February 1-16, 2026
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Join us at Noon onThursday, February 12 as Bishop Chris will be presiding at the chapel Eucharist.
The web site will not be able to be updated for a time. Call Fr. John for information about the Chapel schedule from February 1 through February 15.
Ash Wednesday is February 18, 2026.
From February 1, 2026:
Hello to all in this frozen wasteland. I hope all are well.
Our upcoming weekend scripture texts are Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13; Psalm 146; 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31; and Matthew 5: 1-12a. The Zephaniah reading is wonderful. It promises that God's people will always have a 'remnant' who are faithful and upright. (Boy, do we need that these days!), The Corinthian reading points out who we are in the community of believers. We aren't much to write home about, but because of our relationship to Christ we will change the world. And, then there is the powerful gospel: the Beatitudes--the mindset of we who are the disciples of our Lord Jesus, the Christ. Blessed are we--the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, those hungry for right, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted for right! We will have our reward! We stake our lives on this!!
Chapel Schedule
Tuesday noon (January 27), Holy Hour with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Thursday noon (January 29), Eucharist, Fr. Jim presiding
Saturday 5 pm (January 31) Eucharist, Fr. John presiding
After the Eucharist, Fr. Jim is honoring a promise and treating Prenger kids to Chinese cuisine. All the rest of us are invited, but it will be 'dutch'. Plan to be a part of it. Should be fun.
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
"To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often" Cardinal St. John Henry Newman
"All people should possess all the virtues, yet all are not bound to exercise them in equal measure. Each person must practice in a special manner the virtues needed by the kind of life he is called to." AND "Genuine devotion is simply true love of God." St Francis de Sales, Catholic bishop of Geneva, Switzerland during the height of the Protestant Reformation.
"...the fact that I think that I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe the desire to please You does in fact please You." Part of a longer prayer of Thomas Merton
God bless you and stay warm these cold winter days. Much love,
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
