The Hungry Spirit

St. Francis of Assisi was one of the first parishes to embrace the pastoral and theological implications of Vatican II. The “Hungry Mind” was known through the region as a place where people could explore their understanding of their faith like never before. We are embarking on a new adventure that we are calling, “The Hungry Spirit”.

Though St. Francis has always affirmed our traditional ways of celebrating our sacraments and offered opportunities for praying the rosary, adoration and supported faith sharing groups like men’s Sacramentors. “The Hungry Spirit” is for those who are seeking to deepen their relationship with God by introducing them to the rich Catholic Christian spiritual traditions.

These spiritual traditions include St. Ignatius of Loyola (Spiritual Exercises of Finding God in Everyday Life), St. Benedict: Benedictine Spirituality of Work; St. Francis of Assisi’s Orthopraxy; St. Teresa of Avila (Doctor of the Church) who wrote the Interior Castle that describes the journey toward union with God; and the Contemplative Tradition as explained by St. John of the Cross, Thomas Merton and Fr. Thomas Keating; introduction to meditative practices like Lectio Divina, Welcoming Prayer, Loving Kindness meditation, and Centering Prayer among others.

These spiritual traditions help people grow in their relationship with God through increasing their wisdom of their own spiritual journey, healing of past hurts that hinder their openness to give and receive love, and rooted in God’s love, live out of their strengths in serving others.