The last few days have been interesting. On Monday my co-worker randomly shares with me the
Prayer of St. Francis. She had shared with me that she had never heard it before until she went to a friend's funeral and it was on his funeral card. I couldn't believe she had never heard that prayer. It's such a common and beautiful prayer. It is actually one of my favorites that I remember reading since I was very young.
That same co-worker inspired me to google the prayer and print out a few copies of it to share with others. I shared it with various people that day. So, today being the crazy day that it was...I left my personal phone at my desk. I was scheduled for my first adult faith formation workshop today for the lay ministry program and I had the address on my phone which I had left behind. I did remember that the church was called
St. Francis of Assisi. It was a bit of a journey to get there but I made it thanks to God! I blended right into the workshop which I found to be very interesting. I was really excited that we received a book for the class and have already started reading it and writing notes. Anyhow...right before I walk out of the classroom at the completion of the workshop I look to the side and there it was in a frame..."Lord make me an instrument of your peace." I did a double take when I saw it and that is when I realized that St. Francis has been trying to get my attention all week! How significant!
As I sat in that classroom which seemed a bit old and dusty, I felt a strong urge to take photos. Maybe next Tuesday I will take my camera and shoot some photos. I'm not sure what lies ahead but I am excited and want to embrace it.
On another note regarding my thoughts on the class, as I was contemplating on my way home, I realized that whenever I feel that something limits me I begin to resist it. I feel like someone is pushing me back and telling me I can't do it, which makes me want to push forward harder. These thoughts came from the first few pages I read in our new book for the workshop called "Adult Faith Formation." It talked about how important it is to evangelize. Yet women are not allowed to evangelize in the church. They can run groups, ministries, and teach CCD classes but more than often these things have a curriculum to follow. I'm still having a really hard time with this and feel resistant towards the patriarchy in the church, however I continue to endure and attempt to break through those barriers...in the meantime as the professor giving the workshop stated, "we have to do the best we can within what we are allowed to do."
tygwamh
