December 1-8, 2024
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Hello to all! Blessed Thanksgiving to you!
We begin Advent this weekend and our readings are Jeremiah 33: 14-16; Psalm 25; 1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13; and Luke 21: 25-36.
Jeremiah promises a Day coming in which we will recognize Our Lord, Our Righteousness. (To that promise I can only reply, MARANATHA! COME LORD JESUS!)
The Thessalonian reading presents St. Paul as thankful for all God has done and he prays that our hearts may abound in love and faith as we await the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Saints.
The gospel is the apocalyptic section of Luke that speaks of the signs of stress on earth and struggles of nations before the Coming of the Son of Man. We are to prepare ourselves by being watchful, alert and praying so that we will be worthy to stand before that Son of Man who will make His appearance to judge our world. (This passage is not to scare us, but to have us be prepared by being faithful disciples. We have nothing to fear if our brother Jesus knows us and is our judge.)
Chapel Schedule
No Tuesday or Thursday noon Eucharist (November 26, 28) this week.
NOTE WELL: our usual Saturday Eucharist (November 30) will be at 6:00 pm with Fr. Jim presiding. (Most of the usual congregation will be at the afternoon MIZZOU football game and we will need the time to get to the chapel.)
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
"Stretch every fiber of my being, dear Lord, that I may more easily fly towards you. May your Spirit, which once breathed over the chaos of the earth, give life to all the powers of my soul." St Frances Xavier Cabrini
"A Christian has a union with Jesus Christ more noble, more intimate, and more perfect than the members of our own body with our head." St. John Eudes
"It is in proportion as we are known to Him that we find our real being and identity in Christ" Thomas Merton
Again, Happy Thanksgiving, safe travel and blessed beginning to our ADVENT preparation for Christmas!
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
