Pax ET BONUM

The story of how St. Francis of Assisi "invented" the crib is so delightful and Address to mail donations for Water Project: it might be told or read to the children every year. e acKathy Taormina, SFO 920 Whitney Drive

 

 Apple Valley MN  55124-9135c

 

Remember to put the name and number of your region and Fraternity on each check, for example:  76-11201 for St Stanislaus Fraternity Fr Solanus Casey Region.  Each Fraternity has a different number.  All donations must be on Kathy’s desk by May 15th.

Number to beat to have any chance of getting first place::  $2072.00who was there when it happened and who wrote it down:

             Blessed Francis called a friend about two weeks before Christmas and said to him: 'If you desire that we should celebrate this year's Christmas together at Greccio, go quickly and prepare what I tell you; for I want to enact the memory of the Infant Who was born at Bethlehem, and how He was deprived of all the comforts babies enjoy; how He was bedded in a manger on hay, between an ass and an ox. For once I want to see all this with my own eyes.' When the good and faithful man had heard this, he departed quickly and prepared in the above-mentioned place everything that the Saint had told him.

            The joyful day approached. The Franciscans were called from many communities. The men and women of the neighborhood, as best they could, prepared candles and torches to brighten the night. Finally the Saint of God arrived, found everything prepared, saw it and rejoiced. The crib was made ready, hay was brought, the ox and ass were led to the spot and Greccio became a new Bethlehem. The night was radiant with joy. The crowds drew near and rejoiced in the novelty of the celebration. Their voices resounded from the woods, and the rocky cliff echoed the jubilant outburst. As they sang in the praise of God, the whole night rang with exultation. The Saint of God stood before the crib, overcome with devotion and wondrous joy. A solemn Mass was sung at the crib.

              The Saint dressed in deacon's vestments, for a deacon he was [out of humility, St. Francis never became a priest, remaining a deacon all his life]. He sang the Gospel. Then he preached a delightful sermon to the people who stood around him, speaking about the nativity of the poor King and the humble town of Bethlehem.

Fraternities which have contributed or indicated that they will:  St Peter Damian, New Paltz, NY;  Sacred Heart of Jesus, Danbury, CT%;  San Damiano, Brewster, NY;  Holy Spirit, Fairfield, CT.;  Our Lady of the Angels Emerging Fraternity, Belchertown, Ma;  St. Clare, Stafford Springs, CT;  St Stanislaus, New Haven, CT;  Shoreline Franciscan Newly Forming Group, Guilford, CT;  Our Lady, Queen of the Angels, New Bedford, Ma.  ALL OTHERS HAVE YET TO REPORT!!!!!  Please contribute at your earliest convenience.  There is not much time left!!!