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riar Ed Debono, OFM Conv, of the Our Lady of the Angels Province wrote: "They (sermons) are intended for publication at the Mother House, (where I am Chaplain) because The Mother House is closed to outsiders...and I’m considered an outsider (one not in residence at the Mother House)." For many years, Friar Ed has been a friend of the OFS and a retreat leader in our Region. We welcome his words during this Holy Week. Thank you Friar Ed for your sharing. Michael Perras, OFM from the Holy Spirit Province writes: In these days of uncertainty during this world pandemic we must remember that we still need each other, that together we are a human family. Self-isolation is one thing, being isolated is whole other thing… let us rise up and be truly brother and sister for each other. Let us remember hope is the burning embers at our core and love is our natural calling. I share with you a poem written by a Friar in Ireland, which I believe offers hope and perspective. I also share with you a prayer which was sent to me, may I suggest it be the prayer for hand washing. Let us continue to be signs of hope, to sing and to find reasons to smile and be thankful. Lockdown
By Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM, Cap – Ireland, March 13th 2020 Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death. But, They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise You can hear the birds again. They say that after just a few weeks of quiet The sky is no longer thick with fumes But blue and grey and clear. They say that in the streets of Assisi People are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them. They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound. Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood So that the elders may have someone to call on. Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way All over the world people are waking up to a new reality To how big we really are. To how little control we really have. To what really matters. To Love. So we pray and we remember that Yes there is fear. But there does not have to be hate. Yes there is isolation. But there does not have to be loneliness. Yes there is panic buying. But there does not have to be meanness. Yes there is sickness. But there does not have to be disease of the soul Yes there is even death. But there can always be a rebirth of love. Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now. Today, breathe. Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic The birds are singing again The sky is clearing, Spring is coming, And we are always encompassed by Love. Open the windows of your soul And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, Sing. Over the years, Mary grew to understand how she could best serve God. Born Helene de Chappotin de Neuville, she came from a distinguished French family in Nantes. In 1860, she entered the Poor Clares, but poor health forced her to leave the following year. In 1864, she joined the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix and took the name Mary of the Passion. From 1865 to 1876, she worked in the Madura missions in India. In 1877, she established the Institute of the Missionaries of Mary, which became the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (F.M.M.) in 1882 when she adopted the Third Order Rule.
Guylain Prince, OFM 24 May 2019 A pilgrimage with Fr. Guylain Prince, ofm to the Holy Land. Some of our RFEC OFS members were fortunate enough to have joined them. It was everything he says, a trip of a lifetime. From March 17 to 30, 2019, a group of pilgrims journeyed through the Holy Land, departing from Montreal. Once again, I had the privilege of serving as their spiritual guide. It was the first time that an English-speaking group travelled under the leadership of the Commissariat of the Holy Land in Canada. From the Negev desert, by way of Galilee and Judea, we walked in the footsteps of the people of God and, in particular, of Jesus. I am still thrilled to have visited Nazareth, Jerusalem, Jericho, and so many other places that are the stuff of dreams…
In this Salt and Light Television production, Francis Denis gives us an exclusive look into the Canadian Franciscans at an important time in their more than 400 years of history. In this documentary, you will meet today’s disciples of Saint Francis of Assisi, present throughout Canada’s large territory, searching for the lost and abandoned sheep.
This is a Salt & Light Television documentary, 54 min and is available for rental ($3.99) or purchase ($12.99) Click here to see the trailer and get more details |
AuthorWe love to learn what our Franciscan brother and sisters doing in their ministries Archives
March 2022
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