March 8-15, 2026
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Love and greetings to all. I hope the Lord is blessing your Lenten observances.
Our upcoming scripture texts are 1 Samuel 16: 1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5: 8-14; and John 9: 1-41. The first reading is the selection of David as King to replace Saul as Samuel goes to seek him among the sons of Jesse. The Ephesians reading speaks of our coming out of darkness into the Light of Christ. And the gospel is the wonderful story of the man born blind and how he comes into the Light of Christ as the Pharisees descend into darkness.
Please be in prayer with our Bread of Life parish in Dousman, Wisconsin. Their beloved deacon, Ralph Modjeska, has gone home to the Lord.
On April, 25, from 9 am till 2 pm, members from 60+ area churches will fan out over the city to volunteer serving side by side. It is an ecumenical effort called FOR COLUMBIA and at least one of our fellowship has served every one of the 11 years that it has been done. I myself have participated most of those years. BUT, I am unable to do it this year because of a family trip planned for that time. This may be the year that we have to not participate. If anyone would be interested, check out ForColumbia.com. Sign up begins March 15. Any questions, contact me. Both Shannon and I participated last year. I do hope we will have someone to participate because it is such a wonderful ecumenical witness of the whole Church of Columbia.
Chapel Schedule
Noon Tuesday (March 10), Holy Hour with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Noon Thursday (March 12), Eucharist with Fr John presiding
5 pm Saturday (March 14), Eucharist with Fr. John presiding
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
"When passions are aroused in the non-rational part of our nature, they do not allow the intellect to function properly." Evagrius Ponticus (Syrian Deacon of 300's)
"Nothing is profane to those who know how to see." Teilhard de Chardin SJ
"Lord, take me as I am, with my defects, with my shortcomings, but make me become what you want me to be." Pope John Paul I
God's blessings to all. Much love. Pray for world peace!!
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
