August 9-16, 2026
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Blessings of the Living Lord Jesus Christ to all!
Our upcoming scripture readings are Isaiah 56: 1-7; Psalm 67; Romans 11: 13-32 and Matthew 15: 21-28. There is a wonderful theme in all of our coming weekend scriptures which is Jesus' outreach to all the Gentile world. We Christians believe Him to be the Savior of the World. The Isaiah reading highlights that 'foreigners' will come to the God who has revealed Himself in the covenant to the Jewish people. The section of Romans highlights that St. Paul, the apostle sent to the Gentiles, hopes that his ministry will make his fellow Torah observers jealous and come to see Jesus as their Christ, whom he preaches. And the gospel presents Jesus in Tyre and Sidon (present day Lebanon), healing the daughter of a Canaanite woman, praising her for her faith.
Chapel Schedule
Noon Eucharist Tuesday (August 11), Fr. Jim presiding
Noon Eucharist Thursday (August 13), Fr. John presiding
5 pm Eucharist Saturday (August 15), Fr. John presiding
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
"We should try to live in such a way that if the Gospels were lost, they could be re-written by looking at us." Archbishop Anthony Bloom, Russian Orthodox Bishop of England, who died in 2003
"Even if we sin ten thousand times, and even if we turn from Him, He does not cease to arrange what is for our salvation, so that we may turn again and be saved." St John Chrysostom
"The family is the place where one learns to love; it is the natural center of human life. It is made up of faces, of people who love, dialogue, make sacrifices for one another, and defend life, especially the most vulnerable and the weakest." Pope Francis
I hope you have a pleasant week being a living Gospel to those you meet. God bless you.
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
