DOCSLIB.ORG

29 St Didacus Church San Die

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
29 St Didacus Church San Die Page 2 Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 23, 2015 Simon Peter Laudato Si’ - On Care for our Common Home answered Jesus, “Master, to whom In June, Pope Francis released the encyclical shall we go? You Laudato Si’. An encyclical is a teaching docu- have the words of ment issued by the pope. Encyclicals are among eternal life.” the more solemn and thus more authoritative papal documents. This one is called Laudato Si’ (“Be praised” or “Praise be to you”)—a line Today’s concluding section of the “bread of life” from the Canticle of the Sun by St. Francis of discourse from John's Gospel is a turning point for Assisi. It is Pope Francis’s second encyclical. His first was Lumen Fidei, the disciples of Jesus. Will they join the ranks of which was largely drafted by his predecessor, Benedict XVI. Laudato Si’ the skeptics, who have dismissed Jesus and his talk is thus the first encyclical prepared entirely at Pope Francis’s initiative. It is devoted to ecology and related themes. Care for creation is some- of “eating his flesh” or commit themselves to Jesus thing that is close to his heart. You might guess this from the fact that – and the shadows of the cross that begin to he chose to be called Francis after St. Francis of Assisi, who was famed fall? We can hear the pain in Jesus’ question: “Do for his concern for nature. More fundamentally, Pope Francis believes you want to leave me, too?” Peter’s simple, plain- that there are significant ecological problems today that need to be tive answer is the confession of faith voiced by addressed. They include not only problems in the natural environment disciples of every age who have come to sense the but also in the human sphere, particularly among the poorest. Spirit of God acting in and re-creating their lives. This encyclical is unique in several ways. First, it is the only encyclical The true demands of the Gospel are hard to devoted to environmentalism. This topic has been the subject of many “endure”: the justice and reconciliation required of papal statements, but Francis is the first pope to devote an encyclical to the faithful disciple runs counter to the conventions it. Second, virtually all encyclicals are addressed to the bishops of the Catholic Church, sometimes with added groups like other Catholic of society; the attitude of humble servanthood clergy, religious, laypeople, and even—in exceptional cases—all people Jesus asks of us puts us at odds with the “me first/ “of good will.” Laudato Si’ is different. It is not addressed specifically to win at all costs” philosophy of our culture. But, as the bishops with additional groups added. Instead, it is addressed to Peter acknowledges, the words of Jesus are the every person on the planet. This means, unlike any previous encyclical, only way to transform and restore our lives and our only a minority of its intended audience is Catholic. (Catholics make up world in the life of God. a little more than one billion of the seven billion people alive.) Third, encyclicals are usually more centered on Catholic doctrine. While Lau- Hopelessness can easily become a way of life; the dato Si’ contains many elements of Catholic teaching, it is not focused sense that God has abandoned us or that God just on Church doctrine in the same way. Fourth, and related to the former, doesn't exist in our lives can cripple us emotionally the encyclical does not simply propose views that all are expected to accept because of the pope’s religious authority. Instead, he invites the and spiritually. But the faithful disciple under- people of the world to a dialogue on the subject of environmentalism. stands the reality that God is the only constant The pope also lists many concrete ways in which individuals, source of anything and everything that is good. communities and nations can make a real difference. Peter's simple, plaintive answer is a confession of You can read the entire encyclical on-line at various locations such as faith in the God of life and resurrection who is not the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website at usccb.org present in the darkness of evil but in the light of or the Vatican website: w2.vatican.va. goodness that seeks to shatter that darkness. The faith that Christ comes to reveal is not a Pope Francis has instituted a new day of prayer and “warm fluffy blanket” under which we hide from celebration for the Church entitled the whatever we find unsettling or painful nor a pro- “World Day of Prayer tective coating designed to ward off every form of for the Care of Creation” sin and evil; faith is a light that illuminates our to be celebrated on September 1st each year. Join us to celebrate this day of prayer here at the parish! journey through life’s challenges and obstacles, a Tuesday, September 1st lens through which we are able to see God’s grace 5:30pm in the Church –before the 6pm Mass at work even in the most confusing and difficult We’ll gather to pray and thank God times. —connectionsmediaworks.com for his wonderful creation! Page 3 Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 23, 2015 Mass Intentions Weekly Events at St. Didacus Saturday………….........August 22 Sunday, August 23, 2015 Location 5:00PM…………………†Bart Diaz Monday, August 24, 2015 Location Sunday………….....