Welcome to our February 9, 2020

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Family

Sharing the love of Jesus in the north Georgia mountains, and beyond……

Archdiocese of Atlanta

Deacon Larry Casey Mass Times: Sat: 4:30 pm - Vigil

Deacon Paul Dietz Sun: 8:30 am, 11:00 am

Deacon J.P. McGuire – Administrator 1:00 pm (Spanish)

Business Manager Communion Svc: Mon - Fri: 9:00 am Jim Gioia ____________________________________________

Sacrament of Reconciliation: Office Assistant Sat: 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm Lisa Howard Eucharistic Adoration: Finance Manager Mon. – Fri. 9:45 am – 12 noon Rita Baker

Church Office Phone: (706) 745-6400

Dir. Of Religious Education 3717 Hwy 515

Joe Kwiatkowski Blairsville, GA. 30512

Adult Faith Formation

Colleen Orchanian Office Hours: Mon – Thurs: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

Music Director E-mail: office@stfrancisblairsville.com

Marianne Engelmann Website: www.stfrancisblairsville.com

February 9, 2020 . Mass Intentions

Sat. 4:30 PM + Robert Persche By Tom & Marcy Walsh Sun 8:30 AM + Patricia Kay By Betsy Thomas Sun 11:00 AM + Karl & Barbara Gruensteidl By The Grizio Family WEEKLY CALENDAR Feb 9thd - Feb 15th

SUNDAY 9:45 am Catechism Lower Marian Hall 5:00 pm Youth Group Marian Hall Monday No Activities Tuesday 9:50 am Weight on the Lord Room 11 10:00 am Book Club Room 7

Wednesday 9:00 am Deacon Knights Commun. Service Church 10:00 am Prayer Group Room 11 6:00 pm Young Adults/Catechism Room 7 7:00 pm Spanish Prayer Group Church & Adoration Thursday 10:00 am SVdP Meeting Conference Rm. 2:00 pm Koffee Klatch Marian Hall 4:00 pm Choir Church 5:30 pm Knights Meeting Marian Hall Friday 10:00 am Sisters in Faith Marian Hall Saturday No Activities

Offertory Jan. 18th & 19th First Collection $ 5037.00 Online Giving $ 1,490.00 Second Collection $ 3,740.00 – St. Vincent de Paul

2020 Mass Intentions As a reminder, the Mass Intentions Book for 2020 is open, and intentions are limited at this point of the year to weekend Masses only, until we return to a daily Mass schedule. Please call the office to arrange for any Mass intentions.

Readings: The Week of Feb 9nd – Feb 15th

Sunday-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time IS 58:7-10 1 COR 21-5 MT 5:13-16

Monday-St. Scholastica, Virgin KGS 8:1-7, 9-13 MK 6:53-56

Tuesday- Our Lady of Lourdes 1KGS 8:22-23, 27-30 MK 7:1-13

Wednesday 1 KGS 10:1-10 MK 7:14-23

Thursday 1 KGS 11:4-13 MK 7:24-30

Friday-Sts.Cyril,Monk & Methodius, Bishop KGS 11:29-32; 12:19 MK 7:31-37

Saturday 1 KGS 12:26-32: 13:33- 34 MK 8:1-10

Prayer Requests Lamar Buckner Jean Caputa David Drake Fr. Gary Burkhart Ann Jacques Barbara Lewis Bruce & Stephanie Miller Elizabeth Smith Ken Voss Jeanine Visage Ray Kelly Jean Hiler, ofs Pat Smith Roseanne Denchy Robert Hafer Julie Waltz Jack Gallagher Ginny Sauer Buddy Mawyer William McConnell Megan Harrell Donald Elyard Bev Schutt Irene Tisdale Charlie Gluodenis Adam Chedister Todd Smith Edward Stuart Glenn Haney George Ponzio Donna Warren Marie Hancock

Names will be removed after 30 days unless requested to remain

Prayer for Healing Almighty and merciful Father, by the power of your command, drive away from them all forms of sickness and disease. Restore strength to their bodies and joy to their spirit, so that in their renewed health, they may bless and serve you, now and forevermore.

A Note …from the desk of Deacon John Paul

Dear Friends,

This past week the office sent

out notification to all our

ministers and volunteers who

are involved working with

children, vulnerable adults,

transporting parishioners, or

who are involved with counting or collecting money. All

involved in such ministry must have their paperwork

updated for their background checks. This includes all of

us who works for the church.

