April 20-27, 2025
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
Hello to all and Blessed Celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Special prayers for Pope Francis. The Lord honored him by calling him HOME right after he gave the Blessing to Roman pilgrims and to the World on Easter Day!
The whole Church actually celebrates Easter for a whole week--Sunday to Sunday. I trust Lent and your preparation for Holy Week and Easter has deepened your Walk with the Lord. This next Sunday's readings are Acts 5: 27-32; Psalm 118; Revelation 1: 4-8; and John 20: 19-31. The Acts reading presents us with a description of the disciples being disciplined for preaching in the Name of the Resurrected Jesus. The section from the Book of Revelation brings us magnificent titles and names for our Resurrected Lord. And the gospel tells the story of Jesus' appearance to the Apostles and Thomas was not with them. It causes him to doubt the Resurrection, but then to believe when Jesus makes a second appearance.
Chapel Schedule
Noon Tuesday Eucharist (April 22), Fr. John presiding
Noon Thursday Eucharist (April 24), Fr. Jim presiding
5 pm Saturday Eucharist (April 26), Fr. John presiding
*****Fraternity business meeting on GoToMeeting at 7:30 pm****
Thank you to all for all you did for our Triduum Liturgies, our meal together and our faith sharing all throughout Lent.
Next Saturday is the 11th Annual ForColumbia day of service. It is a day of service done by volunteers from many of the Columbia area churches offering the stewardship of their time in service projects. Our Fraternity has had at least one volunteer in all but one year. This year Shannon and I will represent us throughout the day. Hold us in prayer as we represent our fraternity with these other church communities.
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
(This is a prayer of praise from Armenian St Gregory of Narek addressed to the Risen Christ)
"Your testament is the gospel
Your judgement is freedom
Your lawbook is grace
You are not limited by laws
You are not bound by canons
You are not hampered by imperfections
You are not humbled by obedience
You are not restricted by smallness
You are not measured by boundaries
You do not err out of anger
You do not alter out of wrath
You do not simmer out of agitation
You do not falter out of ignorance
You do not waver out of soft-heartedness
You do not diminish out of exaltation
You do not abandon your duty of care
You do not weaken your salvation
You are the beginning and end of all
Everything is from you alone
Therefore glory to you and worship forever. Amen
Again, Happy Easter to all!! Celebrate it throughout THE OCTAVE!
Love,
Fr. John ofp
Padre’s Pontifications by Fr. Jim McNeely
November 2024
1. Check in regularly to https://drjimbomac.wordpress.com/ . I pontificate there too :)
2. Recently, our bishop – Michael Davidson – sent a message to the clergy of the diocese. We are meeting in March to discuss many items of importance to the denomination, the diocese, and us as a community. Let me make a recommendation to you: If you are a lay person, please feel free to share your ideas about the direction of the CEC and the diocese. I’m sure he would love to hear your thoughts. His email address is standintl@hotmail.com.
3. In October, I sent an email to the community about buying a gift for Fr. John. It’s not too late if you want to donate!
4. This month begins my third year being with the community. Please know how honored I am to be a part of this group. That I get to function as a priest here is whipped cream and a cherry on the top! J
5. As you continue in your prayers, I ask that you remember me, a sinner and your servant in Christ Jesus. Your outpouring of love to me at the 29th anniversary of my ordination was meaningful and touching.
6. This is my final edition of Padre’s Pontifications for this year. Next month I go for my semi-regular prayer retreat. I plan to be at Conception Abbey for a short time of intense prayer and spiritual reading. I plan to spend specific time asking God for discernment for my life in the future.
7. My prayers are yours.
Dr. Jim McNeely+
Parent, Priest, Person
