From the Desk of Sister Julia |
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Dear Seeker,
Much of my community's history is a story of simplicity. For example, in 1865, when the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration was a tiny and tender new community, they began a vigil of prayer with the hope that the practice of perpetual adoration could one day be established. From their scarcity, the sisters poured out their hopes to Christ. Then, the Spirit provided help and guidance. And once they were privileged with the blessing of the presence of the Blessed Sacrament for adoration, they realized they lacked a proper sanctuary lamp.
Sister Alphonsa Head, then a novice, suggested that the sisters construct a simple lard lamp to burn on the altar. Despite its poverty, it shown brightly. Like a lard lamp, no matter how simple or poor we may be, each of us can shine Christ's love.
Each year on the Feast of St. Joseph, our community pauses to remember and celebrate our humble beginnings. It is sacred and precious to us to ponder how we know our identity from our history, from the call to give from our simplicity.
No matter your life circumstances, devotions, questions or possessions, I invite you to ponder how you too are called to live simply and give generously, especially during this season of Lent. As you'll see below, there are several opportunities available to assist you with this reflection. And I am here for you too, so I hope you will reach out.
Peace & All Good,
Sister Julia Walsh
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Sister Kathy Roberg, born in Spokane, Washington, joined the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration at the age of 18. She spent the first 20 years of her ministry teaching first grade before becoming an English as a second language teacher, parish minister and religious education coordinator to Hispanic communities in New Mexico and Washington. In 2014, Sister Kathy returned to Spokane where she now volunteers as an ESL teacher and justice advocate at the House of Charity. Sister Kathy also has a passion for helping refugees and addressing immigration concerns throughout the country.
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When asked how she responds to the cries of the Earth and the cries of the poor, Sister Kathy explained that "they are both crying out in extreme pain, and if I am a life giver, how can I close off my receptiveness?" Having obtained her reverence for Mother Earth from her peace- and justice-oriented father, she found a way to care for our planet while also caring for its most vulnerable inhabitants. In 2015, Sister Kathy began crocheting sleeping mats out of plastic shopping bags to give to those in need. Over the past eight years, she has made 327 mats that not only provide a moisture-resistant barrier to place beneath a sleeping bag or blanket but also help keep plastic bags out of the environment. Each mat is made from 350 bags and, once complete, is given to the homeless in Spokane. "To me, being a Catholic sister today calls me to be open to the voice of inner transformation and to be present to others who are lost in society. I hope I'm sharing an ounce of hope and purpose," says Sister Kathy. |
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Religious Vows Are For Freedom |
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During Catholic Sisters Week, we asked our sisters how they experience freedom through the vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience and what it means to live the vowed life.
"The vow of poverty frees me to not have to live in society's rules: you need to get a car ... you need to get a house ... I've been able to leave all that behind."
- Sister Meg Earsley
Visit fspa.org/discerning (and scroll down) to watch the three-part "The vows free me for ..." video series.
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"Who has not encountered a caricature of the great Italian saint, Francis of Assisi? ... For some, he's a lover of nature, someone who frolicked in fields and communed with the animals. For others, he is a champion of the poor, someone who lived with lepers and denied his own needs. Still, others see him as the people's preacher, an excitable little man who spoke of the Gospel in simple terms to all who would listen."
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Upcoming Events for Discerning Women |
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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, WI. 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.
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Prayer Experience Series
Every Tuesday | 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT | online 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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Feast of St. Joseph Prayer and Conversation with Sister Julia
Sunday, March 19, 2023 | La Crosse, WI
Join Sister Julia Walsh for prayer and conversation in La Crosse. Email discerning@fspa.org for more details, including time and specific location.
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Soup and Stations of the Cross with Sister Julia
Friday, March 24, 2023 | 5 p.m. CT | St. Thomas the Apostle, Chicago, IL
Join Sister Julia Walsh for some soup and Stations of the Crosse in Chicago. Email discerning@fspa.org to reserve a seat next to Sister Julia.
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Evening Centering Prayer
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 | 5:30 - 7 p.m. CT
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA
*Offered the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
This contemplative prayer form assists people in deepening relationships with God or the Source of All Being. Each evening invites participants to an opening check-in and two twenty-minute silent, centering sessions.
Click here for more information and to register for the March 28 event.
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Coffee and Prayer with Sister Julia
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, WI
Join Sister Julia Walsh for some coffee and prayer in La Crosse. Email discerning@fspa.org for more details, including time and specific location.
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A Musical on the Life of Sister Thea Bowman, featuring ValLimar Jansen
Thursday, March 30, 2023 | 7 p.m. CT
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center,
La Crosse, WI
International speaker, storyteller, composer and recording artist ValLimar Jansen returns to La Crosse to tell the story of Sister Thea's life with great passion and joy. Sister Thea gave the world so many vivid examples of how to live in unity and peace and how to face death with purpose, grace and dignity.
Click here for more information on the March 30 event.
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Dubuque's Got Sisters: Behind the Scenes of Convent Life
Friday, March 31, 5:30 p.m. CT - Saturday, April 1, 7 p.m. CT
Congregations within the Dubuque, IA area
Are you interested in exploring religious life? Here's your chance to spend time with sisters from several communities, hear their stories and ask questions. There will be prayer, personal reflection, shared meals and conversation!
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Lenten Prayer with Singing Bowls
Saturday, April 1, 2023 | 6-7 p.m. CT
San Damiano Chapel on Viterbo University campus, La Crosse, WI
Lent is a time for prayer, reflection and transformation. Join the Franciscan Spirituality Center, Viterbo University Campus Ministry and Tom Roberts for an evening of Taize-style prayer paired with sounds of Tibetan singing bowls.
Click here for more information and to register for the April 1 event.
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Lenten Journey Women's Prayer
Sunday, April 2, 2023 | 5-6 p.m. CT | online via Zoom
Looking for companions on your Lenten journey? Gather online with other women for a time of prayer and sharing. Together we seek God in the midst of the joys and chaos of everyday life.
Click here for more information and to RSVP for the April 2 event.
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Holy Week Mass and Discernment Breakfast with Sister Julia
Tuesday, April 4, 2023 | Chicago, IL
Join Sister Julia Walsh for mass and breakfast in Chicago. Email discerning@fspa.org for more details, including time and specific location.
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Justice and Peace Stations of the Cross
Friday, April 7, 2023 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT
Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, WI
Join us for a two-mile silent prayer walk from the heart of the city to the Mississippi River, stopping at 10 stations along the route to sing, pray and reflect on injustices and suffering in our community and the world.
Click here for more information on the April 7 event.
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Celebrate Earth with Nature & Forest Therapy
Friday, April 21, 2023 | 6 - 8 p.m. CT
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA
We invite you to join certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide Emelia Sautter for a walk with the natural world. Experience forest therapy, a sensory-focused practice that invites us to slow down and be present.
Click here for more information and to register for the April 21 event.
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Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration | Formation | 888-683-3772 | discerning@fspa.org
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