THE FRANCISCAN CHRISTIAN FRATERNITY MOVEMENT
GENERAL RULES - ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE -
PRINCIPLES (Local
Church Based Fraternities)
A: (We are a ecumenical movement. Each Franciscan Christian Fraternity will be connected to
a local church and is a Franciscan spiritual expression of that church.) We are
to represent our local churches with whatever we do. We exist as a service organization to support the mission of our local church. We should never try to
dictate local church policy or interfere in its predetermined
ministry. We serve the local church by being an evangelizing movement through our Christian service only. We should be known for our actions of love not our words. The
local church will ask their higher leadership for permission to create a Franciscan Christian Fraternity (in some cases it will be the Bishop or District Superintendent
in other cases). The local Pastor or Assistant Pastor or Deacon will be the
spiritual guide or adviser because we are to be an organization of
Christian service within the mission of the local church
itself. NOTE: We should in no way elevate ourselves because we are members
of this group, or make ourselves holier than others or feel elites about our
Franciscan Spirituality. We should have the attitude of the poverty of Christ
(within us) and be expressions of Christian Love through humility (not pride or
ego).
(The
Body of Christ)
B: (As one Spirit of Christ, we will be the physical actions of
Christ within our modern world.) Catholic, Lutheran and Episcopal denominations
have Franciscans for the laity and there is an Ecumenical Franciscan Order.
We would like to form a new Franciscan movement (that is local church based)
where fraternities from different denominations can work together on common
service projects within their cities. Francis once said: “The deeds you do may be the only
sermon some people will hear today”. Together, we will be the physical arms of
Jesus (today on earth) that hugs the lonely or forgotten. We will be the
physical heart of Jesus (today) that loves people in impossible situations. We
will be the physical hands of Jesus (today) that feeds those who are hungry or
discouraged. We will be the physical eyes of Jesus (today) that see those in
despair or in hopelessness to give comfort. We will be the physical mouth of
Jesus (today) that tells all people that God loves them. We will be the
physical feet of Jesus (today) to go out and help the poor, the sick, the
elderly and the unwanted. You see, how can we love our God more than with all
our heart, soul, mind and strength – unless we see him in the faces of those in
need.
(Renewal)
C: (Each Franciscan Christian Fraternity, by its existence,
will help revive, renew and reactivate the faith of its fraternity members
within their local churches.) We do this only under the guidance of local
church leadership. We will allow the Holy Spirit to revive us so our faith will
give us more meaning and purpose within our lives. Those who love and believe
in respecting the environment will find a family with us. Those who believe in
peace between people and between nations will find a family with us. Those who
want to give all human beings dignity and compassion will find a family with
us. Those who want to live a self-sacrificing gospel life will find a family
with us. Those who want to experience some simplicity in this complicated world
will find a family with us. Those who love all of life, (from animals to
children to trees and more) and who wish to build up their lives through loving
relationships will find a family with us. Together we will come alive through
our faith and our love for God. Francis had the reviving attitude of “Deus meus
et Omnia” (meaning “My God and my all”). With an energetic spirit, we do too.
We go forward securely, joyfully and swiftly on a path of happiness, believing
nothing and agreeing with nothing that turns us away from our commitment to
God.
(Christian
Unity)
D: (Each Franciscan Christian Fraternity will send delegates
to a city wide ecumenical conference of Franciscan Christian Fraternities). The
conference of Franciscan Christian Fraternities will come together in order to plan
and work as one on common service projects. These conferences (or
organizational meetings) will also be places to learn what works and what does
not work within the movement. Francis once said: “We have been called to heal
wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost
their way”. The frequency of conference meetings will be determine by agreement
of the different fraternity presidents of a city.
(Knowing Our Poverty)
E: (We do not come together to help the
poor but to love the poor. Helping is just a part of our love.) Francis called
the poor his “Lady Poverty”. We recognize that there is physical poverty,
financial poverty, mental poverty, spiritual poverty and moral poverty around us. Also
there is a poverty of health, a poverty of status, a poverty of self-worth and
a poverty of knowledge. If being poor is to be in need – we all are companions
of Lady Poverty for we all have some type of need. Each and every person is in
need of something but most of all in need of God. Francis once said: “What we are
looking for – is what is looking for us”. Francis strongly believed that God
and poverty have always been bounded together. To choose love for God is to
choose love for those in need. The special mission of ever Franciscan is to
search for, find and embrace “Lady Poverty”. This is why our poverty is the
Christian glue that binds all Franciscans together. Through our spirit of
poverty, we will build up peace with unity between ourselves without
encouraging issues that will divide us. NOTE: We will be also be known as "Companions of Lady Poverty".
