March 24-31, 2024
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Holy Week blessings to all!
The most important week of the liturgical year is here. Keep in mind that it is sacred play and ritual reenactment in order to more fully realize the mystery of what Jesus the Christ has done for us and all of humankind. I hope that each of us is able to enter this Holy Week well. Rather than give all the scriptures of the week, I give you the schedule of the opportunities at our chapel and with our community.
Chapel Schedule of Holy Week
Tuesday noon Eucharist (March 26), Fr. John presiding
Thursday (March 28), NO NOON EUCHARIST
Maundy Thursday Eucharist (March 28) with the washing of feet, Fr. Jim presiding at 7 pm.
Good Friday Liturgy (March 29) with the communal reading of St. John' passion account and veneration of the Cross, Fr. John presiding at 7 pm
Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday, March 30)
Carry-In meal together beginning at 5 pm
followed by getting ready for the Vigil itself, with Salvation scriptures, blessing of Baptismal waters and the First Eucharist of Easter at 7 pm
Reminder, pray with our Islamic friends as they are in their holy month of Ramadan, continue to pray for the PEACE OF JERUSALEM and all of the Holy Land.
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
"To you, your sins seem like mountains, but God has spread His mercy over all He has made...If sparks could set fire to the ocean, then indeed your sins could deflie the purity of God" St Abraham Kidunaia, 4th Century Hermit
"My Lord and my God, take from me everything that distances me from you. My Lord and my God, give me everything that brings me close to you. My Lord and my God, detach me from myself to give my all to you." St. Nicholas Flue, 15th century hermit from Switzerland.
"Poor creature, though I be, I am the hand and foot of Christ" St Symeon the New Theologian
Hoping that many of us get to enter into these liturgies, I wish us a BLESSED HOLY WEEK and HAPPY EASTER
Fr. John ofp
Padre’s Pontifications by Fr. Jim McNeely
March 2024
Grace and peace from the Priest-In-Residence! It’s been a year as of the 24th that you all have allowed me to serve the community by assisting Fr. John in priestly tasks. Truth is that this past year has been wonderful because of each of you. Your prayers and many acts of kindness and love fill me with joy and humility. Thanks for one of the best years of my whole life!
1. We have an early Easter this year (March 31). I hope you will make attending Holy Week services a priority…they are the very best services of the year in my view because of the power of the holiday and the dramatic way the liturgy dramatizes it.
2. The Columbia brood have studied Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together as part of our Lenten discipline. Those of you outside our area can read the book, which is a profound text on how to live together as Christ-followers. Many thanks to Jim Jantz, who has been simply spectacular in leading our discussions.
3. As we look ahead as a community of faith (including those not in the Order), I want to ask two important questions that became the focus of my Lent:
a. What does it mean to love Jesus deeply from the heart?
b. How can I be more welcoming to others to be a part of us and/or the wider community of Christ followers?
4. Money. I know too many clergy talk too much about this subject: too much guilt and haranguing. Truth is that neither Fr. John nor I take a salary from the community for our ministry because we don’t want to be a burden. You all pay my military retirement with your taxes, so you already contribute to my life. So why raise the subject? Because the Order is still on a cliff edge just paying for the basic expenses of the community. If you worship at another congregation, that group should be paid first. But if you are part of the Columbia community and participate in our sacramental life, we could use your support.
5. Did you know that we now have a Monstrance for worshipping our Lord through the Blessed Sacrament?
6. We are a sacramental community. This means that the idea of God’s grace coming to us through the rites and rituals of our faith is a critical part of our identity. I want to emphasize two important sacraments we need to embrace and use MORE. First, we need to be more aggressive about the Sacrament of the Sick. When you are ill or injured or facing a surgical procedure, please let me or Fr. John know. We want to make the Church’s ministry available to you. Second, we need to avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Yes, it’s become one of my favorite topics. There is nothing more healing than hearing God’s forgiveness for our faults and sins. Again, Fr. John and I stand ready to help you.
7. Finally (for this month), July 29th we are having a social/outreach event for the community. We plan to attend the Kansas City Royals baseball game. No sermons, homilies, or “religious” stuff. We are just going to a game and inviting our friends to meet our community. Next month I will ask who is thinking about attending and getting some numbers out to you all, cost wise.
Dr. Jim McNeely+
Parent, Priest, Person