St. Anthony Appeal–2010
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| St. Anthony’s voice is one we can always trust in. His words are timeless, his compassion genuine, his faith a constant source of strength for us all |
Dear Friend of St. Anthony’s Guild,
One of the most special days of the year for our Guild will soon be here. On June 13 we will honor our patron St. Anthony of Padua, who strengthens our religious convictions and unites us as a family in Christ.
People all over the world revere St. Anthony for his many miracles and his help in finding lost things. And when we feel “lost” in some way ourselves, St. Anthony is a wonderful saint to turn to for guidance and restoration of faith. Helping people find their way to the Lord is one of his greatest gifts.
Born 13 years after St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony was studying to become a priest when he witnessed five martyred Franciscans brought to his small town. The sight of their bodies affected him deeply. He felt called to follow in their footsteps by joining the Franciscan order and setting sail for Morocco.
Here was a devout young man fully prepared to die for his faith – but God had other plans. A violent storm threw St. Anthony’s ship off course and he landed in Sicily, weakened by illness. After being nursed back to health by the local Franciscans he spent his days as a humble friar, scrubbing floors and performing other menial tasks with gratitude and devotion.
No one knew of St. Anthony’s gift for preaching, until one day when he was asked to say a few words at an important gathering of clergy. What a shock it must have been to hear this unassuming young friar praise God with such eloquence and conviction, emboldening the faith of his fellow friars like no one before him!
St. Anthony was soon asked to share the Gospel with crowds throughout France and Italy. People stayed up all night just to have a chance to hear this “Hammer of Heretics.” His message was always clear and convincing, yet grounded in humility and love. His faith in the Gospel was unshakeable. And in a miracle that symbolizes the glory of his spoken words, St. Anthony’s tongue remained intact for many years after his death.
St. Anthony taught the world that compassion toward one’s neighbor is an essential part of being a Christian. When we show kindness to those in need, we are embracing Christ himself.
Today our Guild lives out St. Anthony’s instruction by reaching out to the “least among us” in accordance with the Gospel. Your support helps Franciscan Friars minister with the homeless and others in severe poverty, the addicted, those struggling with physical and mental illness, inner city children, and others who need a helping hand. After all, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ – a fact St. Anthony always urges us to remember.
Your generosity allows the Franciscans to preach as St. Anthony did, sharing God’s Word openly and joyously in parishes that serve people in need. Through Masses and Sacraments, RCIA programs, spiritual education, and outreach efforts as varied as the communities we serve, we are uplifting many thousands in his name every day.
We would like to include your Special Intentions during our Novena for St. Anthony, June 9-13, 2010. Please be sure to list them on the back of the reply form, and return the form with your gift in the enclosed envelope. Or if you prefer to donate online, please go to www.anthonian.org/10stan.
Your assistance is also crucial for the men who are called to become Franciscans today. Like those who took care of St. Anthony as a young friar, you are giving our future friars the opportunity to study the Word of God and discover His unique role for them; how they are meant to be His instruments of peace in these times.
We are deeply grateful for your prayers and support of our mission to carry St. Anthony’s legacy forward. You are helping us accomplish many small miracles every day in his name! May God bless you and may St. Anthony be a source of faith
and strength in your life.
Sincerely in St. Anthony,
Father Joseph M. Hertel, O.F.M.
Director of St. Anthony’s Guild
P.S. We’ve included a special gift – a notepad filled with St. Anthony’s words of wisdom! Thank you, and please remember to send us your Special Intentions.
People all over the world revere St. Anthony for his many miracles and his help in finding lost things. And when we feel “lost” in some way ourselves, St. Anthony is a wonderful saint to turn to for guidance and restoration of faith. Helping people find their way to the Lord is one of his greatest gifts.
Born 13 years after St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony was studying to become a priest when he witnessed five martyred Franciscans brought to his small town. The sight of their bodies affected him deeply. He felt called to follow in their footsteps by joining the Franciscan order and setting sail for Morocco.
Here was a devout young man fully prepared to die for his faith – but God had other plans. A violent storm threw St. Anthony’s ship off course and he landed in Sicily, weakened by illness. After being nursed back to health by the local Franciscans he spent his days as a humble friar, scrubbing floors and performing other menial tasks with gratitude and devotion.
No one knew of St. Anthony’s gift for preaching, until one day when he was asked to say a few words at an important gathering of clergy. What a shock it must have been to hear this unassuming young friar praise God with such eloquence and conviction, emboldening the faith of his fellow friars like no one before him!
St. Anthony was soon asked to share the Gospel with crowds throughout France and Italy. People stayed up all night just to have a chance to hear this “Hammer of Heretics.” His message was always clear and convincing, yet grounded in humility and love. His faith in the Gospel was unshakeable. And in a miracle that symbolizes the glory of his spoken words, St. Anthony’s tongue remained intact for many years after his death.
St. Anthony taught the world that compassion toward one’s neighbor is an essential part of being a Christian. When we show kindness to those in need, we are embracing Christ himself.
Today our Guild lives out St. Anthony’s instruction by reaching out to the “least among us” in accordance with the Gospel. Your support helps Franciscan Friars minister with the homeless and others in severe poverty, the addicted, those struggling with physical and mental illness, inner city children, and others who need a helping hand. After all, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ – a fact St. Anthony always urges us to remember.
Your generosity allows the Franciscans to preach as St. Anthony did, sharing God’s Word openly and joyously in parishes that serve people in need. Through Masses and Sacraments, RCIA programs, spiritual education, and outreach efforts as varied as the communities we serve, we are uplifting many thousands in his name every day.
We would like to include your Special Intentions during our Novena for St. Anthony, June 9-13, 2010. Please be sure to list them on the back of the reply form, and return the form with your gift in the enclosed envelope. Or if you prefer to donate online, please go to www.anthonian.org/10stan.
Your assistance is also crucial for the men who are called to become Franciscans today. Like those who took care of St. Anthony as a young friar, you are giving our future friars the opportunity to study the Word of God and discover His unique role for them; how they are meant to be His instruments of peace in these times.
We are deeply grateful for your prayers and support of our mission to carry St. Anthony’s legacy forward. You are helping us accomplish many small miracles every day in his name! May God bless you and may St. Anthony be a source of faith
and strength in your life.
Sincerely in St. Anthony,
Father Joseph M. Hertel, O.F.M.
Director of St. Anthony’s Guild
P.S. We’ve included a special gift – a notepad filled with St. Anthony’s words of wisdom! Thank you, and please remember to send us your Special Intentions.