(Charity
and Justice)
F: (We believe that giving is better than
receiving.) The act of giving builds up the soul and purifies the heart. By our
acts of charity we produce justice within our world. But charity goes beyond
justice because to love is to give and to have plenty is to share fairly and
responsibly. We believe that charity and justice are inseparable.
(Using
Special Gifts of the Holy Spirit)
G: (The Holy Spirit has inspired our
different talents and spiritual interest.) The Holy Spirit has blessed some of
us to feel strongly about the quality of life issues (from human conception to
the grave and everything in between), others to feel strongly about peace and
justice issues and others to care about animals or our environment. These are
our special hungers. Our hungers can create our spiritual poverty to make us "Companions of Lady Poverty". Through our spiritual poverty (our great need for
God), we see the poor all around us and within us. It drives us towards a life
of more simplicity (than what we experience now) and towards the way of the
gospel. All are welcome to share our Christian love and peace. Together we are
Holy Spirit inspired to love unconditionally. Francis once said: “Blessed is
the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when
he is well and can be of service to him”.
.
THE RULE OF THE FRANCISCAN CHRISTIAN FRATERNITIES
(THE ARTICLES)
DEFINITION: “The rule of the Franciscan Christian Fraternities is to live
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through our following the example of St.
Francis of Assisi”. We spread the gospel with our love at all times and when
everything else fails and there is nothing else to do, we use words. We are
united through our common Christian expression of Franciscan Spirituality.
Franciscan Spirituality is a combination of different Christian characteristics
into one (to show humility, to love all of God's creations, to respond to
poverty, to find simplicity, to desire peace and to become the physical actions
of Christ in our world).This rule is “A Rule of the Heart" and "A
Rule of Conscious"” and it should not be practiced in a legalistic manner
or enforced through a dogmatic attitude. We must realize that each Christian
heart seeks to be a companion to a soul that is in need of God’s mercy and
compassion. Each participating Christian denomination will control and will be
allowed to organize their Franciscan Christian Fraternities as based on their unique
customs and beliefs towards worshiping our Lord, Jesus Christ. Each local Franciscan Christian Fraternity will be under the guidance of their local church to serve
that church’s ministry to evangelize, to serve and to educate their faithful by
being love in actions. Each Franciscan Christian Fraternity will function as another
charity service unit of their local church.
Chapter One: The Franciscan Christian Fraternity Purpose
1. (We follow Christ in the footsteps of Francis.) Our Franciscan
family, as one among many spiritual families raised up by the Holy Spirit
within Christianity itself. We unite ourselves (through service) to all the
members of God’s people. We also recognize that we are called to humbly and
simply follow Christ like Francis of Assisi once did - without a lot of
attention to ourselves.
2. (We strive for perfect charity as servants of Christ) The Franciscan Christian movement holds a special place within the Christian
family of love. It is in spiritual union of all Franciscan Christian Fraternities and
open to all of the Christian faithful within their local churches. In these
fraternities the brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for perfect
charity in their own special state of Christian life.
3. (This rule indicates our faithfulness.) We adapt these
Franciscan rules to the needs and expectations of Christianity within our local
churches during these modern times of changing conditions. The leaders of our
local churches will be our spiritual guides because we will represent our
church through our expressions of Franciscan Spirituality.
Chapter Two:
Unique Christian Life
4. (We will live a Christ centered Gospel Life.) We live our lives in our Franciscan Christian Fraternity by loving the gospel of Jesus Christ and by following the
example of Francis of Assisi. He made Christ the inspiration and the center of
his life of worshiping God and loving all people. Christ, the gift of the
Father’s love, is our Franciscan way to God, the truth into which the Holy
Spirit leads us, and the life through which he has come to give us abundantly. The Franciscan Christian Fraternity members should devote themselves
especially to careful reading of the gospel, moving from the gospel towards
life and from life towards the gospel.
