Franciscan Renewal Center

05/07/2026

The Paschal Candle, first lit at the Easter Vigil, shines as a powerful sign of Christ’s living presence among us throughout the Easter season. 🕯

In this Franciscan Jubilee Year, the Paschal Candle at Our Lady of the Angels Church features the San Damiano Cross, which reminds us of St. Francis answering God's call to “rebuild my Church.” ✝

Marked with the cross, the Alpha and Omega, and the year, it invites us to be instruments of peace and renewal today, just as St. Francis was centuries ago. 🤎

05/05/2026

Did you know the Franciscan Renewal Center is home to one of the largest Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrines in the Southwestern United States? 🌄

Spend time in prayer and reflection at this sacred space. 🤎

“Always stay close to this Heavenly Mother, because she is the sea to be crossed to reach the shores of Eternal Splendour.”
- Saint Padre Pio

05/04/2026

We are continually inspired by the many stories we hear and encounter at the Casa. Creating a place where people can experience renewal has always been at the heart of our purpose and mission.

There are many ways to encounter renewal here through our church, ministries, grounds, and retreats. Throughout the week, we offer opportunities in each of these areas and witness the profound movement of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who come.

The Casa remains a vital presence not only for thousands across the Valley of the Sun, but also for people from around the world. One unique aspect of the Casa is the sacred work we share with hundreds of nonprofit and faith-based organizations who come here to renew their staff and communities. This remarkable network of organizations returns again and again, finding rest, nourishment, and encouragement.

Simple but meaningful experiences—sharing home-cooked meals, resting in welcoming guest rooms, and connecting with the surrounding beauty—help restore their spirits and strengthen their commitment to their missions. It is a quiet grace to know that the Casa plays a role in accompanying those who are working to bring good into the world.

In these ways, and more, we are grateful to share in the renewal unfolding in so many lives.

—Charles Brown
Executive Director

05/03/2026

https://www.youtube.com/live/tuxt76Etdfk?si=KHZAPP7AqP5TcTRN

Sunday, May 3, 2026 (9:15 a.m.) - The Fifth Sunday of Easter

05/02/2026

Today Is World Labyrinth Day! 🌎

Walking the labyrinth is an ancient practice designed for prayer, comtemplation, and reflection. ✝

We invite all to partake in this simple yet powerful exercise right here at the Casa 🤎

05/02/2026

Have you ever been with someone who leads their life with the notion that “It's my way or the highway?" It's pretty hard to deal with persons who think that way. To surrender their choices, opinions, or their will to another person, even to God, is completely foreign to their way of thinking.

However, our Catholic Faith calls on each one of us to move away from a self-oriented culture where we prioritize our own choices and decisions, and to embrace a personal surrender to God.

True surrender to God is not about taking your hands off the wheel; rather, it is an active, dynamic process of recognizing a problem, praying for help, and taking action with divine help. Surrendering to God involves choosing God’s will over our own and saying “no” to anything that contradicts Him.

Stress and anxiety (not good) often comes from trying to control things that only God can control. Surrendering to God leads us to a sense of peace of heart, mind, and soul, because we come to acknowledge God’s authority and let go of the need to make up our own rules.

A number of years ago while visiting Mission San Xavier in Tucson, I ran into this little refrigerator/file cabinet magnetic saying that remains on my file cabinet to this day. I take the liberty of personalizing it because it speaks so loudly to me.

“GOOD MORNING DEACON HERVE! This is God! I will be handling all your problems today. I will not need your help. So, relax and have a good day."

Here’s a post script: surrendering to God is not a one time event for most of us, but a lifelong rhythm that we must recommit ourselves to practice almost every day.

Peace and Good,
Deacon Herve, OFM Affiliate

05/01/2026

RENEWAL | May 3, 2026

RENEWAL:https://8be9065a-086e-451b-ac9d-aec7bb76a53f.filesusr.com/ugd/a9757f_85c9be5e52fe4126a8ed4e6d13fcb5ab.pdf

Worship Aid: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vHQPAwIf9-q8ixGBp7zutc-UYrSJ5WEI/view

05/01/2026

Register for "Men's Retreat: Challenges in the Spiritual Life," May 29 – 31.

As we journey in the spiritual life, we encounter disconcerting challenges that often upend us and discourage us. In this retreat, award-winning author Fr. Albert Haase, OFM will focus on some of the typical challenges we face: living in the present moment, forgiving others, spiritual darkness, attitudes for discerning God's will, being stuck in in-between spaces, and resisting God's will. This retreat will remind and encourage us with the good news that God's grace is always available to us despite the challenges and obstacles we face. Please note there will be ample time for silence, reflection, and journaling.

To register, visit https://frc.retreatportal.com/calendar/event?programcode=26AER74918

05/01/2026

Pray with Pope Leo for an end to world hunger. ✝

Here are some ways you can volunteer with the Casa's Hunger Action Ministry:

At the Desert Mission Food Bank
Sunnyslope, Wednesdays
Sort and bag food, etc. additional spots available to serve.
• Wednesday, May 13 | 8:45 – 11 am
• Plan ahead: June 17 and July 8

At the St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Kitchen
Monthly Fridays, main kitchen
Help plate 1,000 daily meals. Ages 14 – 16 must be accompanied by
an adult.
• Friday, May 8 | 8:45 – 11:30 am
• Plan ahead: June 5

For more information, email [email protected].

16 likes. "Pray with the Pope: That everyone might have food | May 2026"

04/30/2026

The vibrant liturgies at Our Lady of the Angels Church inspire committed belonging and intentional faith throughout the Casa community ✝

Attend one of our daily or weekend Masses and experience the beauty of Franciscan worship firsthand 🤎

04/29/2026

Adoration is on the first Friday of each month at 6 pm. ✝

Come and adore Him who loves you unconditionally, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Friday, May 1, in Our Lady of the Angels Church.

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened. I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28 🤎

04/28/2026

Enter into a sacred space where all are welcome. 🤎