Minister’s Message for October 2022
Brothers and Sisters in Francis,
As we enter into the fall months in anticipation of winter, let us place ourselves
in a spirit of gratitude. Looking forward to the first coming of Christ we begin to
feel the warmth in our hearts that brings back beautiful memories of holiday
seasons past. The excitement of the coming festivities with our families and
friends will soon begin to take over our thoughts and actions. But I ask you,
my brothers and sisters, to commit to a more prayerful preparation for the
celebration of Christ’s birth. You may be thinking: “It isn’t even Thanksgiving
yet!” Why wait until Thanksgiving to give thanks? Is there any way that we
can be examples of gratitude to those around us? Let’s start with our families,
our co-workers, our friends and strangers. Think twice before you utter a
complaint. Put yourself in another’s shoes before you judge them. That is
what our brother Francis would want us to do, especially if we claim to
be Franciscans.
Think about our Mother Mary and how her preparation for “Christmas” was
starkly different from ours. At this point she would be almost seven months
pregnant. My prayer for all of us in the St. Anthony Fraternity, is that we take
Mary’s hand and walk with her to Bethlehem where she will give birth to
Salvation. Pray for her grace to fill our hearts so that we can share them with
each other.
God bless you in Jesus and Francis,
Your sis, Israela
Israela Garcia, OFS
Servant Minister, St Anthony Community, OFS