…...August 23 Teen Leadership Meeting 6:00pm Hall 8:30AM……………...…†Carolyn Curiel Hastings Tuesday, August 25, 2015 Location 10:00AM…………….....†Martin Kosmicki Youth Night 6:00pm Hall 11:30AM………...…......People of St. Didacus Wednesday, August 26, 2015 Location Monday………………...August 24 Eucharistic Adoration 7:30am-8:30am Church 7:30AM….…†Deceased Members of the Couch Family Parish Finance Meeting 7:00pm Hall Tuesday………..…..….August 25 Thursday, August 27, 2015 Location 6:00PM…………...........†William Hanna Divine Mercy 4:00pm Hall Wednesday……......….August 26 Divine Mercy 5:00pm Church 8:30AM…...….………...Gibbons Family, Spec. Int. Knights of Columbus 6:30pm Hall Thursday………...…….August 27 Friday, August 28, 2015 Location 7:30AM………...............†Francis Herbig Saturday, August 29, 2015 Location Friday…………...……...August 28 School’s New Family Orientation 9:00am School 7:30AM…...…...……....…Richard & Linda, Spec. Int. Eucharistic Adoration 3:30pm-5:00pm Church Saturday………….........August 29 5:00PM…………………†Maria Dung Ho Religious Education Registration Ends Soon! Come to “Our insistence that each human being is an image of God should the Parish Office this week to register your children! not make us overlook the fact that each creature has its own purpose. None is superfluous. The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God.” - Pope Francis GIFTS OF OUR TREASURY THE WEEK OF August 16, 2015 Readings for the Week of August 23, 2015 General Collection $5,874.00 Sunday: Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b/Eph 5:21-32 or Average Weekly Parish Operating Costs $7,155.00 5:2a, 25-32/Jn 6:60-69 Deficit for the week of August 16, 2015 —$1,281.00 Monday: Rv 21:9b-14/Jn 1:45-51 Tuesday: 1 Thes 2:1-8/Mt 23:23-26 Building Fund—August 16, 2015 $3,611.00 Wednesday: 1 Thes 2:9-13/Mt 23:27-32 The gift of your treasure helps us meet our weekly obligations. Thursday: 1 Thes 3:7-13/Mt 24:42-51 Friday: 1 Thes 4:1-8/Mt 25:1-13 When we commit to serve the Lord, we must be willing to become a partner in the work of the Lord. A partner is a person who invests their time, talent Saturday: 1 Thes 4:9-11/Mk 6:17-29 and treasure. If we say we serve God, we must actually do something and Next Sunday: Dt 4:1-2, 6-8/Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27/ not merely talk about it! Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Welcome to St. Didacus Parish! Please Pray For Masses Rosalba Alarcon Mary Farrell Aaron Rodriguez Saturday 5:00pm Maria Luz Arrellano Santiago Fontes Alette Rodriguez Diann Bauer Susan Guenzel Jeff Salazar Sunday 8:30am & 10:00am English Dan Bauer Dolores Hansel Christine Segura 11:30am in Spanish Herbert Baxter Bernie Kober Alice Sergi Daily Mass Martha Becerra Marilyn Kober Mark Silke Mon., Thurs., Fri. 7:30am Ron Berry Elizabeth La Costa Michael Smith Rita Bonnell Virginia Lantry Raymond Sparks Wednesday 8:30am & Tues. 6:00pm Norm Boyer Juanita Lopez Angel Tapia Eucharistic Adoration Herminia Brignoni Maria Lopez Pedro Tapia Wed. 7:30am—8:30am / Saturday 3:30pm—5:00pm Ibeth Brignoni Anthony Martinez Helen Terry Ruben Campos Rosalie Martinez Merida Tirado First Fridays 8:00am—9:00am Marie Cavanaugh Terrence McCabe Therese Tucker Confessions—Saturdays 3:30pm or by appt. Gail Cedercrans Emma McPhereson Carol Verdon Baptisms: Arrangements must be made 3 months in Eileen Connolly Dolores Mediano The Webb Family Handley Cook Dominick Palestini Jason Williamson advance. Contact the Parish Office for information. Irene Davis Gladys Palestini Joan Williamson Weddings: Arrangements must be made at least 9 MaryLou De Luca Diane Porter Adalina Zarate months in advance. Please contact the Parish Office. Aaron Damishia Antonia Raya Josephine Pastor, Fr. Michael J. Sinor Bob Demers Dolores Robertson Cecelia Dueber Atina Rodriguez Parish Office 619-284-3472 And the special intentions in our Book of Needs Page 4 Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time August 23, 2015 An Invitation to the RCIA The community of St.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Role of Creatures in the Spiritual Life
