"Harmony of Resilience"

Astronaut-Violinist Sarah Gillis performs from space

Sister Nina Shephard shared this performance of Sarah Gillis playing with students from around the world while on the Polaris Dawn spaceflight. She became the first human to play the violin while in space. You can watch the video here or read more about her interview on space flight and music. "In introducing the music video, called 'Harmony of Resistance,' Gillis said that 'as we travel around our beautiful planet Earth on this five-day mission, we wanted to share this special moment with you. Bringing together global talent, this performance symbolizes unity and hope, highlighting the resilience and potential of children everywhere.'"

St. Anthony's Spirituality Center is located in Marathon, WI. Previously a Capuchin monastery, it now offers hospitality, retreats, and spiritual direction. It serves as a center for renewal, community, and peace-making. This was my third visit here, but the first for a renewal ceremony for our local affiliates from the companion communities the Earth Pilgrims and W.W.W. Gathered behind the brick walls of the monastery, we sat in the chapel and came together in song, reflection, and renewal. Afterward, we met in the Assisi Room to discuss opportunities and collaboration between St. Anthony's and affiliation, we joined a group of priests for Mass, and we had lunch in the monastery dining room. I am grateful to have been able to meet in this sacred space and share in meaningful conversations with this wonderful group of affiliates.

September and October are months of travel. On Sunday, I spent the morning in Winona, MN gathering with a Unitarian congregation to share about the theme of acceptance, and the idea that spiritual growth is often seen as an internal journey, but unless we choose to encounter others, the journey may be limited to our own narrow reflection. You can listen to my talk here. This weekend I head to the Siena Retreat Center in Racine, WI for a Franciscan Federation Gathering, and a Midwest Kindred Spirits retreat. And later this month I travel to Spokane, WA to spend time with our companion community, the Francis Companions, followed in late October with a trip to Washington D.C. to join Sister Julia Walsh at the Ignatian Family Teach-In where we will have a FSPA Booth.

I look forward to seeing many of you during these upcoming weeks when we meet for the Provocative Movement's Gathering (links to the virtual sessions will be shared later) and the Fall Commitment Ceremony and Gathering.

Celebrating anniversaries were affiliates Barb Ceranski, Joanne Schlaefer, Terri Sersch, Mary Jane Cramer, and Adele DiNatale-Svetnicka.

The monastery halls.

In peace and goodness,

Michael Krueger

Please feel free to reach out to me at mkrueger@fspa.org or 608-668-2588 (ext. 652) with any questions. Office Hours can be found at end of newsletter.

In this week's Franciscan Journey, a reminder about a number of upcoming events. We also remember affiliate Darlene Wozney, and celebrate Linda and Pat Kerrigan.

This is the second mystic retreat being offered as a part of a series that began in the spring with Sister Joan Weisenbeck's introduction to the mystics. You can watch a recording of that presentation here. Join the virtual companion communities and Sister Karen Kappel as we learn more about the mystic, poet, musician, prophet, herbalist Hildegard of Bingen. Attached is a short bio of Hildegard along with some prayers that will be shared, and also a link to the 1944 film on her life for background.

Season of Creation Mass

Sunday, 9/29 at 6:00 PM

FSPA Land on St. Joseph's Ridge

All are invited to join us for an evening Mass celebrating the Season of Creation. Parking will be available on-site (carpooling is encouraged) and refreshments will be provided. This event is co-hosted by Viterbo Campus Ministry and the FSPA Integral Ecology Team.

Fall Commitment Ceremony and Gathering

Friday, 10/11 at 6:00 PM and Saturday, 10/12

Hybrid - at St. Rose or Join with Zoom Link (for Gathering)

If you are still interested in attending the Fall Gathering, please RSVP by early next week. You can read more about the gathering at the link. As a reminder, our morning speaker will be Rick Kyte, Director of the DB Reinhart Institute for Ethics at Viterbo who will be discussing his book "Finding Your Third Place." We will also be doing a collection for the East Moline Early Learning Center. The companion community SONbeams will be discussing this center's impact on their community. See handout for the school supplies that are needed.

For those of you attending the Commitment Ceremony at 6:00 pm we will be celebrating the anniversaries of Joan Gerhards (35), Cindy Sjolander (20), Jan Schneider (15), Jeanne Wells (10), Tom Smith (5), and RaeAnn Thomas (5). The ceremony will also be streamed.

The Affiliation Operating Board met on August 8th. To read a summary of the of the meeting click here. The board next meets on November 14th.

“The stories of the early sisters are filled with hardship and suffering, but also iron wills of determination, hearts of faithful purpose and bodies that endured only through courage,” shares pilgrim and Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Rose Elsbernd. In reflection of the experience, she says, “Today I ask myself if I am willing to move into the future with similar zeal and courage to take risks. I pray that I can.”

St. Francis of Assisi

Monastery hallway at St. Anthony's Spiritualty Center

Friday Virtual Adoration & Mass

You are invited to join adoration every Friday from 8am-8pm, streamed from the Adoration Chapel. There will be a pause at 11am for Mass (which you can watch at the same link), followed by adoration again. You are welcome to use this Prayer Hour Aide during adoration. Join via Zoom here.