From The Friars (catholic Christian Spirituality)

Ash Wednesday begins the sacred season of Lent. Mother Church invites us to spend 40 days in the desert preparing our hearts for the Lord. Jesus invites us to consider a lesson from the Super Bowl! Listen to learn more. Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

Recent miraculous healings at Lourdes show that God is still doing miracles. As we prepare to celebrate the World Day of the Sick on February 11th (Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes) let's bring others to Jesus for healing and we shall be healed as well. Listen to learn more! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

God wants to speak a word every day. We can not hear that word if we are not listening. Listen to learn more! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

Jesus' initial message is a call to repentance and belief in the good news. This message is essential for every stage of the spiritual life. Catholic Christianity contains little known treasure troves of helpful guides for this journey. The wild icon of the "Ladder of Divine Ascent," based on a written work of the same name by Saint John Climacus, is a thought provoking inspiration. Dante's "Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise)" are also wonderful, especially the video game version. Listen to learn more! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

Scripture often uses money as an analogy for the working of grace. Listen to learn more! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

The feast of the Baptism of the Lord brings the Christmas season to a close. Just as Jesus' public ministry began with his baptism so also our participation in the life of grace begins with baptism. Everything else builds on baptism! The white garment bestowed during the rite supplies an interesting prayer image to help us understand what it means to live from your baptism. Listen to learn more! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

On Epiphany we celebrate the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem. Early church father Origen(circa 250 AD) interpreted the meaning of the gifts: "gold, as to a king; myrrh, as to one who was mortal; and incense, as to a God." What gifts will you lay at the feet of Jesus when you arrive at his presence after death? Listen to learn more! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

From childhood until old age our understanding of Christmas grows. From the three groups of people who visit the Christ Child we can deepen our understanding of this multifaceted mystery! Listen to learn more. Podcast by Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR.

A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land confirms the Biblical stories, real events which happened at real places. The Virgin Mary said yes to God and the rest is history, salvation history. Listen to learn more! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

The popular heist genre, a warm story of an engagement, and the appearance of Jesus' best man all line up to exemplify the joy of Advent. Listen to learn more! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

Blessed Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. God gives us the grace we need to be who we need to be and to do what we need to do in His plan. Listen to learn more! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

Star Wars The Mandalorian, Advent, and understanding Jesus! Repent and receive the greatest consolation of forgiveness. Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR. Listen to learn more!

Advent, Cardinals, Pandemics, and Sin! Listen to learn more. Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR - First Sunday of Advent 2020.

Happy Thanksgiving from the friars! The power of the cross is the source of thanksgiving always, everywhere, and at all times no matter what. Listen to learn more! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

Christian Hope in 2020: How Can We Win the Battle For Hope in our Hearts? by Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Christian Hope in 2020: Holding onto the Anchor of Hope and Letting Go of the Smartphone by Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Christian Hope in 2020: Terrorists, Optimists, and "Hope-ists" by Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

At the end of the liturgical year Mother Church invites us to celebrate Jesus Christ the King of the Universe! What does this ultimately mean? Listen to learn more! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR.

Jesus teaches that death is like a door, once it is shut and locked you are either in or out. Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR. Listen to learn more! Matt 25:1-13 | James 2:17 Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1007 Death is the end of earthly life. Our lives are measured by time, in the course of which we change, grow old and, as with all living beings on earth, death seems like the normal end of life. That aspect of death lends urgency to our lives: remembering our mortality helps us realize that we have only a limited time in which to bring our lives to fulfillment: 1013 Death is the end of man's earthly pilgrimage, of the time of grace and mercy which God offers him so as to work out his earthly life in keeping with the divine plan, and to decide his ultimate destiny. 1021 Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ.

Two different homilies for All Saints Day, a double-header (two for one, no extra charge)! Podcast by Fr. Luke Fletcher, CFR. Listen to learn more!