From the Desk of Fr. Francis - December 2015

December, 2015

Dear Sisters and Brothers in St. Francis,

May the Infant Jesus grant your heart the Peace you desire.

May His Star enlighten your mind with the splendor of His Truth.

May His Love consume your heart so that it beats solely for Him.

 

 

His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136). God’s mercy is limitless. God’s mercy and love are His judgment and sentence. God’s mercy was manifest from the beginning of creation. The mere fact that God loved and loves us into life is an eternal sign of God’s
Continue reading: From the Desk of Fr. Francis – December 2015

From the Pen of our Formation Director - December 2015

Dear Sister and Brothers,

Pope Francis has called us to begin the Year of Mercy on the feast of the Immaculate Conception December 8th 2015 and end on November 20, 2016. He has made mercy the central theme of his papacy. In Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel, mercy is used 32 times.

This is what our holy father Pope Francis has had to say:

The Church should be more evident in its mission of being a witness of mercy. It is a call for each of us to give consolation to every man and woman of our time.
Continue reading: From the Pen of our Formation Director – December 2015

Daily Reflections From Fr. Francis - December 2015

Most High, Glorious God,

enlighten the darkness of our minds.

Give us a right faith, a firm hope and a perfect charity,

so that we may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will.

Amen.

(Saint Francis of Assisi)

Following are excerpts taken from: A Collection of Sayings of the Companions of Blessed Francis; daily reflections are taken from various saints and blessed.

1

When Saint Francis delivered the second Rule to the Lord Pope Honorius for confirmation at Christ’s command…he said to Blessed
Continue reading: Daily Reflections From Fr. Francis – December 2015

Monthly Reflections From Fr. Francis - November 2015

November 2015

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,

Yours are the praises,

the glory, and the honor, and all blessing,

To you alone, Most High, do they belong,

and no human is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,

especially Sir Brother Sun, …

Sister Moon and the stars, …Brother Wind, …

Sister Water, … Brother Fire, … our Sister Mother Earth, …

Praised be You, my Lord,

through those who give
Continue reading: Monthly Reflections From Fr. Francis – November 2015

From the Desk of Fr. Francis - November 2015

November 2015

Dear Sisters and Brothers in St. Francis,

The Lord give you his peace!

God, even through nature, often speaks to us about life’s journey. The Winter Season, soon to be upon us, is announced by days that grow ever shorter and the sun that seems to take its time offering us its light and warmth each day. It is a good time for us to reflect on certain basic realities that we often place at the margin of our mind. Yet, these truths are a fact of our human life and a fact of
Continue reading: From the Desk of Fr. Francis – November 2015

Thoughts from your Regional Formation Director - November 2015

Franciscan Simplicity and Creation

Our Franciscan Rule 11 states that Christ and His mother chose a poor and humble life, even though he valued created things attentively and lovingly. Let the Secular Franciscan seek a proper spirit of detachment from temporal goods and simplifying their own material needs.

The parable of the rich fool (Lk. 12: 16-21) is only interested in building his wealth and riches for his remaining years. He cares not for the treasures that only heaven can offer instead the treasures of life consume him. As he has been so busy storing earthly treasures he has not
Continue reading: Thoughts from your Regional Formation Director – November 2015

From the Heart of Our Regional Minister - November, 2015

My dear brothers and sisters, it is November….already! It is a month of earlier darkness, chillier weather, and holidays breathing down our necks. But it is also a month of remembering – all saints, all souls, all our loved ones who have gone to God. If you have recently lost a loved one, these days can be difficult.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 states: For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. For those who have gone before us, their season has come to an end. They are reaping the harvest of their lives in the Kingdom
Continue reading: From the Heart of Our Regional Minister – November, 2015