5. (We recognize the "Christ Spirit" in our Franciscan
siblings in order to glorify God together.) Franciscan Christians,
therefore, should seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ from
within their brothers and sisters, through sacred scripture and through the
local church with its liturgical activity. Also we will encounter Christ
through our service to those in need.
6. (We profess to commit our lives to this Franciscan rule in
union with our Christian mission to give our world God's love, peace, mercy,
compassion and hope - like Francis.) We have been made living members of
Christianity by being buried and raised with Christ in baptism. Therefore, we
have been united more intimately with our Christian faith by our profession.
Yes, we should go forth as witnesses and instruments of our mission among all
people, proclaiming Christ through our love and actions. Francis once said:
“Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words”. Called like
Saint Francis to rebuild the Church, we start with ourselves. Inspired by the
example of Francis, let us devote ourselves energetically to living in full
union with others, fostering an open and trusting dialog of apostolic
effectiveness and creativity.
7. (The hunger from within us for heartfelt change is God's
call to His holiness and to produce personal conversion through the Gospel of Love.) We are
united by our drive as “brothers and sisters through Christ”. We are motivated
by the spiritual power of the gospel. Therefore, let us conform our thoughts
and deeds to those of Christ by means of that radical heartfelt change which
the gospel calls “conversion”. Human frailty makes it necessary that this conversion
be carried out daily. On this road to renewal our reconciliation is a
privileged sign of the Heavenly Father’s mercy and the source of grace.
8. (We are to live our lives as prayer itself by offering up our
lives to God.) As Jesus was the true worshiper of the Father, so let prayer and
contemplation be the soul of all that we are and do. Let us participate in
local church activity, above all let us join in church prayer as one equal people, reliving
the mysteries of the life of Christ with our love.
9. (Mary, The Mother of Jesus, will be a spiritual example because
we too (male or female) give birth to the "Christ Spirit" from within us for the
world to see.) We wish to nourish this Christ Spirit (like Mary did for Jesus)
through childhood into adulthood and to give this spirit to the world through
our love. We will be humble servants of the Lord, open to His every word and
call. We are embraced by Franciscan Spirituality with indescribable love and
declaring our fellow believers to be family. Franciscans should express their
ardent love for our Church through a complete self-giving attitude and by
praying earnestly and confidently (like Mary did in the scriptures).
10. (We will be obedient to God's will in our personal lives
and also hold dear to our hearts "Christ in Distress" that is all
around us.) We are united with the redemptive obedience of Jesus. He
placed His will within the Father’s hands. Therefore, let us faithfully fulfill
our acts of faith proper to our various circumstances in life. Let us also
follow the poor and crucified Christ (within our world), witness to Him even
during difficulties and persecutions; therefore, becoming a resurrected people.
11. (We will balance our complicated lives by being simpler,
less wasteful, and more genuine toward the Gospel.) Trusting the Father, Christ
chose for Himself a poor and humble life. Even though He valued created things
attentively and lovingly, let us seek a proper spirit of detachment from
excessive goods that can control our lives. Let us simplify our personal wants
and essential needs through a balance between the two. Let us be mindful that
according to the gospel we are stewards of the goods that we received;
therefore, they should be shared with all of God’s children whenever possible.
God would not want us to make ourselves poor or to unnecessarily cause personal
or financial suffering. Instead, we avoid being wasteful or too excessive or
too possessive of our belongings. Thus, in the spirit of the Beatitudes, we are
pilgrims on our eventual journey to the home of the Father. Let us strive to
purify our hearts from any great desire for excessive possessions or any
tendency for egotistical power or any addictive behavior to escape our real
lives.
12. (We are a people who love God & one another.) We are witnesses
to the good yet we come and obligate ourselves to acquire clean hearts because
of our chosen lifestyle to embrace love. We should set ourselves free to love
God and our brothers and sisters.
13. (We as a Christian fraternity do form a more intimate but
humble Christian Community within our local church family.) As the Father sees
in every person the features of his Son, the firstborn of many brothers and
sisters, so the Franciscan Christian Fraternity members will have a gentle and courteous
spirit to accept all people as a gift of the Lord. In addition, we will be mindful of our local church community and consider our uniqueness as not being above anyone else. Our sense of community will
make us joyful and ready to place ourselves on an equal basis with all people,
especially with those low in status for whom we shall strive to create
conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ.
