Love, the Rose, is On the Way

Maureen O'Brien December 24, 2023

Today, let yourself reflect on the words from your favorite Christmas carols. Are there songs and stanzas that have been with you since childhood?

Today, think about the pure proclamation when the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people” (Lk 2:10).

Annie Timmons

John Stegeman December 23, 2023

Annie Timmons’ time with the Friars Club, a ministry located in Cincinnati, Ohio, goes back to 1978. Back then, she had no idea how much of her life would be spent in the Franciscan family.

Partner in the Plan

Stephen Copeland December 22, 2023

One of the overlooked characters in the Christmas narrative is Joseph. The Scriptures don’t tell us much about him, but one can imagine how confusing it would have been for him to discover that his wife-to-be was pregnant with a child that was not his.

Searching for Peace at Christmastime

Christopher Heffron December 21, 2023

The news is filled with stories of turmoil. St. Francis understood that peace was our reward—we just need to cultivate and share it.

Spaghetti to Straight Path

Natalie Ryan December 20, 2023

Our world looks a lot like a plate of spaghetti—noodles tangled around each other, sauce splattered and smothered, making a mess, and parmesan sprinkled on top to cloud the vision.

Joseph’s Prophetic Dreams

Natalie Ryan December 19, 2023

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and she gives her fiat to begin her journey as the Mother of God. An angel also appeared to Joseph in his dreams, which gave him direction and a mission to begin his journey as Jesus’ earthly father.