St. Francis stood alone on his granite rock for the early summer. Happily, he is now surrounded by zinnias and four-o-clocks. Fortunately the woodchuck didn’t work his way down this far on his destructive journey through my flower bed.
We go to a Catholic church which is run by Franciscan Friars, in our case three Fathers and two Brothers who live together next to the sanctuary. As I have written before, we are located in downtown, an area with few residents in houses and a number on the street. We feed sandwiches every day to whoever comes to the window, and hand out socks in the summer, hats and gloves in the winter, and food gift cards, bus passes and medical co-pays year round. Some believe we are enabling drug addicts, but now and then one of these street people gets clean after several years of contact with the Friars. Many of these men and women also attend Mass. No questions are asked of anyone who wishes to come to our table.
St. Francis, founder of the Order, gave up all riches to tend to the poor and rebuild the church. His message was always of love, peace and compassion. Our Friars stress the same, with no threatening God, no excluding Jesus, no condemnation of those who are “different”(whatever that means–different from whom?) I am pleased that my St. Francis gets to be framed in beauty each late summer. He deserves to “walk in beauty.”
Saved By Words 
Nice write-up about one of my favorite saints Elizabeth. You are doing a good job of helping those other parishioners. BTW, your Zinnias and Four O’clocks are lovely.
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Thanks. They make me smile.
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Thank you for sharing how you and others share God’s love. I love St. Francis and his message. You made me smile today and your garden is lovely.
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I am glad to share our experience.
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Thanks.I love sharing about our faith community.
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Great photo.
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Thanks.
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It sounds like you are doing a worthwhile job, Elizabeth. Helping such people is the true meaning of being a ‘Christian’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That is what I firmly believe, despite the evangelicals for Trump!
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It looks as if he’s enjoying the view.
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Absolutely.
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Oh this is lovely, Elizabeth.
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I guess we can never really be sure who we are helping. It is never possible to know who that person will turn out to be It is always safest to err on the side of being too charitable rather than censorious; the former can never be wrong but the latter could see you feeling very shamefaced.
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I recall Eliza Doolittle’s father remarking in My Fair Lady that the “undeserving poor” need help too!
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You are practising what the friars are preaching and I applaud all of you. Absolutely fitting that St Francis is surrounded by such generous floral beauty.
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Thanks.
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