March 16-23, 2025
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Happy St Patrick's Day! (Clearly, I am writing this on the day we celebrate the Apostle of Ireland!)
Reminder, I would like one or another of you to join me by offering to join many other church members on a day that THE WHOLE CHURCH COMMUNITY OF COLUMBIA volunteers in service to our city and area. It will take place on Saturday April 26, 2025. Our chapel has had at least one person volunteering each of the 11 years this wonderful work has been done. They get each of us into what we physically are able to do, even prayer teams. If you would be interested, let me know. We do need to register soon. Thanks.
Our upcoming weekend readings are Isaiah 55: 1-9; Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13; and Luke 13: 1-9. The Isaiah reading is the well known reading that has us come to the Life Giving Water that is our God, telling us to seek the Lord while He may be found. The First Corinthians reading recounts the great benefit of the wonders that happened to God's Old Covenant people and yet they fell into idolatry, encouraging us to stand firm lest we fall. The gospel is Jesus' call to repentance where He uses the example of a fruitless fig tree to teach us that He always gives us one more chance.
Chapel Schedule
Noon Tuesday Eucharist (March 18), Fr. JIm presiding
Noon Thursday Eucharist (March 20), Fr. John presiding
5 pm Saturday Eucharist (March 22), Fr. Jim presiding
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
"Christ be within me, Christ be before me, Christ behind me, Christ in the heart of everyone thinking of me" part of the famous prayer, BREASTPLATE OF ST PATRICK
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has" Margaret Mead, anthropologist (Not a saint, but a challenging word for our day and age.)
"I myself can come up with nothing as magnificent as the beauty and amplitude of a soul...The fact that the soul is made in God's image means that it is very difficult for us to understand its sublime dignity and loveliness."
Enjoy St Patrick's Day!! Love to all.
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
