Fr. Jim Bok with Rhonda and Richard Ramey Richard and Rhonda Ramey have been visiting Jamaica for over thirty years and have traveled the island extensively. While they have always treasured the natural beauty of Jamaica, they also…

St. Clare, founder of the second order of Franciscans St. Clare of Assisi was not simply a follower of Francis, she was a formidable, resolute, devout and loving saint whose life centered on this essence of human identity. She and…

It’s a fact approximately half of Americans do not have wills. Many people think they don’t need an estate plan because they are “too poor” or “too young” or because “everything will go to my spouse when I die…

“I believe in you and love you!” My roommate lost his glasses on the weekend. Yesterday we spent most of the day looking through the apartment trying to find them. I then said, “Don’t worry I’m going to pray…

“This volume of poems is dedicated to, among others, the city of Assisi,” Fr. Murray Bodo writes of his newest book, Teaching the Soul to Speak (Tau Publishing). The book’s last section contains poems inspired by Murray’s 43 years…

The newly professed with Provincial David Gaa of the Province of Santa Barbara. Each Rite of Profession is unique, but the July 2 ceremony at the novitiate in Santa Barbara, Calif., was especially profound for the US-6 novices…

The COVID-19 crisis has prompted many people to take action and take care of estate planning. Here are 10 steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your legacy. 1) Make a will. You state who you…

Masks in place, Fr. Mark Soehner and Br. Jerry Beetz offer St. Anthony Bread on the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua. A virtual feast Br. Chris Meyer played an integral role in the day’s festivities.…

Postulants and friars spending time together before social distancing. Franciscan prayer Fr. John Bok, OFM Dear Friends, What a year 2020 has been! In my 84 years, I don’t ever remember anything like it and I…

Or did he find me? My story is somewhat long, but it felt right to share it now. I am Catholic and was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I moved away to the Washington DC area shortly after I…