Reflection by: Fr. Salvator M. Stefula, T.O.R.

In another week we will celebrate the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This will conclude the Ordinary Time of the Church year. The following week we will begin the new Liturgical Year, Advent. Our scripture readings will come from YEAR B.

With the economy the way it is today, high gas prices and high food cost, we could be like the man in today’s gospel and bury whatever we have left of our assets in some safe place. The story is not about how we should invest our money but how to invest our lives. The only safe investment is to invest our lives in God and to live our faith as best we can. We will get out of our spiritual life what we put into it. The parable today tells us heaven is not a freebie and it is not automatic. Grace is a gift and if we do not use the graces and gifts and love God offers us, we will lose them. It is like any talent we can think of—if we do not use it, it does no good to have it. God cannot save us without our cooperation.

Fr Joe Robinson in his book entitled “Guiding Light” says the Mass reminds us of how we have been blessed; it reminds us of our responsibilities; it encourages us to remain faithful. He says the Mass not only encourages us, but the Mass is the greatest prayer we have. As a prayer it helps us to use well the gifts God has given us, especially the gift of his grace.

La semana próxima celebraremos la Fiesta de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Rey del Universo. Con esto concluye el Tiempo Ordinario del año de la Iglesia. Luego la semana siguiente comienza el nuevo Año Litúrgico, Adviento. Nuestras lecturas de las escrituras serán del AÑO B.

Con la economía tal y como está hoy en día, los precios altos de la gasolina y los precios altos de los alimentos, podríamos ser como el hombre del evangelio de hoy y enterrar lo que nos quede de nuestros bienes en algún lugar seguro. La historia no se trata sobre como deberíamos invertir nuestro dinero, sino como invertir nuestras vidas. La única inversión segura es invertir nuestras vidas en Dios y vivir nuestra fe lo mejor que podamos. Obtendremos de nuestra vida espiritual lo que invirtamos en ella. La parábola de hoy nos dice que el cielo no es un regalo y no es automático. La gracia es un regalo y si no usamos las gracias, dones y el amor que Dios nos ofrece, los perderemos. Es como cualquier talento que se nos ocurra: si no lo usamos, no sirve de nada tenerlo. Dios sin nuestra cooperacion, no puede salvarnos.

El Padre Joe Robinson en su libro titulado «Guiding Light» dice, la Misa nos recuerda como hemos sido bendecidos; nos recuerda de nuestras responsabilidades; nos anima a permanecer fieles. Afirma que la Misa no solamente nos motiva, pero la Misa es la oración mayor que tenemos. Como una oración, nos ayuda a hacer buen uso de los dones que Dios nos ha concedido, especialmente el don de su gracia.

On the Occasion of the Celebration of the 800^th Celebration of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi 1226-2026

Our dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this year we are celebrating the 800^th anniversary of the death, or transitus, of Saint Francis. The ministers General of the whole Franciscan family have called all Franciscans to celebrate what they have called the Easter of Francis of Assisi. Additionally, Pope Leo XIV has invoked a Jubilee Year, often referred to as a holy year, for all believers to share in this commemoration of Saint Francis entering into heaven. What a wonderful gift for the whole Church!

In contemporary society, we rarely think about death, not only because it reminds us that we are limited creatures, but also because it exposes the false security we get from believing that we are masters over time and life. Saint Francis, on the other hand, welcomed Sister Death with song in his Canticle of the Creatures, the Canticle of Brother Sun, because he understood that death is not the termination of everything but the end that allows us to enter into full communion with God. Indeed, life is a gift that must be given back: “Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!” (Francis of Assisi, Letter to the Entire Order #29)

At the end of his days, Saint Francis contemplated his life and discovered the presence and action of the Lord everywhere. Thus, in his Testament he repeats, like a refrain: “The Lord gave me, Brother Francis… The Lord gave me such faith in churches… The Lord gave me, and gives me still, such faith… And after the Lord gave me some brothers, no one showed me what to do, but the Most High Himself revealed to me that I should live according to the pattern of the Holy Gospel” (Testament 1-14).

The celebration of the 800^th anniversary of the Easter of Saint Francis invites us to contemplate our lives, both personally and as Catholics, with the eyes of faith, and by doing so, perceive the divine presence and action in everything, even in the difficult and dramatic situations we have experienced or are experiencing now.

It is an opportunity to thank God for all the gifts he has bestowed on us, particularly (on this occasion) for the gift of Saint Francis of Assisi and his evangelical life, which has become a light to the world reflecting the greater Light who is Christ for the world, and which today still has the strength to call out to women and men of all cultures, both inside and outside the Catholic Church.

And finally, celebrating the passing of the Poverello (the little poor one) is an occasion to remember that we are all called to holiness, and that like Saint Francis, we are invited to reflect the beauty of the gospel, because “holiness is the most attractive face of the Church” (Pope Francis, Gaudete et exsultate 9).

So, in this spirit we welcome all those who come to Saint Patrick in South Tampa to share in the light of the faith of Saint Francis, to experience the rich blessings of this Jubilee and Eighth Centenary of his transitus from this life to life with God. May you be inspired to, as Francis told his brothers at the end of his life: “Let us begin, brothers, to serve the Lord God, for up until now we have done little or nothing.”

Yours in Christ and Saint Francis,

Fr. Salvator M. Stefula, TOR                                                                                                                             Fr. Alberto F. Bueno, TOR

Pope Leo XIV Declares Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi | Gulf Coast Catholic

https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/letters/2026/documents/20260107-lettera-morte-sf.html

https://www.centenarifrancescani.org/index.php/en

BINGO & DINNER

Tuesday

2026 Dates: December 1st

2027 Dates: January 12th, February th, March 9th, April 13th, May 11th, June 8th, July 13th, August 10th, September 14th, October 12th, November 9th, December 14th

St. Patrick Catholic Church

Social Hall

Dinner served between 5:30pm- 6:30pm. 

Bingo will start at 6:30pm.

Cost: $25.00

Includes 9 pack of 13 sheets (26 games)

and 4 specials. MUST BE 18 TO PLAY.

TICKETS SOLD AT THE DOOR ONLY.

*Meals subject to Change