Fr. Dan Riley Clouds & Sun Reflections

It's a new time in our Church. It's a new time for passion as Easter and spring approach. Fr. Dan Riley, ofm, shares a reflection inviting us to walk from our solitudes into communion with each other. We should acknowledge the pain in our life, Church or economy, but the Lord invites us to rebuild our homes -- like St. Francis and Pope Francis have invited us --  walking in a world with the light of Christ. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Music, "There Is a Light," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission). Recorded March 17, 2013

The road beckons us to transforming experiences to transform the world. Before Fr. Dan Riley, ofm, left on a three-week Lenten retreat in California, he shared this reflection, inviting us to see and hear what's on the road this Lent. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Music, "I Will Lift Up My Eyes," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission). Recorded Feb. 23, 2013.

As we move into Lent, there's a call for simplicity in life. Lent means new spring while spring means a new flow of life. How are we moving away from the ice-covered ponds of winter to break through to the depths of our heart? Fr. Dan Riley, ofm, shares this reflection as we move into this new season. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Music, "The Love of God" and "Streams of Living Water" by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission). Recorded Feb. 9, 2013.

We hear about newness and freshness from Jesus in this week's Gospel. Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, shares a reflection about how God wants to come into wherever we are with newness and freshness. So happy new year! Happy new moment. Happy new start. May our hearts emerge from old or cold times into fresh beginnings. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Music, "Good Gets Better," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission). Recorded Jan. 25, 2013.

It's the Lord's baptism and Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, calls us to magnify the light of Christ. We're part of the power and light company, so we're all called to magnify the light of Christ, to magnify our souls because the world needs it. We can celebrate the Lord's baptism by feeling our own renewal. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Music, "Streams of Living Water," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission). Recorded Jan. 12, 2013.

May peace be in your heart this new year. Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, shares a reflection asking all of us, what's my purpose? What am I called to do? Fr. Dan invites us to empty ourselves and sit, wait and listen...listen to the Word of God calling us to be children -- now -- with purpose, value and direction. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Music, "You Are Child," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission). Recorded Dec. 30, 2012.

Merry Christmas! May today and this season be full of light as the people who walked in darkness had seen a great light. Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, shares a reflection about the Birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Music, "Let Us Go to Bethlehem" and "A Light Will Shine On Us This Day," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission). Recorded Dec. 23, 2012

In this third week of Advent, our expectations rise more as the Lord is near. But how far is near? What does soon mean? Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, shares this reflection to describe the need for the peace of soon and near in our lives. We need peace in our lives. Take time to be quiet together or alone. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Opening and closing music, "Echo of Your Peace," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission). Recorded Dec. 12, 2012, from Mt. Irenaeus

Doormats can have a welcoming presence. Do we pay attention to the words on them as we walk into a room? During this second week of Advent, Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, invites us to prepare our hearts and our doorways with the joy of the season. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Opening and closing music, "Echo of Your Peace," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission).

Advent. A season of expectation and promise, not of anxiety. Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, walks with us through this reflection so amid the anxiety of our life journeys, we come to know that amid the turmoil, we can stand up and celebrate the joy of the season, a season of expectation. Let us not cower, but gather to help each other stand up in the world. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Opening and closing music, "Echo of Your Peace," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission).

It's Thanksgiving week and in this reflection, Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, invites us to give thanks whenever possible. And in moments of thanks this week, allow ourselves to open our hearts and minds to the love of God. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Opening and closing music, "I, The  Lord," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission)

Have you taken an autumn walk? Have you encountered solitude and paradise? Listen to Fr. Dan Riley's reflection about the treasured sense of quiet that can lead to more open hearts so we can care for others. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Opening and closing music, "Compassionate and Wise," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission).

Stand on our heads to begin anew! Ensure our hearts are open to God's reign given to us now. It's here for all the world. As we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis, let's not be afraid, for the Father has given us the Kingdom! Let's somersault our lives to celebrate God's coming to us in every moment. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Opening and closing music, "Do Not Fear," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission).

Autumn is upon us. As a new season beckons, are we listening? Are we hearing? Do we even see signs of spring in the fall? Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, invites us to listen more closely. To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Opening and closing music, "Vedahametam," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission).

Let us be fresh wines for all. At times when many of our structures and institutions aren't working, Jesus invites us to be the new, to be the fresh, to be the wine skins -- the new containers full of fresh wine -- to live life now and help others. Fr. Dan Riley, OFM, walks us through this reflection with those key thoughts in mind.  To learn more about Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Retreat, visit www.mounti.com. Opening and closing music, "Echo Of Your Peace," by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission)