Dear brothers and sisters,
     As the feast of our holy father Francis approaches, I imagine each of us has a story, prayer or image that inspires our vocation. Over the years, those Franciscan stories, prayers and images probably change in importance for us. This month perhaps we can reflect on the psalm that appears in almost any Transitus service around the world: Psalm 142, known as the Voce Mea. In the Latin that St. Francis would have heard, the psalm’s first line is Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi, “With my own voice I cry out to the Lord.”
     Below are some verses from Psalm 142, which Francis asked his brothers to sing for him as he lay dying. Notice how the verses begin in lament and end with a vow to praise. ​

     What happens inside us when we cry out to the Lord in sorrow, using our own voice? Can we, like Francis, end a song of complaint with a promise to praise? What happens inside us when we do?
 
A deep and joyous Feast to you!
Donna

Blessed is the servant who would love his brother as much when he is sick and cannot repay him as he would when he is well and can repay him.
Francis of Assisi, Admonition XXIV 

Reflecting beautifully on article 25 of our Rule, our Constitutions state:
In a family spirit, each brother and sister should make a contribution to the fraternity fund, according to each one's means, to provide the financial means needed for the life of the fraternity and for its religious, apostolic, and charitable works (article 30,3). 

This support for the life of the fraternity is a way of paying it backward. By paying for the spaces we use each month, we help support the incredibly hard-working, skilled retreat center staff who maintain these old buildings and beautiful grounds. In choosing charities to support, we are just giving back to God what was always His anyway.

The same article in the Constitutions goes on to say:
The brothers and sisters ought to provide the means necessary for supporting the activities and the operations of the fraternities at higher levels, both by their financial assistance and by their contributions in other areas as well.

Supporting our regional, national and international fraternities (remember, you belong to all!) is a way of paying it forward. From our regional council who sacrifice almost every weekend for years at a time visiting fraternities throughout Southern California, to the Secular Franciscans giving witness in the most troubled places on the planet – your donation helps make Franciscan life possible. 

Thank you.
Donna