Dear Seeker,

Two days ago, we stood in line and received a reminder of our mortality. "Remember you are dust, and to dust you will return," we heard, as ashes were smeared into our brows. Before the ashes were distributed, we meditated on the word of God:

Even now, says the LORD,

return to me with your whole heart,

with fasting, and weeping, and mourning.

(Joel 2:12)

This holy season, Lent, is a time to remember and return, to renew our relationships with God and each other. The practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving invite us into humility and truth: they help us become more aware of how much we need God, how much our hearts have wavered from our baptismal promises to avoid sin and walk as children of the light. Despite our attempts to steadfastly shine God's goodness and love to others, the reality is that we each are in need of God's help and grace.

For many Christians, the journey of Lent, an opportunity to be more aware and to return to God wholeheartedly, often reveals deeper insights into who a person truly is and how they might reorder their lives. The FSPA discernment office is here to serve you as you explore how Christ is guiding you. I will be praying that your Lenten journey is clarifying and full of many graces. Please don't hesitate to reach out. I hope to hear from you soon!

Peace & All Good,

Sister Julia Walsh

Servant of God Thea Bowman's journey to sainthood reached a major milestone recently as the diocesan phase of her canonization cause came to an end. Bishop Joseph Kopacz was principal celebrant and homilist of a Feb. 9 Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson, which was followed by the closing session.

Visit fspa.org to read "Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman's path to canonization takes important step forward" in its entirety.

"When considering the path of religious life or consecrated life, the question arises: Should individuals date before engaging in serious discernment?"

Sister Lisa Laguna, sister and vocation director with the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, shares her thoughts about dating and discernment in her recent TikTok video. Click here to watch it.

Vocational discernment is about reflecting on our journeys and considering which lifestyle will help us to be our "true self."

"Writer, podcaster and the official chaplain of Colbert Nation, Father James Martin, tells Stephen about the life lessons he learned at jobs as varied as dishwasher and corporate executive, and how each functioned as a step on his path towards the priesthood."

Click here to watch the clip from The Late Show with Steven Colbert.

"For over a decade, the Ignatian Solidarity Network has nourished 'a faith that does justice' across the Jesuit and Catholic network through its annual Lenten reflection series. Since 2023, the daily reflections have been accompanied by audio recordings, providing an increasingly popular way to individually and communally journey over the liturgical season."

Click here to learn more and subscribe to the free Lenten series.

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.

Praying for Peace

Every Wednesday I 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT I online via Zoom

Churches for Middle East Peace invites you to pray for peace in light of recent events in Gaza, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. 

Visit cmep.org to register.

Lectio Lent Series

Feb. 22, March 1, 8, 15 and 22 I 6 - 7 p.m. CT I online via Zoom

During this Lenten season, the Franciscan Federation invites you to enter more deeply into the Gospel through the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, a prayerful reading of Scripture that opens the heart to God's presence. Over five Sundays, we will reflect on the Sunday readings and explore how the Spirit calls us, as Franciscans, to walk the way of peace, justice and conversion of heart.

Click here to learn more and register.

Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia

Feb. 23 | Memphis, TN

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

Pax Christi USA's Monday Night Lenten Prayer Service

Feb. 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 I 7:30-8 p.m. CT I online via Zoom

All are invited to join us for Pax Christi USA's weekly Lenten prayer service. The prayer service, with Scripture readings, short reflections, prayers of the faithful, and more, will be approximately 30 minutes and help us focus on our own participation in being the peace of Christ in a world shattered by war, violence, suffering and greed.

Click here to register.

Poetry of the Paschal Mystery: Death, Resurrection and the Lenten Journey

Feb. 25 I 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT I online via Zoom

This Lenten reflection offers a gentle, contemplative space to accompany one another through Lent, listening for the ways God speaks in beauty, symbol, emotion and story as we journey from ashes toward Easter dawn.

Visit relforcon.org to learn more and register.

Time to Act for Citizenship

Feb. 26 I 6 - 7 p.m. CT I online via Zoom

Join Franciscan Action Network for a timely webinar offering a clear overview of the current immigration landscape, a faith-rooted reflection on why a pathway to citizenship matters and practical ways to take action.

Visit franciscanactionnetwork.org to sign up.

Introduction to the Enneagram

Feb. 27 I 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT

Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI

The Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and others, and refers to nine different personality styles. In this introduction to the Enneagram, you will learn about the gifts and challenges of your personality style, how to grow beyond your default way of doing things and how to better understand people with other styles.

Visit fscenter.org to register by Feb. 23.

Formed & Restored: A Journey through Clay & Kintsugi

Feb. 27, 6:30 p.m. CT - Feb. 28, 4 p.m. CT

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA

Find meaning while creating and repairing pottery in the ancient art of Kintsugi. This retreat is a space to remember: You are not discarded. You are not defined by your brokenness. You are being made new — more beautiful, more whole, and more true than before.

Visit prairiewoods.org to register by Feb. 26.

Christmas in Lent

March 10, 17, 24 and 31 I 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. CT

Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI or online via Zoom

Out of the four Gospels, only Matthew and Luke narrate the details of Jesus' birth. The brilliance of those Gospels is that those infancy narratives about Jesus point spectacularly to his death and resurrection as the key moments of salvation. Biblical scholar John McHugh will explore both the obvious and hidden ways the Christmas story makes sense during our Lenten journey.

Visit fscenter.org to register by March 6.

How Do We Find Hope in Hard Times?

March 13 I 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. CT I online via Zoom

At this live 90-minute online gathering, Center for Action and Contemplation staff member Drew Jackson, Dean of Faculty Carmen Acevedo Butcher and guests Cole Arthur Riley and Jon Batiste will guide attendees through teachings and practices for finding hope amid personal loss, social unrest and collective uncertainty.

Visit cac.org to register by March 12.

Mass & Lunch with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

March 15 I 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CT

St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, WI

All are invited to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration for Mass in Mary of the Angels Chapel, followed by lunch at St. Rose Convent.

Email discerning@fspa.org to sign up.

Young Women's Discernment Day

March 21 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT

Lourdes High School, 2800 10th Street NW, Rochester, MN

An opportunity for young women to explore the beauty of religious life, meet religious women who are responding to God's loving invitation to total consecration, and encounter different religious communities.

Click here to learn more and register.

Let Us Pray...

March 25 I 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CT
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA

This engaging session invites you to experience a variety of prayer styles — including affirmative prayer, doodling as prayer and other innovative approaches — to deepen and personalize your spiritual practice.

Visit prairiewoods.org to register by March 24.

Day of Prayer and Action with FSPA

March 28 I 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT
St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, WI

Young adults and people discerning their vocation are invited to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration for a day of prayer, conversation, and hands-on service in the La Crosse community. This is an invitation to step inside the heart of their mission — and to experience what it means to be the heart, hands and feet of Jesus in our world today.

Visit fspa.org to register by March 20.

Dear Younger Me: A Journey of Reflection, Forgiveness & Renewal

April 7, 14, 21 and 28 | 5:30 - 8 p.m. CT

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA

Step away from the noise of daily life and enter a sacred space designed for deep reflection and soul renewal. Dear Younger Me is a transformative retreat that invites you to embark on an intimate journey of self-discovery, healing and connection with God's boundless love.

Visit prairiewoods.org to register by Apr. 6.

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

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

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