A message from the Provincial Minister
Santa visits the St. Anthony Kitchen in Negril, Jamaica.
Merry Christmas!
Dear Friends and Benefactors,
Provincial Minister Fr. Mark Soehner
We can’t say thank you enough for your gifts of support, trust, and prayers. The best way would be to show you the smile on the face of the homeless man who was welcomed with a hot meal. Or the face of a proud mother whose child was the first in their family to graduate from high school.
I just returned from intensive visits with each friar in senior living situations. An elderly friar who has trouble walking, had a shy smile and spontaneously said, “Thank you for allowing me to live here.” That thank you should go to each of you. Our elders receive quality care and feel supported in their Franciscan vocations partly because you who have given a gift to us.
I am certain that if I visited the friars in initial formation they might say, “Thank you for allowing me to explore this vocation, giving me space and time to hear God’s voice. Thank you for training me as a Catholic Franciscan.” Those friars who require a knee or hip replacement could tell you about their freedom from pain and mobility. The young men who are inquiring about our way of life could tell you that they found us on the internet due to your help.
It’s hard to imagine all the ways that your contribution makes a difference in our lives. So, allow me to say it: “Thank you very much.” Thank you for allowing us to follow God through the way of St. Francis. In this holy season, may God send you a Merry Christmas!
Fr. Mark
Fr. Mark Soehner, OFM, is the Provincial Minister of the Province of St. John the Baptist.
Posted in: Advent and Christmas
