Franciscan Renewal Center

06/15/2026

Remember Your Church This Summer

Dear friends in Christ,

As we welcome summer, you may find yourselves traveling to cooler places, visiting loved ones, or taking time for rest and renewal. Whether you are here in the Valley or away for the season, please remember that your church continues to pray, serve, welcome, and accompany.

The mission of Our Lady of the Angels does not pause for summer. The livestream ministry continues to unite our community in prayer. Faith in Action ministries continue to serve those in need. The air-conditioning continues to run through the desert heat. Equipment sometimes fails and must be repaired quickly. The church you love still needs faithful care, even when many of us are away.

Being a committed member of Our Lady of the Angels means helping sustain this sacred place in every season, so that when you return, the church remains the prayerful, welcoming, and vibrant community you left.

One of the best ways to support your church this summer is to begin a weekly or monthly recurring gift. If you don’t already, I invite you to start a recurring gift today. Your steady generosity allows the staff to plan wisely, respond quickly, and continue the ministries that renew lives through spiritual growth, healing and
transformation, and service to others.

Please set up your recurring gift today at: https://qr.thecasa.org/church.

With gratitude and prayers for a restful summer,
Christopher Meyer, Development Director

06/14/2026

https://www.youtube.com/live/_Luxy9afaHk?feature=share

Please consider making your donations to the Casa online https://qr...

06/14/2026

Today, our first reading from Exodus invites us to harken to God’s voice, to keep His covenant, so that we can be God’s special possession. Also today, Psalm 100 reminds us that we have been called to be God’s people, the sheep of His flock. Indeed, it is in today’s Gospel from St. Matthew that we are called to be laborers in God’s harvest.

In the light of these Sunday readings, do you get the feeling and the message that you and I are being summoned by God, to be all that He has called us to be?

Just as our Lord had a rather specific plan for His disciples, we too, all of us, are being called by God in our own unique way to the plan that He has set for us. We often call this God-given plan for us our vocation, not to be confused with the word vacation. We are not called to simply “pray, pay, and obey” as some might delude themselves into thinking.

We are called to respond to God’s call to each of us by choosing to be and act upon the presence of Jesus in all our sisters and brothers around us with love, compassion, mercy, and certainly forgiveness.

Whatever God has called us to do or to be in His unique plan for each of us is equally special, important, and holy.

Simply remember what Jesus said about His very own calling: “I have come to serve, and not to be served."

Peace and good,
Deacon Hervé, OFM Affiliate

06/13/2026

Today is the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua!

St. Anthony of Padua was born in 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal, and died in Padua, Italy. He was known for his forceful preaching and expert knowledge of scripture. St. Francis had held a strong distrust of the place of theological studies in the life of his brotherhood, fearing that it might lead to an abandonment of their commitment to a life of real poverty. In Anthony, however, he found a kindred spirit for his vision, who was also able to provide the teaching needed by young members of the order who might seek ordination. In 1224, Francis entrusted the pursuit of studies for any of his friars to the care of Anthony. St. Anthony was the second-most-quickly canonized saint (dying on June 13, 1231, he was canonized May 30, 1232). He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church on Jan. 16, 1946.

St. Anthony is the patron saint of finding things or lost people. The reason St. Anthony’s help is invoked for finding things lost or stolen is traced to an incident that occurred in Bologna. According to the story, Anthony had a book of psalms that was of some importance to him as it contained the notes and comments he had made to use in teaching his students. A novice who had decided to leave took the psalter with him. Prior to the invention of the printing press, any book was an item of value. Upon noticing it was missing, Anthony prayed it would be found or returned. The thief was moved to restore the book to Anthony and return to the Order. The stolen book is preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna.

06/12/2026

RENEWAL | June 14, 2026

RENEWAL:https://8be9065a-086e-451b-ac9d-aec7bb76a53f.filesusr.com/ugd/a9757f_b548c28d86b24b6481d29f82747ab9e7.pdf

Worship Aid: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oyH05LPlv6VTGageUa5sbc3HjW1_U-01/view

06/12/2026

There's still time to register for the Rediscover Your Center retreat, happening June 19 – 21!

