Dear Friends in Christ,

Welcome to the parish community of Saint Francis of Assisi. As members of the Body of Christ, we become an integral part of the mission of our parish family. Presently, this mission is stated as follows:

We, the people of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Gates Mills, Ohio, recognize that we are a large cosmopolitan parish, representing a broad spectrum of age, nationality, educational background and financial status.

Recognizing that our diversities are many, we are a loving, united community of
Christ’s people and our goal is salvation. We care for every person within our parish. Asking the help of the Holy Spirit, our mission is to enable the people of God in Saint Francis of Assisi to carry out their Christian commitment, to be strengthened by Eucharistic participation, and to work and grow according to the law of Christian charity.

The teachings of Vatican II offer insights into the meaning of our vocation as Catholic Christians. We are all the people of God, called to use the many gifts, which we have graciously received, for the good of our bothers and sisters.

Saint Francis of Assisi, our patron saint, has left us a powerful example of how to
appreciate the wonderful world around us and how to share the goods of the world
which we have been given with those who are less fortunate or more needy. In this
way we build up the Body of Christ.

"We adore you and bless you, Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all the churches which
are in the whole world, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world"
(St. Francis of Assisi).

In Christ,

Rev. James L. Caddy,
Pastor