The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

Society of St Francis

Tuesday June 24

Statue of a saint wearing a robe holding a baby

Anthony of Padua: The patron saint of lost things

“Like many of those who regularly prepare sermons, I live in fear of having to preach without preparation. St Anthony reminds us that not only is it possible to survive such an event, but such opportunities may in fact open our eyes to gifts that otherwise would have remained hidden,” says The Rev’d Dr Gemma Dashwood OAM tssf, as St Anthony’s feast day approaches on 13 June

Anglican men and women religious standing outside conference centre in Melbourne

Advisory Council on Anglican Religious Life in Australia meets in Melbourne

“As the members of ACARLA returned home from the conference to our various communities, we left with renewed friendships, a strengthened commitment to one another, and a shared joy in the call to religious life in the Anglican Church,” says The Rev’d Gillian Moses SSA

Bernice Ross and Dr Ian Ross (Old Friary worshipping community members) and The Rev’d Sandra Kjellgren (Chaplain) standing behind the altar with Reredos, by artist David Binns, on Sunday 9 July 2023

Old Friary — the continuing story

“The Old Friary has been a sanctuary and a place to pray, find peace in beautiful grounds or to escape from the world. By supporting the initiatives of The Parish of Kenmore-Brookfield at the Old Friary, you can help continue the story,” says Vivienne Binns

What Do You Seek? Wisdom from religious life for today's world

“As Friendship’s book reveals to us, monasticism offers a distinct wisdom to ponder – a wisdom that is being written in the lives of so many people who continue to test and live out this vocation from God, in both old and new ways,” says Bishop Godfrey Fryar

Possibly the most life-changing words I ever heard: Sandra Beck

“After hearing the woman’s remark, I started worshipping with one of the largely black congregations, which was closer to the university, along with a few white academics and students. My new parish was then administered by some Brothers from the Society of St Francis. I loved the parish’s atmosphere from the get-go,” says Sandra Beck from the Third Order of The Society of St Francis

Anglican Aid Abroad: witnessing the love of Jesus for 50 years

“In 2008, my spiritual life was radically and indelibly changed by a 14-week visit to the Sisters of St Mary in Tanzania on behalf of Anglican Aid Abroad. There I witnessed the profound faith and love of Jesus shown in schools, health clinics, support for the vulnerable, care for people who were maimed and outcast, and through the teaching of sewing and agriculture to improve livelihoods,” says Marilyn Wright from St Bart’s, Mt Gravatt

The saint and the sultan

With St Francis of Assisi’s Feast Day approaching on 4 October, Franciscan Brother Alfred BoonKong reflects on the great saint’s bond with the Sultan of Egypt, Palestine and Syria during the 13th century: “Francis’ friendship with the Sultan challenges us today to seek ways to listen to and dialogue with Muslims and people of other faiths in a spirit of openness and collaboration”