Dear Seeker,

Habemus Papam! In communion with people throughout the globe, our Franciscan community is rejoicing and thanking God for Pope Leo XIV's acceptance of his call to serve the Church, to witness for peace and to proclaim a path to unity. (And, we are, like most, surprised that a cardinal born in the United States was elected. Along with other members of FSPA, I am personally amazed that I graduated from the same theology school as Pope Leo XIV: Catholic Theological Union in Chicago!) 

Pope Leo XIV's first experience leading the Sunday Angelus prayers at the Vatican took place on the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on May 11, 2025, at which he proclaimed:

"I therefore have the joy of praying with you and all the People of God for vocations, especially those to the priesthood and consecrated life. The Church has such a great need for them! It is important that young men and women on their vocational journey find acceptance, listening and encouragement in their communities, and that they can look up to credible models of generous dedication to God and to their brothers and sisters … To young people, I say: 'Do not be afraid! Accept the invitation of the Church and of Christ the Lord!'"

Pope Leo XIV said yes to the call to share his gifts of servant leadership and serve as the servant leader of the Catholic Church. And you, too, are invited to say yes to the call to love and serve others, to be a witness of peace according to your unique giftedness and God's grace. Reach out anytime, I am happy to walk with you as you sort through your hopes and fears. I am praying you gain the courage to say "yes."

Peace & All Good,

Sister Julia Walsh

"Here's the simple (but not necessarily easy) truth of the Franciscan way: Letting go of attachments opens space for deeper awareness and visceral sense of the beauty all around us. This letting go is not a superficial acceptance of life's events. Instead, it's a deep awareness and acceptance of all that is interconnected."

Read "Living 'The Canticle of the Creatures'" written by FSPA affiliate Darleen Pryds and published in the St. Anthony Messenger.

Voces de la Frontera, a membership-based, immigrant-led organization dedicated to protecting and expanding civil rights and workers' rights, led May Day actions in Wisconsin on May 1 and 2. The annual event, also known as "A Day Without Immigrants and Workers," brought together thousands to demand justice for immigrant families.

On Friday, May 2, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Laura Nettles and Lucy Ann Meyer—along with FSPA partners in mission, immigrant families, workers and allies—raised their voices to demand driver's licenses for all, access to affordable education and an end to harmful anti-immigrant policies.

"We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love."

- Pope Leo XIV

We're filled with hope as newly elected Pope Leo XIV begins his work for a united Church. FSPA President Sister Sue Ernster had the honor of witnessing this historic moment. "Walking into St. Peter's Square, I overheard someone say "It's an Americano." I arrived just as newly elected Pope Leo XIV was starting to speak. The square was crowded with people of all ages, speaking all languages. It was truly the global church."

"Perhaps you feel that little stirring within you, that magnetic draw to follow your heart, but also that oh-my-God-is-this-for-real-cold-sweat fear that stops you dead in your tracks."

Read "Unravel the mystery of your call" written by Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M and published by the Vision Vocation Network.

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.

Click here to access the Zoom link.

How Can Contemplative Christianity Help Me?

Sunday, May 18 | 6-7:30 p.m. CT

Online (recorded)

At this online gathering, we'll explore the lineage and future of contemplative Christianity, including its origins, emphasis on practice over belief, and how it uniquely speaks to our challenges today.

Visit cac.org for more information and to register by May 17.

Saving and Restoring Whites in Watercolor with Sister Karen Kappell

Monday, May 26 - Friday, May 30 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT

Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae, WI

This week of watercolor will concentrate on several ways to keep whites and lights in watercolor paintings. Because of the transparency of watercolor, learning to do this can greatly enhance paintings and create a luminous feel.

Visit marywoodsc.org for more information and to register.

Evening Centering Prayer

Tuesday, May 27 | 5:30 - 7 p.m. CT

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA

This contemplative prayer form assists people in deepening relationships with God or the Source of All Being. Each evening invites participants to an opening check-in and two twenty-minute silent, centering sessions. Together, facilitator Judith Smith guides us to relax and attune our body, mind and spirit to the Indwelling Presence.

Visit prairiewoods.com for more information. Registration is not required.

Thelen-Benson Christophany Group

Wednesday, June 4 | 6 - 7:30 p.m. CT

Online via Zoom

This Christophany group meets online to discuss challenging books, articles, podcasts and webinars offered by the Center for Christogenesis and other resources seeking to integrate religion, science and technology to catalyze human evolution toward greater unity through religious renewal and convergence.

Visit prairiewoods.org for more information and to register.

The Power of Silence: June Silent Directed Retreat

Sunday, June 8, 5 p.m. CT - Saturday, June 14, 1 p.m. CT

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA

Silent directed retreats offer opportunities to enter into deep silence to sense what it feels like to awaken a quiet and palpable connection with the Source of All Being. Each day, you will receive ongoing direction as you and a professionally trained spiritual director intentionally listen to the movement

of the Source of All Being in your heart.

Visit prairiewoods.org for more information and to register by June 2.

Stories From the Southern Border

Thursday, June 12 | 5:30 - 7 p.m. CT

Online via Zoom

Do you feel called to learn more about the experiences of our immigrant brothers and sisters? Join Kennedy Cortes, FSPA communications associate, and Julie Helgerson, FSC program and retreat coordinator, as they share their immigration immersion experience and ways you can become an advocate for people on the move.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by June 9.

Creek Cleanup in Honor of Sister Water & The Canticle of the Creatures

Friday, June 13 | 9 - 11 a.m. CT

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA

Celebrate the life-giving force of water as depicted in St. Francis of Assisi's The Canticle of the Creatures, in which Sister Water is praised for her clarity, humility and preciousness. Together, we will care for creation by cleaning up our local creek, reflecting on our connection to nature and giving thanks for the gift of water.

Visit prairiewoods.org for more information. Registration is not required.

Nature Immersion in Love's Creation

Saturday, June 14 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CT

Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI

Creation is an outpouring of divine love. A foundational source of our healing and wholeness, nature immersion is a fundamental way we can experience Emmanuel: God with us. We will expand our embodied awareness of our spirituality and sacred interbeing with the practices of forest therapy, breathwork and gentle body movement.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by June 2.

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

Formation | 888-683-3772 | discerning@fspa.org

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