St. Francis Free Catholic Church
Peace be with you.
Saint Francis Free Catholic Church is committed to working for the unity of all Christians. Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed “that they all may be one” just before his passion. In keeping with the spirit of the Gospel, we welcome and support mutual collaboration between all believers in Jesus Christ.
However, we must not forget that Saint Francis parish is a Catholic Church. We prayerfully seek to continue and maintain “the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). We celebrate the very real presence of Jesus among us in the Holy Eucharist; we continue the three-fold ministry of deacon, priest and bishop; and we maintain our connection to the entire community of believers since the time of the Apostles by the “apostolic succession” of our bishops. While recognizing the Scriptures "contains all things necessary for salvation", we realize and celebrate the Good News that God continues to guide us and does not limit his revelation to the Bible alone.
As members of the Free Catholic Church, we are called to live out our faith on a daily basis, whether we are at home, school, work or recreation. Within our local community, as in all communities of the United Free Catholic Church, we live and celebrate our faith, which is based in Scripture, explained and exemplified by Holy Tradition and understood by human reason.
Scripture
Scripture is the word of God contained in the Old and New testaments of the Bible. The 39 books of the Old Testament contain the story of God's love from Creation up to the birth of his son, Jesus Christ. They contain God's laws as He gave them to the Hebrew people. The New Testament contains Christ's teachings, the accounts of his life as told by his followers and the beginning of his church. It is composed of 27 books and letters. Within a Catholic worship service, Scripture is read in the lessons, the Gospel (the teachings of Jesus), the Psalms (poems from the Old Testament) and other prayers. Additionally, over two- thirds of our guides to worship, the Sacramentary and missal, come directly from the Old and New Testaments.
Tradition
While Scripture is one source of God’s revelation, it is not the only source of revelation we recognize. We are not Christians in isolation but are part of a living faith that spans 2000 years. Tradition is the embodiment of our experience as Christians throughout the centuries. The heart of our tradition is expressed through the Bible, the Creeds (statements of faith, written in first centuries of the church's existence), the Sacraments and the ordained ministry passed on by Christ to his Church. Our tradition is expressed with many voices, among which are a variety of worship styles, languages, cultures, architecture and music. Our tradition encourages this diversity. We seek to value the life and story each person can bring to the community of faith. As in a tapestry, each person's offering is woven into the life of the whole, making it stronger and more beautiful.
Reason
Each one of us, with God's help, makes a decision about how we use tradition and Scripture in our lives. A personal relationship with God allows us to realize and celebrate our lives to the fullest. The gift of reason, as a complement to Scripture and tradition, leads us to seek answers to our own questions and to grow spiritually. Being active in a community of faith strengthens us to carry our faith into the world. Weaving scripture, tradition and reason together, we strengthen our faith and grow as children of God.
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Dear Lord, be present with us as we seek a deeper relationship with you and guide us in our journey that we may experience your love in all that we do. Through Jesus the Lord. Amen
May the peace of the Lord be with you always.
Saint Francis Free Catholic Church is committed to working for the unity of all Christians. Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed “that they all may be one” just before his passion. In keeping with the spirit of the Gospel, we welcome and support mutual collaboration between all believers in Jesus Christ.
However, we must not forget that Saint Francis parish is a Catholic Church. We prayerfully seek to continue and maintain “the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). We celebrate the very real presence of Jesus among us in the Holy Eucharist; we continue the three-fold ministry of deacon, priest and bishop; and we maintain our connection to the entire community of believers since the time of the Apostles by the “apostolic succession” of our bishops. While recognizing the Scriptures "contains all things necessary for salvation", we realize and celebrate the Good News that God continues to guide us and does not limit his revelation to the Bible alone.
As members of the Free Catholic Church, we are called to live out our faith on a daily basis, whether we are at home, school, work or recreation. Within our local community, as in all communities of the United Free Catholic Church, we live and celebrate our faith, which is based in Scripture, explained and exemplified by Holy Tradition and understood by human reason.
Scripture
Scripture is the word of God contained in the Old and New testaments of the Bible. The 39 books of the Old Testament contain the story of God's love from Creation up to the birth of his son, Jesus Christ. They contain God's laws as He gave them to the Hebrew people. The New Testament contains Christ's teachings, the accounts of his life as told by his followers and the beginning of his church. It is composed of 27 books and letters. Within a Catholic worship service, Scripture is read in the lessons, the Gospel (the teachings of Jesus), the Psalms (poems from the Old Testament) and other prayers. Additionally, over two- thirds of our guides to worship, the Sacramentary and missal, come directly from the Old and New Testaments.
