Oct. 4, 2009

by Sister Liz Heese

Good afternoon and welcome to our celebration of praise and glory to our creator God, in honor of our great Father Francis, whose life we commemorate today. We know that Francis’ whole life was lived and spent for the glory of God and all of God’s wondrous creation, in which we are all privileged to have a magnificent role. Please pause a moment to look around and recognize and welcome everyone near you with Francis’ own words of greeting “pace e bene.”

On behalf of the School Sisters of St. Francis, both internationally and as a US province, I extend a warm welcome to all of you, our Franciscan sisters and brothers, especially the Secular Franciscans from the La Verna Region; our colleagues in ministry; our families, friends and neighbors who have joined us for the day; and all of our School Sisters and Associates from near and far – all who have gathered here today to praise God and celebrate the life of our founder and model, Francis of Assisi.

As Francis looked upon the Cross at San Damiano, it drove him to go out to rebuild God’s church – at first with his sticks and stones and then with the example of his life. He took the stance of nonviolence and the quiet, but powerful force of PEACE and changed the world of his day. All over the world today Franciscans are gathering to celebrate the legacy that Francis left us. And here today, through this Eucharistic celebration we join our hearts and voices with that quiet, but powerful force of nonviolence and peace to help make a difference in our world. Thank you for being with us today.

After our celebration here in this special House of God, we invite you to take time to enjoy the opening of an art exhibit of some of our sisters, in Alfons Gallery. It is on this floor down the hallway from the chapel.

At 4:00 o’clock, you are invited to join us for a light supper in the dining room on first floor. Please make yourselves at home – today “our Franciscan home is your home.”

And now, we invite you to prepare for our liturgy by joining in a brief prelude of two of our most favored Franciscan songs: “Blessed Francis” and “Canticle of the Creatures.” Both can be found at the beginning of your liturgy booklet.

Pace e bene!