December 14-21, 2025
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Advent Blessings to all
Our coming scriptures for the Fourth and final weekend Eucharist of Advent are Isaiah 7: 10-17; Psalm 24; Romans 1:1-7; and Matthew 1: 18-25. The first reading is the prophecy of Isaiah that the virgin would be with child, which speaks of the Coming of Emmanuel, God-with-us. The Psalm speaks of opening the gates and letting in the King of Glory. The Romans reading has St Paul speaking of his commissioning to preach the Good News of the Coming of the Son of God. And the gospel is Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Chapel Schedule
Thursday Noon Eucharist (December 18), Fr. Jim presiding
Saturday 5 pm Eucharist (December 20), Fr. John presiding
++++++>>>7:30 pm FRANCISCAN FRATERNITY BUSINESS MEETING on GoToMeeting<<<<<++++
Christmas Eve Eucharist at 7 pm (December 24), Fr. John presiding
Christmas Day Eucharist at noon (December 25), Fr. Jim presiding
Saturday 5 pm Eucharist (December 27), Feast of the Holy Family, Fr. John presiding
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
"It was with providence that I created you, and when I contemplated my creature in myself I fell in love with the beauty of my creation. It pleased me to create you in my image and likeness with great providence. I provided you with the gift of memory so that you might hold fast to my benefits and be made a sharer in my own, the Eternal Father's power. I gave you understanding so that in the wisdom of my only-begotten Son you might comprehend and know what I the Eternal Father want, I gave you graces with such burning love, I gave you a will to love, making you a sharer in the Holy Spirit's mercy, so that you might love what your understanding sees and loves. ... This is the gift of my providence, which has seen to your need for salvation in so many different ways from the beginning of the world until today, and will continue to do so right up to the end. ... My providence will never fail those who want to receive it." ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
"The one who knows himself , knows God." St Anthony of the Desert
I hope as we continue in this Advent season that we will be blessed to draw deeper into the beauty of the Incarnation of Emmanuel--God with us! Love,
Fr. John ofp
Padre’s Pontifications by Fr. Jim McNeely
September 2025
A Pastoral Statement
September 16, 2025
As a community of people committed to following the example of Saints Francis and Clare, we are stunned by the senseless violence that occurred last week, which ended in the murder of Charlie Kirk. We condemn in the strongest possible language the use of violence and hate against anyone, regardless of their political leanings.
We call for all Christian people – and especially those who follow a Franciscan calling – to embrace the virtues of peace, love, toleration, and compassion. Pray earnestly for the repose of the soul of our brother, Charlie Kirk. Pray for his wife and family. Pray for those involved in this shooting. And most of all, pray for those who found pleasure in the senseless murder of an innocent person.
As a community of faithful followers of Jesus, we call all people to re-examine our hearts and find new ways to be Christian examples in our communities. And we renew our belief that real compassion is found not in loving those easy to love, but those who challenge our comfort zones and disagree with us on any level.
-Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Pastor and Protector of the Order
-Fr. Jim McNeely
Priest in Residence and Friend of Francis
