October 2, 2025

This Sunday, October 5, in addition to our annual Rally Day potluck and festivities, we will be marking the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. We most often remember St. Francis for his love for God’s creation and all living things, and our service this week and for the next several Sundays will reflect that aspect of his life and ministry. In remembrance of Francis, both of this week’s services will include a blessing of the animals. All well-behaved and leashed or crated pets are welcome regardless of species!
St. Francis, though, is remembered for much more than his love of animals. His devotion to peace, to love, and especially to God give us an deep and true example of how to live in our difficult, unsettled, and frightening times. Here are a few quotes to give us peace and to undergird the work that is before us in these days:

Don’t know where to start? St. Francis says:

            “Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

           “Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.”

Feeling frightened?

             “What do you have to fear? Nothing. Whom do you have to fear? No one. Why? Because whoever has joined forces with God obtains three great privileges: omnipotence without power, intoxication without wine, and life without death.”

Wanting to lash out?

             “No one is to be called an enemy, all are your benefactors, and no one does you harm. You have no enemy except yourselves.”

And, of course, Saint Francis’ wonderful prayer, which is so necessary for each of us in dark times:

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.”