Tradition
While Scripture is one source of God’s revelation, it is not the only source of revelation we recognize. We are not Christians in isolation but are part of a living faith that spans 2000 years. Tradition is the embodiment of our experience as Christians throughout the centuries. The heart of our tradition is expressed through the Bible, the Creeds (statements of faith, written in first centuries of the church's existence), the Sacraments and the ordained ministry passed on by Christ to his Church. Our tradition is expressed with many voices, among which are a variety of worship styles, languages, cultures, architecture and music. Our tradition encourages this diversity. We seek to value the life and story each person can bring to the community of faith. As in a tapestry, each person's offering is woven into the life of the whole, making it stronger and more beautiful.
Reason
Each one of us, with God's help, makes a decision about how we use tradition and Scripture in our lives. A personal relationship with God allows us to realize and celebrate our lives to the fullest. The gift of reason, as a complement to Scripture and tradition, leads us to seek answers to our own questions and to grow spiritually. Being active in a community of faith strengthens us to carry our faith into the world. Weaving scripture, tradition and reason together, we strengthen our faith and grow as children of God.
+ + +
Dear Lord, be present with us as we seek a deeper relationship with you and guide us in our journey that we may experience your love in all that we do. Through Jesus the Lord. Amen
May the peace of the Lord be with you always.
BISHOP OF VIRGINIA GIVES WORDS OF HOPE
The United Free Catholic Church provides a valid alternative to Catholics who are looking for more from their Church. We are a welcoming and inclusive Communion of Christians who seek to practice their Catholic Faith and worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
Catholics today want a Church that is traditional, yet modern and progressive enough to meet the demands of our changing world. They want a Church that not only proclaims God’s love and forgiveness, but also demonstrates that same love and forgiveness to all people by welcoming them without penalty and without prejudice.
It’s sad, but many Catholics are not welcome to receive the Sacraments because they made a “mistake” in their life which "disqualifies" from full participation in with the Church. For them, it’s often no Communion, no Baptism, no Marriage, and in some cases, not even a Catholic Funeral. Yes, they could apply for annulments and special dispensations, but then may have to pay and then wait – sometimes for years – before they have full access to the Sacraments.
Also, many Catholics today are frustrated by many of the outdated and outmoded ideas which have no basis in Scriptures, like celibate Priests, no birth control, scandals, no ordination for women, and much more. They love the Church, but wish the Church could find a way to modernize.
The United Free Catholic Church provides these folks with an alternative that is validly Catholic in every respect. In fact, the Vatican has formally recognized Churches like ours as being validly Catholic in the historic document entitled “Dominus Iesus”. In this document, signed by the Pope, the Vatican declares:
"These Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Roman Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by Apostolic Succession and a valid Eucharist, and are true particular Churches. Therefore, these separated Churches and communities as such, have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church."
The Parishes, Missions, and Ministries of the United Free Catholic Church meet these criteria, and offer a recognized and valid alternative to Catholics – as well as Protestants – who want to return home to the Church.
Catholics today want a Church that is traditional, yet modern and progressive enough to meet the demands of our changing world. They want a Church that not only proclaims God’s love and forgiveness, but also demonstrates that same love and forgiveness to all people by welcoming them without penalty and without prejudice.
It’s sad, but many Catholics are not welcome to receive the Sacraments because they made a “mistake” in their life which "disqualifies" from full participation in with the Church. For them, it’s often no Communion, no Baptism, no Marriage, and in some cases, not even a Catholic Funeral. Yes, they could apply for annulments and special dispensations, but then may have to pay and then wait – sometimes for years – before they have full access to the Sacraments.
Also, many Catholics today are frustrated by many of the outdated and outmoded ideas which have no basis in Scriptures, like celibate Priests, no birth control, scandals, no ordination for women, and much more. They love the Church, but wish the Church could find a way to modernize.
The United Free Catholic Church provides these folks with an alternative that is validly Catholic in every respect. In fact, the Vatican has formally recognized Churches like ours as being validly Catholic in the historic document entitled “Dominus Iesus”. In this document, signed by the Pope, the Vatican declares:
"These Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Roman Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by Apostolic Succession and a valid Eucharist, and are true particular Churches. Therefore, these separated Churches and communities as such, have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church."
The Parishes, Missions, and Ministries of the United Free Catholic Church meet these criteria, and offer a recognized and valid alternative to Catholics – as well as Protestants – who want to return home to the Church.
The Rt. Rev. Mark Leavell
Bishop
Diocese of Virginia
www.dioceseofvirginia.org
Bishop
Diocese of Virginia
www.dioceseofvirginia.org