14. (We follow the Christian spirit of service because of our
love.) Franciscan Christians, together with all people of good will,
are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom
of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful that anyone “who follows
Christ, the perfect man, becomes more of a person themselves”, let us exercise
our responsibilities competently in the Christian spirit of service.
15. (We promote justice through our harmony in faith.)
Let us individually and collectively be in the forefront in promoting
justice by the testimony of our human lives and our courageous initiatives.
Especially in the field of public life, we should make definite choices in
harmony with our faith.
16. (We promote our work for the common good of all through
our love for God.) Let us esteem our Franciscan work for Christ both as a
gift and as a sharing in the creation, redemption, and service of the human
community. Let us be thankful for our careers within society and allow our
Franciscan Spirituality be revealed through our generosity and kindness to all.
Whenever we can, let us help those who cannot work or are unable to find work.
17. (We will respect peace, life and fidelity through Christian
love and continuous education - within our lives.) Our spiritual family should
cultivate the Franciscan spirit of peace, fidelity, and respect for all living
things, striving to make of it a sign of a world already renewed in Christ. By
living our life circumstances we should bear witness in the world to the love
of Christ for Christianity. Those with children should joyfully accompany their
children on their human and spiritual journey by providing a simple and open
Christian lifestyle and being attentive to the needs of each child.
18. (We will be siblings to all creation through our Christian
love & universal kinship to all of God's creatures.) Moreover we should
respect all of God’s creatures, animate and inanimate, which “bear the imprint
of the Most High,” and we should strive to move from the temptation of
exploiting creation into the Franciscan concept of universal kinship.
19. (We are people who desire peace and seek joy, love, dignity
and hope for all.) Mindful that we are bearers of peace which must be built up
unceasingly, we should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through
dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the
transforming power of love and pardon. We will be messengers of perfect joy in
every circumstance, to bring joy and hope to others. Since we are immersed in
the resurrection of Christ, which gives true meaning to death, let us serenely
tend toward the ultimate encounter with the Father.
Chapter Three: Unique
Fraternity Life
20. (We are a part of a Christianity and are bonded together
through Franciscan spirituality for a common love for Christ as fraternity).
We, Franciscan Christians, are divided into fraternities. Each one has its
own moral personality in the local church it is located within. These various
fraternities are coordinated and united according to the norm of this rule and
the customs of their Christian denomination. The higher denominational church
leadership will approve the structure of these fraternities but the local
fraternity council will govern the daily operations of them with the guidance
of their local church pastor or representative.
21. (We recognize the fraternity leadership with its council and
officers.) Each fraternity is operated by a council and president (or the
fraternity minister) who are elected by the members. Their service, which lasts
for a defined period of time (1 to 3 years), is marked by a ready and willing
spirit to serve. Within themselves the fraternities are structured in different
ways according to the needs of their members.
22. (We are Franciscans within our local Church.) The local
fraternity is to be established to help serve the needs of the local church and
the civil community that the local church serves. It becomes the basic unit of
the Franciscan Spirituality within that church and a visible sign of that
church’s Franciscan spirit motivating a community of love. The fraternity
should be a privileged place for developing a sense of Church and Franciscan
Spirituality through the apostolic life of its members.
23. (Our Franciscan membership begins at the local fraternity
level.) Requests for admission to the Franciscan Christian movement must
be presented to the local fraternity (by the act of attending formation
classes). Admission is gradually attained through a period of formation for
about one year (one month orientation, 2 months initiation and 9 months
candidacy), and then profession to the rule or membership. Membership can
consist of Professed Members, Non-Professed Members and Associate Members. Only
professed members can vote for council members & officers (unless the local
host church wants to grant all membership types the right to vote). A
Non-Professed Member can hold office if the council approves. The entire
community is engaged in the process of growth by its own manner of living. The
age for profession and the distinctive Franciscan sign are regulated by your
Franciscan customs and the local church customs. Profession by its nature is a
commitment. Members who find themselves in particular difficulties should
discuss their problems with the council or chose Non-Professed Membership. People who are not members of local host
church can only be Associate Members. Associate Members can go through the
formation process and become Professed Members at a later date (should they
join the host church or if their church forms a fraternity of their own).
