| "I appreciate so much all the communications sent from Franciscan Media. The Media Minute, Saint of the Day, special messages during Lent and Advent, they're all great. Thank you!!!" "I am donating because you have the opportunity to reach so many and your work has blessed me. Peace and all good to you." "I donated because I believe in what you do and the way you do it. I start every day with the Minute Meditation. My bookshelf is full of your books, and I often purchase copies for friends and family. I greatly appreciate Wired Wednesdays, it's helping me fill my Kindle with Franciscan readings at a reasonable price. As a retiree I carefully spend my limited income, and I know my donation is helping spread Franciscan spirit online and in print. Thanks for all you do." Dear John, We hope you have enjoy these daily Minute Meditation e-mails. Just twice a year we interrupt these e-mails to humbly ask that you make a small donation in support of our Franciscan ministry. We are so blessed to be able to spread the message of the Gospel through the wisdom and love of St. Francis. But our ministry is not possible without the support of readers such as yourself. For this appeal, we have the goal to find 100 new monthly donors in our Franciscan family. If 100 new monthly donors who commit to $10 each that's $1,000 in support of our ministry. We have so many plans to rebuild our online presence in 2020 that we cannot wait to share with you. In order to build this community platform we need support from our entire Franciscan family, including yourself. Thank you for your support and we hope you have a blessed Christmas and New Year. Praying the Christmas season fills you with peace and love, Fr. Daniel Kroger, OFM Publisher Dear John When a weary St. Francis knelt before the cross in the fallen-down church of San Damiano, he heard a message from the crucified Christ. “Francis,” Jesus said, “go rebuild my house; as you see, it is all being destroyed.” The poor man of Assisi took the command literally and began repairing the stone and mortar. But he soon realized that Christ’s instruction was for his humble servant to repair the worldwide Church, not the fallen-down chapel. Suddenly, Francis was tasked with a greater mission: to spread Christ’s healing message to those hungry for it. Our mission at Franciscan Media mirrors that of our founder: to spread the joy of the Gospel, the promise of Christ resurrected, and the hope that only God’s redemptive love can bring. But just as St. Francis faced obstacles in his day, we, too, are challenged in our efforts to share our Franciscan tradition. To do that, we need to meet people where they are. And for many, that sacred space is online. We know that because, every year, millions of people visit our website, FranciscanMedia.org, in search of spiritual enrichment. Our Saint of the Day celebrates the lives of saints and blesseds; Minute Meditations provides a daily dose of spiritual mindfulness; Faith and Family brings the Gospel to life for parents and children; and our blog, Franciscan Spirit, is a daily touchstone for those who are hungry for the Franciscan charism. Our website, indeed our entire digital footprint, is a home for many. But that home is in need of fortifying its foundation and adding new rooms to welcome even more people into our home and family. We are looking to launch a new platform in 2020—one that will be an even better spiritual experience for our audience. Our goal at Franciscan Media is simply to continue the legacy of our founder. Hope is a powerful resource, especially in these trying times. St. Francis moved forward in faith with his mission to share the Gospel. Please help us continue that mission. Peace and every blessing, President, Franciscan Media | 