From the Desk of Sister Julia
Dear Seeker,

For Franciscans, Lent is a time to become a bit more focused on the values we hold precious in every season: continual conversion, humility, contemplation and poverty. St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi understood themselves to be penitents, and throughout the season of Lent, the entire Catholic Church reorients herself to acts of penance. Prayer is contemplative, meaning we each deepen our communion with Christ. Almsgiving expresses our poverty — nothing is for us to cling to our own, all is gift that ought to be freely shared. Fasting invites us to humility and conversion — we get in touch with the truth of who we are and surrender ourselves to God's grace so we can better reflect Christ's love with the world.

No matter what you are searching for or who you are becoming, you are welcome to join the Church in the acts of Lenten actions to renew your spirit and prepare for the feast of the Easter season in 40 days time. Visit fspa.org for a list of Lenten resources and check out what Ignatian Solidarity Network is offering. Each year I appreciate the simple Lenten meatless recipes from Catholic Relief Services that introduce me to foods from other cultures. However you choose to pray, fast and give to grow closer to God, may your Lent be blessed with many graces!

Peace & All Good,

Sister Julia Walsh
FSPA investing 'to help the world'
"Pope Francis is asking us to disrupt the economy," states Sister Sue Ernster in the National Catholic Reporter article, "Catholic sisters continue to revise and refine how they invest to help the world."

"So how can we invest in a way that disrupts the current economy, which keeps people from participating? Our system is not equal for everything."

Visit ncronline.org to read the full article.
Beyond the Habit Podcast: Shine Bright
In the Nov. 7, 2023, Beyond the Habit podcast episode, Sisters Colleen Gibson and Erin McDonald, both Sisters of St. Joseph, interview composer and musician Sister Sally Koch, a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet. They discuss how music can connect us to our spirituality, the importance of women lifting each other up and the creative process.

Visit beyondthehabitpod.com to listen to the episode.
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.
Reflecting on "A Fast That Matters" with Frida Berrigan
Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. CT | online via Zoom

The Daniel Berrigan Collective invites all to a conversation with Frida Berrigan, author of Pax Christi USA's 2024 Lenten reflection book, "A Fast That Matters."

Visit paxchristiusa.org for more information and to register.
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 | 7 p.m. CT
St. Mary Church, 105 Herrick Road, Riverside, IL

All are invited to join Sister Julia Walsh for a Lenten evening of reflection in Illinois. Visit stpaulviparish.org (under "Lenten Mission Speakers") for more information and email Sister Julia at [email protected] if you plan to attend.
Taizé Prayer
Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 | 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The Fireplace Community, 5045 S Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL

Join community members Cassidy Klein and Greg Sutherland as they lead ecumenical Christian prayer in the style of Taizé. No experience required.

Email Sister Julia at [email protected] if you plan to attend.
"Broken for All:" A Lenten Mission with Sister Julia
Feb. 26, 27 and 28, 2024 | 6:30 - 8 p.m. CT each night
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 812 N Jackson Street, Milwaukee, WI

Guided by Sister Julia Walsh, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration and author of "For Love of the Broken Body," we will reflect on how we are meant to be blessed, broken and shared as members of the Body of Christ.

Visit threeholywomenparish.org for more information and email Sister Julia at [email protected] if you plan to attend.
The Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross (series)
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 | 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. CT
Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI

For hundreds of years, it has been a tradition in Christian churches to reflect on Jesus' final words from the cross on Good Friday and during the season of Lent. Join biblical scholar John McHugh as he explores those words of Jesus and how they were mirrored in his public ministry.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by Feb. 19.
Silent Directed Retreat
Sunday, Mar. 3, 1 p.m. - Friday, Mar. 8, 9 a.m.
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.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by Feb. 18.
Catholic Sisters Week 2024
Friday, Mar. 8 - Thursday, Mar. 14, 2024

Catholic Sisters Week is celebrated every March during Women's History Month to honor current women religious and to remember those who have passed away.

All are invited to check out the list of Catholic Sisters Week events at catholicsistersweek.org (be sure to filter the date range to "this year").
Coffee & Chat with Sister Julia
Wednesday, Mar. 13 - Saturday, Mar. 16, 2024 | New York City, New York

Sister Julia Walsh will be attending the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and would love to grab a cup of coffee with any women discerning religious life while she's visiting "The Big Apple." Email [email protected] to make arrangements.
For Love of the Broken Body Conversation
Monday, Mar. 18, 2024 | 4 - 8 p.m. CT
Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL and online via Zoom

Sister Chioma Ahanihu, Director of the Center for the Study of Consecrated Life, will join Sister Julia Walsh in conversation to discuss themes in Sister Julia's forthcoming spiritual memoir, For Love of the Broken Body.

Visit ctu.edu for more information and to access the Zoom link.
Mass & Coffee with Sister Julia
Wednesday, Mar. 20 | Chicago, IL

All discerning women are invited to join Sister Julia Walsh for Mass and coffee in Chicago. Email [email protected] for more details, including time and specific location.
Life Beyond Borders: A Maryknoll Mission Discernment Retreat
Thursday, Mar. 28 - Sunday, Mar. 31, 2024 | El Paso, Texas

All (21 and older) are invited to discern their call as a priest, brother, sister or lay missioner through this Easter Triduum encounter with Christ on today's borders.

Visit mklm.org for more information and to register for the March event.
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration | Formation | 888-683-3772 | discerning@fspa.org