Dear Friends,

Greetings in the Lord from the Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of Consolation Province!

The holy Season of Christmas that we recently celebrated is the celebration of an encounter with God becoming one with all of humanity in the flesh. God is one with us in the messiness of life, lifting all people to the rightful dignity as a Child of God, made in the image of God. Let us seek daily to encounter the God of Love.

Pope Francis encourages the Church members to live in a spirit of synodality. In the article (Coffee Shop Synodality), Friar Martin Day shares that synodality is an everyday encounter.

In the article, The Hope of Laudato Si, St. Francis’s life has a deep reverence and compassion toward the universe. St. Francis encounters God, contemplating God and the splendor of God’s grace in the extensive wealth of creation, the great sacrament of God and Christ.

Friar Bob Roddy (Gather Us In) reflects on the difference an encounter can make in people’s lives! How dramatically hearts and minds change when we know, listen to, and welcome one another.

Leo Contreras (Peace in the New Normal) shares the story of his dying mother and his friendship with friar Andy Martinez, OFM Conv. during the pandemic of Covid. Leo shares how his encounter with friar Andy during the stressful time of not being physically present with his dying mother brought him comfort and peace.

Erin Wiegand (A Journey Home) shares that her journey back to the Catholic Church was not straightforward but came unexpectedly through a series of events where the Holy Spirit urged her to reconnect with God and the church.

We friars will continue to remember you, our dear friends, companions with the friars in ministry, in our daily prayers and devotions.

May God bless you and fill you with the Peace of Christ!

Sincerely in Christ, St. Francis, and St. Anthony

Fr. John Elmer OFM Conv.
Spiritual Director