October 4.  St Francis.   End of Season of Creation.   Michael shared with his fellow confirmation candidates. “Just like there are many Theresa’s there are also many Francises in parishes and families. Quite often children choose these as their confirmation patrons and to be their role models.“ “How much do you know about St Francis, so that he can really be a model for you?” Tracy asked.  Michael shared, “He lived 800 years ago.  He was a playboy, came from a wealthy family but in a conversion experience Jesus appeared to him and said, ‘Go and rebuild my church.’ At first he thought he had to go and rebuild a broken down old building but what Jesus meant was to go and build up the people, including himself, to love Jesus, the poor and all of creation, animals and plants too. Although his later life was not easy as he suffered much from nearly going blind and the pain of the stigmata – the five wounds of Jesus on his body – he was filled with the joy of love.” Michael then added, “We, in our family, have discovered St Francis and try to follow his example. Our parents really are witnesses to us and in the world, as we say, “Our world is a Family of Families.” 

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden 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:  to Youth at World Youth Day 2023 and often repeated,  The youth and elderly need one another. The elderly are their roots and wisdom and the youth the source of joy and hope. In calling to mind the figure of St Francis of Assisi, we come to realise that a healthy relationship with creation is one dimension of overall personal conversion, which entails the recognition of our errors, sins, faults and failures and leads to heartfelt repentance and desire to change.   LS 218. St Francis faithful to scripture invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness.  Eco-tip and prayer:  Young people could do more to make St Francis a true model of an eco-family-friendly caring way of life. Begin together with a prayer and a special blessing of all animals, pets, domestic and wild and Pray with  St Francis Canticle of the Creatures or the Peace Prayer of St Francis.     

PRAYER FOR THE CLOSING OF THE SEASON OF CREATION AND ITS ONGOING MESSAGE

PRAYER FOR THE	 CLOSING OF THE SEASON OF CREATION AND ITS ONGOING MESSAGE 
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. 

A PRAYER AND BLESSING FOR PETS AND OTHER CREATURES.  
St Francis Day on 4 October every year is a reminder of a holy man, who lived 800 years ago and remains an inspiration, model and guide to living a simple life of love, joy and peace in harmony with all of God’s creation.   
With St Francis we praise God and thank him for the special pets that have been part of our lives. They are part of God’s great creation and are loved by him. They have been given to us to love and care for and they too give us their love and protection.  Pets are a special blessing in families to everyone, the young and the old as they share our lives. As companions in loneliness and friends, day by day, they teach us the ways of love and life.   
Take a moment to reflect and if possible share with another person the memories of the pets that have enriched your life (maybe share their pictures.)   
Reflect too on the many pets and other animals that are abandoned and abused for lack of love, and all the creatures affected by our human actions and the ravages of fire, water and drought.    
PRAY: Creator God, we praise and thank you and ask you to bless our beloved pets, especially ………………  
Loving God, make us grateful for their love and increase our concern for all your creatures. 
St Francis, our model and inspiration, pray for us.  
All followers and friends of St Francis, pray and act with us for peace and harmony in our world.      

“Blessed are you, all powerful Creator God.  You are present in the whole universe and in the largest and smallest of your creatures.   You embrace with tenderness all that exists. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land.  You inspired St Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters.” From Laudato Si, Pope Francis