The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal will lead a parish mission in English and Spanish Oct. 22-27 at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Franklin.
Father Juan Diego Sutherland and Father Roch Mary Greiner, who will lead the mission, will preach at all the weekend and weekday Masses during the mission and will lead several talks.
The subjects of the English talks will be:
• “Becoming Eucharistified! ‘Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ (Matt. 28:20)”, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the main church.
The talk will address what is the Sacrament of the Eucharist, transubstantiation, anamnesis, epiousios, the Hidden Manna, the True Presence, a biblical, theological and practical explanation of Eucharistic Adoration.
• “Arise from Darkness” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the main church.
The talk will address how we can continue to trust God in times of doubt, confusion and suffering; what is God’s will for our lives; how we can discover and follow His will in trying and difficult times; and the examples of the saints.
The subjects of the Spanish talks will be:
• “La Santa Eucaristía, fuente y culmen de la vida Cristiana,” at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, in the main church.
• “Alabad a Dios por todas las cosas, porque Su misericordia es eterna. Misericordia y Sanación,” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in the main church.
The talk in Spanish on Thursday will be followed by a bi-lingual closing Mass and healing service that will begin at 7 p.m.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available the night of each talk.
Father Juan Diego serves in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as director of Father Robert’s Kitchen, the Friars outreach to the homeless. He also assists parishes in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and travels frequently to preach retreats, parish missions and days of recollection.
For 10 years, he served as a missionary in Honduras and Nicaragua. In March 2022, Pope Francis appointed Father Juan Diego as a Missionary of Mercy, granting him faculties to hear confessions at any time and place and to absolve sins in cases otherwise reserved to the Holy See.
During more than 12 years as a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, Father Roch Mary has served in Honduras, Nicaragua, New York and New Jersey. He is currently assigned to the St. Juan Diego Friary in Albuquerque. His ministry includes working with the poor, preaching at retreats and parish missions, and a healing ministry.
