SFO Mom: Love the Creativity

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Love the Creativity

Today is the Cardboard Tube Fighting Tournament in Philadelphia. Big Brother heard about this and invited a few friends to go along. Then he enlisted Middle Sister's help to make him a cardboard shield for the event.

She and her friend made this as a prank, never suspecting that Big Brother would love it! He thought it was great, but is refusing to bring it (they made him a "real" one as well) because he doesn't want it to be ruined. This one, he says, is a keeper.

What is the SFO?

The Secular Franciscan Order, formerly known as the Third Order of St. Francis, is an official Order within the Catholic Church, and was established by St. Francis of Assisi early in the thirteenth century. Members do not live in community, but live their everyday lives in the world. However, members gather together in fraternity on a regular basis. By profession, they promise to follow a Rule of Life approved and confirmed by Pope Paul VI in June of 1978.

In these fraternities the brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for perfect charity in their own secular state.

“The rule and life of the Secular Franciscan is this: to observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following Saint Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and the center of his life with God and people.” (from the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order)

My Pocket Rosary

Today's pocket rosary is for: the repose of the soul of my father-in-law; Gabrielle who is recovering from heart surgery on August 26; a few young family friends who could really use as many extra prayers as possible; Esther who has lost her father and father-in-law this spring; Michelle's brother-in-law, deployed to Iraq, and for his family, as well as for Michelle's husband who is also in the midst of a deployment and for the family; for SFO Girl's daughter N who awaits a kidney transplant; for my sister-in-law's mom, who is battling cancer; for Fiver and for Aimee who's expecting a little "tiebreaker" in March; for Ellen (and for her mom, recovering from back surgery); for Barb's family; for ukok's Post-it Prayer Request as well as her other intentions; our godson Adventure Boy; the intentions of all my SFO brothers and sisters; and the intentions of all who read this blog.

Prayer for a Prolife Nation

Father in Heaven, bless the leaders of our nation with wisdom, humility, and upright moral character. May our leaders know that justice can only be achieved when we uphold the principal priority of the Right to Life. Give to our public servants the grace to make decisions that are appropriate to their office. Allow them to be humble before all people, by serving the needs of the citizens, not just with words, but most importantly with actions. Lord, as nations experience division due to political fighting, give to citizens the grace to be peacemakers, to take responsibility for their own lives, and to try and work together for the good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. --Father Leo Patalinghug at Grace Before Meals