August 16-23, 2026
Friar's Footnotes by Fr. John Prenger, OFP
Dear Partners in the spread of the Kingdom of God,
Our upcoming scriptures are Isaiah 22:19-22, Psalm 138, Romans 11:33-36, and Matthew 16:13-20.
The reading from Isaiah speaks prophetically of giving "the key of David" (the authority promised to King David and his lineage) to Eliakim (also known by the name Jehoakim), the second last king of Judah before the exile. This passage connects directly to our Gospel reading, where Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, leading Jesus to give Peter "the keys." This confession of Jesus as the Messiah is central to our discipleship, but also carries significant implications for the spiritual role of the Bishop of Rome.
Chapel Schedule
Noon Tuesday Eucharist (August 18), Fr. John presiding
++++++++Fraternity Business meeting 7:30 pm Tuesday on GoToMeeting++++++++
Noon Thursday Eucharist (August 20), Fr. Jim presiding
5 pm Saturday Eucharist (August 22), Fr. Jim presiding
SAYINGS OF THE SAINTS
(This whole following quote is paragraph 61 of Pope Francis' Encyclical of 2020, called FRATELLI TUTTI)
In the oldest texts of the Bible, we find a reason why our hearts should expand to embrace the foreigner. It derives for the enduring memory of the Jewish people that they themselves had once lived as foreigners in Egypt:
"You shall not wrong or oppress a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Ex.22:21)
"You shall not oppress the stranger; you know the heart of a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Ex. 23: 9)
"When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the stranger as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Lv 19: 33-34)
'When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, do not glean what is left; it shall be for the sojourner, the orphan, and the widow. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt." (Dt 24: 21-22).
The call to fraternal love echoes throughout the New Testament:
"For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (Gal 5:14).
"Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. but whoever hates another believer is in the darkness" (1Jn2:10-11),
"We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death" (1 Jn 3:14).
"Those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen" (1 Jn 4: 20)
Lately I have been reading FRATELLI TUTTI, and I was completely taken with Pope Francis' gathering of these scripture quotes. I hope they bless you with Holy Spirit guidance as they have done for me.
That is all I have. Serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords well as you serve Him this week.
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
