Dear Hoboken catholic Academy Families,

Monday, October 4th, is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.  In his youth, Francis was a man of wealth and lived a wild life.  He had a conversion experience that inspired him to renounce his family's wealth and devote his life to God.  His dedication to poverty, humility, obedience, patience and compassion attracted followers and, in 1209, he received permission form Pope Innocent III to form a new religious order known as the Friars Minor, commonly know as Franciscans.  Francis' deep love of God overflowed into love for all of God's creatures.  He is well known for his tender care of lepers and his insistence that all creatures are brothers and sisters under God.  In 1224, Francis became the first saint in history to receive the stigmata.  Francis died on October 4, 1226 and was quickly canonized by Gregory IX.

Today, Franciscans continue to live and proclaim the Gospel.  They do so as brothers to each other and to the world, living for the poor, promoting justice, peace and the care of creation.  Modern Friars work with all women and men of good will and invite them to share in Franciscan spirit.  Franciscan Friars are familiar to the students and faculty of HCA.  The Pastor of St. Ann Church, Father Remo, as well as Father Vinnie and Father Charlie often lead us in mass, blessings and prayers.  They are with us at our most important celebrations and an integral part of our faith community.  As we face our future and the remainder of our school year with hope and anticipation, let us echo Francis of Assisi who said, "Let us begin again".