June 21-28, 2026
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Hello and God's abundant blessings to all!!
Our upcoming weekend scriptures are 2 Kings 4: 8-16a; Psalm 89; Romans 6: 3-11; and Matthew 10: 37-42. The first reading has the prophet Elisha calling God's blessings on a family that has been caring for him. (In a similar way, we can be a blessing to those who bless us.) The Romans reading reminds us that in our baptism we are joined to Christ's death and resurrection. Because of this connection to Christ, we are to reject sin and live righteously. And the gospel calls us to center our lives in Jesus Christ in order to truly find Him. Part of this gospel has us looking for and receiving 'the prophet' or 'the righteous person' and as we receive them, we reap the reward of what they bring to us. (Here you might imagine a person who blesses you by their words or actions, for this is how the Kingdom spreads in and among us.)
Chapel Schedule
Noon Tuesday Eucharist (June 23), Fr. Jim presiding
Noon Thursday Eucharist (June 25), Fr. John presiding
5 pm Saturday Eucharist (June 27), Fr. Jim presiding
This evening (June 22) pray with us as we celebrate at the chapel the life of our brother Jim's good friend, Virgil Horn, who died in late December.
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
"Are you not a thief if you treat the possessions given to you to administer as if they were your property? A person who takes away the clothing of another is called a robber. Does somebody who refuses to clothe the naked although able to do so deserve any other name. To the hungry belongs the bread which you keep from him, to the naked the clothing you preserve in your closet, to the barefoot the shoes which you let rot, to the needy the silver which you have buried." St Basil the great
"Here, then, is the great enemy of faith: it is not intelligence, nor is it reason, as alas, some continue obsessively to repeat; but the great enemy of faith is FEAR." Pope Francis
"Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses." C S Lewis
That does it for me. Enjoy your week blessing the Lord and each other.
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
