buffalo and Texas, chaos in Haiti, continued destruction in Ukraine, records set for US overdose deaths, a record high for car accident deaths, and continued inflation with higher food costs, and gasoline costs. Yesterday I filled up my tank for $89.75. Where is the good news?
Last weekend we celebrated a wedding, First Holy Communion, a Sweet 15, and a baptism. This coming Saturday Bishop Cote is coming to confirm 21. I’d say that is pretty good news! The glass is always half full, no matter how many holes in it.

My request for socks and snacks was a great success. Thank you so much!
We are still looking for an apartment for our Venezuelan family and we do have some leads. If you know of an open apartment, please let me know.
The Tag Sale is coming along super well. So much stuff!!!!! We are headed down to Higganum for more quality furniture. We were there yesterday also.
We have found a pair of glasses and a cell phone. If you are missing them, we have them. They are in the office.
The Red Sox are on a winning streak, but the “other team” is still in first with the best record in baseball. Something is not right with this picture ……
On June 25, at 10:30 am at St. Patrick Cathedral in Norwich, Deacon Jacob Ramos will be ordained a priest for our Diocese. This is cause for great joy. As you know there is a shortage of priests, pretty much worldwide. We look forward to him serving our Diocese for many years.
As you may also have heard, Bishop Cote terminated his contract with two seminarians, Rueben and Dharan, both from Colombia. This must have been one of the hardest decisions Bishop Cote has ever had to make, but I trust in his judgment and ask you for prayers for all three of them.
The archbishop of San Francisco has banned Nancy Pelosi from receiving Holy Communion in his area of jurisdiction and some dozen or so bishops have done the same. Most bishops have remained silent so far. Yes, this is a very complicated and political matter.
American Catholics are very divided on the abortion issue in general and on receiving Holy Communion in particular. There is not a lot of middle ground on this issue and I don’t see any resolution anytime soon. As Catholics, we have to be much more than just “pro-birth,” which too many like to equate with “pro-life,” which is not necessarily so. As I have said so many times, in my RT’s and at Mass, the key to fewer abortions is better conception prevention.
We have not received any update on the Bankruptcy situation of our Diocese, but they will send us info when they can. The Diocese is doing its best to keep us updated during this very difficult time.
We did not have the Hinka’s Pantry today because our quarterback Nettie is on injured reserve having broken her left arm in four places. She will be leading us next month.
Enjoy this nice weather.