Non-Professed and Associate members should be valued as accepted members and
their opinions should be considered in the daily operations of fraternity life.
Non-Professed members (having gone through a year of formation) can professed
at a later time if they wish.
24. (We will foster unity & purpose - beginning with our
fraternity leaders.) To foster community among members, the council should
organize regular and frequent meetings of the fraternity as well as meeting
with other Franciscan groups. It should adopt appropriate means for growth in
Franciscan Spirituality and encourage everyone to a life of fraternity. The
communion of believers continues with the spirits of the deceased brothers and
sisters through prayer for their families and their souls.
25. (Our local Fraternity will support the higher church
leadership.) Regarding expenses necessary for the life of the fraternity and
the needs of worship, and of charity, all the fraternity brothers and sisters
should offer a contribution according to their means. Local fraternities should
contribute toward their own personal expenses.
26. (We will seek spiritual guidance from a member of the clergy
within our local church (for Catholics – a member of one of our religious
Franciscan orders would be preferred if possible but not necessary.) A
personal knowledge of Franciscan Spirituality would be recommended for a
spiritual adviser or going through the formation process with others; however,
it is not required. Being a Pastor, Assistant Pastor, Deacon, Church
Administrator or a local church elder is required to be a spiritual adviser. A
spiritual Adviser would not be required to attend all meetings or events (but
they should have knowledge of the spiritual direction of the fraternity and be
available for help during any moments of confusion).
27. (Through our Franciscan Spirituality, we will find peace and
blessings within our thoughts and within our actions.) “May the Lord
bless us and keep us. May he show his face upon us and have mercy on us. May he
turn his countenance to us and give us peace” (Nu. 6:24). May the Lord bless us
all as one love - this day and every day. AMEN
(The Blessing of St. Francis - plural)
CODE OF CONDUCT
Chapter Four (BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS)
NOTE: Our code of conduct in one word is "Humility". We are to show humility towards one another without having forceful opinions or judgmental attitudes. Our ego must be a faint shadow that follows us instead of the leading edge of introduction into inter-reactions with others. Humility is not the same as weakness. Humility is nailing our egotistical ways onto the cross of Jesus and allowing God to have control of our behavior. Within disagreements, having the goal of winning an argument is not humility. Even if you know you are right, creating peace and agreeing to disagree (through respect) should be our goal.
NOTE: Our code of conduct in one word is "Humility". We are to show humility towards one another without having forceful opinions or judgmental attitudes. Our ego must be a faint shadow that follows us instead of the leading edge of introduction into inter-reactions with others. Humility is not the same as weakness. Humility is nailing our egotistical ways onto the cross of Jesus and allowing God to have control of our behavior. Within disagreements, having the goal of winning an argument is not humility. Even if you know you are right, creating peace and agreeing to disagree (through respect) should be our goal.
28: A fraternity cannot be successful if it becomes a battle
ground between egos, or a conflict between religious philosophies or if it
becomes political (not Christ centered). A fraternity cannot be successful if
you judge one another or argue or become critical, or dislike some of your
brothers or sisters. One person can destroy the unity of a fraternity if you do
not have Christian Love as its central purpose. Encourage that different
characteristic in your brother or sister (the characteristic that you do not
have within yourself) so that your fraternity can be balanced with many
spiritual gifts. As much as possible, you should match an individual’s
abilities with their spiritual gifts. Promote fellowship through a common
sharing of prayer, peacemaking, and giving dignity with justice to all through
service. Be an example for one another instead of judging with religious
condemnations or personal gossip. Together, you must avoid personal agendas (or
personal crusades) that could divide some of you from the others. Recognize
that the faults and flaws within others may actually be small compared to
yours. People may act bad or wrong at times (or in a hurtful manner) but our
mistakes are not what God sees only. Do whatever is possible to allow the
Holy Spirit to flow through your fraternity freely through God’s will (not
yours). Be humble, respectful and considerate towards all. Have a moral compass
when talking about people or living things. Do not carpet bomb others with the
same thing over and over again. We need one another and we need to share our
faithful joys & hardships openly and to feel safe without criticism. No
tough love attitudes. Please do whatever is necessary to bring your fraternity
members together (not to divide). Be honest by caring with others and be your
loving self.
