Followers of St. Francis - Sister Meg |
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"Laughter could be heard wafting from the windows of Casa San Salvador, Franciscan Mission Service's house of hospitality and training center, which is tucked in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, DC. In the dining room, 13 individuals hailing from across the country gathered for dinner. This intergenerational group made a commitment to live simply in community while serving individuals experiencing economic poverty and marginalization through the ministry of presence, whether locally in DC or overseas. While this was not a new scene at Casa San Salvador, there was something novel about the 2021–2022 community.
Sister Meg Earsley, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA), sat at the table with her lay housemates, filling the room with a joy that radiates wherever she goes. She inspired her Casa housemates by sharing her love for cooking, playing Bananagrams, cleaning the kitchen, admiring creation, and leading prayer in the Casa chapel."
Read Franciscan Media's most recent "Followers of St. Francis" feature spotlighting Sister Meg Earsley.
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Pope Francis released his Laudato Si' encyclical in 2015, an urgent call to ecological sustainability. And in 2021, he invited all of us to take significant action. Building on our Franciscan legacy of caring for creation, FSPA accepted Pope Francis' invitation and committed to the seven-year journey for the greater good known as the Laudato Si' Action Platform.
"We need a new ecological approach that can transform our way of dwelling in the world, our styles of life, our relationship with the resources of the Earth and, in general, our way of looking at humanity and of living life," Pope Francis said in a video message in May of 2021. And we promise to make our voices heard whenever opportunities arise.
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Pope Francis has also invited and challenged us to join the solidarity economy, the Economy of Francesco, a worldwide movement aimed to change the current economic models and craft a future that is more inclusive and just.
Sister Sue Ernster recently shared her thoughts on impact investing and shareholder advocacy in our spring issue of Perspectives Magazine. Click here to read more!
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Religious Life is a Movement of the Spirit |
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"Since the birth of the Church at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has stirred in the hearts of the faithful and called upon some to commit to the Gospel through the evangelical counsels: the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Today the Spirit continues to stir within the hearts of those who love Jesus. Some are called to commit themselves to live a life of prayer, service and community as consecrated people — people set aside for special purposes for God.
Ultimately, religious life is a movement of the Holy Spirit. We know that God can't be put in a box. And the Holy Spirit is especially a living, breathing, animating force that can't be controlled or contained."
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Upcoming Events for Discerning Women |
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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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Driftless Area BioBlitz: Moth Mania
Saturday, July 23 | 7 - 9:30 p.m. CT | Villa St. Joseph, near La Crosse, WI
All are invited to join us on FSPA land on St. Joseph Ridge as we learn about moths and other nocturnal insects from Viterbo University biology professor Ted Wilson! Click here to learn more about this event.
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Tuesday Garden Green Thumb Gatherings
Every Tuesday | 12 - 6 p.m. CT | Villa St. Joseph, near La Crosse, WI
Sisters, partners in mission, families and community members are invited to
join us in the gardens, greenhouse and orchard on FSPA land every Tuesday through October.
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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Woodland Wednesdays
Every Wednesday | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 2 - 5 p.m. CT | Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA
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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Lunch and Prayer with Sister Julia
Thursday, July 28 | St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, WI
Join Sister Julia Walsh for lunch and prayer at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, WI. Email [email protected] for more details – including time specific information.
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Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia
Wednesday, August 3 | Minocqua, WI
Join Sister Julia Walsh for some coffee and friendly conversation. Email
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Meditation for Emotional Health
Thursday, August 4 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. CT | Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI
All are welcome to join us for a time of rejuvenation through videoconferencing. We'll start with a guided meditation that includes relaxed breathing, a body scan and a visualization. Afterward, we will have a brief discussion.
Click here for more information and to register for this event.
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St. Clare of Assisi Feast Day Celebration
Thursday, August 11 | Chicago, IL
Join us in celebrating St. Clare of Assisi. Email [email protected] for more details – including time and specific location.
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Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia
Sunday, August 14 | Chicago, IL
Join Sister Julia Walsh for some coffee and friendly conversation. Email
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Ai Chi
Monday, August 15 | 1 - 2 p.m. CT | Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center | Arbor Vitae, WI
Similar to Qigong and Tai Chi, Ai Chi is a total body spiritual practice done in the water, meant to help with focus and coordination. It uses slow body movement with deep breathing.
Come join us in an introduction to Ai Chi by gazing at the serene waters of Trout Lake. Click here for more information and to register for this event.
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Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia
Wednesday, August 17 | Milwaukee, WI
Join Sister Julia Walsh for some coffee and friendly conversation. Email
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Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration | Formation | 888-683-3772 | discerning@fspa.org
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