April 12-19, 2026
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Hello and God's Love to all!!
The upcoming weekend scriptures are Acts 2:14, 22-33; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1: 17-21; and Luke 24: 13-35. The first reading is Peter's sermon after the Holy Spirit had come upon the waiting disciples in the upper room. The account from first Peter encourages us to conduct ourselves well because we know how precious we are because of the action of Jesus in offering His life for us. Finally, the gospel is the beautiful account of the two leaving Jerusalem totally undone by the events of Jesus's Crucifixion. And of course, Jesus walks with them explaining how the Hebrew scriptures elucidate that this HAD TO HAPPEN because it was God's plan to defeat death and sin. They recognize Him when they break Eucharistic bread together and Resurrection JOY ensues.
Chapel Schedule
Noon Tuesday (April 14), Holy Hour with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Noon Thursday (April 16), Eucharist, Fr. Jim presiding
5 pm Saturday (April 18), Eucharist, Fr. John presiding
FYI, Chiara Prenger turns 21 today and Micah Prenger turns 25 on Friday April 17. Please pray with them as the continue into their young adulthood.
Keep ForColumbia in prayer. The date of serving our city is Saturday April 25 and though no one from our chapel community is serving this year, it continues to give deep Christian witness that THE WHOLE CHURCH of our city are truly good citizens. I am so proud personally for having been associated with this move of God over the 11 years it has been done and am sorry that I am unable to participate.
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
(I found two excellent quotes on the primacy of the need for our well formed conscience over any law. I pass them along today. I believe it is very important when we in the church must witness by obeying God rather than humans, or as recently deceased U. S. Representative John Lewis called, 'making good trouble'.)
"Conscience is more to be obeyed than authority imposed from the outside. By following a right conscience you not only do not incur sin but are also immune from sin, whatever superiors may say to the contrary. To act against one's conscience and to disobey a superior can both be sinful. Of the two the first is the worst since the dictate of conscience is more binding than the decree of external authority." St. Thomas Aquinas
"Over the pope as expression of the binding claims of ecclesiastical authority, there stands one's own conscience which must be obeyed before all else, even if necessary against the requirement of ecclesiastical authority. The emphasis on the individual, whose conscience confronts him with a supreme and ultimate tribunal, and one which is the last resort is beyond the claim of external social groups, even the official church, also establishes a principle in opposition to increasing totalitarianism." Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI)
We live in an era when we must stand against evil and sin as the followers of Jesus Christ that we are. May God give us the 'mind of Christ' and the courage to speak and act in His name always and in all ways.
Big Hug to all! 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
