Continued from front cover
Pope Francis says he is constantly asking Jesus what he can do for Him. That’s on the side. Remember, the pope
is in charge of an organization with more than one billion people.
LIVE THE KISS RULE
Don’t know the Kiss Rule? It’s this: Keep It Simple Stupid. Pope Francis lives that rule. By now, it’s old
news. The pope lives in the Vatican guesthouse. He wears a simple, white cassock. He drives in a small Ford
Focus, not in a limo. And, when he finds priests who violate the Kiss Rule, he suspends them, as he did recently to
a German bishop who had spent $42.5 million dollars on the renovation of his rectory.
DON’T JUDGE
Jesus tells us not to judge. Jesus says that prerogative belongs to God the Father. So, when asked about
homosexuality, Pope Francis said, “If a homosexual person is of goodwill and is in search of God, who am I to
judge?”
RUB ELBOWS WITH ALL
Jesus hung out with tax collectors, prostitutes, the sick, the poor and the dying. Pope Francis does the same.
I particularly remember Pope Francis kissing the feet of prisoners on Holy Thursday and, on another occasion,
inviting a teen with Down Syndrome to drive in the popemobile with him.
HUG ALL
I love a picture that has circulated all over the world. It shows Pope Francis embracing a man with a
genetic disorder that has left the man with a horribly disfigured face.
CHANGE WHAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED
Pope Francis is putting into place even tougher rules on those guilty of sex abuse and has sanctioned even a
high ranking Vatican ambassador charged with sex abuse. The Pope is also working to create a climate to better
help the world’s poor. I especially admire this quote: “How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly
homeless person dies of exposure, but it is a news item when the stock market loses two points.” In addition, the
Pope is working hard to overhaul the slow, cumbersome Roman Curia, the administrative branch of the Church.
BE JOYFUL
When a little boy ran on stage to join the pope, the pope didn’t have guards take the boy off. He let the boy
hug his leg and then let him sit in his chair. All the while, the pope beamed with joy.
So, what about us. Do we want to be a trio with Jesus and Pope Francis? I hope so. And, if we do, let’s
follow Pope Francis’ game plan. Why not? The pope borrowed it from Jesus.
VOL School Important Dates
July 28-Aug 1, 7am-4pm
Supply Sale in Cafeteria
Aug. 10, 12pm
New Parent Mass; Social follows
Aug. 11
First Day of School for 1st-8th grades
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