Chapter 4: Signs of Holiness in Today’s World

Growth in holiness is a journey in community, side by side with others…Each community is called to create a “God-enlightened space in which to experience the hidden presence of the risen Lord.”  Sharing the word and celebrating the Eucharist together fosters fraternity and makes us a holy and missionary community. It also gives rise to authentic and shared mystical experiences.

Let us not forget that Jesus asked his disciples to pay attention to details: that wine was running out at a party, that one sheep was missing, noticing the widow that offered her two small coins, having spare oil for the lamps should the bride-groom delay, asking the disciples how many loaves of bread they had, having a fire burning and a fish cooking as he waited for his disciples.

A community that cherishes the little details of love, whose members care for one another and create an open and evangelizing environment, is a place where the risen Lord is present, sanctifying it in accordance with the Father’s plan. There are times when, by a gift of the Lord’s love, we are granted amid these little details consoling experiences of God.

On Pentecost Sunday, St. Paul says: “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.” God cannot be outdone in the way He bestows gifts on everyone. We admire the way that God has made each person different: unique personalities, talents, abilities, intellects. Working together rather than competing with one another can make wonderful things happen. Look at the church over the centuries and consider what it has done for humanity: creating educational institutions, health care facilities, care of the poor, reaching out to the unbelievers, being sensitive to those who are marginalized. Understanding the differences among us and learning to listen with the heart allows us to know that there continue to be many “spiritual gifts.”

We welcome Fr. Jim Martin, S.J. who will be speaking here at St. Francis on Monday evening, June 10. Fr. Martin has challenged the way we look at our brothers and sisters and how we easily categorize them. He has been criticized for this, but he has begun many of his talks with a quotation from the Catechism of the Church that can open many doors. Come and hear Fr. Martin. We are happy to have him here at St. Francis of Assisi, the saint who had an open and challenging approach for his day and age.

And now, I am happy to announce our…

175th Anniversary Raffle

$1,000 First Prize • $500 Second Prize • $250 Third Prize
Tickets $5 each or 5 for $20, available at the Reception Desk
The drawing will be held September 20.
You do not have to be present to win. Good luck!

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.