(on the occasion of the return of the brothers for a reunion)
We, the residents of St. Leonard’s are very grateful for the blessings of this mass — the presence of you, our brothers — and the unique opportunity to have all of you here so we may thank you for the gift of our grace-filled homes.
We residents have blessed and prayed for you daily as we walk through these beautiful and spacious grounds, or simply sit and enjoy the presence of God’s creation. Just as you did before us.
Thank you for the trees and bushes you planed thirty years ago. For the beautiful and welcoming courtyards. For the extraordinary religious art placed throughout the grounds which cannot help but inspire us to remember God’s love. For the many animals who also enjoy their peaceful homes here because of its safety. Thank you for one of the most beautiful churches in the world where, together, we continue where you left off to praise and thank God for his blessings.
And last, but not least, for sending us Franciscan Friars who give of themselves tirelessly to strengthen and comfort us during the last years of our lives. Their presence as both pastors and residents of St. Leonard’s has been an inspiration and consolation for each one of us.
We learned from the history of St. Leonard’s that our building’s patron saint was chosen because, as a follower of St. Francis, he dedicated himself to poverty, the care of the poor and the homeless and his great love for Christ.
We residents promise you that your most precious gift of thirty years of prayer, work and sacrifice here at St. Leonard’s will always be remembered. We also promise to continue to share this realization of your love with our new residents.
We will do our best to be a community of people, continuing your message — the same one as that of Christ and Francis — to be instruments of peace so the outside world will recognize that we are Christians by our love.
—Alice Caton
We, the residents of St. Leonard’s are very grateful for the blessings of this mass — the presence of you, our brothers — and the unique opportunity to have all of you here so we may thank you for the gift of our grace-filled homes.
We residents have blessed and prayed for you daily as we walk through these beautiful and spacious grounds, or simply sit and enjoy the presence of God’s creation. Just as you did before us.
Thank you for the trees and bushes you planed thirty years ago. For the beautiful and welcoming courtyards. For the extraordinary religious art placed throughout the grounds which cannot help but inspire us to remember God’s love. For the many animals who also enjoy their peaceful homes here because of its safety. Thank you for one of the most beautiful churches in the world where, together, we continue where you left off to praise and thank God for his blessings.
And last, but not least, for sending us Franciscan Friars who give of themselves tirelessly to strengthen and comfort us during the last years of our lives. Their presence as both pastors and residents of St. Leonard’s has been an inspiration and consolation for each one of us.
We learned from the history of St. Leonard’s that our building’s patron saint was chosen because, as a follower of St. Francis, he dedicated himself to poverty, the care of the poor and the homeless and his great love for Christ.
We residents promise you that your most precious gift of thirty years of prayer, work and sacrifice here at St. Leonard’s will always be remembered. We also promise to continue to share this realization of your love with our new residents.
We will do our best to be a community of people, continuing your message — the same one as that of Christ and Francis — to be instruments of peace so the outside world will recognize that we are Christians by our love.
—Alice Caton
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