Loading...Dear Friends in Christ,
Well, summer is practically over and fall is knocking at the door. The summer heat is still with us, and we will be experiencing the dog days of autumn before we know it. School has started, so now our lives will start getting back to normal – whatever that is. I hope everyone had a good vacation and are now revitalized to get on with your life. There are many things happening in our area to keep us busy – football games, fall festivals, and reunions. Don’t forget church and helping those in need.
The Tazewell Cluster will resume serving their wonderful barbecue, baked beans, cole slaw, and desserts at the Bluefield Union Mission. I am so thankful for those who prepare and serve the needy in our area. It is a wonderful time for fellowship. Those who are served are thankful, too. They are blessed by our efforts, and those blessings come back to us. Don’t forget the healing services at Stras and St. Mary’s.
Oct. 4 is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is one of the most honored and venerated of saints. The reason St. Francis of Assisi is respected and admired so universally is because he had a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He fashioned his life and spirituality on the teachings of his master. Because of that, we have come to appreciate his purity of spirit and admire his clarity of mind. St. Francis understood the importance of focusing on Jesus in times of difficulty. We can so easily get caught up in ourselves at times. Even though we know that the Lord is always with us and ready to draw us higher, we sometimes try to do too much on our own. There is a story by Father Catoir of one of St. Francis' friends, Brother Leo, who saw himself, inadequate and miserable. St. Francis told Brother Leo, "The sadness of not being perfect is a feeling that is much too human, it can even border on idolatry. Focus your vision outside of yourself, on the beauty, graciousness and compassion of Jesus Christ. The pure of heart praise him from sunrise to sundown. Even when they feel broken, feeble, distracted, insecure and uncertain, they are able to abide in his peace."
The Prayer of St. Francis is one we should pray every day:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
St. Francis is the patron saint of the animals. In the spirit of his life and what he teaches us, we will celebrate St. Francis’ Feast Day by having two “Blessing of Animals.” On Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2pm, we will have prayers for pets and owners and laying on of hands in the front yard of Hunter House at Stras Memorial. We will repeat this service on October 9 at St. Mary’s at 2 pm. Bring your pets and when you enjoy their company, remember St. Franicis.
May God continue to bless you.
In Christ’s Love,
Father Russ
