April 5-12, 2026
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Blessed Easter to all!
We are now in the Octave of Easter. All week long we celebrate the WONDER of Easter! Christ is Risen! He has risen INDEED! Thanks to all who made each of our TRIDUUM LITURGIES and worship together so wonderful.
Our upcoming scripture texts are Acts 2: 42-47; Psalm 118; 1 Peter 1; 3-9; and John 20: 19-31. The first reading is one of my all time favorites. It is the description of how ideally the Church is to conduct itself as Christ's Body in the world: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread together and prayers. The second reading is an outburst of praise to God for the Resurrection of Jesus and encouragement to stay faithfully at our call to act like Him in faithfulness through struggle. Finally, our gospel is the account of a resurrection appearance of Jesus to first disciples without Thomas and then with him. This leads to Jesus giving His blessing to each of us who have come to believe in His Resurrection only on the faith of others who have handed it to us by their witness.
Chapel Schedule
Noon Tuesday April 7, Holy Hour with exposition of Blessed Sacrament.
NOTE WELL +++++First Tuesday Franciscan Fraternity Fellowship on GoToMeeting at 7 pm+++++++
Noon Thursday, April 9, Eucharist, Fr. John presiding
5 pm Saturday, April 11, Fr. Jim presiding
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
(I came across two sayings of Pope Francis that are appropriate for this time of war in the world and the need for Kingdom Peace in this Easter season)
"With the heart of a son, a brother, a father, I ask each of you, indeed all of us, to have a conversion of heart: to move on from "What does it matter to me?" to tears for each one of the fallen of...."senseless massacre", for all the victims of mindless wars, in every age. Brothers and sisters, humanity needs to weep, and this is the time to weep." Pope Francis
"Christ's Resurrection everywhere calls forth seeds of that new world; even if they are cut back, they grow again, for the resurrection is secretly woven into the fabric of this history, for Jesus did not rise in vain. May we never remain on the sidelines of this march of living hope!" Pope Francis
Those sayings as I found them really struck me as just what I need to hear in order to 'keep on keeping on' . Let God arise and His enemies of death and destruction be SCATTERED!
HOPE!! Much love to you in the Name of the Risen Jesus Christ.
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
