With our whole being, in Relationship, Gospel Living and Unity in Diversity, may we give witness to the goodness that is all around us.

Photo by Kevin Buelow

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Mary Ann Gschwind was chosen as the 2024 Oktoberfest Maple Leaf Parade Marshal, leading the procession on Sept. 28. During a reveal event on Sept. 18, Sister Mary Ann shared with the crowd, “This recognition, from my perspective, is for all of us Franciscan Sisters as we celebrate 175 years since our founding in Milwaukee." Read more and watch La Crosse-area news coverage of the announcement at fspa.org.

The La Crosse Public Library is sharing the podcast series, "Dark La Crosse Stories," including FSPA's history of complicity as administrators of St. Mary's Indian Boarding School in Odanah, Wisconsin, told in two parts. Episode 57, "The Invasion," is about the persecution and forced movement of Indigenous people — the Ho-Chunk peoples (click here to watch on YouTube), and Episode 63, "St. Mary's Boarding School," focuses on the school with an overview of the the Federal Indian Boarding School era (watch it above). To learn more about FSPA's ministry of Truth and Healing, visit fspa.org.

Loyola Marymount University Professor Michael Howard recently hosted an online discussion focusing on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration and Servant of God Thea Bowman. The event highlighted how the two prophetic figures intersect in their commitment to justice, unity and faith, reflecting the essence of Jesus’ prayer for all believers. Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Laura Nettles spoke about Sister Thea's dedication to advocacy for African Americans within the Catholic Church. Read more and watch the video at fspa.org.

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Celesta Day is our new featured artist, celebrated as part of FSPA's 175th anniversary of prayer, witness and service in our visual art experience. Visit fspa.org to read about her ministry of art, watch her video interview, view her gallery and experience the works of other FSPA artists as well. Stay tuned for new artists, interviews, stories and galleries as we share them throughout 2024.

“Listen to your heart (or your gut) and ALLOW wisdom to emerge. We are wisdom people!” shares Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Marlou Ricke in our new story series, "Wells of Wisdom." Crafted by Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Karen Lueck, Wells of Wisdom are tales she tells of FSPA in their 70s, 80s and 90s, "too rich to be ignored." Experience Sister Marlou's story of spiritual direction, her published work of poetry and her experience of becoming a clown (yes, a clown) at fspa.org.

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Avita Fynke adds to the shelves of canned produce and preserves in 1915 at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Arlene Melder, Louise Marie Guralski, Malinda Gerke, Mildred Tigges, Mary Eve Hytry and Joann Serwas (center) recently celebrated Sister Malinda's birthday at St. Rose Convent.

Text the word "donate" to give:

Make a secure, mobile payment by texting the word "donate" to 608-650-6464. Your gift is processed through Yevma, our text-to-give partner delivering a fast and secure payment experience.

Connect with us