Most people enjoy family reunions. There is something wonderful about seeing relatives you haven’t seen for some time who live out of town. Fr. Mark Soehner congratulates Fr. John Bok on 60 years as a Franciscan priest at…
Read MoreFr. Colin King holds high the 1st class relic of St. Anthony of Padua to bless the crowds visiting from Michigan. Photo by Fr. Frank Jasper (2018) How do you celebrate St. Anthony’s Feast Day? For many of…
Read MoreI have an amazing St. Anthony story! Back in the early ’80s—maybe 1982 or 1983—we were among five couples at Perdido Bay near Pensacola, Florida. We were all in water over our heads, and to be honest, we…
Read MoreFr. Francis Tebbe sprinkles holy water on Maggie, a nine-year-old amputee service dog, as her owner Becky Buchanan of Munster keeps hold of a stroller during the blessing and introduction of the pet therapy program at Franciscan Health…
Read MoreColleen and John Gerke pose for a photo with guests Rosa and baby David. A simple plaque on a wall in John and Colleen Gerke’s St. Bernard home proclaims a deeply meaningful message. It reads in part: “This…
Read MoreWhere there’s a will, there’s a way. You may be surprised to learn you can support the Franciscans with a gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime. You won’t have to write a check today, change your lifestyle,…
Read MoreChrist appearing to his disciples after the Resurrection, by William Blake. Public domain Easter 2022 It’s easy to be convinced of the power of death. Watching the news reports of the war in Ukraine…
Read MoreRescue kitten Shamu (nicknamed Moo Moo). I’ve fostered dozens of rescued kittens over the years, but have never “lost” one…until Jan. 31, that is. As is my routine before leaving for my job as director of communications for…
Read MoreDear Friends, Fr. John Bok, OFM Lent begins on March 2 this year. During this 40-day season of preparation leading us to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter, many of us seek the Lord in prayer…
Read MoreFr. John Bok, OFM The Church has a liturgical calendar that begins with Advent and continues for four Sundays. Advent ends on December 24 and is obviously followed by Christmas and the Christmas Season, which ended on January…
Read More