March 22-29, 2026
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Hello and God bless you!
Well, we are within days of Holy Week. Our scriptures for Palm Sunday are Matthew 21: 1-11 as we will wave palms and reflect on our Lord's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Then the readings from the liturgy of the Word are Isaiah 50: 4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2: 6-11; and (the Passion according to St. Matthew) Matthew 26: 14-27: 66. The first reading is one of the Suffering Servant sections of Isaiah. The second reading is the section of St Paul's letter that describes Jesus' self-emptying to face death that the Father would raise Him (and with Him, us) saving us from our sins and eternal death. Palm Sunday begins our week of commemoration of the Passion that the Lord endured for us. It includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.
Chapel Schedule
Noon Tuesday (March 24), Holy Hour with exposition of Blessed Sacrament
Noon Thursday (March 26), Eucharist with Fr. Jim presiding
5 pm Saturday (March 28), Palm Sunday Eucharist with Fr. John presiding
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
"There have come to be many Christs in the world, even all who, like Him, loved righteousness" Early Church Father Origen of Alexandria. (This saying calls to mind Colossians 1: 27 which claims the Christ lives in us as our hope of glory.)
"All we want in Christ, we shall find in Christ. If we want little, we shall find little. If we want much, we will find much." (This is a saying I discovered, but cannot claim the source)
Have a blessed week. Keep praying for PEACE based in the Justice and Mercy of the Kingdom of God. God grant us Faith, Hope and Agape Love to bring change to our world. It does begin with us. 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
