Celebrating St Francis

Celebrating 800 years since the death of St Francis of Assisi

How do you celebrate the life of someone who died 800 years ago and, yet, still influences the world today? On Sunday October 4, 35 people from around the Diocese visited Totara Reserve in the Pohangina Valley, north of Ashhurst. Many of the totara could have been seedlings not long after Francis walked the forests close to Assisi. 

All Saints parishioner and ecologist, Keith Young, led us through the forest’s fern walk and helped us understand its significance from the time moa roamed the bush through to the conservation efforts of today, including current initiatives to restore kiwi populations to the southern Ruahine range. Jenny Boyack told stories of the life of Francis, and we heard from three modern Franciscans about their journey of faith. We concluded with a Franciscan Eucharist in the forest sanctuary, led by Rev John Hornblow and Rev Stuart Goodin.