This weekend is an invitation to retreat from the noise of our busy minds so we can listen to what the heart has to say.

Drawing on the ancient Greek concept of Kairos, the qualitative moment, we explore flow states through present moment awareness.

You will find space to quiet your mind and reconnect with the deeper intelligence within. We'll explore how to integrate timeless wisdom traditions, moving beyond the superficial demands of technology to find true connection and purpose. During our time together, you will:

• Learn to identify and manage modern distractions.

• Experience practical mindfulness meditation.

• Explore creative practices to cultivate a state of flow and inner stillness.

• Uncover ancestral stories and values to ground your path toward a life of intention.

• Engage with story, art, music, and movement for a holistic and joyful experience.

To register, visit https://frc.retreatportal.com/calendar/event?programcode=26AER77083

06/12/2026

Do you want to escape the summer heat, enjoy a movie, and have some great conversation? Join the Peace Ministry for a showing of "Driving While Black: Race, Space, and Mobility" to honor the Juneteenth Holiday at the Franciscan Renewal Center.

The event includes discussion following this two-hour documentary. The doors open at 5 pm, with food and drink available starting at 5:15 pm. The program begins at 5:45 pm with the film starting at 6 pm. Discussion follows around 8:10 pm.

“A moving, visual story that shows the joy and liberation that accompanied the freedom promised by the automobile and the daily struggle for Black Americans to seek their independence...” – Director Ric Burns

A PBS 2020 documentary, this film by acclaimed historian Dr. Gretchen Sorin and Emmy–winning director Ric Burns chronicles the riveting history and personal experiences of African Americans on the road from the depths of the Depression to the height of the Civil Rights movement and beyond.

To register:
Go to https://frc.retreatportal.com/calendar/event?programcode=26SCN79056
Call 480.942.7460
Visit the Guest Services Desk.

(Film is appropriate for children ages 13+, PG, at the discretion of a parent.)

06/11/2026

We are excited to welcome five new murals chronicling the life of St. Francis outside of Our Lady of the Angels Church at the Franciscan Renewal Center. ✝

These murals lead you to the Way of St. Francis inside the church and will help pilgrims and the Casa community walk, reflect, and connect with St. Francis on a deeper level during this Franciscan Jubilee year. 🏜

May all who enter feel invited, received, and drawn closer to Christ, who continues to meet us, renew us, and send us forth in love. 🤎

06/10/2026

The Casa's Altar Ramada is a great space to meditate and reflect while being surrounded by God's creation 🤎

06/08/2026

It was a joy for me to be part of the pilgrimage team alongside Fr. Joe Schwab, OFM, and Debi Haug as we journeyed with 25 pilgrims to Assisi and Rome, including 20 members of the Our Lady of the Angels community.

In evaluations and personal conversations, pilgrims spoke deeply about the spirituality of place and the gift of taking time to pause, pray, and reflect at sacred sites in Rome, La Verna, Greccio, and Assisi. What stayed with many of us was not only the beauty of these holy places, but also the spirit of fellowship, prayer, music, shared meals, and meaningful conversation along the way. Perhaps another pilgrimage is already calling to us.

That same spirit of joy and reflection will continue here at the Casa on August 2, when the Franciscan Renewal Center hosts Alla Famiglia—an evening concert and dinner celebrating St. Francis’ “Canticle of the Creatures.” Our gifted music ministry, whose talents enrich our weekend liturgies, will lead this special gathering. We hope you will join us for what promises to be a memorable evening. Reservations may be made through our website or at the front desk.

I would love to hear about the ways the Casa has touched your life and the experiences that have stayed with you. The stories shared by our community help us better understand how lives are being renewed here through spiritual growth, healing, transformation, and service to others. Please feel free to share yours with me at [email protected].

—Charles Brown
Executive Director