Chapter Five (CREATE A HEALTHY FRATERNITY ATTITUDE)
29: At all times, act as if Christ is physically presents in
all your meetings. You should be community when meeting together because you
are a people in need of Franciscan Christian fellowships. Within the continuous
formation process, establish a fraternity purpose and a way of life through
love.
30: Together, form a community that loves because God loves,
that cares because God cares and that gives because God uses us to give to
others. Seek ways to come together through dialogue and seek ways for unity
through the power of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. Together you should try
to simplify your conflicting personal beliefs and simplify your complicated
lifestyles with balance. You should try to be brothers and sisters to all of
God’s creation. Francis once said: “If you have people who will exclude any of
God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have people
who will deal likewise with their fellow humans”. You should become fully alive
when all of you celebrate the mysteries of God together. You should try to
build peace in your lives and between yourselves (sacrifice, forgive,
compromise, heal broken hearts, love people where they are and attend to their
needs after listening to them).
31: Together you should know that peace has to be learned but not
God’s love … that should come naturally to you if you accept it as a
fraternity. You should try to empty yourselves of egos like Christ humbled
himself on the cross (self-esteem is good but self-pride is not). Together take
your personal energy and allow it to build up love around you - do not split
your unity into parts. When we create love around us, we share in God’s
creativity. When we destroy love around us, we destroy a part of God in our
world. For God is love. You should try to separate each individual’s behavior
from their true value as seen through God’s eyes (for a person’s feelings are
not right or wrong but their responses to feelings can be). Know that we all
can do wrong things at times because we all are sinners who need the support of
one another and God.
32: Remember the three knots in the Franciscan cord:
“Poverty” (poverty produces a great need for God, so humble yourselves to see
the physical, mental, moral and spiritual poverty within yourselves and within
others), “Chastity” (chastity produces a pure hearted love with charity, so
humble yourselves to live beyond any personal selfishness) and “Obedience”
(obedience is listening to God’s will but also respect the authority around
you, so humble yourselves to see Holy Spirit guidance around you).
Chapter Six (CREATE A GENTLE BUT GENEROUS FRATERNITY LIFE)
33: Be companions of Francis’ Lady Poverty and experience
God’s loving blessings – for God blesses and loves all his children, especially
those who understand the poor. God allows his face to shine upon you and he is
gracious with his kindness by granting you everlasting peace through your
actions of loving service. Together, frequently find inner peace – as you
direct your minds and thoughts towards God in prayer and actions. Individually,
seek places of serenity so you can hear God’s quiet voice inspiring you from
within.
34: Together, pray like Francis so you may enjoy what he
did: loving the wealth of God’s creations, seeing the beauty in giving to
others and finding companionship with your Franciscan brothers and sisters.
Together, find the simple way to live free from extreme excesses in life. Let
your spiritual poverty free you to be truly hungry for God’s love. We must know
that Franciscan Spirituality is the opposite of proving that we are good. It is
accepting and embracing the extraordinary. It is the truth that all people are
loved by God (who only wants to embrace us through our actions of love).
35: Make yourselves meek and humbled to share your lives in
blessed ways. Francis once said: “Where there is patience and humility, there
is neither anger nor vexation”. May you be God’s servants but especially be the
servants of God’s servants (leaders in your local church). Together, you have a
story to be told, a light to be shined, a life to be lived, a love to be given,
a peace to be shared, a path to be walked and a sacrifice to be offered (your
lives given to God). Do it – for its living the fraternity life.
Chapter Seven (CONCLUSION)
36: You must love those that you disagree with; you have no
choice (so love one another as Franciscan Siblings – bonded through your
spiritual Franciscan DNA). This is not the “Tough Love” that the world
gives or just idealistic thoughts without actions. Our Franciscan DNA is our
Christian Love as taught by Christ and followed by Francis. It is the book ends
to human existence (we are bathed in this holy love at our conception and also
at our final journey’s end to be with God). Remember what Francis once said:
“When you leave this earth, you take with you nothing that you have received –
only what you have given”. Our journey with Christ is the road (the only road)
to the peace of God, the peace that we so desperately seek but which only God
can provide.
D. Crone
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