Minister’s Corner

The month of October is an important one to Franciscans because Oct. 4th is the Feast of St Francis. This year is an especially important one because it’s the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis and named by Pope Leo as the Year of St Francis.

At this writing we are looking forward to assisting at the Blessing of the Animals at Sacred Heart Church in Medford on October 3rd. That got me to thinking. St Francis is the Patron Saint of animals and also of ecology. In his day pets were not as common as they are today even though they were surrounded by animals. Animals had jobs, purposes like people do, though they have always given people joy.

I think it was Francis’s kindness and gentleness towards all creatures that gave him the “reputation”. He was so God-centered. He saw the presence of God and of the incarnation in all of nature.

Our companion animals are truly a gift from God. We ask for blessings for them in gratitude for all they mean to us. They show such unconditional affection. They teach us responsibility and empathy. They help us make friends. That reminds us that God has many creatures with whom we share the planet. We become gifts to each other.

By the time this newsletter is out, the feast day will be over but our love for each other is here to stay.

Peace and all Good, Lois

 

First, a Little Business

Our New Council as of July 2026

Minister:  Lois McWhorter, OFS

 

 

 

Vice Minister:  Ralph Wasche, OFS

 

Secretary:  Acsa Gregory, OFS

 

 

 

Treasurer:  John Goold, OFS

 

 

 

Formation Director:  Michele Brodoski, OFS

 

 

 

Councilor:  Debbie Wasche, OFS

 

 

 

 

The Blessing of the Animals at Sacred Heart Church, Medford on 10/3/26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transitus 2026

Commemorating the 800th anniversary of Francis meeting Sister Death, a few of us gathered for a Transitus Service on October 3rd.

How we do what is ours to do, in the spirit of St. Francis, is our faithfulness and gift!

Editor’s note:  This is an abbreviated newsletter as we are just reviving it. Come November we will be back at it with our quarterly news again.  Until then, Pax et Bonum!