These words were spoken to Giovani di Petro di Bernardone (better known as St. Francis of Assisi) from an icon of Christ Crucified in the ruined church where he was praying. Francis took this command literally, gave up his whole lifestyle and set about begging stones for the restoration of St. Damiano. These he carried to the old chapel, set in place himself, and so at length rebuilt it. It took him two years. All the while his peers and family mocked and ridiculed him. Later, that same Christ revealed to Francis that his task was to restore and repair the mystical Church made up of “living stones”. And now we know the rest of the story!

As Francis said, “The whole world is our cloister.” “His cathedral was creation itself.”
On Sunday, October 1st, the parish of St. Francis of Assisi will gather together to celebrate the holy life of this great saint after whom their Catholic church is named. Normally on the weekends approximately 600+ parishioners come to worship at three separate Masses. (The sanctuary cannot accommodate them all at one time.) As a sign of unity and common purpose, parishioners are invited to this, one, outdoor Mass at The Square in Fairfield Glade at 10:00 AM on Sunday, October 1st (weather permitting).

As pastor, Father Michael Woods says, “As you pass by on that particular Sunday morning on your way to your own worship services and see us gathered there, put up a prayer for us as we will for you. The theme of our gathering is “Welcome Home”, especially to our own fellow Catholic Christians living in the Glade. Of course, anyone of any faith is welcome to come join as we celebrate God’s goodness to us all, especially in sending us Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, loved so much by St. Francis of Assisi.”