In this Year of Faith, the Catholic Bishops of the United States have called for a nationwide effort to advance a movement for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty through prayer, penance, and sacrafice. Catholics across the nation are being encouraged to pray for rebuilding a culture favorable to life and marriage and for increased protections of religious liberty.

To learn more or to read the entire flyer, click here.

Msgr. Craig invites you to participate in his Book Club.  He is encouraging every parishioner to read “Confessions of A Mega Church Pastor” by Allen Hunt.  Msgr. Craig he will be having a discussion group to glean the wisdom of this spiritual guide of living with passion and purpose.  Books are available at the Parish Office. 

Dear St. Francis Parish,

For five years (half of my ordained life) I have had the privilege and honor of serving here at St. Francis Parish. In those five years I came to experience the love and generosity of the many parishioners as they supported my ministry to the  poor and homeless of Bakersfield. Working with Monsignor Craig and the staff of St. Francis has been nothing short of an awesome loving and learning experience.

I am now beginning a new chapter in my ministerial journey serving God’s people as I transfer to St. Malachy Parish in Tehachapi. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers along with the many poor and homeless brothers and sisters I have been blessed to work with these last five years.

May God continue His many blessing to you all.

  Deacon Richard Lambert

St Francis is very busy this time of year as we prepare for the Triduum.  What’s that you ask… maybe it is a typo?   The Triduum is the time of the Church year when we celebrate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This three-day celebration signals the end of Lent and begins with our Holy Thursday Mass and continues on Good Friday with the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion. At the end of this liturgy, we leave the church in silence, waiting to celebrate the glory of our Lord’s resurrection. Then, on Saturday at sun down, the Church re-gathers to celebrate the final, and most grand, moment of the Triduum: the Resurrection of our Lord.

Join us this year during these three days when we join with Christ and journey with him toward the cross and rejoice in the glory of His resurrection.

As members of St. Francis of Assisi’s Catholic Healing Professionals, the goal of our counseling team is the spiritual and emotional healing and well-being of all whom God brings to our church doors.  With God’s grace, we will use our professional skills and a gentle encouragement toward Scripture, personal prayer and the Sacraments. Help is available. Call the Parish Office for more information.

St. Francis will be part of an amazing opportunity in San Diego for all teens (graduating 8th graders -seniors in high school).  Our parish will be part of nearly 5000 Catholic teens celebrating, praising and proclaiming our love for Jesus Christ and His Church.  We are excited to be part of Steubenville San Diego,  July 27-29. 

Time is running out! Please visit our church office for a registration packet. 

Click here to see a video about the event!

The St. Francis Grief Share is led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. Currently the group meets on Thursday from 4:00 - 5:30 pm in conference room B and a new group will begin in March. If you're interested in attending or want to learn more, please email sfgriefshare@gmail.com.

To learn more about Grief Share, click here to view a video.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be "of, by, and for the people," has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people—the Catholic population—and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.

Read more here in both English and Spanish versions.

Attention all teens to include graduating 8th graders and seniors in high school.  St. Francis will be part of a celebration of over 4000 Catholic teens in San Diego from July 27-29.  Our parish has reserved 120 of those spots!   The cost is $280 per person and includes the bus ride, room, food, T-shirt, and the event.   Registration will begin outside the church after Masses beginning Feb 18-19.^.  You may also register after the Super Sunday Mass on February 26th. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.  The first 120 teens that sign up and pay the entrance fee will be accepted.  For more information, please contact the Church office or www.steubenvillesd.com.

Religious Education is kicking off their Annual Warm Clothing Drive. We are accepting any gently used clothing donations of hats, gloves, socks, coats, and jackets for men, women, and children up until Christmas. Blankets and towels are also greatly appreciated. Please make sure all items are clean before you bring them to our Religious Education Office at 2424 Palm St. Also, please call the office at 232-8800 to see if we are open!

Your generosity has been amazing in the past years. Thank you for helping our brothers and sisters this winter spirit.

The children in our elementary religious education program are excited to be celebrating Grandparents Day this month. We will have this special day on two different dates for the children in Monday and Thursday classes. If you have a grandchild, niece, nephew, or youngster in RE on Monday nights, come share your faith with them on Monday Nov. 14, from 6:30-8:00 pm or if they are in Thursday classes, Nov. 17^th from 4:00-5:30 pm. Please feel free to call the Religious Education office at 323-8800 and talk to us or leave a message if you have any questions.

St. Francis is offering LIFE (Living in Freedom Everyday)for men dealing with Sexual Addiction. Meetings will be Tuesday evenings at 7pm at the Parish Rectory.  The group is anonymous, free, and no registration is required.  Contact Arturo 444-6943 for more information.

"Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!"
        - Francis of Assisi, circa 1225

A blessing of animals takes place at our Church ever year in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. Dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses are led to our Church for a special ceremony in their honor. We believe every creature is important and a pet can be a true companion. The love we give to a pet, and receive from a pet, can draw us more deeply into the larger circle of life and into the wonder of our relationship to our Creator.

Every September our parishioners have come to expect our annual Fiesta gathering. Despite the rain and thunder, our Fiesta this year was another huge success. We kicked off with Mass on the St. Francis School yard with Msgr. Craig who said the thunder sounded as if “God was clapping for us.” Almost immediately after Mass, a quick downpour of rain began that lasted only a few minutes and subsided so the festivities could continue! Our many Ministries were offering carnival style foods from hot dogs and hamburgers to chili boats, popcorn, and cake pops. We had a great turnout thanks to our active and alive parish community. Not even the weather could keep us from having a fun, faith filled evening with family and friends.