    THE ROLE OF CREATURES IN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE To what extent should the Christian love and use the good things of this world, and to what extent should he renounce them? This is the question at issue. It is the problem of the transcendent, supernatural vocation of the Christian and his existential condition in the world on the practical level of ascetical attitudes. It is the problem of engagement and detachment. We take the term creatures in a dynamic and not a static sense, as objects of human acts rather than entities existing apart from man. Creatures embrace the whole hierarchy of humanistic values, all human goods that are legitimate objects of man's love and effort.1 We include whatever natural and supernatural goodness that is found in these human values under the one notion of their created goodness and prescind from the controverted question of the objective permanent value in terrestrial realities.2 1 Created goods are personal, e.g. health, money, love and being loved or social, e.g. culture, civilization, temporal structures; they include the goods' of nature and of art and technology, whether these directly serve the body, like the comforts of climate or furniture, or the mind, like recreation or work! or the human spirit, such as knowledge and love. The classification of these goods and their objective relation to the supernatural economy of grace is the object of the theology of terrestrial reality; our viewpoint, that of spiritual theology, is their subjective repercussions in the spiritual life and ideal attitudes to be fostered toward them.
    [Show full text]
  • The Life and Legends of Saint Francis of Assisi
    THE LIFE AND LEGENDS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI Written in French by Fr. Candide Chalippe, OFM, in 1727 Revised and re-edited by Fr. Hilarion Duerk, OFM Imprimatur: Fr. Samuel Macke, OFM, Min. Prov. St. Louis, September 1, 1917 Nihil Obstat: Arthur J. Scanlan, S.T.D, Censur Librarum Imprimatur: John Cardinal Farley, New York Reformatted 2006 This work is in the public domain in USA And is offered free for devotional reading, No part of this document may be reproduced for profit. What you have freely received, give freely. God Bless you! 1 This Jubilee Edition of the Life and Legends of St. Francis of Assisi is Respectfully Dedicated to all Members of the Third Order in the City of Cleveland and Vicinity, above all, to the Noble Patrons and Zealous Workers of Our Tertiary Branches. 2 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................ 3 INTRODUCTORY NOTE........................................................................................................... 4 PREFACE BY THE AUTHOR .................................................................................................... 7 BOOK I......................................................................................................................................... 31 BOOK II ....................................................................................................................................... 97 BOOK III...................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • St. Francis of Assisi
    Saint Francis of Assisi Feast day: October 4th He was born Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone, in Italy around 1181, to a wealthy family. Though Francesco was baptized, he was known for excessive partying and drinking in his youth. He joined the military in Assisi and was captured during a battle between Assisi and Perugia, and then he spent a year in prison. His life began to shift away from attachment to worldly possessions during his imprisonment. He powerfully renounced his family’s dedication to their acquired wealth by stripping himself of his clothes, choosing instead to wear a simple cloth - a habit that Franciscans still wear today to unite themselves to St. Francis. St. Francis is considered one of the most beloved saints in the United States, among both Catholics and non- Catholics. He is the patron saint of the environment and animals because of his care for all creation. He famously wrote the Canticle of the Sun, a hymn of praise. Some consider him to be the first person to receive the holy stigmata that recreated the wounds of Jesus at The Crucifixion, which he received in 1224 when he was approximately 43 years old. St. Francis is a missionary saint. God chose St. Francis to “go, rebuild my Church” – a call that Francis answered literally by rebuilding the San Damiano church as well as living out his faith by caring for the poor and marginalized. He encouraged others to live simply. Ultimately, the call to “go, rebuild my Church” was actualized by Francis reforming the image and lifestyle of clergy, demonstrating the power of simple living, renewing in others the desire to create change – by leading an exemplary life of service – and calling people to renewed faithfulness to Christ and commitment to His mission.
