Children's Liturgy, Sunday, October 5th 2008.
Sunday
October 5th 2008
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| Yesterday was the feast day of Saint Francis
of Assisi. We remembered all we knew about him. Today, something surprising
would happen in his honour, at the end of our liturgy! |
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Francis had a comfortable
life when he was young, being the son of a cloth merchant in the Italian
village of Assisi, where he was born in 1182. The provinces often fought
against each other and Francis joined the fighting until he was captured.
After this, he became ill and his life totally changed.
On a pilgrimage to Rome, he felt very sorry to see the beggars in front
of St. Peter's Basilica- so much so that he swapped clothes with one
of them and spent the day begging. When he returned to Assisi, he began
looking after lepers, one day hugging one of them. Usually no-one touched
a person with leprosy, as people thought you could catch the disease
very easily.
Francis also worked for the poor and spent the rest of his time rebuilding
the churches. One day, he heard the voice of Jesus asking him to "build
up my house, for it is nearly falling down". Francis thought this
meant he must rebuild the church at San Damiano, which he gladly did.
Francis began to preach and drew twelve followers who became the first
of an Order of Franciscan Friars (friar means brother). They spent their
lives preaching, setting an example of Jesus' love by the way they behaved,
owning no property and looking after the poor.
In 1212 Francis received into his fellowship a girl named Clara Sciffi,
a girl from a noble family. With Francis' help, she set up the Order
of Poor Clares at San Damiano.
Saint Francis loved all animals and called them his brothers and sisters.
Last year, we heard the story of how he tamed the wolf at Gubbio. This
year, we heard how he tamed the doves.
Doves are a symbol of peace. We remembered the Peace Prayer of Saint
Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
On to our banner of Saint Francis, the older children placed doves they
had cut from newspapers. The daily papers are usually full of stories
of worry, sadness and fighting. We prayed for peace. |
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| The younger children drew their pets, or animals
they loved and placed these around Saint Francis. |
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| We carried the banner of Saint Francis into
church as the organ played the hymn based on the saint's Prayer for Peace. |
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We had very special friends in church. We
remembered Paul's guide dog, Frankie, who is our mascot, but who is now
old and living a happy life in retirement. Today, Paul brought Foster,
his new guide dog for a blessing on the feast of Saint Francis.
We all stood around the altar as Father John asked Paul to bring Foster
forward. Foster stood looking pleased and proud to be blessed-
Blessing for Foster.
Blessed are you, Lord God,
maker of all living creatures.
On the fifth and sixth days of creation
you called forth fish from the sea,
birds in the air and animals on the land.
You inspired St. Francis to call all animals
his brothers and sisters.
We ask you to bless Foster.
By the power of your love
enable him to live according to your plan.
may we always praise you
for all the beauty in creation.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures!
Amen. |
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Everyone clapped. After mass, Foster had many
strokes and a biscuit. Paul had a cup of coffee.
Thank you, Paul, for bringing Foster today, to help us think about the
life of Saint Francis. |
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