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September 2009 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| Dear Friends,
Among the stories about Saint Francis and his earliest companions, several involve Brother Masseo. One tells of how Masseo tried to test the humility of Francis. As Francis was returning from solitary prayer in the forest one day to the place where he and Masseo were staying, and where several people had come to look for Francis, Masseo challenged Francis this way: "Why after you? Why after you? Why does the whole world come after you, wanting to see and hear you? You're not handsome, nor well educated, nor noble, so why do they come after you?"
After a prayerful pause, Francis responded: "Why after me? Do you want to know why? Because God hasn't found anyone more vile, nor more incompetent, nor a greater sinner than me ...not anyone less worthy to do God's work in the world than me ...so that everyone will know that all the greatness and strength and beauty and wisdom of the world, every virtue and every good, is from God and not from ourselves."
Seen with twenty-first century eyes, this story might suggest that Saint Francis suffered from low self esteem. I believe, though, that it's really a story about gratitude and praise. For Francis, the foundation of humility was God's astonishing generosity-such that God chose to dwell humbly among us, as one of us. The humility of Francis reminds us to receive gifts with gratitude, to share them with others, and to "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"
Yours in Christ and St. Francis,
Bro. John Summers, OFM |
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| Franciscans in the News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Portland, OR: Franciscan men continue their ministry throughout Oregon with honor
The Franciscan Friars are involved in a variety of ministries in the greater Portland area, meet the friars and learn about the important work they are doing. View article
Los Angeles, CA: Junipero Serra needs just one more miracle
To be named a saint, the founder of California's missions has to be credited with a final marvel. View article
Oceanside, CA: 9th Annual Dia de Los Muertos celebrations predicited to draw thousands
Dia de los Muertos, has built up a following 65,000 strong over the last 9 years. This cultural event is a highlight for the region as a family friendly festival that features fun, activities, entertainment, education, community participation and corporate support. View article
Sacramento, CA: St. Francis Parish Centennial Book Honored
Published on the 100th anniversary of this historic church in the City of Sacramento, A Century of Grace: A Meditation on the People of God in a House of God was named "best religion book of 2009" in the 2009 Benjamin Franklin Awards competition on May 28, 2009. View article |
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Northern California Events
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ San Damiano Retreat, Danville, CA: Franciscan Spirituality Retreat
October 2-4, 2009
This workshop calls participants into full participation in the Franciscan Way of living, presented by Sr. Mary Jo Chavez, OSF and Sr. Celeste Clavel, OSF
Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley, CA: A Tribute Through Music: A 40th Anniversary Celebration
October 10, 2009
This celebration includes: Music for a Multicultural Church: A Workshop for parish musicians, choir members, and liturgists and
St. Elizabeth Parish,Oakland, CA: Festival 2009: Crowning of the Queen
September 19, 2009
Join the St. Elizabeth Parish Community in this fun filled festival featuring a food, entertainment, a rodeo and games. More information
St. Boniface Parish, San Francisco, CA: 20th Annual Blessing of the Animals
St. Anthony Foundation, San Francisco, CA: Raising the Roof III
October 8, 2009
The St. Anthony Foundation annual gala event is fast approaching and the red carpet is waiting! Join us as we come together under the stars to support and celebrate St. Anthony Foundation's Multiplying Hope & Dignity Capital Campaign and its nine phenomenal Direct Social Service programs which serve the homeless, low-income, and working poor of San Francisco. More information |
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Northwest Events
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ascension Parish, Portland, OR: Women's Spirituality: St. Clare of Assisi;
A Contemplative Model for Women Today
September 14, 2009
This evening will be an opportunity for women to come together and explore St. Clare's spirituality and how she can be a model for us as women in our contemporary
society. More information
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Southern and Central California Events
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Old Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, CA: Twilight Retreat: How We Can Benefit From the Falls and Setbacks In Our Life
September 14, 2009
Come, celebrate Eucharistic, break bread and get new insights about how those autumn moments in our life are actually a gift" encourages Brother Kelly Cullen, OFM, the new Retreat Master for Mission San Luis Rey. More information
San Luis Rey Parish, Oceanside, CA: Patriotic Fiesta
September 13, 2009
Join the Hispanic community in celebrating the sights, sounds, smells and culture of Mexico. Food, mariachi bands, regional dances and much more! More information
Sts. Simon and Jude Parish, Huntington Beach, CA: Job Seekers Workshop presented by the Career Renewal Ministry.
Workshops on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in Colman Hall for the unemployed and underemployed. All are welcome. More Information
Old Mission San Miguel, San Miguel, CA: Mission San Miguel Fiesta
Old Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA: Poetry Retreat: Reflecting Inner Light
September 25-27, 2009
A weekend of reflecting, reading, writing and sharing your own or your favorite poems. Saturday afternoon will feature three women poets of Santa Barbara: Perie Longo, Peg Quinn and Lois Klein. More information
Saint Barbara Parish, Santa Barbara, CA: Scripture Study Course
Beginning September 17, 2009
After an initial session on Bible basics, the course will include a detailed study of the Gospel of Luke as well as an introduction and overview of the letters of St. Paul.
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Southwest Events
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Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZ: Taking it to the streets!
September 26, 2009
This day will be an opportunity to learn from people and programs empowering individuals to take back their lives. We will visit with people from the Catholic Charities DIGNITY program and Human Services Campus. Prayer and reflection will book-end the day. Lunch will be at the St Vincent De Paul dining room in central Phoenix.
St. Mary Basilica, Phoenix, AZ: Morning Meal Program
St. Mary's has provided a morning meal to those in need for almost two years. It takes a lot of work to prepare food for 150-175 guests each day, but when it's God's work it really isn't work at all. Volunteers and donations are needed. More informationSt. Joseph Apache Mission, Mescalero, NM: Restoration Raffle
To further the ongoing efforts to restore the beautiful St. Joseph Apache Church a raffle is being held featuring beautiful Apache art along side many other prizes.
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Franciscan Media
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The Franciscan Intellectual Tradition with Downloadable Study Guide
by Bill Short, OFM
You are no doubt familiar with the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare. You have probably experienced Franciscan spirituality first hand. But, until now, the extraordinary Franciscan Intellectual tradition has been little discussed. Through this unique 12-talk series with one of the Franciscan Intellectual tradition's greatest living experts, you will experience powerfully new insights and understanding. More information Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth
by Ilia Delio, OSF, Keith Douglass Warner, OFM, and Pam Woods
Three Franciscan authors combine good science with solid theology and practical applications to develop a Franciscan spirituality of the earth following in the footsteps of Jesus with the guidance of St. Francis of Assisi. Four sections highlight the distinct relationships creation has with the world: incarnation, community, contemplation and conversion. The authors propose ways in which we can all understand our own roles in relationship to the earth and ways in which we can make it better. This book recently received two awards from the Catholic Press Association. More information
The Way of St. Francis
A magazine for the Franciscan in each of us. Request your sample issue today! |
Together...Making a Difference
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| Contact Information
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The Franciscans
1500 34th Avenue
Oakland CA 94601
Phone: 916-443-5717
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