Thanksgiving: Always Gratitude

– Br. Michael, ofm

 

Gratitude can mean different things for different people,

at different moments in each of our lives.

 

Right now, some people are grateful to be alive

while others don’t even recognize this gift.

 

Awareness of the blessings that we have each day

should awaken us to those who go without and our response.

 

Thankfulness is a life-long journey

which transforms who we are and how we are to others.

 

Instead of counting the worries and “don’t haves” in our life

if we focus on the freedoms and “do haves” we see our riches.

 

Turning our attention to others is the way we build community

everyone deserves respect and dignity even if we disagree.

 

Understanding that for some it is sports and food

which bring about words of thanks on their lips.

 

Dancing, serving, the arts, culture and a life of faith

brings about realms of thankfulness for others.

 

Everyone has something for which to give thanks

again we do so this Thanksgiving with gratitude.

 

Generous God,

as we pause and give thanks this Thanksgiving Weekend,

we rejoice that your love and mercy are always in abundance.

You are with us in our want and needs,

you are with us in our joys and contentment,

and for this we give You thanks.

As we gather at table or gather with friends

or spend time in creation

we raise a thankful hymn of praise

for all our blessings this day and all our days,

for you desire nothing more than

to love us all the days of our life.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feast Day Dear Francis October 4, 2012

October 4, 2021

My Dear Brother Francis,

You are quoted as saying, “Let us begin, brothers, to serve God. Let us begin and let us make progress, because up to now we have made too little progress.” This little phrase has been running through my mind, my heart and even my soul over the past few weeks. You said these words near your death challenging your brothers. Now some eight centuries later I sit with them, listening to your wisdom and they challenge me.

Let us begin to serve God. Yes, let us here and now in this time and place. Francis, this is hard to do in this time and place. Our world is so topsy-turvy as of late and I’m not sure if I have the right words or actions in my serving God. I know that I must continually come to see God in my sisters, my brothers and in all of creation, but it must be more than simply seeing, it must involve action. I feel my words are weak and my actions inadequate. How do I serve God? I ask myself this question because your words to your brothers “we have made too little progress” is a truth I ponder.

Our sister Mother Earth is calling out in pain, and I don’t know how to respond. I desire to make good steps to help be part of her healing. I desire to again simplify my living so to seek the beauty she offers me each day as means of connecting with God. I feel if I can honor her, I will indeed see glimpses of the divine and in turn serve God. My progress here has been too slow. I heed your wisdom in seeing creation as our sisters and brothers. How did you do it? How did you see their divine nature beyond their temporal substance? I’m no scientist, and I know you were not, so this must mean wonder and awe was your navigator. Francis, my brother, tell me again about the wonder and awe you lived with so that I can bravely begin again to serve God by living in tune with creation.

The church is at a crossroads, and it seems that the word progress makes its members squirm with uncertainty and frustration. We the people of God called to be the body of Christ seem to be getting stuck in unnecessary details where we choose division over unity. I sometimes feel trapped like I’m walking a tightrope in how to respond. I desire to be an advocate for those who feel separated and alienated from the beauty of this community. My heart breaks for those who have been left out in the cold or hurt by the church. I think that we will only move forward if we acknowledge each other’s pain by listening to each other, so as to strengthen the bonds of humanity. Francis, my brother, tell me again about the ways you challenged the church with your simplicity and your desire for people to encounter the love of God so that I can bravely begin again to serve God as a herald of hope in the church.

Then there are the many relationships we live in and encounter. Like with you what began as a small band of brothers grew, the relationships changed and were tested, I too find this in my relationships. It seems that over the past few months I have had to evaluate my relationships, reviewing how I am in them and what they need or mean. I am reminded that in some ways I must begin again with each encounter for we are constantly growing, changing and seeking. Francis, my brother, tell again about the ways you were present for your brothers and for those beyond the circle of your brothers, how you were present for the lepers and the poor so that I can bravely begin again to serve God in the relationships of my daily living.

 

Finally, dear brother Francis, I ponder this vocation that I continue to journey in and grow in. The ever-changing world around me is making me more attentive to the authenticity my vocation demands. To be present for people, reminding them of God’s deep love and mercy. To listen well to how God is speaking to my heart. To listen well to how God is speaking in the heart of others. To continually address the false power that I try to hold so that I can freely be who I am before God. This is the authenticity my vows demand. Being a religious brother in these difficult times can sometimes feel like I’m out of touch; in those moments I can hear your voice whispering, “it is time to begin again.” Francis, my brother, tell again about beginning again and making progress, for I think I’m starting to understand that this has more to do more with my heart than anything else. It is time for me to bravely begin again, I choose to do so knowing I have you as a companion walking with me in the footsteps of Christ.

Peace, my brother.

May peace and goodness bless us all.

Happy Feast!

Your brother,

Michael

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre will be closed September 30 to commemorate this first national day for Truth and Reconciliation. The friars and staff are using this time to take part in events and teachings that focused on the harmful legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada.  We know of the pain caused by the Church’s role in operating these schools and want to understand more clearly our way forward as a spiritual centre of peace, healing and prayer that welcomes everyone. The 11:30 a.m. Mass will be offered for the continued work of reconciliation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Blessing of the Animals”

“Blessing of the Animals”

October 3, (Sunday) 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

The outdoor ecumenical prayer service will include a blessing of family pets. Join us!

The Blessing ritual will take place at 3:00 pm

St. Francis of Assisi called all creation his brother and sister. He is the patron saint of animals and ecology Location: Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre 41160 Retreat Road, Cochranevisit www.mountstfrancis.ca or phone (403) 932-2012 for more details

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dawning of Autumn  

                                        – Br. Michael, ofm

 

Autumn dawns,

greeting me.

