Following St. Francis in the secular world By Jason Morrow

Throughout my life I’ve been in a slow and steady state of conversion. As far back as I can remember I’ve been searching for a way to fill the emptiness that comes with confusion and a weak spiritual life. That quest has led me to the Secular Franciscan Order.

I was raised in a nonreligious environment, but I attended many different religious services with friends on occasion when invited. In my late teens I began searching more diligently to find my faith and learn more of the fullness of truth. From my limited past experiences, I felt the pull of Christianity more than any other religious faith I had witnessed.

In the mid-’90s, a friend and neighbor invited me to attend Sunday Mass with her. I had never been to a Roman Catholic Mass, so I was excited about the new experience. That Sunday I walked into The Church of the Good Shepherd in Cumming, Ga., and found what I had been searching for. It is hard to put into words,...

I've always struggled with sharing, especially when I was much younger. If I had worked hard and earned something, I didn't want to turn around and give that away to anyone. It was mine and I enjoyed having something to show for what I had accomplished. I took just a bit too much pride in it. I constantly put my wants first before even considering the needs of other around me. I knew it was wrong to be so selfish. I was raised to share my good fortune with others. Why then do I struggle so much with this? I think that struggle is reinforced negatively by our society. While growing up and especially now, I am constantly bombarded with the opinions of others around me and especially the media, that to be "successful" I need the best degree, the best job, the best car, the best wife, the best children, an overly big house, and make lots and lots of money. I worked very hard and got much of this but it was never fulfilling. I still didn't feel "successful". Then one day I heard Father Lawrence Schroedel, CFR leading...