Most High, omnipotent, good Lord, To thee be ceaseless praise outpoured, And blessing without measure. Let creatures all give thanks to thee and serve in great humility.
These words were written by St. Francis of Assisi in his “Canticle of the Sun.” His feast day is October 4, but we will gather tomorrow for our annual Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis because of his devotion to all of God’s creatures. Feel free to bring as many pets and animals as you like to our north lawn at 11 a.m. We will be joined by Fr. Paul Turner and members of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. On Sunday we will have the blessing of the stuffed animals at the 10:30 a.m. service.
Other upcoming events in October include our Hymn Sing and potluck dinner on the 9th, a Halloween Party on the 10th, Movie Night on the 16th, Evensong on the 18th, and our choir fundraiser with the KC Jazz Orchestra on the 30th.
From Sunday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon, Canon James, Deacon Barbara, Deacon Robin and I will be at our Diocesan Clergy Conference at Lake of the Ozarks. Due to our being away, The Rev. Don Compier will be the presider at the Sunday 5 p.m. service and Wednesday 12:05 p.m. service. Welcome Fr. Don!
To all of our youth: don’t forget that Deacon Barbara and I will be with you each Sunday morning for formation at 9:15 a.m. in the Youth Room.
I would like to close with more words attributed to St. Francis:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. Please continue to pray for one another, for our Cathedral family, our nation, and the world.
Dean Andy+