Notes from Yukiko’s Desk

Dear friends of AGAC,

  
    <p style="margin-bottom: 12pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">This Sunday, at Holy Cross, we are celebrating the feast of St. Francis of Assisi (actual feast day is 4<sup>th</sup> Oct). He was a remarkable figure known for his ministry to the poor and his care for animals and the environment. He was also a lover of peace and worked hard to achieve it. In the light of what is happening in the world, it strikes me that the veneration of this man who lived a very simple life is more relevant today than ever, and his story is worth retelling.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">What fascinates me is that while he certainly loved nature, Francis apparently never used the term <i style="font-weight: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);">natura</i> but instead chose biblical terms and ideas that he found particularly in the psalms and canticles in the Bible which he prayed daily.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">What do you admire most about St. Francis? Do you have any favourite episode from his life? If you haven’t read yet, I encourage you to read <b><i>St. Francis of Assisi</i></b> written by G. K. Chesterton, or <b><i>Brother Sun, Sister Moon Saint Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the Creatures</i></b>. Both books are available in the library. As we learn more about St. Francis, I guarantee, we will find a man who shatters the stereotypes, and who is both surprising and inspiring. </p><p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">In Greenhithe, we are celebrating the Feast of St. Michael and the Archangels, the special feast for parishioners in Greenhithe.</p><p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">I look forward to celebrating these feasts with you at each congregation this Sunday. </p><p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><i>Joyfully in Christ,</i></p><p><em style="font-weight: inherit; background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3);">Yukiko</em></p>      
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