Perspectives Update

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

Honoring our dearly departed in adoration

"Blessed are those who mourn," reads Matthew 5:4, "for they shall be comforted." As we enter into the celebrations of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, all are invited to share the names of loved ones, dearly departed, for whom we will pray in the Adoration Chapel and at Mass in Mary of the Angels Chapel throughout the month of November at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Submit names

Memorial tribute

A celebration of welcoming

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Julia Walsh and Stephanie Held

"I am drawn to religious life because I want to contribute to something greater than myself in service of God and others," said Stephanie Held as she was welcomed into the candidacy phase with FSPA on Oct. 11 in St. Rose Convent's Mary of the Angels Chapel. Visit fspa.org to read a Q&A with Stephanie, who opens up about living out Franciscan values, her attraction to religious life and the challenges she expects to face on her journey.

'Great Women' to feature Sister Thea

ValLimar Jackson performed "I Will Live Until I Die," her musical about the life of Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Thea Bowman, on March 30, 2023, at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

We are entering into the celebration of November's Black Catholic History Month, and the St. Louis Review has announced ValLimar Jackson's new performance, "Great Women of the Holy Scriptures." According to the publication, the performance features stories of women in Scripture and concludes with a scene from ValLimar's musical featuring Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Thea Bowman, "I Will Live Until I Die." Read more about 'Great Women,' including the November dates and St. Louis-area locations of ValLimar's performances, at stlouisreview.com.

In the news: The modern lives of FSPA

A La Crosse Tribune reporter recently sat down with Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Antona Schedlo, Julia Walsh, Sarah Hennessey and Catherine O'Neill. They spoke about the "Blending worlds" of life as women religious today and the sacred traditions that continue to guide them. Visit lacrossetribune.com to read "The modern lives of the sisters at La Crosse's 154-year-old convent" and see the many FSPA photos featured in the story.

Sister Karen's "Green Thread"

With the resonance of "three challenges" in her heart — those she discerned from the Black community, St. Francis of Assisi and the Dalai Lama — Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Karen Lueck has written the newly-released book "The Green Thread: Reclaiming Our Spiritual Authority." Go to fspa.org to read more about The Green Thread and learn where you can find it.

Sister Katie: 'Thank you for your support'

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Katie Mitchell gives gratitude to FSPA donors and their support of people on the move, those seeking "safe and secure homes for their families in the United States. We couldn't do this without you." Click the image above to watch the video.

Hope with St. Vincent de Paul

"While it's true that everyone is fighting a battle about which few others may know or understand, we should remember that Christians are a people of hope, a people with a sense of purpose, strength, and meaning," writes Ruth Ann Gundrum of St. Vincent de Paul Sacred Heart Conference of Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The organization, supported with an FSPA ministry grant sponsored by Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Blanche Klein, serves members of the community in need of rehousing. Find more reflections from our ministry grant partners, sisters, affiliates and others in this Jubilee Year of Hope at fspa.org.

With your generous support

AP photo/Jessie Wardarski

Cindy Dunn, an FSPA affiliate, sponsors a ministry grant for the Catherine McAuley Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The organization, also supported by the generous investments of our donors, serves "adult learners, refugee and immigrant populations and women," and its programs are "united by a common purpose of promoting the well-being and dignity of individuals in need." AP News recently published the story "Migrants to Iowa strike different portraits where 'American Gothic' was created," highlighting CMC's work aiding refugee families to resettle in the United States. Read it here.

Happy Halloween!