We very recently found a fragile little notebook of old religious newspaper clippings, notes and writings from our Uncle Francis, Fr. Francis F. Woods. Grandma Woods (Anna, the mother of Francis, Norbert and Helen) wrote inside the notebook that it was written while Francis was attending St. Charles College, near Baltimore, Maryland, in 1925-27. He then went on to study in Rome, Italy, where he was ordained a Priest on September 24, 1932.

When you’re in Schenectady, at 3 Douglas Road, ask to see the notebook, it’s in the living room. While just a very simple little school lined notebook, it really is a family treasure. It is in Uncle Francis’ handwriting. It even includes some little pictures drawn by our Dad, Norbert, when he was only about 3 or 4 years old. These were probably mailed to Francis, Dad’s big older brother, while he was away at college. We’re lucky to still have the notebook as it was in a box of partially burned papers from the attic fire at Aunt Helen’s house about 25 years ago.

This is one brief little story from the notebook of a young man, our Uncle and Great Uncle, written as he was preparing for the priesthood. It contains a very important message and reminder for all of us. With love, Mark W.

Saint Francis of Assisi
By Francis F. Woods, January 25, 1927

Saint Francis was different from other men in that he despised what they loved and loved what they despised. Yet no one can claim that his extraordinary way of conceiving life and lifes institutions made him despise the man of the world, the ordinary man. Quite the contrary, he loved man, for man was a human being. He loved the flowers, the birds, and the animals. For were they not all little mirrors, reflecting the beauty, the completeness of Him, whose love brought enlightenment to man and whose Blood flowing from Mount Calvary washed the crimes of paganism away? Yes, Saint Francis loved the birds and the animals, and he called them his little sisters and brothers. The words of Christ “unless you become as little children you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” seem to have seen their complete fulfillment in Saint Francis.

He had a love like that of a child and yet his heart was big enough to enclose all creation in its embrace. The world called him a fool but he cared not, for a fool of Christ is greater than the kings of the earth. When earthly days are over these kings and their kingly power shall pass to dust, but he who made himself a fool for Christ shall receive a crown far surpassing all earthly crowns.