Dear Seeker,

Sometimes devotion to mercy and compassion requires bold actions. Many saints and martyrs in Church history reveal that holiness requires courage, risk-taking, and loud declarations. Yet, each of us are meant to discern how we are called to love: to consider which loving actions most authentically offer our gifts. And for some saints, such as St. Joseph—whose feast we celebrate this week—devotion is quiet and gentle. We don’t know for sure if St. Joseph was quiet, yet we often think of him this way. This could be because he doesn’t seem to have a speaking part in the stories of Scripture. Yet, if we consider some of his actions that lovingly offered protection to his wife Mary, and their son Jesus, it is apparent that his faithfulness was grounded in trust in God. He trusted his dreams and the messages that God sent into his soul as he slept. He took bold risks to protect life and enter into uncertainty when he accepted inevitable misunderstandings and took the pregnant Blessed Virgin Mary as his wife. And then again, he was brave and loving when he helped Mary and Joseph flee political danger in Bethlehem.

St. Joseph is an important holy figure for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The earliest members of our community had a special devotion to him, as they honored his feast day and trusted in his prayerful intercession. I wish I could go back in time and ask my sisters from 160 years ago how St. Joseph inspired them to live their faith. Although I can’t do that, I will join my sisters in celebrating the vigil of his feast day tonight and remember a story about quiet boldness from FSPA history: our Lard Light story. In 1865, on St. Joseph's Day, Mother Antonia made this promise: "Dear Lord, accept this poor light. It is the best we can give you now, but if you will help us and bless the community, we will one day establish perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and build for you as beautiful a chapel as our means will allow." The Feast of St. Joseph is a chance to reflect on the promises we each have made to God and what it means to make offerings to God, as we listen to the messages God is speaking today. If you seek a companion to help you sift through how God might be inviting you to live with bold and holy action, please feel free to reach out.

Peace & All Good,

Sister Julia Walsh

The Holy Spirit was at work at Los Angeles Religious Education Conference 2025, held Feb. 21-23 in Anaheim, California and attended by Sisters Rose Elsbernd, Laura Nettles and Julia Walsh, with partner in mission Jane Comeau.

Read "Recap: RECongress 2025" to learn more about the important connections that were made.

In 2024, as we celebrated 175 years of prayer, witness and service, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration gave gratitude for spaces that invite and nurture relationships with all in our Earth Community. These gifts include the Christine Center, a spirituality center located in Willard, Wisconsin, missioned to providing "a thriving and inclusive haven for seekers from many paths, transcending boundaries of nationality, culture and creed."

Read "My Perspective: Spirit and nature: Ecospirituality at the

Christine Center."

The following immigration prayers were collected by Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Georgia Christensen and arranged into a booklet. The poems within the booklet were submitted by FSPA sisters, affiliates, prayer partners and partners in mission on staff. Download the prayer booklet in both English and Spanish below.

In this video, Father James Martin, S.J. speaks on the topic of vocation. How can we know what we are called to do, and whom we are called to be?

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.

Feast of St. Joseph Vigil Prayer Service

Tuesday, March 18 | 6 p.m. CT

Mary of the Angels Chapel, La Crosse and online via Zoom

All are invited to join us in prayer in person or online. Click here to access the Zoom link.

Feast of St. Joseph Mass

Wednesday, March 19 | 11 a.m. CT

Mary of the Angels Chapel, La Crosse and online via Zoom

All are invited to join us in prayer in person or online. Click here to access the Zoom link.

Pathways of Peace: Food as Relationship Spring Table Retreat

Friday, March 21, 2025, 6:30 p.m. CT - Saturday, March 22, 2025, 4 p.m. CT

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA

Together we will explore with a learning community how spring sprouts provide opportunities to transform our relationships with self, others and Earth through our personal food choices. To deepen our understanding of all that the season has to offer, we'll draw on the wisdom of environmentalists, mystics, poets and contemporary sages.

Visit prairiewoods.org for more information and to register by Mar. 17.

Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia

Monday, March 24 | Dubuque, IA

All women discerning religious life are invited to join Sister Julia Walsh for coffee and friendly conversation in Dubuque. Email discerning@fspa.org for more information, including time and specific location.

Lenten Series: The Four Servant Song of Isaiah

Tuesday, March 25 | 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. CT | online via Zoom

In the Christian tradition, there is a section of the book of the Prophet Isaiah that has been used to describe Jesus' mission, death and resurrection. Join biblical scholar John McHugh as he explores each one of the four servant songs and what they mean for our Lenten journey today.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by Mar. 21.

Eco-Grief: Finding Hope Across Generations

Thursday, March 27 | 6:30 - 8 p.m. CT | online via Zoom

Join us for an inspiring and insightful webinar addressing eco-grief and climate anxiety. Featuring an expert in the field, this event will explore the emotional and spiritual impacts of the climate crisis and offer pathways to hope and resilience.

Visit tpr.retreatportal.com for more information and to register.

The Messiness of Faith: A Talk with Sister Julia Walsh

Thursday, March 27 | 7:00 p.m. CT | Loras College, Dubuque, IA

Join us for an evening of reflection and conversation with Sister Julia Walsh as she explores the "Messiness of Faith." A dynamic speaker, author and Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, Sister Julia invites us to embrace the complexities of faith, spirituality and community life.

Visit loras.edu for more information.

Open Hearts Young Women's Discernment Day

Saturday, March 29 | 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. CT

St. Thomas More Newman Center, Mankato, MN

Open Hearts is a day for young women to come together and be immersed in what it means to discern God's call while getting to know women in religious and consecrated life.

Click here for more information and to register.

Broken for All: Being the Body of Christ

Sunday, March 30 - Monday, March 31 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. CT

St. Anthony Catholic Church, Dubuque, IA

We each are members of the Body of Christ who are broken and part of the whole. Join Sister Julia Walsh for evenings of Lenten reflection centered on exploring the sacredness of brokenness and gaining insights into how brokenness can serve the common good.

Watercolor Painting for Beginners with Sister Karen Kappell

Monday, March 31 - Wednesday, April 2 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT

Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae, WI

This three-day workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day and be focused on the essentials of watercolor painting and exercises in the basics such as brush handling, control of lights and darks and learning controls with water and paint.

Visit marywoodsc.org for more information and to register.

Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia

Tuesday, April 8 | Chicago, IL

All women discerning religious life are invited to join Sister Julia Walsh for coffee and friendly conversation in Chicago. Email discerning@fspa.org for more information, including time and specific location.

Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia

Thursday, April 10 | Milwaukee, WI

All women discerning religious life are invited to join Sister Julia Walsh for coffee and friendly conversation in Milwaukee. Email discerning@fspa.org for more information, including time and specific location.

Screening of "The Letter: A Message for Our Earth"

Thursday, April 10 | 5 p.m. CT | Rivoli Theatre and Pizzeria, La Crosse, WI

In recognition of Earth Day, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration are hosting a free pizza and movie night on April 10 at the Rivoli Theatre. The evening begins at 5 p.m. with complimentary pizza, followed by a special screening of "The Letter: A Message for Our Earth" at 5:30 p.m.

Visit fspa.org for more information and to reserve your tickets.

Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross

Friday, April 18 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT

Meet at the corner of Market and 9th Streets in La Crosse, WI

This form of the Way of the Cross is a two-mile silent prayer walk from the heart of the city to the Mississippi River, stopping at 10 stations to sing, pray and reflect on injustices and suffering in our community and the world.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and email Sister Julia Walsh at discerning@fspa.org if you plan to attend.

FSPA Discernment Retreat

Monday, June 9 - Friday, June 13 | La Crosse, WI

Come meet the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and learn about our community history, charism and mission. During this discernment retreat and immersion into the FSPA community, you'll have opportunities to visit our sisters, pray in our adoration chapel, spend time at our motherhouse (St. Rose Convent), plus much more! This discernment retreat is open to single, Catholic women ages 18-45. This will be a chance for you to experience our modern lives and sacred traditions, and reflect on how the Spirit is moving in your life.

Click here to express your interest.

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

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

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