FSPA Truth and Healing Statement |
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We are a religious congregation with a history of administering a Native American boarding school during the era of assimilating Indigenous children into Euro-American culture.
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration support the legislation to establish the Truth and Healing Commission on the Indian Boarding School Policy Act in the United States.
As we study more deeply our own history and impact at St. Mary’s Boarding School in Odanah, Wisconsin, from 1883 to 1969, we recognize that the work cannot wait any longer. As members of The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, we’re proactively working with the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer in Odanah to learn how we can contribute our archival records to both the tribe and NABS’ online database resources center.
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Sister Thea Bowman Relationships |
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Sister Thea inspires FSPA relationships and legacies of healing
"'I know that God is using me in ways beyond my comprehension.' When Sister Thea Bowman uttered these words, she didn’t know that her charism would impact this non-Catholic, Christian, middle-aged, Black and single mom.
In 2018 an unlikely relationship would begin because a kind, inquisitive, mild-mannered white woman approached me in an airport in Atlanta, Georgia — Sister Marla Lang. She showed me a book about Thea and introduced me to two of her friends who shared the same beautiful countenance, Sisters Eileen McKenzie and Helen Elsbernd, all Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. We toured Canton, Mississippi, the hometown of Sister Thea, and I knew we would be connected for the rest of our lives. I had no idea how or why," says Juanita Sims Doty Foundation executive director Karla McCullough, Ph.D.
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FSPA Land on St. Joseph Ridge |
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Franciscan sisters' land ethic invites local community to garden, explore, learn
"For more than a century, the grounds of Villa St. Joseph of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have been mostly private property. But that's slowly changing.
On many days, across the sprawling acreage of grassy hills, hearty gardens, walnut plantations and restored oak savannah, you can find volunteers, students and others looking to learn from the land.
Indeed, the estimated 200 acres roughly a dozen miles east of the Mississippi River have become a living classroom for the wider La Crosse community here in western Wisconsin.
'This has been very privately held for a century plus, and it's just slowly opening up by invitation to people,' said Beth Piggush, the congregation's integral ecology director."
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Upcoming Events for Discerning Women |
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Virtual adoration and Mass: every Friday
Friday, Nov. 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2021 | 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, Wisconsin.
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.
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Lighting the Flame: The Origins of Mayo Clinic Health System
Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 | 12 - 1 p.m. CT via Zoom
Join us for a special showing of the newest edition in the award-winning Mayo Clinic Heritage Film series. Featuring original music and illustrations, the film artfully recounts the founding of the first hospital in Western Wisconsin, including the pivotal, pioneering role of FSPA and their collaboration with
early physicians of the era including Drs. Archie and George Skemp.
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Laudato Si' Action Platform news and FSPA's journey ahead
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 | 12 - 1 p.m. CT via Zoom
Join FSPA for the eleventh Lunch & Learn in the Eco in Action series presented by Beth Piggush, FSPA integral ecology director, on November 9th. Join us as we learn about the FSPA Laudato Si' commitment, how ongoing efforts fit under the seven goals and how FSPA will develop future programs and projects to increase our action.
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Virtual Adoration live from the Adoration Chapel
Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. CT via Zoom
Befriending our fears in the way of St. Francis
Conversation and spiritual practice with St. Francis expert, Jon M. Sweeny
Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 | 4 - 5:30 p.m. CT at The Fireplace
5045 S. Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL 60615 | Click here to learn more.
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Unveiling Religious Life Panel Discussion: Am I called?
Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 | 12 p.m. CT via Zoom
To celebrate National Vocations Week, all are welcome to join us for the first of three Unveiling Religious Life Panel Discussions. The topic of this session is “Am I Called?” and the panelists include: a Jesuit Scholastic, a Sister of St. Joseph, a Josephite Father and a Sister with the Daughters of St. Paul.
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Lived Reality on the Rio Grande: Seeking a Home
Monday, Nov. 15, 2021 | 4 - 5 p.m. CT via Zoom
Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020, Sister Norma Pimentel serves as the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. Sister Norma and the organization are committed to making the best effort in responding to the needs of the people in their community, working tirelessly to provide humanitarian assistance to many immigrant families.
Join the FSPA Encuentro@TheBorder Team for this special presentation.
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Praying with Sisters: last Tuesday of the month
Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 | 7 p.m. CT via Zoom
Pray the Sunday scripture with Catholic Sisters and other women of faith on the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. Central. This online event, hosted by the Dubuque Area Vocation Association (DAVA), is designed for single women between the ages of 18 and 45. Click here for more information.
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Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration | Formation | 888-683-3772 | discerning@fspa.org
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