George Harrison sings to me

as he does many mornings.

He has become my favorite Beatle.

I find his spirituality refreshing.

I have three dogs, two cats, a bird,

and three turtles gathered about me

in this room that I call a home office.

My middle name is Francis

and I am reminded that St. Francis was

the patron saint of animals.

Mikel K

……………………………………..

Francis of Assisi was a poor little man who astounded and inspired the Church by taking the gospel literally—not in a narrow fundamentalist sense, but by actually following all that Jesus said and did, joyfully, without limit and without a mite of self-importance.

St. Framcis really believed what Jesus said: "Announce the kingdom! Possess no gold or silver or copper in your purses, no traveling bag, no sandals, no staff" (see Luke 9:1-3).

--Leonard Foley, O.F.M.