Franciscans are called to obedience

"Obedience is not merely a necessity of organization. It possesses two grace-full purposes. First, obedience provides a means of self-denial and self-giving. Poverty strives for freedom from greed. Chastity seeks perfect reasonableness in the sacred area of sex. Obedience seeks freedom from all stubbornness, selfishness, self-centeredness. Obedience calls one to exercise self-discipline, to cooperate and obey according to the Rule and Constitutions. This effort will have one great result: release from self-seeking and pride." (p. 85) - To Live as Francis Lived: A Guide For Secular Franciscans (The Path of Franciscan Spirituality) by Leonard Foley O.F.M., Jovian Weigel O.F.M., and Patti Normile OFS

Pax et bonum

Harvard Law Journal article: The preborn child is a constitutional person

Article in Harvard Law Journal concludes: The preborn child is a constitutional person

Morally and legally - a person.

Pax et bonum

Jethro Tull - Life is a long song

Ah, Ian Anderson ...




Pax et bonum

A Pro-Life Thanksgiving Prayer

Father of mercies,
God of all creation,
Source of life and of every blessing,
We thank you today, and every day of our lives,
For all that you give us!

 

Our thanksgiving is not only a duty,
But a joy and a source of strength,
Because it reminds us of your faithful love,
And inspires us with the hope of a future filled with blessings!

 

Lord, we thank you for guiding our fathers,
Who, inspired by the prophets
And by the saving work of your Son,
Founded a nation where all might live as one,
Acknowledging their dependence on you
As the source of their right to life.

 

We thank you for your blessings in the past,
And for all that, with your help, we must yet achieve.

We ask you to bless us as we thank you,
That our giving thanks may be accompanied by our firm resolve
To proclaim, celebrate, and serve
The gift of human life, born and unborn.

 

We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Pax et bonum

After that winter

After that winter
neighbor's old dog no longer
barks when we walk by.

Pax et bonum

Last leaves haiku

Deacon's homily -
the last leaves of Autumn cling
to the tree outside

Pax et bonum

Stone Soup - a success!

 

 

At my school, we decided to have a middle school play as we are gradually expanding the theater program. We hose to do Stone Soup, my adaptation of the old folktale. I was to be the director.

 

 

We had weeks of rehearsal, working around cross country season (a number of the actors were runners) and the beginning of basketball season.

 

The students worked hard and did a great job, and the performances had audiences laughing and entertained. A success!

 

 

 

At the end of the Saturday (November 10) performance, the cast served the audience a soup dinner (provided by the families). A wonderful time. 

 

 Now, what do we do for the high school play in the spring - after last year's very successful Pride and Prejudice - and what to do next fall for the middle school play? Hmmm.

Pax et bonum