Greetings From Brussels

For the past two and a half months Father Michael has been participating in the International Course for Franciscan Missions. Friar-Missionaries from around the globe have gathered in Brussels, Belgium to reflect and learn about their role as Missionaries in the Franciscan Tradition. The foundation of the course has been Chapter 16 of the Early Rule of Saint Francis dealing with the missionary vocation of the friars. Francis told his friars that they were to live among the people and if it pleased the Lord, they were to preach. In addition to many fine classes presented by experienced Franciscan Missionaries, each friar made a presentation on the Country where he will be missioned. Presentations were made on Ghana, Africa, Kazakhstan, Brukna Faso, Myanmar, Germany and Jamaica.

In order to develop his presentation, Father Michael met with Ambassador Marcia Gilbert-Roberts, former Jamaican Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican) and the present Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union. She challenged the friars to be a moral voice in a land where there is a great deal of violence. She also asked the friars to help young people, especially young males, to discover a direction and purpose in their lives through education.

The course concludes with 10 days spent in Assisi, the birthplace of Francis and the Franciscan Order

MISSION APPEAL - St Mark Parish, Boynton Beach, FL

This weekend I had the opportunity to speak at all the Masses at our Franciscan Parish in Boynton Beach, FL. Frs Richard, Germain and Sam shared the pulpit with me this weekend and allowed me to share a little about St. Mary's and Missions.

It was a packed weekend: the Mission Appeal, Veteran's Weekend, Catholic Women's Bake Sale, the school's monthly Pancake Breakfast and a Blood Drive... what a weekend!

Thanks to the generous people at St. Marks

who really gave their support to the Mission!

FIRST ANNIVERSARY

NOVEMBER IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLOG... thanks to our many visitors and bloggers who visit us on a regular basis. We average between 73 and 109 hits per week. Thanks for your "reader-ship" and spread the word about St. Mary's and Missions and the Blog.

Visiting Nurse - Gina Flores

For the past two weeks, Gina Flores, RN, a parish member at St Bonaventure Church, Don Mills, Toronto, Canada, has been with us helping in the clinic, and, assiting with the after school program and feeding program. Gina comes to us with almost ten years of nursing experience. She has been working in pediatric hematology and recently moved to an adult setting doing similar work.

During her time with us, it seems that Noel (the tropical depression, storm, now Nor'easter) followed Gina from her pick up at the airport until her trip to the airport this morning. Yesterday was the first day she came to the friary for lunch - when it was not actually raining.

Dressing changes, blood pressures, and blood sugars were the primary clinical focus for Gina. While Gina has hopes of doing future 'mission nursing' she says that the weather did not dampen her experience.