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Lucy Slinger, FSPA

"The blessing of being a Franciscan woman in the world today . . ."

The greatest blessing of being a Franciscan woman in the world today is the invitation to live out of a worldview and theological perspective of love, abundance and gratitude which enables sustainability and guarantees a significant purpose for each and every thing that is a part of the process we call life. It is to know a God presence in all that surrounds me in life and that is of life. It is to embrace the shadow side of life knowing with confidence that all is working toward the greater good and making the kingdom more present. It is an invitation to simply authentically be who I am and know that the process of becoming is to willingly choose to walk in the "footprints" of Jesus the Christ. And from Jesus' example, to find ways to love and build unity in the diversity, radical relationships out of fraternitas, and allowing the profound sense of peace and joy that comes with the ongoing conversion process of self, others and Earth be incarnated as a witness of goodness today.

Sister Lucy Slinger renews vows. Read more.

Read about Sister Lucy's first vow ceremony. Click here.

Sister Lucy Slinger professed first vows on August 14. Click here to read the reflection by Joanne Schatzlein, OSF.

Kristin Peters, new associate

"The blessing of being a Franciscan woman in the world today . . ."

As part of the process of incorporation into the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, I participate in a group that discusses what we read from the primary sources concerning the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare. A discussion held in the group before Christmas provided me with insight into the blessing of being a Franciscan woman today.

We read the story about St. Francis and his re-enactment of the nativity scene. The legend being that in the midst of the re-enactment the infant Jesus appears. Christ is enfleshed cradled in the arms of St. Francis. All the townspeople, every sort of folk witness the miracle.

The passionate love of St. Francis struck me. His ability to incarnate God’s love in the world was profound and singular. And yet I realized that this is my call as a Franciscan.

The example of profound love lived by St. Francis beckons me in relationship with the sisters of FSPA, in my work with people with developmental disabilities, and in quiet prayer in the adoration chapel. The incarnate Christ is ever present. I ask myself am I willing to love enough, open my heart so much that the other may reside—so that Christ may reside. A poor dwelling but, yes, this is where Christ came first and he comes again.

Kristen Peters welcomed as FSPA associate. Read more.

Julia Walsh, FSPA novice

"The blessing of being a Franciscan woman in the world today . . ."

To be a Franciscan Sister in the world today connects me to an infinite number of blessings: relationships, prayer, support, tradition, friends and help. I can receive a lot and give a ton. But really the blessing that comes to mind most strongly is a sense that religious life is continuing to develop. Just as The Spirit moved religious life to drastic changes during several of your lives, I suspect that The Spirit will bring us newer members to some sort of paradigm shift in the years to come. It is a blessing to be a Franciscan Sister during an era that holds so much potential, possibility and energy. My hope and prayer is that as I journey further into this sisterhood I’ll carry the traditions and legacies of the past while pursuing whatever it is that God will lead us to next. Indeed it is a blessing to be a Franciscan woman in such a period of beautiful transition! Thanks be to God!

Julia Walsh received into FSPA novitiate. Read more.

Julia Walsh welcomed into the associate phase. Read more.

Constance Walton, FSPA

"The blessing of being a Franciscan woman in the world today . . ."

For me, the “greatest blessing of being a Franciscan woman in the world today” is the deep, inner connectedness with Franciscan women of the past, present and the future. This is a connectedness that comes from the heart and needs no words to explain. It is an intuitive, spontaneous and carrying out of the dreams and legacy of Franciscan Feminism from one generation to the next.

I find it an honor and a blessing to be able to build upon the dreams and legacy of Franciscan women of the past. I pray that my life and work will build upon those dreams and that legacy and bring new visions for the generations of Franciscan women of the future.

Over 150 years ago our FSPA foremothers had the dream and left us the legacy of perpetual adoration. Today, my present ministry involves a small part of that dream/legacy. My prayer for the future is that the work I do will keep the legacy of perpetual adoration alive for future generations of FSPA women.

Alone one brick does not a chapel make, but properly fitted together many bricks will form a magnificent chapel of praise to our God.

Sister Constance Walton assumes e-mail prayer ministry. Read more.

Sister Constance Walton professes temporary vows. Read more.

Constance Walton welcomed into the FSPA novitiate. Read more.

Karen Grochowski, FSPA

"The blessing of being a Franciscan woman in the world today . . ."

The blessing of being a Franciscan woman in the world today for me is the awareness of God’s presence in all aspects of our daily life. I feel that it is this ability to recognize the God present in those with whom I minister that nourishes and energizes me. I find delight in noticing how each of the clients I work with reveals to me a different aspect of God and of God’s love. It is this uniqueness, which teaches me how to better meet the needs and wants of each individual client, and challenges me to be a loving presence for them. I also take comfort and draw strength from the knowledge that I am not alone, and that I am supported through the thoughts and prayers of my fellow sisters and this, too, is a blessing of being a Franciscan woman today.

Sister Karen Grochowski talks with the Wyoming Catholic Register about the rewards of religious life today. Read more.

Sister Karen Grochowski makes first vows. Read more.

Read about Sister Karen's ceremony celebrating her reception into the novitiate. Click here.

Read about Sister Karen's reception into the novitiate. Click here.

Laura Nettles, FSPA

"The blessing of being a Franciscan woman in the world today . . ."

In reflecting upon what is the greatest blessing of being a Franciscan woman, I am reminded of a favorite poem titled “Tabernacles.” The poem tells the story of a homeless man who enters a Catholic church to receive Communion. As he stands in the Communion line the parishioners are repulsed by his uncleanliness and horrified that he will be drinking out of the same chalice as them. However, by the end of the poem the congregation has come to see this man as a “tabernacle for the divine.” It is this very point that I consider to be the greatest blessing. As Franciscans we are reminded that human dignity is established in the Incarnation and nurtured in the Eucharist. We are called to see the image of the Divine in all of humanity and to continually expand our understanding of eucharistic presence. The true blessing comes when we can find the Incarnate God revealed in one another and in those we encounter. What a blessing indeed!

Sister Laura Nettles makes first vows. Read more.

Read about Sister Laura's ceremony celebrating her reception into the novitiate. Click here.

Read about Sister Laura's reception into the novitiate. Click here

Read about Sister Laura's experience in Eastern Europe. Click here.

Sarah Hennessey, FSPA

"The blessing of being a Franciscan woman in the world today . . ."

Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob's thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me." So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." He said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked him and said, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And he blessed him there. Now the sun rose upon him just as he crossed over Penuel, and he was limping on his thigh. Genesis 32:25-32

To be blessed is to be wounded. Jacob crossed over into the promised land limping. With the rising sun hitting his face and the smell of morning he had become Israel, a God-wrestler. We are all God-wrestlers, this Franciscan family of ours. "Lord, we will not let go until you bless us." In the wrestling, we find that God was waiting for us and that as we cross the river we are not alone. In the wrestling lies a homecoming of the deepest self, the finding of true names, and the discovery of true family.

I find great comfort in the biblical image of blessing. A blessing from God does not grant super-human strength or perfection, but a wounded hip. Walking into the blessing will most certainly mean suffering as well as hope, brokenness as well as grace. I feel the morning sun on my cheek and I am grateful to be limping. To me it is a tangible sign of the struggle and, also, a call to continue be a blessing with you.

Sister Sarah professes first vows. Click here to read her story.

Sister Sarah Hennessey reflects on the Mission Congress 2005. Click here to read her reflections.

Catch up with Sister Sarah Hennessey. Click here to read her story.

Sister Sarah Hennessey was received into the FSPA novitiate on July 26, 2003. Click here to read her profile.

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