Their faces shone! I wanted that joy
Fr. Isaac Spinharney, CFR, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

There was never a time when I did not believe in God, I just didn’t want Him to control my life. Wanting to find my own “way” in life, I bought into the lies of our culture and sought happiness and fulfillment through various types of selfish excess. But years of this lifestyle only rendered me tired, depressed, empty, and purposeless. I knew God created me and had a plan for me and I began to desire to know that plan. Through the encouragement of my parents, I began to seek the Lord in prayer and the sacraments and He granted me a life-changing conversion.

Almost immediately, the Lord placed on my heart a desire to do foreign missionary work and within a matter of weeks I was living in Mexico, discovering my faith and sharing it with others. As I shared my faith with others, I had a growing desire to dedicate my life to Christ and His Church and to bring Him to others as a priest. But my missionary experience also instilled in me a desire for Community and a life of greater poverty and simplicity. While those whom we served were materially poor, many were spiritually rich as their faces shone with beautiful smiles witnessing to their strong family life and their faith. I desired that joy and freedom. Gradually, a desire began to grow in my heart to continue to serve the poor but also to live a life of material poverty and greater dependence on, and dedication to, God. A good friend suggested I contact the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

After two extended visits with the Friars, I joined the Community in September of 2000. The vibrant community life is a great support to me as I attempt to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and serve His Church. Following in the footsteps of St. Francis, our life of poverty challenges me to give myself more completely to Him and to the service of His people, particularly the poor. I was ordained to the priesthood  in May 2010 and hope as a priest-friar, to continue to bring Him to others, especially in the sacraments!

www.franciscanfriars.com