Sister Laura Nettles, a native of Los Alamos, New Mexico, celebrated her final profession of vows with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in May of 2013. Sister Laura currently ministers as an assistant professor of religious studies and serves as an executive director for Mission and Social Justice Chair at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. As an assistant professor, she regularly teaches courses in introductory theology, Franciscan theology, Catholic Social Teaching and women's studies.
As St. Francis of Assisi explained in his response to St. Anthony of Padua's request to study and teach at a university, "I am pleased that you teach sacred theology [so long as it] does not extinguish the spirit of prayer and devotion [charism]."
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Sister Laura takes St. Francis' response to mean that education (both learning and teaching) should be used in service of others, particularly those who are poor and marginalized. "This is how I have approached my own educational opportunities and how I teach my students," says Sister Laura. "Every day I have an opportunity to help students understand the Gospel vision of service to others, in both our classroom and through service learning. I take pride in knowing that there are nurses, educators, business owners and others who focus on those in need because of their experiences at Viterbo." In addition to teaching, Sister Laura also spent much of her time last fall ministering to refugees at Fort McCoy, one of the main sites housing refugees awaiting resettlement in U.S. communities. |
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"Money, in and of itself, is not good or bad – it is. It's essential to live on one level. It's what we do with the money that we have, as well as, how do we view it? Is it something that I own and it's only for me? And is it taking away from the relationship I have with God and with others? Does it have a higher priority? ... So how do we, if need be, shift that view of money so that it's not "mine;" [but rather], it's "ours?" And how do we best utilize those assets for the most good and the most impact?" — Sister Sue Ernster reflects on poverty, wealth and economic justice as a guest on the Franciscan Spirituality Center's "What is Spirituality?" podcast hosted by Steve Spilde.
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FSPA has signed the pledge to demonstrate that we have taken meaningful and accountable steps to incorporate impact investments into our portfolio in alignment with Catholic Social Teaching and the urgency for action on environmental and social justice issues. Read the pledge and learn more about FSPA's involvement in the Francesco Collaborative and the Economy of Francesco by visiting fspa.org.
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In this episode of AdorationTalk, Sister Sarah Hennessey explains that adoration is both prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and a basic attitude of awe and wonder of the awareness of sacred mystery in our daily lives.
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Upcoming Events for Discerning Women |
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Tuesday Garden Green Thumb Gatherings
Every Tuesday | 12 - 6 p.m. CT | Villa St. Joseph
Join us in the gardens, greenhouse and orchard on FSPA land every Tuesday through October. Sisters, partners in mission, families and community members are invited to join us for planting, harvesting, weeding and whatever other projects we're working on that day.
Whether you wish to volunteer for half an hour or all six hours, we welcome everyone to join in the fun! Click here to learn more about this weekly event.
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Friday Virtual Adoration and Mass
Every Friday | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. CT via Zoom
Discerning women are invited to join FSPA for virtual adoration live from the Adoration Chapel located inside St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, WI.
Virtual adoration will pause at 11 a.m. and Mass will stream live from Mary of the Angels Chapel. Virtual adoration will resume again after Mass. Click here to access the Zoom link.
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Young Adult Creation Care Taizé Prayer & Happy Hour
Wednesday, June 22 | Old St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Chicago, IL
Taizé prayer: 6 p.m. CT | Happy hour: 6:30 p.m. CT
Are you a young adult in the Chicago area who is passionate about climate justice? Join Catholic Climate Covenant and OSP Encounter for a happy hour focused on creation care and integral ecology. Click here to learn more and register for this event.
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Sister Thea Bowman: Expressions of Sainthood
Thursday, June 23 | Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae, WI
Online: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. CT | In-person: 6:30 - 8 p.m. CT
The request for Sister Thea's canonization was initiated in 2018. She worked nationally and passionately on systemic racism. You will be inspired by the story of her life. Click here to register for this event. You should receive the Zoom link upon registration.
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Chicago Homicide Vigil with Chicago Catholic Sisters
Saturday, June 25 | 9:30 a.m. CT | Chicago, IL or via Zoom
Join us in praying with those affected by violence. Visit Chicago Homicide Vigils' Facebook page for more information about this monthly event and click here to access the Zoom link.
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Franciscan Day of Solitude
Wednesday, June 29 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CT | Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI
Yearning for a day to unplug and pause from the stresses and demands of life? You're invited to join us for a day of solitude at the FSC. We will gather together as a group to begin and end in prayer, spending the remainder of the day in solitude. Click here to learn more and register for this event.
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Woodland Wednesdays
Wednesday, July 6 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 2 - 5 p.m.CT | Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA
Summer is here, and it's a beautiful time to be outside in the woods, prairie and gardens! Are you interested in learning about prairie and woodland restoration, vegetable gardening and food forests, or just want to help Prairiewoods, drive tractors and move logs? Join the outdoors team every Wednesday for our regular volunteer hours. Click here to learn more about this weekly event.
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Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia
Monday, July 18 | Chicago, IL
Join Sister Julia Walsh for some coffee and friendly conversation. Email
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Words Good Enough To Eat
Friday, July 22 | 7 - 8:30 p.m. CT | The Fireplace, Chicago, IL
Join us for poetry reading, Q&A and book signing with Melody S. Gee, author of the poetry collections "The Convert's Heart is Good to Eat, The Dead in Daylight, and Each Crumbling House."
Stay for food, fellowship and an open mic for all guests to share a favorite piece of poetry, flash, micro, song lyric, prayer or other creative work! Click here to learn more and register for this event.
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Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration | Formation | 888-683-3772 | discerning@fspa.org
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