Honor, Listen, and Rebuild
TOMORROW – Oct. 4thhonor St. Francis of Assisi.
To Celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi many of our parish and school families will bring their pets out for a special blessing by the priest. While this 13th Century saint is honored as the patron of animals, preaching every creature is a marvelous gift from God, his focus was also on the Holy Trinity, living simply, and fostering countless vocations as founder of the Friars Minor (Franciscans) and the religious order of sisters – the Poor Clares with St. Clare of Assisi.
God called St. Francis of Assisi to “rebuild” the Church – with actions, words, and living out the Gospel lessons.
Like St. Francis we are called by the Holy See, the National Eucharistic Revival’s Walk With One initiative, our diocese, and our parishes to build up the Church – the House of the Lord. Bishop Mark Brennan and our parish priests invite us continuously to be fully alive not only at Church, but also as we are sent out as Christ’s hands and feet in our families, communities, and organizations to do God’s work.
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – St. Francis of Assisi.
In 1224, two years before his death St. Francis received the stigmata – wounds of Christ. Many did not know this until after his death, but they were not surprised, because St. Francis deeply loved God and worked hard to live his life loving others like Christ. Likewise, he was willing to accept human suffering knowing Christ endured the worst.
Editor’s note: the painting of St. Francis with Infant Jesus is by Kate Capato, is a Catholic sacred art painter. Her work is available at: https://visualgrace.org
