THANKS BE TO GOD FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF POPE FRANCIS' PONTIFICATE..............

One year ago today the Catholic Church and the World were introduced to the 266th Successor of Saint Peter, Cardinal Archbishop +Jorge Bergoglio, of Buenos Aires, Argentina; who became Pope Francis.  As Pope Francis he is very effectively awakening and renewing the Institutional Church to its true and proper purposes and challenging all Catholic-Christians whether they be Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Religious, Ministers, or Laity, to reject and  remove the Corruption, Cover-ups, and Careerism, that diverts and disrupts Gospel Values and Faithful Witness of Discipleship.  Pope Francis has also communicated and exemplified with humility and a generous spirit the Compassion, Mercy, Acceptance, Outreach and Inclusion, of All Peoples, that we as Christian Disciples are to practice without prejudice or discrimination.   To be bridge builders of renewing, reforming, and realizing relationships with the Poor, the Sick, the Disabled, the Marginalized, to those of other Religions, those who are Homoosexual, to Non Believers and to Atheists, as we acknowledge and affirm the Dignity of the Human Person.  Pope Francis is also being the strongest possible unconditional proponent and advocate for Social and Economic Justice for all Peoples.  Recalling Catholic-Christians that the Teachings of Jesus reigns above and beyond other philosophical, political, economic, models in determining the responses and practices we carry out.  Pope Francis is a true gift of the Holy Spirit whose election and ministry as Supreme Pontiff is bringing renewed Hope, Inspiration, and the restoration of what is mutually and universally Right and Just, to both the Faithful and to the Fallen Away.  The "Francis Effect", as the First Year of his Pontificate has been described, has been and will continue to be fruitful because of the personal connection people feel with him as the Vicar Of Christ , who sets aside pomp and privilege, living and reaching out with simplicity and directness daily; practicing what he preaches and professes by his own lifestyle and continuous communication of Living Faith.  My perseverance as a disabled priest is being bolstered and further inspired by the example Pope Francis is setting for I fervently believe if he were aware of my current status, he would see me restored to regular priestly ministry in a parish assignment as being disabled is not a disqualification.  A few weeks ago Pope Francis pronounced that "health does not determine the value of a person".  Yet that has not been my reality the past two years.  Gratified the Holy Father cherishes those with Special Needs like myself  and proclaims we remain valuable persons not undesirable commodities.  The Dignity of  All Humankind and the Continuing Conversion and Fidelity of the People of God who Profess Discipleship in Jesus The Christ, is at the core of the Servant Leadership of the Church and the World Pope Francis is providing us.  Thank God for +Francis 1st Year as Holy Father.  May Lord continue to Bless him, Protect him, Preserve him, with a length of years that will fully Reform, Renew, and Rectify, the Catholic Church, eradicating sinful selfishness and restoring the righteousness of dignity and justice in all its works.  Long Live Pope Francis !  Happy 1st Anniversary !!..............Fr. Troy David