Franciscans around the world are looking forward to celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th. This year the feast falls on a Saturday, and we will have a morning mass at 8:00am as part of our parish observance. I hope that many of you will choose to celebrate this day with us. Pet blessings have become popular on October 4 too, and like last year, we will have a short prayer service in the grotto prayer garden at 11:00am which concludes with a blessings of family pets.
A third opportunity to celebrate St. Francis will take place the night of Friday, October 3rd. A special prayer service called the Transitus (or "passing") of St. Francis will take place at 7:30pm in the church. Every other year we alternate with the Franciscan Felician sisters in hosting this prayer service. We've sent invitations to all the other area Franciscan communities too. One of my favorite quotations from St. Francis comes from his final hours: "Brothers, up to now we have done nothing. Let us begin now to do good." He was always about beginning again, even on his deathbed.
This weekend is set aside for two important causes: the fostering of time and talent giving within our parish, and the Catholic Church's renewal of its commitment to respect life at every stage. During this coming week, please be praying over how you can make our parish better by being involved in one of its many activities. Pray also for the personal guidance to give witness to the gift of life. Each of us is a masterpiece of God's creation! This is the national theme for Respect Life activities for this year.