From the Pastor's Desk

St. Francis of Assisi

On July 16, 1228, Francis of Assisi was declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. We don’t look at saints quite the same way that our Catholic friends do, but we recognize a special person when we see one. And now, you can see a beautiful statue of Saint Francis in our own Celebration of Life Garden. The statue was given in memory of Albert C. Hawbecker and was sculpted by Clement Renzi.

Summer is a wonderful time to take advantage of our garden. In this article, I wanted to give you some background information about Francis. My hope is that while you are reflecting and enjoying the space, you might consider the contributions of this outstanding man, who for many, has served as an example of living the Christ-centered life.

Why was Francis elevated to the "big leagues" of the church, you might ask? Well for starters, he founded two orders, one for men and one for women. The Franciscans and The Order of St. Clare dedicated their lives to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and they also took vows of poverty. He was not, however, a sullen, pushy fellow. It seems the more Francis grasped to better know Jesus, the more people wanted to be around Francis. There is more: In the Roman Catholic tradition, he is not only the Patron Saint of Italy but also ecology! 

When you pass by him, give him your regards. If he talks back, please come see me as soon as possible. Francis loved to be with God, his friends and other disciples. He enjoyed the treasures of the created world. We’re blessed to keep company with him.

Pastor Pat