    [Show full text]
  • A Portrait of Central Italy's Geology Through Giotto's
    1 A PORTRAIT OF CENTRAL ITALY’S GEOLOGY THROUGH GIOTTO’S PAINTINGS 2 AND ITS POSSIBLE CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS 3 4 Ann C. Pizzorusso 5 6 Independent Geologist, 511 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10011 USA 7 8 Correspondence to: Ann C. Pizzorusso ([email protected]) 9 10 Abstract. Central Italy has some of the most complex geology in the world. In the midst 11 of this inscrutable territory, two people emerged--St. Francis and Giotto--they would 12 ultimately change the history of ecology, religion and art by extoling the landscapes and 13 geology of this region. 14 15 From Antiquity to the Middle Ages, man had a conflictual relationship with nature, seeing 16 it as representing either divine or satanic forces. On the vanguard of a change in 17 perspective toward the natural world was St. Francis of Assisi (c.1181-1226) who is now, 18 thanks to his pioneering work, patron of ecology. He set forth the revolutionary philosophy 19 that the Earth and all living creatures should be respected as creations of the Almighty. 20 21 St. Francis’ affinity for the environment influenced the artist Giotto (c.1270-1337) who 22 revolutionized art history by including natural elements in his religious works. By taking 23 sacred images away from Heaven and placing them in an earthly landscape, he 24 separated them definitively from their abstract, unapproachable representation in 25 Byzantine art. Giotto’s works are distinctive because they portray daily life as blessed, 26 thus demonstrating that the difference between the sacred and profane is minimal.
    [Show full text]
  • Canticle of the Sun
    Canticle of the Sun A legend which emphasizes the topos of “brightness” says he did not physically write the Canticle, because of his blindness from an eye disease; but he dictated it and he did it looking at Nature through the eye of mind. Fa- ther Eric Doyle wrote: “Though physically blind, he was able to see more clearly than ever with the inner eye of his mind. With unparalleled clarity he perceived the ba- sic unity of all creation and his own place as a friar in the midst of God’s creatures. His unqualified love of all creatures, great and small, had grown into unity in his own heart. He was so open to reality that it found a place to be at home in his heart and he was at home everywhere and anywhere. He was a centre of communion with all creatures”.[2] The Canticle of the Sun is first mentioned in the Vita Prima of Thomas of Celano in 1228. 1 Text and translation 2 Alternative versions Saint Francis of Assisi, Cigoli, 1600. Perhaps the best-known version in English is the hymn All Creatures of Our God and King, which contains a paraphrase of Saint Francis’ song by William H. Draper The Canticle of the Sun, also known as the Canticle of (1855–1933). Draper set the words to the 17th-century the Creatures or Laudes Creaturarum (Praise of the Crea- German hymn tune Lasst Uns Erfreuen, for use at a chil- [3] tures), is a religious song composed by Saint Francis of dren’s choir festival sometime between 1899 and 1919.
