FranciscanMom: Nine is Fine

Little Brother is nine today.

Photo credit: Middle Sister

Here we are as he gets his Bear Scout patch at last weekend's Blue and Gold Dinner. (Pardon my apron; I was still "working" at this point in the evening.)

His nickname has been "Monkey" ever since he was a baby. Lately, he's been embarrassed to have me call him that in public. But then he snagged a part in the high school's spring musical: The Wizard of Oz. He and Middle Sister will both be multitasking as Munchkins and Flying Monkeys.

I get to call him "Monkey" all I want now.

Happy Birthday to my Bear Scout, my soccer player, my basketball star, my fellow Notre Dame sports fan, my reading buddy, my runner, my singer, my enthusiastic, dramatic, exasperating, energetic, crazy-haired NINE-YEAR-OLD!

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)

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

Sunday, March 06, 2011

Nine is Fine

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The Fine Print