CFRs focus on Eucharistic adoration, reconciliation
Special to the Register by Father Kenneth Borowiak
LINCOLN (SNR) - Packed churches, long lines for confession and prayers for healing and intercession were evident at four Lincoln churches March 21-24.
The faith response was to a Lenten retreat facilitated by the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
Commonly known as the CFRs or Father Benedict Groeschel’s order, the Friars are known by their light gray religious habit, tightly cropped hair and beards.
The CFRs live in the Bronx, N.Y. and provide a variety of ministries including serving the poor, street evangelization, parish missions, retreats, days of recollection, pilgrimages, spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, religious education, and celebrating the sacraments.
The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal have 140 members in 15 friaries in five countries. The Friars were invited by North American Martyrs, St. Peter, St. Michael and St. John parishes in Lincoln to conduct a Lenten retreat for parishioners. In addition to the the four-day retreat, the CFRs visited diocesan schools, and they participated in a day of recollection during a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) regional gathering at the Newman Center on the UNL campus March 24.
The CFR priests celebrated the Eucharist and preached at Masses at each of the four parishes the weekend of March 20-21.
Michael Riordan, a member of the Cathedral the Risen Christ Parish in Lincoln, organized the retreat.
“I sensed what is special about the CFRs and wanted to bring that to Lincoln,” Riordan said.
The response to the CFRs’ invitation to a Lenten retreat was well received.
“2020 was a difficult year because of COVID,” Father Innocent said. “People are hungry to go deeper in their faith. For us it is beautiful to be on mission.
“We use the Franciscan way to bring God’s presence to people in their everyday lives,” he continued.
‘Riordan said the CFRs’ “energy, very positive attitude and outlook and their love to talk about Jesus is contagious.”
“I am surprised at how many people wanted to go to confession and to be prayed over,” Riordan added.
Riordan is a 2003 graduate of Pius X High School in Lincoln and classmate of two of the CFR Friars, brothers Father Innocent and Father Angelus. They were Scott and Rusty Montgomery as they grew up in Lincoln. They are identical twins who have a triplet sister Katie. Katie and her husband Brian Havlat and family are members of North American Martyrs Parish.
In addition, Brother James Buresh CFR, the son of Scott and Mary Buresh of David City and Brennan Roche CFR, the son of Patrick and Teresa Roche of Norfolk, were part of the retreat team.
