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FORGIVENESS October is that wonderful time of year when we celebrate my favorite saint – St. Francis of Assisi on his Feast Day October 4th. It is at this time that I am reminded of his beautiful peace prayer where he says: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. ... Where there is injury, pardon … it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.” I ask you, do you practice the message of the Peace Prayer of St. Francis? Do you need to? These questions require us to take stock of ourselves as human beings and as Christians. Let’s first consider all the people of all religions and nationalities whose lives were ended or forever disrupted on 9/11. It is tempting to rationalize and categorize such an act in a class of its own - unforgivable. Similarly, must the Jews forgive Hitler? Must the Muslims in Bosnia forgive the Christian Serbs who massacred so many? Is Christ asking the mother to forgive the drunk driver who killed her child? Is he asking us to forgive every Judas who has ever betrayed us? Jesus says: “Forgive as I have forgiven you.” What about the people whom we have wounded that will not forgive us? We can do one of two things. We can nurse our guilt, turn into ourselves and destroy ourselves. Or we can turn to Jesus. When others will not forgive us, Jesus comes in and takes on their identity. He steps into the place of those we have hurt and he tells us, "All is forgiven." When people will not forgive, Jesus will. When people can not forgive, Jesus will. When people are unable to forgive, Jesus will. This, I suggest, is why we have the sacrament of confession. It is the place Jesus has for us to be reconciled to the Father. It is the one place where we can be reassured during our broken and dying moments that the Lord will come and say – "Go in peace, your sins are forgiven. I on behalf of your mother, your brother, your daughter or anyone who will not forgive you - I will forgive." If you are among those who find it hard to forgive, recall the words of Archbishop Tutu of South Africa who lived with apartheid. He said sometimes the victim just has to forgive in order just to live. You can not carry around resentment forever. Sometimes for our own sake, we just have to let go. When you bring your gift to the altar and remember that you have a grudge against your brother or sister, leave the gift and go and be reconciled [Mathew 5:24]. Have you ever done that? Do you need to? Maybe during October, it is time to embrace St. Francis' prayer, and become and instrument of peace. Yours in Christ, POPE BENEDICT'S VISIT TO ASSISI COMMEMORATING ANNIVERSARYFr. Brian Terry, SA recently spoke about Pope Benedict's planned October trip to Assisi, Italy to meet with religious leaders around the world for the cause of peace. This event will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Blessed Pope John Paul II's visit in 1986. On October 27, the Friars, following the Holy Father’s example, are inviting leaders from the Christian churches and other religious traditions to Graymoor for a daylong event. This event is an invitation only event for the members of the Franciscan Family in the United States. A video of the program will be made available at a later date. If you are a single Catholic man between the ages of 18 and 40, considering a call to religious life and service to the Church as a brother or priest, we welcome you to visit with us at our home, Graymoor, Garrison, New York for the weekend. FRIARS HOST 18TH ANNUAL SHARING HOPE CELEBRATION DINNERThe Franciscan Friars of the Atonement hosted their Eighteenth Annual Sharing Hope Celebration Dinner at The Pierre in New York City on Friday, September 30. Over 300 people attended the dinner and more than $315,000 was raised for the worldwide missions and Ministries of the Friars. The Graymoor Spiritual Life Center is sponsoring a weekend Fr. Joe Scerbo, SA, PhD, a psychotherapist, will use the famous legend of St. Francis of Assisi who tamed the fierce wolf of Gubbio with principles of conflict resolution and inner healing. The Admonitions of St. Francis on “how to be true to each other” will be integrated into Fr. Joe’s presentations. In addition, liturgy, creative prayer, and the Hudson Valley’s gorgeous Autumn colors will lift your heart throughout this weekend on Graymoor’s Holy Mountain. The cost for the full weekend retreat is $180 per person, single occupancy and $130 per person, double occupancy. To attend Saturday only, the cost is $50.00. Pre-registration is required by October 7th.
The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement will celebrate three consecutive All Souls Novenas of Masses beginning November 1st, then include three additional solemn All Souls Masses for a full month of remembrances. Join us as we remember and pray for dearly departed loved ones. |
UPCOMING Wednesday, October 19th Christ the Redeemer Parish
46833 Harry Byrd Hwy
Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
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Atonement Friars eNews is the monthly e-newsletter of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement | |||
This new video highlights the worldwide ministries and missions of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement as told by the friars who dedicate their
lives to helping others.
