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A letter from Father Gabriel

March 31, 2020
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Dear friends,
A very nice woman recently corrected me when I told her that the church was closed. She replied, "No father, the temple, the building is closed but the Church is open." What a wise statement it was. Because, although it is true that in these times of Social Distancing, we are wisely told "Safer at Home", it is also true that the Church remains with her arms open to console us.

Now a quick update of what is happening around Saint Francis: The parish office continues to be open to answer phone calls and emails and to accommodate walk-ins. The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is being offered with the appropriate precautions. Thanks to your continued generosity, our Food Distribution Program for the most vulnerable persons is ongoing.

It is very impressive to witness the creativity people are showing in these surreal times. One of our parishioners told me that she is determined to read the entire Bible from cover to cover. Many others are turning to the Rosary and other forms of daily prayer.
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Christians and the cross have always being connected. It is part of who we are and the Cross is our faithful companion in life's journey. During this Holy Week, when the world celebrates the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord, the Cross looms particularly big on our horizon. In a strange way, this provides us with a singular opportunity to make this Easter truly special. "If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him".
Romans 6:8

Reach out to family and friends, let go of grudges, and count our blessings. Please visit the parish website and stay connected. Let us pray for each other.

Peace,
Father Gabriel
PS: To our Italians friends: "Tutto andra bene."

Queridos amigos:
Una señora de la parroquia me reprimió. Le había dicho que la iglesia estaba cerrada. Me respondió: No padre, el templo, el edificio está cerrado pero la Iglesia está abierta". Que sabiduría. Porque si bien es cierto que en estos tiempos nos aconsejan sabiamente de mantener "distancia social" y "más seguro en casa" también es cierto que la Iglesia continua con sus brazos abiertos para consolarnos.

Continuamos ofreciendo, con las debidas precauciones, el sacramento de la reconciliación (confesión). Gracias a la generosidad de ustedes, continuamos con la distribución de alimentos para los más vulnerables y necesitados.

Es impresionante la creatividad que muchos están demostrando en estos tiempos tan raros (no estoy hablando de los videítos!). Una señora se ha propuesto leer la Biblia de principio a fin. Muchos están orando desde sus casas con el rosario.

Los cristianos y la cruz siempre hemos estado conectados. La cruz es parte de quienes somos y fiel compañera en nuestro peregrinar por la vida. Este año, esta Semana Santa cuando el mundo celebra la Pasión, Muerte y Resurrección de nuestro Señor, tenemos la oportunidad de que esta Pascua sea un momento único lleno de bendiciones: "sí morimos con Cristo, creemos que también viviremos con el"
Romanos 6:8

Manténganse en contacto con familiares y amigos. Perdonen ofensas del pasado porque nunca se sabe… Seamos agradecidos. Visiten el website (portal) de la parroquia, estemos conectados virtual y espiritualmente. Oremos los unos por los otros.
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Paz
Padre Gabriel
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St. Francis De Sales parish office is open regular hours: Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fr. Gabriel will be available for confessions.
Call us at 305-672-0093

La oficina parroquial de St. Francis De Sales está abierta: Lunes - Viernes de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m.
Padre Gabriel está disponible para confesiones.
Llamar al 305-672-0093

A message from Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski

English
Español
March 13, 2020
Note from the Archbishop of Miami concerning Coronavirus and parish activities

Our parishes will celebrate the Lord’s Day this weekend and during the week for those who do wish to participate in the Eucharistic celebration, the source and summit of our Christian life. We pray that we will be able to continue to do so; but we will be guided by prudence and the best counsel of our civil authorities and medical professionals. If circumstances dictate in coming days that Masses be suspended the Archdiocese will make a timely announcement to that effect.

Archdiocese parochial schools and High Schools will close on Tuesday, March 17th. (In order to provide to parents, the opportunity to arrange childcare and personal schedules, Catholic schools will be open on Monday, March 16.) Religious education programs (CCD) are also suspended. Retreats and other parish activities will be cancelled or postponed in an effort to increase “social distancing” in order to mitigate exposure.

I continue to urge prudence. Those who are sick or are tending to the sick should not come to Mass this weekend. Those who because of anxiety, or are caregivers to the elderly or young children, may decide not to attend Mass. Given these extraordinary circumstances, I dispense the faithful of the Archdiocese of Miami from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.

As we prepare celebrate the Third Sunday of our Lenten Season, our nation – and, indeed, our world – is facing unprecedented threat because of the Coronavirus Pandemic. We hold in prayer all those infected with the virus, their families and loved ones. We pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died. As a people of faith, we trust in the power of prayer and in the providence of our loving God; as a people of hope, we know that God will never abandon us in our need; and as a people of charity, we, despite our own fears and anxieties, stand in solidarity with all of brothers and sisters infected or affected by this pandemic.

Let nothing disturb you,
let nothing frighten you,
he who has God
nothing lacks:
God alone suffices.
Nada te turbe,
nada te espante,
quien a Dios tiene
nada le falta:
Solo Dios basta. (St. Teresa de Avila)​

Welcome to Saint Francis de Sales

Our church was built in 1940 as a mission chapel and was served by the priests of Saint Patrick Catholic Church three miles north in Miami Beach. Bishop Coleman F. Carroll, the first Bishop of Miami, consecrated Saint Francis De Sales as a church in 1964.
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Everyone who lives or visits the Beach is invited to participate in our parish community.
We welcome you to come and pray with us!

Saint Francis de Sales' Young Adult Community is officially here!

All young adults are welcome to St. Francis de Sales' Young Adult Ministry nights as we grow together in fellowship and formation delving deeper into our Faith through various events, studies, speakers and much more.

8:00PM every Wednesday in the Parish Hall (behind St. Francis de Sales Church next to the rectory)

We hope to see you!
​St. Francis de Sales'
​Young Adult Ministry Community
For weekly Young Adult Ministry announcements ​and
​young adult events throughout the Archdiocese of Miami!

Tweets from Pope Francis

Location

Church: 600 Lenox Avenue
Parish Office and Mailing Address: 621 Alton Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
The church's main entrance faces Lenox Avenue. Our parking lot is directly behind the church and is available for the exclusive use of all who worship with us. Enter the lot from 6th Street and Lenox Avenue. Additional parking options are nearby.
“When you come to the Beach… don't forget Who made it.”