    [Show full text]
  • Laudato Si.Org
    Laudato si' Laudato si' (English: Praise Be to You!) is the second encyclical of Pope Francis. The encyclical has the subtitle "on care for our Laudato si' common home".[1] In it, the pope critiques consumerism and Central Italian for 'Praise Be to irresponsible development, laments environmental degradation and You!' global warming, and calls all people of the world to take "swift and Encyclical letter of Pope unified global action."[2] Francis The encyclical, dated 24 May 2015, was officially published at noon on 18 June 2015, accompanied by a news conference.[2] The Vatican released the document in Italian, German, English, Spanish, French, Polish, Portuguese and Arabic, alongside the original Latin.[3] The encyclical is the second published by Francis, after Lumen fidei Date 24 May 2015 ("The Light of Faith"), which was released in 2013. Since Lumen Subject On care for our common fidei was largely the work of Francis's predecessor Benedict XVI, home Laudato si' is generally viewed as the first encyclical that is entirely the work of Francis.[4][5] Pages 184 Number 2 of 2 of the pontificate Text In Latin (http://w2.vatican. Contents va/content/francesco/la/e ncyclicals/documents/pap Content Environmentalism a-francesco_20150524_e nciclica-laudato-si.html) Poverty Science and modernism In English (http://w2.vatic Technology an.va/content/francesco/e Other topics n/encyclicals/documents/ papa-francesco_2015052 Sources 4_enciclica-laudato-si.htm History l) Early stages Leak Release Reception Within Roman Catholic Church Criticism From other faiths From world leaders From the scientific community Impact on the United States political system Neoconservative critique and counterarguments From industry From other groups In music See also References Further reading Ecological consciousness Global climate change Life of St.
    [Show full text]
  • Divine Mercy Fraternity Secular Franciscan Order September 2018
    www.dmf-ofs.org Divine Mercy Fraternity●Secular Franciscan Order●September 2018 Fraternity Officers/Council Members Regular Meeting: (exp. Jan. 09, 2019) The next meeting: Sunday, September 9, 2018, Minister: Fred Schaeffer, OFS Vice-Minister: Helen Caldarone, OFS 2:00 - 4:00 pm, at St. Helen Church, South Room, Secretary: Jean McGovern, OFS Vero Beach, Florida Treasurer: Jack Reddy, OFS Formation Director: Donna Haro, OFS Agenda and Schedule Councilor-at-large: Joanne Giordana, OFS 2.00 Opening, Reports, etc. Spiritual Asst. Deacon Richard Blake, OFS (when available) 2:10 Formation Director (Donna): The Stigmata of St. Francis and St. (Padre) Pio 3:00 Break and Refreshments 3:15 Liturgy of the Hours, using, “Christian Prayer,” followed by the Franciscan Crown, if time permits. 4:00 Closing Prayers and Dismissal Refreshments: Snacks: Please bring what you can, if you are able. Drinks: no drinks are needed. Council Meeting: Saturday, September 15 at St. John of the Cross (see Fred) Remember in your prayers: All fraternity members, especially Marie, Fred, Stan and Virgin- ia. Please pray for Nick (Joanne’s husband) for healing. Anniversaries - August or September: None Minister’s Message: The Sunflower always turns to brother sun; may our hearts and souls turn to God in the same way. We’ll use this motif for a while, until I find something else with flora and/or fauna. Anyone have any ideas? Other Franciscan Saints I like to review: St. Maximilian Kolbe 8/14; St. Rose of Viterbo, Secular Franciscan 9/4; St. Joseph of Cupertino, 9/18; St. (Padre) Pio of Pietrelcina 9/23; See you all on September 9th! Divine Mercy Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order, meets monthly except in the month of August.
    [Show full text]
  • Canticle of the Sun Pdf
    Canticle of the sun pdf Continue Heaven speaks the glory of God, and all creation screams with joy. Come, dance in the woods, come, play in the field and sing, sing for the glory of the Lord. Thank the sun, bring the day, He carries the light of the Lord in his rays; The moon and the stars that light up the path to the throne. Heaven speaks the glory of God, and all creation screams with joy. Come, dance in the woods, come, play in the field and sing, sing for the glory of the Lord. Praise for the wind that blows through the trees, the seas mighty storms, the gentle breeze; They blow wherever they are, they blow wherever they please to please the Lord. Heaven speaks the glory of God, and all creation screams with joy. Come, dance in the woods, come, play in the field and sing, sing for the glory of the Lord. Praise for the rain that watered our fields, and blesses our crops to the whole land gives; From death to life her myst'ry showed Springs ahead in joy. Heaven speaks the glory of God, and all creation screams with joy. Come, dance in the woods, come, play in the field and sing, sing for the glory of the Lord. Praise for the fire that gives us its light, the warmth of the sun, to brighten up our night; He dances with joy, his spirit is so bright, he sings about you. Heaven speaks the glory of God, and all creation screams with joy.
