September 27 - October 4, 2026

 

Hello to all!  And I greet you with PAX et BONUM (Peace and all good), a wonderful Franciscan greeting.

First, I will give the scriptures for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Isaiah 5: 1-7; Psalm 80; Philippians 4: 6-9 and Matthew 21: 33-43.  The first reading and gospel are focused on God's people as His vineyard and God's desire for the vineyard to produce abundant fruit.  And the epistle encourages us to focus on all that is true, honorable, upright, pure, lovely and gracious.  God help us to do that in these contentious days!

Chapel Schedule 
Noon Tuesday Eucharist (September 29), Fr. John presiding
Noon Thursday Eucharist (October 1), Fr. Jim presiding
Saturday Eucharist---check with Fr. Jim as the Fraternity ourselves will be on retreat together.

I am not sure what to tell about our local Eucharist in Columbia on Saturday October 3, because all of our Franciscan Fraternity will be observing the 800th Transitus together in retreat.  Please pray with us and all Franciscans world wide.  These troublesome days need the many spiritual insights of St. Francis and St. Clare and all their spiritual disciples as they have been called upon with St. Francis to REBUILD MY CHURCH, SINCE IT HAS FALLEN INTO RUIN.  Pope Leo XIV has dedicated this whole year to renewal using St. Francis as a model. 

SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS

Lord, make me a channel of your peace,
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon, 
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope, 
Where there is darkness, light,
And where there is sadness, joy.
O divine master grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.   (A prayer from the 19th or 20 century, first published in Europe that has been ascribed to St. Francis.)

Most High and Glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart.
instill in me a correct faith,
a certain hope,
a perfect love,
and a profound humility
with wisdom and perception,
that I may do your holy and true will.           St. Francis' prayer

 

Love to all, pray for all of us who use St. Francis as a way to be better at living the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.   

Fr. John, OFP

 

 

Pontifications by Fr. Jim McNeely