This is a process that is repeated every 5 years and the

application is resubmitted at that time. I know I have gone

through this process at least 5 times myself. This is how

the Church meets its compliance with the Archdiocesan

guidelines.

In addition to the background check, counters and ushers

are subject to a credit check, and those who drive

parishioners must show proof of car insurance. Also,

anyone who has not attended a VIRTUS session in the past

will also be required to attend. Sign up in the office for the

next session, February 22nd, from 10 am – 1pm in Marian

Hall.

I know no one loves this process, but it is part of the

sacrifice we make if we want to work for the Church. The

Joy of ministry and serving our brothers and sisters of St.

Francis is well worth it. And it should give us some peace

of mind knowing that the Archdiocese of Atlanta acts in

this prudent way.

Please know how much you are all appreciated, for where

would we be without your selfless and joyous gift of your

time and talent.

Finally, I would also like to thank all of you for your prayers

of support in this time of transition for our St. Francis

parish. It is a source of comfort for me to have so many of

you share that I am remembered in your prayers. Be

assured of my prayers for our entire parish family as well.

+God bless you all,

DJP

Let us do our best then, at the very least, to set aside the Sanctuary of the Church as a place for the silence that Jesus seeks. In order to hear His voice, so that we may discern His will for us. And kindly reserve personal conversation to the doors beyond the Sanctuary. Jesus will be well pleased.

Spritiual Self-Improvement in 20/20 Keep going on that commitment to deepen your spirituality in 2020! Participate in a silent retreat at Ignatius House, a single-day retreat, evening workshop, or book discussion. Retreats begin at 6 p.m. on Friday and conclude Sunday at Noon

unless otherwise noted. Details for Registration

at IgnatiusHouse.org, or call 404.255.0503

Feb. 21-23

Through silence,

prayer, and spiritual

conversation,

discover Henri

Nouwen’s message of

living as God’s

beloved.

Mar. 8-13, or

Mar. 8-15

Experience a 5- or 8-

night retreat with

extended silence and

solitude. Meet daily

with a spiritual

director; customize a

prayer schedule.

Daily liturgy offered.

Saints Cyril and Methodius’ Story

These two Greek brothers ultimately became missionaries, teachers, and patrons of the Slavic peoples. After a brilliant course of studies, Cyril withdrew to a monastery where his brother Methodius had become a monk after some years in a governmental post. A decisive change in their lives occurred when the Duke of Moravia asked the Eastern Emperor Michael for political independence from German rule and ecclesiastical autonomy (having their own clergy and liturgy). Cyril and Methodius undertook this missionary task. Cyril’s first work was to invent an alphabet, still used in some Eastern liturgies. His followers formed the Cyrillic alphabet. Together they translated the Gospels, the psalter, Paul’s letters and the liturgical books into Slavonic, and composed a Slavonic liturgy, highly irregular then. That and their free use of the vernacular in preaching led to opposition from the German clergy. The bishop refused to consecrate Slavic bishops and priests, and Cyril was forced to appeal to Rome. On the visit to Rome, he and Methodius had the joy of seeing their new liturgy approved by Pope Adrian II. Cyril, long an invalid, died in Rome 50 days after taking the monastic habit. Methodius continued mission work for 16 more years. He was papal legate for all the Slavic peoples, consecrated a bishop and then given an ancient see (now in the Czech Republic). When much of their former territory was removed from their jurisdiction, the Bavarian bishops retaliated with a violent storm of accusation against Methodius. As a result, Emperor Louis the German exiled Methodius for three years. Pope John VIII secured his release. Because the Frankish clergy, still smarting, continued their accusations, Methodius had to go to Rome to defend himself against charges of heresy and uphold his use of the Slavonic liturgy. He was again vindicated. Legend has it that in a feverish period of activity, Methodius translated the whole Bible into Slavonic in eight months. He died on Tuesday of Holy Week, surrounded by his disciples, in his cathedral church.

Opposition continued after his death, and the work of the brothers in Moravia was brought to an end and their disciples scattered. But the expulsions had the beneficial effect of spreading the spiritual, liturgical, and cultural work of the brothers to Bulgaria, Bohemia and southern Poland. Patrons of Moravia, and specially venerated by Catholic Czechs, Slovaks, Croatians, Orthodox Serbians and Bulgarians, Cyril and Methodius are eminently fitted to guard the long-desired unity of East and West. In 1980, Pope John Paul II named them additional co-patrons of Europe (with Benedict). Saints Cyril and Methodius are the Patron Saints of Slavic Peoples and Ecumenism.

Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast

SAVE THE DATE!....NEXT SUNDAY When: February 16, 2020 Where: Marian Hall Time: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM Cost: $5 per person/ $15 per family

COME HUNGRY!!

GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY!!!! For the Knights of Columbus VERY popular Chili & Trivia Night. Tickets are $10 per person, but you can enter FREE with a pot of Chili for the Chili Cook Off Contest! A night of fun, laughs and entertainment are guaranteed for all, along with prizes to the best and brightest teams. Tickets on sale after weekend Masses, or in the Office.

SATURDAY, FEB. 29th 6:00 PM Marian

Hall

Light Breaking Forth: Scott

Hahn Reflects on the Fifth

Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Isaiah 58:7–10 Psalm 112:4–9

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 Matthew 5:13–16

Jesus came among us as light to scatter the darkness of a fallen world. As His disciples, we too are called to be “the light of the

world,” He tells us in the Gospel this Sunday (see John 1:4–4, 9; 8:12; 9:5). All three images that Jesus uses to describe the Church are associated with the identity and vocation of Israel. God forever aligned His kingdom with the kingdom of David and his sons by a “covenant of salt,” salt being a sign

of permanence and purity (see 2 Chronicles 13:5, 8; Leviticus 2:13; Ezekiel 43:24). Jerusalem was to be a city set on a hill, high above all others, drawing all nations towards the glorious light

streaming from her Temple (see Isaiah 2:2; 60:1–3). And Israel was given the mission of being a light to the nations, that God’s salvation would reach to the ends of

the earth (see Isaiah 42:6; 49:6). The liturgy shows us this week that the Church, and every Christian, is called to fulfill Israel’s mission. By our faith and good works we are to make the light of God’s life break forth in the darkness, as we sing in this week’s Psalm. This week’s readings remind us that our faith can never be a private affair, something we can hide as if under a basket. We are to pour ourselves out for the afflicted, as Isaiah tells us in the First Reading. Our light must shine as a ray of God’s mercy for all who are poor, hungry, naked, and enslaved. There must be a transparent quality to our lives. Our friends and family, our neighbors and fellow citizens, should see reflected in us the light of Christ and through us be attracted to the saving truths of the Gospel. So let us pray that we, like St. Paul in the Epistle, might proclaim with our whole lives, “Christ and him crucified.

Lecturas:

Isaías 58: 7–10

Salmo 112: 4–9

1 Corintios 2: 1–5

Mateo 5: 13-16 Jesús vino entre nosotros como luz para dispersar la oscuridad de un mundo caído. Como Sus discípulos, nosotros también estamos llamados a ser "la luz del mundo", nos dice en el Evangelio este domingo (véase Juan 1: 4–4, 9; 8:12; 9: 5). Las tres imágenes que Jesús usa para describir a la Iglesia están asociadas con la identidad y la vocación de Israel. Dios alineó para siempre su reino con el reino de David y sus hijos mediante un "pacto de sal", siendo la sal un signo de permanencia y pureza (ver 2 Crónicas 13: 5, 8; Levítico 2:13; Ezequiel 43:24). Jerusalén iba a ser una ciudad situada en una colina, muy por encima de todas las demás, atrayendo a todas las naciones hacia la gloriosa luz que fluye desde su Templo (véase Isaías 2: 2; 60: 1–3). E Israel recibió la misión de ser una luz para las naciones, para que la salvación de Dios llegara hasta los confines de la tierra (ver Isaías 42: 6; 49: 6). La liturgia nos muestra esta semana que la Iglesia y todos los cristianos están llamados a cumplir la misión de Israel. Por nuestra fe y buenas obras debemos hacer que la luz de la vida de Dios brote en la oscuridad, mientras cantamos en el Salmo de esta semana. Las lecturas de esta semana nos recuerdan que nuestra fe nunca puede ser un asunto privado, algo que podamos esconder como si estuviera debajo de una canasta. Debemos derramarnos por los afligidos, como nos dice Isaías en la primera lectura. Nuestra luz debe brillar como un rayo de la misericordia de Dios para todos los pobres, hambrientos, desnudos y esclavizados. Debe haber una calidad transparente en nuestras vidas. Nuestros amigos y familiares, nuestros vecinos y conciudadanos, deben ver reflejada en nosotros la luz de Cristo y, a través de nosotros, sentirse atraídos por las verdades salvadoras del Evangelio. Entonces oremos para que nosotros, como San Pablo en la Epístola, podamos proclamar con toda nuestra vida: “Cristo y él crucificados

