Dear Seeker,

"We may sometimes find ourselves struggling with understanding God's logic," notes Sister Norma Pimentel, M.J., in "A reflection for Palm Sunday." I agree, and I can see how the story of Holy Week that we meditate on this week parallels our lives. When Jesus allowed his final days to unfold in Jerusalem, he was modeling for us that we are called to say "yes to the mystery." Similarly, vocational discernment challenges us to go to the depths of mystery and struggle. Just as Jesus said "yes to the mystery" of God's love at the Eucharistic table, in the Garden of Gethsemane, and then upon the cross at Calvary, we must also surrender to God's ways, even without understanding. As we do, we are often able to experience the new life that emerges from the power of love, love that is revealed in the sacredness of our own lives. This is evidenced in the vocation story about global sisterhood that Sister Eileen McKenzie shares below. If you are at a point of wanting to explore the mysteries of God's love and share new life through Franciscan community, prayer and service, please don't hesitate to reach out. God is eager to receive your "yes." Blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter!

Peace & All Good,

Sister Julia Walsh

"I discovered my Franciscan vocation over 25 years ago when I served as a lay woman with the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis in their Cameroon province," shares Sister Eileen McKenzie.

"What I discovered about myself as I lived and worked with the sisters was that religious life offered more."

Listen to Sister Eileen share the experience of discovering her call to serve as a Franciscan sister here.

"A vocation is a precious gift that God sows in our heart, a call to leave ourselves behind and embark on a journey of love and service. Every vocation in the Church, whether lay, ordained or consecrated, is a sign of the hope that God has for this world and for each of his children."

In honor of the 62nd anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on May 11, Pope Francis extends a "joyful and encouraging invitation to become pilgrims of hope by generously offering your lives as a gift."

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.

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.

Earth Day Celebration of The Canticle of the Creatures

Tuesday, April 22 | 12-1 p.m. or 5-6 p.m. CT

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA

This Earth Day walk celebrates the interconnectedness of all life, inspired by the timeless words of St. Francis of Assisi. It will include a reflective reading of The Canticle of the Creatures, a guided walk through the Prairiewoods trails and a community prayer and commitment to care for our planet.

Click the following links for more information and to register by April 21:

Session 1: 12-1 p.m. or Session 2: 5-6 p.m.

Canticle of the Sun

Wednesday, April 23 | 6-7:30 p.m. CT

Online via Zoom

With a candle flame and a bowl of water, we will contemplate elements that St. Francis of Assisi celebrated to praise the Lord. We'll rejoice with Marty Haugen's song based on St. Francis' 1224 Canticle.

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

La Crosse Neighbors Day

Saturday, April 26 | 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT

The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Drive, La Crosse, WI

Neighbors Day is an annual, community-wide event to help our neighbors get their yards ready for spring. Volunteers team up to rake leaves, wash windows and trim shrubs.

Visit habitatlacrosse.org for more information and to sign up to volunteer. All FSPA sisters, affiliates, prayer partners and partners in mission are invited to join the FSPA volunteer team here.

Multi-Faith Earth Day Worship: Rooted Together in Place

Saturday, April 26 | 4 p.m. CT

The Nature Place, 789 Myrick Park Dr, La Crosse, WI

This multi-faith and spiritual worship service brings us together to honor our individual roots of faith, spirituality or values practices around Creation. We'll join together in ritual, song and reflection to celebrate and honor the sacredness of place.

Visit fspa.org for more information. No resistration necessary.

Enhancing Watercolor Techniques

Large Brush and Brusho Watercolor Paints with Sister Karen Kappell

Thursday, May 1, 9 a.m. - Saturday, May 3, 3 p.m.

Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae, WI

Painting with a large brush is one of the best ways to add a dramatic look. Brusho paints are colorful particle pigments that can be used with the large brush painting technique.

Visit marywoodsc.org for more information and to register. 

Spirituality in the 21st Century

The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality & Our Quest for an Inspired Life

Monday, May 5 and Tuesday, May 6

First Lutheran Church (1000 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA) & online

Join Dr. Lisa Miller, Professor of Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, as we delve deeply into spirituality and how it correlates with a healthy brain. 

Visit prairiewoods.org for more information and to register.

Being Members of the Broken Body

Tuesday, May 6 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT

Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center, Arbor Vitae, WI

Join author Sister Julia Walsh for a time of reflection centered on exploring the sacredness of brokenness and gain insights into how our beautiful brokenness can serve the common good.

Visit marywoodsc.org for more information and to register.

Spiritual Writing: Staying Open to Sacred Mystery

Tuesday, May 6 | 5-7 p.m. CT

Frank B Koller Memorial Library, Manitowish Waters, WI

This writing workshop will explore best practices for the craft of spiritual writing. Participants will consider how writing can be a form of spiritual exploration and reverence, no matter which religious tradition or spirituality influences the writer's message.

Visit marywoodsc.org for more information and to register.

Silent Directed Retreat

Friday, May 9, 2 p.m. CT - Sunday, May 11, 1 p.m. CT

Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI

A silent directed retreat is an invitation to deepen your connection to the Sacred and to your inner wisdom through solitude and silence. You will have a private, comfortable bedroom, delicious meals and sessions with a spiritual director who will listen to you and your unfolding story.

Visit fscenter.org for more information and to register by April 28.

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.

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

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.

FSPA Charism Immersion for Discerners

Monday, June 9 - Friday, June 13

St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, WI

During this discernment retreat and immersion into the FSPA community, you'll have opportunities to meet our sisters, pray in our adoration chapel, spend time at our motherhouse (St. Rose Convent), plus much more!

Visit fspa.org for more information and to express your interest by April 30.

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

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

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