From the founder
Like so many others, I find the rising levels of hostile rhetoric heartbreaking - and frightening. As a Christian I know Jesus calls us to love and compassion, and as a grandmother I know I want a better world for my grandchildren. I'm convinced that ordinary people hold great power to bring about change. I believe a grassroots movement truly does have the power to turn back the tide of anger and fear and can create a new era of healing and understanding. The American civil rights movement, Gandhi's struggle to win India's independence, Poland's victory in stepping away from the Soviet Union - all were movements started by a small group of people who cried "Enough!" Together we can do so much. Please join our efforts to live the prayer of St. Francis: Where there is hatred, let us sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. |
Connie Fourré recently retired after 27 years in Catholic education. Her work as an author and educator has been honored by the National Catholic Education Association and the Catholic Press Association. She has written two books on family life and several curriculum resources, including Journey to Justice: Transformaing Hearts and Schools with Catholic Social Teaching. She has presented nationally and in Canada on Catholic social teaching, spirituality and service learning, and has volunteered at churches, women's shelters and correctional facilities.
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Statue in front of the Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi, Italy
The placard reads: "Lord, what do you want me to do?" "Go back to your city and you will be told what you must do." At the break of day Francis, with his reformed inner self, desired only to conform to the will of God. Photo courtesy Dennis Jarvis |
About Our Namesake St. Francis
This Resource Center is named after St. Francis of Assisi. Many people know St. Francis only from garden statues, a gentle figure with birds perched on his shoulders and hands. His real story is much more powerful.
As a young man Francis fought in a brutal conflict against a neighboring city, Perugia. He was a prisoner of war for many months and returned home a changed man. After a long healing period, he once again set off as a soldier, only to be stopped in his tracks by the voice of God. His deep commitment to peace was shaped by this early experience of war. In 1219 St Francis decided to try to end the Fifth Crusade by converting the Sultan of Egypt to Christianity. Against all advice he and another monk crossed enemy lines and asked to be brought to the Sultan. Malik al-Kamil was a remarkable man, and the two engaged in a deep conversation for several days. Although the Sultan was not moved to convert, he granted Francis and his companion safe passage home, where the saint revised his rule to encourage his monks to live in peace with Muslims. Note: Many versions of this story have circulated over the centuries. This brief summary is based on the careful research represented in Paul Moses' fine book, "The Saint and the Sultan." |
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