    [Show full text]
  • St. Francis of Assisi Founder of the Franciscan Order
    St. Francis of Assisi Founder of the Franciscan Order, born at Assisi in Umbria, in 1181 or 1182 the exact year is uncertain; died there, 3 October, 1226. His father, Pietro Bernardone, was a wealthy Assisian cloth merchant. Of his mother, Pica, little is known, but she is said to have belonged to a noble family of Provence. Francis was one of several children. The legend that he was born in a stable dates from the fifteenth century only, and appears to have originated in the desire of certain writers to make his life resemble that of Christ. At baptism the saint received the name of Giovanni, which his father afterwards altered to Francesco, through fondness it would seem for France, whither business had led him at the time of his son's birth. In any case, since the child was renamed in infancy, the change can hardly have had anything to do with his aptitude for learning French, as some have thought. Francis received some elementary instruction from the priests of St. George's at Assisi, though he learned more perhaps in the school of the Troubadours, who were just then making for refinement in Italy. However this may be, he was not very studious, and his literary education remained incomplete. Although associated with his father in trade, he showed little liking for a merchant's career, and his parents seemed to have indulged his every whim. Thomas of Celano, his first biographer, speaks in very severe terms of Francis's youth. Certain it is that the saint's early life gave no presage of the golden years that were to come.
    [Show full text]
  • Francis of Assisi
    Francis of Assisi This article is about the friar and patron saint. For other known for his love of the Eucharist,[8] his sorrow dur- uses, see Francis of Assisi (disambiguation). ing the Stations of the Cross, and for the creation of the Christmas crèche or Nativity Scene.[9] Saint Francis of Assisi (Italian: San Francesco d'Assisi; born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, but nicknamed Francesco (“the Frenchman”) by his father; 1181/1182 1 Early life – October 3, 1226)[1][3] was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men’s Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the Third Order of Saint Francis for men and women not able to live the lives of itinerant preachers, followed by the early mem- bers of the Order of Friars Minor, or the monastic lives of the Poor Clares.[1] Though he was never ordained to the Catholic priesthood, Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.[1] Francis’ father was Pietro di Bernardone, a prosperous silk merchant. Francis lived the high-spirited life typ- ical of a wealthy young man, even fighting as a soldier for Assisi.[4] While going off to war in 1204, Francis had a vision that directed him back to Assisi, where he lost his taste for his worldly life.[4] On a pilgrimage to Rome, he joined the poor in begging at St. Peter’s Basilica.[4] The experience moved him to live in poverty.[4] Fran- The house where Francis of Assisi lived when young cis returned home, began preaching on the streets, and soon gathered followers.
    [Show full text]
  • The Franciscan Poets in Italy of the Thirteenth Century
    This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project to make the world’s books discoverable online. It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that’s often difficult to discover. Marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book’s long journey from the publisher to a library and finally to you. Usage guidelines Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying. We also ask that you: + Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for personal, non-commercial purposes. + Refrain from automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google’s system: If you are conducting research on machine translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us.
    [Show full text]
  • “THE CANTICLE of the SUN?” Near the End of His Life, St. Francis
    WHAT IS “THE CANTICLE OF THE SUN?” Near the end of his life, St. Francis developed an illness that made him sick and blind. No longer was he able to work, fast and help the poor people of the area. His Franciscan brothers brought him back to a cottage called San Damiano outside Assisi in Italy and prepared a place for him to live until the end of his days. It is there that Francis composed the first hymn written in Europe called “The Canticle of the Sun” - a beautiful song of praise to God for all His gifts - just before he died in 1226. Francis says: “Praised be you, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day: You give light through him, he is beautiful & radiant in all his splendor.” “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, for our sister Mother Earth, Who sustains and governs us, And who produces various fruits With colored flowers and herbs.” Check out this awesome hymn on YouTube: Canticle of the Sun by Marty Haugen https://youtu.be/CfJ6WJPUff8 DID YOU KNOW THIS IS THE YEAR POPE FRANCIS ASKS US TO HONOUR SAINT JOSEPH IN A SPECIAL WAY? Saint Joseph is the patron saint of Canada and also the patron saint of the church world-wide. Pope Francis reminds us that the Pandemic helps us to see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day.
    [Show full text]