I pause.

Captured by the season change

as I lift my eyes so is my heart.

I stand still.

Immersed in color.

Immersed in light.

Awe fills me.

 

I ask myself:

what is consuming me?

what is changing in me?

what am I immersed in?

Autumn dawns,

God’s goodness present

filling me with peace,

showing me God’s path now,

awakening me to God’s closeness,

guiding me into new ways.

 

I ask myself:

where do I need to be a bearer of light?

how do I need to be in this season?

what am I harvesting?

Autumn dawns,

a new season

in creation,

in life,

in me.

I stand still.

Immersed in light.

Immersed in this liminal time.

Divine Love fills me.

2021

 

 

 

 

“Blessing of the Animals”

Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre

 

“Blessing of the Animals”

October 3, (Sunday) 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

The outdoor ecumenical prayer service will include a blessing of family pets. Join us!

The Blessing ritual will take place at 3:00 pm

 

St. Francis of Assisi called all creation his brother and sister. He is the patron saint of animals and ecology Location: Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre 41160 Retreat Road, Cochrane

visit www.mountstfrancis.ca or phone (403) 932-2012 for more details

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beatitudes During a Demanding Time

Br. Michael, ofm

 

Blessed are the times

when words feel flat and empty

meaning and depth will arise again.

 

Blessed are the moments

when we feel separated from life

wholeness will again prevail.

 

Blessed are the moments

when being quiet is tough

peace will make its way known.

 

Blessed are the times

when creating is challenging

new ideas always emerge.

 

Blessed are the times

when energy is drained

rest and restoration are gift.

 

Blessed are the moments

when loneliness seems constant

remember that we are not alone.

 

Blessed are the moments

when things begin to align

step gently into new beginnings.

 

Blessed are the times

when being awaken and truth are known

God is always here.

 

Photo Credit: Marvin Meyer

2021

Psalm of Praise

Br. Michael, ofm

 

Blessed are you, O God,

Creator, Artist, Inspiration

you weave together all of life

telling the story of your great love.

 

From prairie vistas and large skies

to mountain tops and forest paths,

from creeks flowing and oceans roaring

to wheat fields and a single flower,

you constantly display

your goodness,

delight

and joy.

 

Your love flows like a waterfall,

it is as strong as the boulders,

as delicate as a lady bug’s wing.

 

Your love is made known

in creative ways not just once in time

rather over and over again

you infuse your love

in creation,

in humanity,

in me.

 

Your love is painted in every sunset,

stitched into each pinecone,

carved into each shell.

 

Your love awakens us to new life

stirs us in our ideas

speaks to us of hope.

 

From the birds of the air

to the fish of the seas,

from the dog at my side

to the giraffe on the Sahara,

from the polar bear of white

to the gecko color changing,

you show forth your creative ways

which inspires us to the same.

 

Blessed are you, O God.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Benjamin Davies

2021

Season of Creation: A Home for All

Br. Michael, ofm

 

A Home for All

This is our prayer Creator God

as we begin September and the Season of Creation.

A Home for All

where the dignity in which you created us

is respected, upheld and celebrated.

A Home for All

where creation too is given its rightful dignity

and appreciation for how Mother Earth sustains us.

A Home for All

where those fleeing terror and destruction

are welcomed and embraced.

A Home for All

where the common good is seen as a gift

not privileged for a few.

A Home for All

where we can appreciate cultures and creation

in our small corner of the world and beyond.

A Home for All

where the goods of the earth are seen

as our sisters and brothers.

A Home for All

where we work together for the care of creation

and the care of each other.

A Home for All

where we listen to stories of each other

and the story of creation.

A Home for All

where we remember that your love and mercy

are ever present and always generous.

A Home for All

where we are part of the renewal

of your oikos-household.

A Home for All

this is our prayer to you

our Creator God.

* From September 1 – World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation to October 4 – the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, is known as the Season of Creation in which the Christian family celebrates the good gift of creation. The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. The theme for 2021 is A Home for All: Renewing the Oikos of God.

 

 

Photo Credit: Greg Rosenke

Bright Guide: Feast Day of Our Sister Saint Clare 2021

Br. Michael, ofm

In the middle of summer, we come to the feast of our sister Saint Clare of Assisi. Fittingly the name Clare means “bright.” I see this as a gentle reminder that in the brightness of summer we have a companion who always wants us to dwell in the brightness of the Godhead and contemplate the love of Christ.

 

We have very little writings of Clare’s which survived but the pieces we do have offer rich nuggets for us to sit with and ponder. As we continue on in this summer time and celebrate this remarkable woman let us ponder some of her thoughts for our own journey.

 

Keep gazing at your image reflected in the mirror (Christ) so that you may be clothed and adorned with the flowers of all virtues.

 

In this mirror by the grace of God you will be able to observe… love beyond the power of words to describe.

 

As you mediate on the indescribable delights and riches and enduring honors Jesus offers you, and as you sigh and long with all your heart, cry out to him with love: Draw me; we will follow you eagerly, heavenly bridegroom. I will run and not grow weary till you bring me into the banquet hall, until your left hand is under my head and your right embraces me.         

– from the Letters to Agnes of Prague

 

These three quotes are food for thought and challenge for us to consider where we are making time to spend with Christ this day and in the summer days ahead. We can use this Feast of St. Clare as summer reset and step forward delighting in nourishment of quiet moments with our Savior.

 

St. Clare

lover of Christ,

defender of contemplation,

embracer of beauty,

guardian of awareness,

sister-friend of Saint Francis,

pray for us

as we seek to draw nearer to Christ.

Amen.