From the Desk of Sister Julia
Dear Seeker,

Franciscans are centered on Jesus Christ. Centered in love, we listen deeply and pay attention to "the Other:" God and neighbor. As Franciscan Friar Dr. Thomas Nairn emphasizes in the video lecture about Franciscan discernment featured below, "there is a spiritual quality to listening." For Franciscans, listening helps us develop our humility and get in touch with our insufficiency and need for others. 

And, just as we need the Other to listen, we need the Other to discern, to get in touch with what God is calling us to do and to begin to act in response to God's guidance. We understand both listening and discernment to be relational and communal acts, just like living the Gospel. Friar Nair also states that "discernment challenges us to go into the depths of our identity in service to the people of God."

Considering this Franciscan view on listening, discernment and service to the people of God, I am thrilled to join other Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in celebration of 175 years of our founding in this coming year. Our history is a history of deep listening to God's guidance followed by responding to God's love through acts of prayer, witness and service. You are welcome to join us throughout 2024 as we praise God for the gifts and challenges that our community has experienced since its founding. May we be inspired and centered in Christ as we continue to listen deeply and respond to God's love. 

Peace & All Good,

Sister Julia Walsh
FSPA Celebrates 175 Years
This year marks a milestone in the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration history. We're celebrating our 175th anniversary.

FSPA was established in May of 1849 in Wisconsin by Ottilie Dirr, later known as Mother Aemiliana Dirr. The FSPA story begins in Ettenbeuren, Bavaria (part of modern-day Germany) in the late 1840s. With German society in disturbance, a pastor, his associate and 12 lay Franciscans, five men and seven women, decided to travel to America to provide Christian education to immigrants. Six of the women desired to start a religious community. Despite this humble and uncertain beginning, this small group grew into the FSPA, who for the past 175 years have lived their vows of prayer, witness and service.

FSPA, then and now, follows the Franciscan tradition, inspired by the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, emphasizing poverty, humility and service to others. Throughout 2024, we'll share our sacred traditions and modern lives through events and storytelling. We'll continue to build our website of events and opportunities to celebrate with us.
About Our Graphic
Our celebratory graphic incorporates the design of the medal worn by all Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration upon profession of first vows and the rose from the FSPA logo. The medal is an eight-point Maltese cross, with each point representing the eight Beatitudes. The rose represents moments of invitation, intimacy, gratitude, reconciliation, partnership – those "aha" moments along the way. The spiraling action in the rose represents the FSPA mission taken into our deepest selves and in turn, given forth freely as a gift.
A Franciscan Spirituality of Discernment
In the seventh video of the Franciscan School of Theology's Zoom lecture series, Dr. Thomas Nairn, OFM explains that discerning the will of God requires us to be silent and listen to God and others, in whom God dwells. What might be getting in the way of our own listening? What obstacles stop us short from truly listening to our brothers and sisters?

Watch "A Franciscan Spirituality of Discernment" to gain an understanding of how Franciscans listen and learn their call.
Upcoming Events for Discerning Women
Friday Virtual Adoration and Mass
Every Friday | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. CT | online via Zoom

All are invited to join FSPA for virtual adoration live from the Adoration Chapel in La Crosse. Virtual adoration will pause at 11 a.m. and Mass will stream live from Mary of the Angels Chapel. Virtual adoration will resume after Mass.

Access the Zoom link here.
Writing Your Inner Self: A Writers' Retreat
Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, 3 p.m. CT - Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, 12 p.m. CT
Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae, WI

Join Monica Lobenstein and award-winning author Greg Renz to learn about journaling strategies for writers. Plenty of writing time and opportunities to network with other writers will also be offered. The inspiration of Trout Lake and the frosted forest at Marywood will be sure to feed your writer's soul.

Visit marywoodsc.org for more information and to register.
Miriam Dinner with Archbishop Hebda
Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 | 6 - 8 p.m. CT
Archdiocesan Catholic Center, Saint Paul, MN

Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda, Bishop Michael Izen and Father David Blume, Director of Vocations, invite women, ages 16-35, who are discerning consecrated life to join them for a Miriam Dinner. Come for an evening of prayer and conversation with consecrated women sharing their vocation testimonies.

Visit 10000vocations.org for more information and to register by tomorrow, Jan. 19.
Praying with Sisters
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2024 | 7 p.m. CT | online via Zoom

Pray the Sunday scripture with other women of faith on the last Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. CT. This time includes a short introduction, an opening prayer, reading of scripture and sharing in the style of lectio divina, journaling or silent reflection and offering prayer intentions. This online event hosted by the Dubuque Area Vocation Association (DAVA) is designed for single women, ages 18-45.

Visit discernyourvocation.org for more information and to RSVP.
Exploring Our Spiritual Selves Through SoulCollege
Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. CT
Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI

SoulCollage® is an intuitive, expression arts practice process founded by Seena B. Frost. It uses images from magazines and other sources to create a personal deck of collaged cards that speaks to your soul. The cards can be used to help access your inner wisdom and beauty. No artistic experience is necessary; just bring a playful curiosity and a willingness to go within.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by Jan. 22.
Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton
Thursday, Feb. 1 and 15, 2024 | 7 - 8:30 p.m. CT | online via Zoom

On the first and third Thursday of the month, facilitator Carole Butz will guide us to explore the truths of human existence using the "Bridges to Contemplative Living" series, which includes excerpts from the writings of Thomas Merton and other authors. The process involves readings, reflections and contemplative dialogue.

Visit prairiewoods.org for more information and to register by Jan. 31.
Journeying Together from the Crib to the Cross
Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024 | 2 - 6 p.m. CT | online via Zoom

Begin 2024 journeying together with your Franciscan sisters and brothers at this unique Franciscan Federation virtual retreat designed to inspire, connect and transform. We will discover, together, how events that occurred 800 years ago continue to transform us today.

Visit franfed.org for more information and to register.
Mass & Lunch with Sister Julia
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2024 | Chicago, IL

Join Sister Julia Walsh for Mass and lunch in Chicago. Email
discerning@fspa.org for more details, including time and specific location.
Book Discussion Group: "Leading Like Francis" by Carl Koch
Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. CT | online via Zoom

This virtual discussion of "Leading Like Francis: Building God's House" by Carl Koch is an opportunity to explore how spirituality affects leadership. Koch, who was an expert in servant leadership and worked at the FSC, draws upon this sense of spirituality for those seeking to influence others as servants.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by Feb. 12.
Silent Directed Retreat Weekend
Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, 3 p.m. CT - Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, 2 p.m. CT
Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI

A silent directed retreat is an invitation to deepen your connection to the Sacred and to yourself through solitude and silence in a community of prayer. You will have a private bedroom, delicious meals and four sessions with a spiritual director who will listen to you and your unfolding story. Your days will be open for time in quiet spaces for reflection, with options for attending liturgy, praying in the chapel and creating art.  

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by Feb. 12.
VOCARE: Listening to Your Longing
Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, 6 p.m. CT - Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, 4 p.m. CT
Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI

This weekend retreat invites you into the VOCARE spiritual practice through guided meditation, reflection, shared experiences, conversation and quiet contemplation. VOCARE is a six-word spiritual practice designed to help individuals, small groups and whole communities listen to the longings of their lives as they discern and live more fully into their various callings.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by Feb. 12.
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration | Formation | 888-683-3772 | discerning@fspa.org