The Importance of Online Giving

We would like to take this time to thank all of you participating in online giving with WeShare, and encourage those who have yet to sign up! Online giving has provided St. Francis of Assisi with more consistent contributions, the ability to accept credit and debit cards, the ability to make automatic withdrawals from checking and savings accounts, and saves the administrative staff much needed valuable time. If you have not made the switch from envelopes to online giving, we graciously ask that you take the time to consider doing so. We believe that online giving offers our parish a better future. Go to our website and click Give Online. No matter how you give, your gifts are always appreciated.

VIRTUS TRAINING VIRTUS training is required for all volunteers at St. Francis of Assisi. The next opportunity to attend Virtus training will be on Saturday, February 22nd from 10 am – 1 pm. This important training allows all volunteers to freely engage in ministry, while helping raise appropriate awareness to protect our children and elderly, the most vulnerable within our community. Please sign up with Joan Furst, in the office. Those who have direct contact with children, or the elderly within their ministry will not be allowed to be involved in their ministry until they have completed VIRTUS training. All other ministries which have INDIRECT contact with children and the elderly will be granted 60 days to complete VIRTUS training before such restrictions are imposed. There will be additional future sessions offered, but none scheduled at this time. Thank you to ALL involved in ministry at our parish. While this step may be viewed as inconvenient, it is a small and necessary step to help insure we are doing our best for the innocent and the vulnerable.

THANK YOU!!! To the 43 heroes who gave of themselves, literally, when they donated blood to the American Red Cross last week. We surpassed our goal of 38 pints of blood. To those who

donated, may you one day meet in heaven those whom you helped. Please stay tuned for future opportunities to help save a life!!

OOur Lady of Lourdes – Feast Day, February 11

The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in southern France is the most visited pilgrimage site in the world — principally because of the apparent healing properties of the waters of the spring that appeared during the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a poor, fourteen-year-old girl, Bernadette Soubiroux. The first apparition occurred February 11, 1858. There were eighteen in all; the last took place July 16, of the same year. Bernadette often fell into an ecstasy during these apparitions, as was witnessed by the hundreds who attended the later visions, though no one except Bernadette ever saw or heard the apparition. The mysterious vision Bernadette saw in the hollow of the rock Massabielle, where she and friends had gone to gather firewood, was that of a young and beautiful lady. "Lovelier than I have ever seen" said the child. She described the Lady as clothed in white, with a blue ribbon sash and a Rosary handing from her right arm. Now and then the apparition spoke to Bernadette.

One day, the Lady told the girl to drink of a mysterious fountain within the grotto itself, the existence of which was unknown, and of which there was no sign. But Bernadette scratched at the ground, and a spring immediately bubbled up and soon gushed forth. On another occasion the apparition bade Bernadette go and tell the priests she wished a chapel to be built on the spot and processions to be made to the grotto. At first the clergy were incredulous. The priest said he would not believe it unless the apparition gave Bernadette her name. After another apparition, Bernadette reported that the Lady told her, "I am the Immaculate Conception". Though the girl was unfamiliar with the term, the Pope had declared the doctrine of the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary in 1854. Four years after Bernadette's visions, in 1862, the bishop of the diocese declared the faithful "justified in believing the reality of the apparition" of Our Lady. A basilica was built upon the rock of Massabielle by M. Peyramale, the parish priest. In 1873 the great "national" French pilgrimages were inaugurated. Three years later the basilica was consecrated and the statue solemnly crowned. In 1883 the foundation stone of another church was laid, as the first was no longer large enough. It was built at the foot of the basilica and was consecrated in 1901 and called the Church of the Rosary. Pope Leo XIII authorized a special office and a Mass, in commemoration of the apparition, and in 1907 Pius X extended the observance of this feast to the entire Church; it is now observed on February 11. If you have never seen the movie "The Song of Bernadette" from the 1940s, I recommend you do so. It can be rented. It was made by a Jewish man who made a promise to Our Lady at Lourdes that if he would survive and escape the horrors of WWII Europe, he would tell the story of St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes. He did survive and he kept his promise and the Oscar winning movie was made. This is a movie that you will never forget.

TAXING SOLUTIONS 614-207-4767 Mary Rehling-Shepherd-Parishioner

Over 20 years experience

Registered Tax Return Preparer 179 Scout Trace, Blairsville, GA 30512

taxing.solutions@att.net E-File available

ARNE’S AUTO SERVICE Complete Auto Repair & Tire Ctr.

18 Doc Thomas Ridge Rd. (706) 745-4633 Blairsville, GA 30512 Bus (706) 745-1909 arnesauto@windstream.net Fax (706) 745-3879

Lucas Home Services, llc

Handyman * Paint * Remodel * Drywall Repair

Trim * Doors * Fans * Lights * Fixtures

Paul Lucas 706.461.7329

Parishioner 20+ Years Experience Insured

NELSON’S ACE FARM & GARDEN

Carhartt Clothing, Paint, Pet Supplies

Lawn & Garden Power Equip & Garden Ctr. 1839 Blue Ridge Hwy (706) 745-6380 Blairsville, GA. 30512 OPEN 7 DAYS

Knights of Columbus St. Francis of Assisi Council 11746

Bus. Meeting 2nd Thurs each month, 6:30pm

Socials will be announced https://oc176.blogspot.com

Members of St. Vincent de Paul Society see extreme suffering every day. We are blessed to be able to help a small percent of those who suffer thanks to your

donation.

Mayra L. Owen

Independent Senior Sales Director 770-833-8842

Over 30 Years’ Experience www.marykay.com/mayraowen

parishioner

BLUE RIDGE LAW

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

706-632-1900 www.blueridgelaw.com

Sales * Repairs

Custom Design

Remounts

37 Young Harris St.

706 835-6365 Blairsville GA 30512

Our Father’s Place

St. Francis of Assisi Gift Shop

Religious articles, gifts, bibles, cards, jewelry OPEN BEFORE AND AFTER

ALL WEEKEND MASSES

TATA on Main Time And Time Again

Upscale Consignment Boutique

706-896-0567 Theresa Gaeta Andretta & Lisa Crilly - Parishioners

Charles Johnston - Numismatist 30 Years Experience ۰ President emeritus

Parishioner 706.781.3402

. Buy old gold & silver coins and jewelry

Mountain View Funeral Home Distinctive Service at Moderate Cost

Dr. Benny Erwin * Charles Long, Owners 513 Murphy Hwy, Bldg. 3 P.O. BOX 1676 Blairsville, GA. 30514 706-745-3456

Steak * Seafood* Pasta * Salad

Monet’s . Italian Grill & Pizzeria

Tue – Sat. 4:30-8:30 Closed Sun. & Mon.

130 Blue Ridge St.

One block from the Square in Blairsville Outdoor Seating & Billiards

706.745.5305

www.monetsitaliangrill.com

Cone & Associates CPAs, LLC Accounting * Tax * Consulting

Litigation Support * Financial Forensics

John T. Cone, CPA, ABV, CFF (706) 781-1700 * (706) 781-2502 (fax)

office@conecpafirm.com john@conecpafirm.com

www.conecpafirm.com

9 Cook Street PO BOX 2478 Blairsville, GA 30512 Blairsville, GA 30514

Carolina Sheet Metal

Seamless Guttering

Metal Roofing – Chimney Caps – Copper Work

Ray & Rosie Hohmann Jr., Parishioners www.carolinasheetmetalgutters.com

Tel. (828) 389-6027 Email: csm6@frontier.com Fax (828) 389-6134 3430 US 64 West Cell (678) 332-7592 Hayesville, NC 28904

Greg DeCaro & Associates, LLC Remodeling & Renovation

Small & Medium Projects Cell: (770) 714-7613

Independent Senior Living in the North Georgia Mountains

BRANAN LODGE SIMPSON ESTATES An affordable community of The independent lifestyle Spacious apartments with you’ve been looking for! Spectacular mountain views Enjoy your own mountain (Federal assistance for those home without the burden 62+ or mobility impaired) of lawn care & maint. (55+

WESLEY MOUNTAIN VILLAGE 493 Wesley Mountain Dr. Blairsville, GA. 30512

www.wesleywoods.org 706-745-5565

Tom’s Truck & Auto

Gas & Diesel Engines ASE Master Diesel Tech Tom Martin, parishioner Specializing in FORD 90 Madeline Way Powerstrokes & All Blairsville, GA 30512 F-Series Trucks