From the Desk of Sister Julia |
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Dear Seeker,
I’ve been thinking about passion and how its ingredients — intensity, enthusiasm, desire, heat, longings — relate to vocational discernment.
In my role as FSPA Minister of Discerners, I walk with people who are seeking meaning and belonging — who are hoping for clarity and confidence about the direction they are meant to go on their life path. I hear people share how they hope they can wholeheartedly say "yes" to God's will and "yes" to loving selflessly one day. Many hope for courage. And underneath the desires and hopes expressed, I hear an undercurrent revealing that the seeker is a passionate person. And this is good!
I often ask discerners to tell me what attracts them to the possibility of joining a Franciscan community — or religious life in general. Then I hear about beautiful passions: passions for justice, community, holiness, caring for the beauty of God’s creation and accompanying the poor and marginalized. Passion for building the Church. Passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A passion for sharing love. A passion for offering their whole selves to God.
I was thinking about all this passion as I listened to Sister Corrina Thomas, my FSPA Sister, speak so eloquently about how the vow of consecrated celibacy compels us to give our love to all in total self-giving. This bold, prophetic act requires a passionate disposition. As Sister Corrina says, our passionate offering of love, through the vow of consecrated celibacy, enables us to deepen our intimacy with Christ. In other words, by vowing consecrated celibacy, we are committing to imitate Jesus' way of sharing passionate love.
Related to passion and Jesus, it's not a coincidence that we call Jesus' suffering and death on the cross "the passion." True love, after all, involves much suffering. As we approach Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent on Feb. 22, you may want to join us in meditation on this truth. St. Francis of Assisi understood and embraced the call to love passionately; his love of Jesus was centered on the cross. St. Francis celebrated Lent five times a year by fasting and praying alone in a hermitage. Talk about passion!
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. No matter where we are in our journey with Christ, this holiday offers each of us a chance to reflect: What am I passionate about? To whom do I offer my passionate love? Who loves me? When have I felt most loved by God? How is the Spirit inviting me to love more passionately, through prayer, witness and action? Could celibate love be a great match for me? Am I sharing my love with all? How am I helping to build the beloved community of Christ?
Know that I am here for you, dear friend, happy to listen and accompany you as you sort through your passions and deepen your understanding of how you are called to love like Christ. If I can support you, please reach out!
Peace & All Good,
Sister Julia
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FSPA Welcomes New Candidate |
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"Whether there are 158 members or 12," shares Anna Taylor, who the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration welcome as a candidate for the congregation, "that common purpose of sharing life in the quest for God remains." Anna is pictured above (middle) with Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Amy Taylor (left) and Corrina Thomas (right).
To begin her pursuit of God and communal commitment to be loving presence through prayer, witness and service with the members of FSPA, Anna has moved to La Crosse, WI, to live in the congregation's formation community on the Motherhouse campus. Her journey to La Crosse began in Berea, Kentucky, where she grew up and graduated from Berea College with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. "Post-graduation, I committed to a year of service and moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota, to participate in the Franciscan Community Volunteers, a former ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls." Anna's service site was Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, where she assisted Spanish-speaking individuals apply for health insurance programs through the state.
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"Let's Get Real, " a video series about what is happening in religious life today, features Sister Corrina Thomas in their "Exploring the Vows Today: Section Three" episode. At the 24-minute mark, Sister Corrina begins speaking on "The Prophetic Nature of the Vow of Celibacy."
Click here and scroll down to the third row to watch the episode.
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Upcoming Events for Discerning Women |
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Prayer Experience Series
Every Tuesday | 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT | via Zoom
We are blessed with many ways to pray and reflect, including visio divina, silent prayer, songful prayer, embodied prayer, contemplative prayer and guided meditation. Join Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center for this ongoing prayer series via Zoom.
Click here to access the Zoom link. If prompted, please enter the meeting ID (739 543 244) and password (042717).
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Friday Virtual Adoration and Mass
Every Friday | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. CT | via Zoom
All are invited to join FSPA for virtual adoration live from the Adoration Chapel located inside St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, WI. Virtual adoration will pause at 11 a.m. and Mass will stream live from Mary of the Angels Chapel. Virtual adoration will resume again after Mass.
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Planting Your Feet in Midair
Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 | 9 - 11 a.m. | via Zoom
What would I do if I weren't afraid? What determines where I go and what I step into doing this day in my life? Do I need certainty or safety before I try new things? Am I game to risk new possibilities? It takes faith to ask these questions. O God help me…
Click here (and scroll down) for more information and to register for the Feb. 20 event.
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Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 | Los Angeles, CA
Join Sister Julia Walsh for some coffee and friendly conversation on Feb. 22 in Los Angeles, CA. Email [email protected] for more details, including time and specific location.
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Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 | Anaheim, CA
Join Sister Julia Walsh for some coffee and friendly conversation on Feb. 23 in Anaheim, CA. Email [email protected] for more details, including time and specific location.
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Pop Up FSPA Vocation Booth
Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 | Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
You're also welcome to follow the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration on their social media channels for updates throughout the day!
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The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 | 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. CT | via Zoom
There are four Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus. Although Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have similar themes, they each speak about Jesus in unique ways. Join John McHugh as he shares insights into select passages from all four Gospels.
Click here for more information and to register for the Feb. 28 event.
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Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program 23rd Annual Lecture
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 | 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. CT | Chicago and via Zoom
The purpose of the Tolton Lecture is to recognize and acknowledge Black Catholic theological/historical and cultural scholarship and to provide an arena for the sharing of this research and scholarship with the community at the Catholic Theological Union as well as the broader Church.
Click here for more information and to register for the March 1 event.
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Silent Directed Retreat Weekend
Friday, March 3, 3 p.m. - Sunday, March 5, 2 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 yourself through solitude and silence in a community of prayer. You will have a private, comfortable bedroom, delicious meals and a daily meeting with a spiritual director who will listen to you and your unfolding story.
Click here for more information and to register for the March event.
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Coffee and Mass with Sister Julia
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 | Chicago, IL
Join Sister Julia Walsh for coffee and Mass on March 7 in Chicago, IL. Email [email protected] for more details, including time and specific location.
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International Women's Day Celebration
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 | 5:30 - 7 p.m. CT
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Student Union
The International Women's Day Committee invites members of the La Crosse community and beyond to join in a celebration of International Women's Day. The celebration will consist of panelists from Honduras, Jordan and Nigeria discussing how women are celebrated in their country as well as their experiences in both their home country and the U.S.
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Catholic Sisters Week
Wednesday, March 8 - Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Catholic Sisters Week shines a light on the spirituality, mission and community building of women religious throughout the world. Various in-person and virtual events are happening all over the country.
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Asking the Questions, Living Into the Answers
Thursday, March 9 | 6 - 7 p.m. CT | via Zoom
Click here for more information and to register for the March 9 event.
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Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia
Saturday, March 11, 2023 | Milwaukee, WI
Join Sister Julia Walsh for some coffee and friendly conversation on March 11 in Milwaukee, WI. Email [email protected] for more details, including time and specific location.
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FSPA Discernment Group
Sunday, March 12 | 4 - 5 p.m. | via Zoom
Join Sister Julia Walsh for a discernment discussion on March 12 via Zoom. Email [email protected] for more details, including information on how to register.
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Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration | Formation | 888-683-3772 | discerning@fspa.org
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