On behalf of the entire staff of Franciscan Collaborative Ministries, along with the leadership and parishioners of Franciscan Church of the Assumption, we’d like to wish everyone a very joyous and restful Christmas experience.

Sometimes the numbers say it best. In preparing some information about the Poverello Health Program of Franciscan Northside Ministries, it seemed worthwhile to share some statistics relevant to the Ministry’s services. These figures help put the critical work of Northside Ministries into perspective.

The call to service, I believe, is one that we all feel. It is the way in which this service manifests itself that differs. Since August 17th, I have been living with four other FrancisCorps volunteers, sharing in community far away from my home in New Providence, NJ. For the next year, my job will consist of working at the food pantry, as well as helping with Northside Ministries.

[ December 7, 2007; 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. December 8, 2007; 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] On December 7th and 8th at 7:00PM, Franciscan Northside Ministries will host a reading of “A Christmas Memory”, a holiday reminiscence by Truman Capote. The hour-long reading features Michael O’Neill and Caroline Fitzgerald, and original music by Karl Sperber and Carl Lovell.

After nearly a year of work with SU’s campus ministry, Fr. John is finally available to begin his work as Co-minister of Franciscan Church of the Assumption. For the sake of those who may not be familiar with Fr. John, we took the opportunity to conduct a brief Q&A.