October 4. St Francis. After they returned Michael shared with his fellow confirmation candidates. “Just like there are many Theresa’s there are also many Francises in families. Quite often children choose these as their confirmation patrons and to be their role models. We like what happened to St Francis. Jesus appeared to him and said, ‘go and rebuild my church.’ So he first thought he had to go and rebuild a broken down old building but what Jesus really meant was to go and build up the people, including himself, to love Jesus, the poor and all of creation. Although his life was not easy he was filled with the joy of love.  We have discovered that our family is trying to follow this way, as we follow our parents who really are witnesses to us and in the world.  Like St Francis we are working to be carers for OUR WORLD, A FAMILY OF FAMILIES.” 

Scripture. Come to me all who labour and are heavy ladren and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.  Matt 11: 28-29 Pope Francis:  Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically.  He was particularly concerned for God’s creation and for the poor and outcast.  He loved and was deeply loved for his joy.  He lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, others, nature and himself. LS 10. The divine Persons, the Trinity, are subsistent relations, and the created world is a web of relationships. The human person grows more, matures more and is sanctified more to the extent that he or she enters relationships, going out from themselves to live in communion with God, with others and with all creatures.  LS240

ECO-TIP AND PRAYER:   As a family adopt St Francis as a role model and regularly read, sing and pray with joy the Canticle of Creation of St Francis or the Peace Prayer of St Francis (Make me an instrument of your peace.)  

St Francis Canticle of the Creatures

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, who is the day and through whom You give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather,

through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

through whom You light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us,

and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love,  and bear infirmity and tribulation.

Blessed are those who endure in peace, for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin.

Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.