More links for the Networking subsection

Select One Cameroon LCWR Franciscan Federation Midwest Franciscans Neighborhood

Midwest Franciscans

Fifteen Franciscan congregations of women religious in the Upper Midwest of the United States interrelate frequently, and their leadership teams meet at least semiannually to share ways of strengthening the Franciscan family's presence in the Midwest and to refine their long-range vision. The common Franciscan spirituality found among these congregations provides a strong base for dialogue, support, and collaborative endeavors.

The Midwest Common Franciscan Novitiate, started in 1996, is a result of this group's collaboration. Located at the Guardian Angels in Joliet, Ill., the 15 congregations now jointly sponsor this novitiate for women entering their communities. These congregations also sponsor a biannual gathering of all their members who have entered religious life since Vatican II for peer networking.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and three of these congregations, a video exemplifying contemporary Franciscan life, The Franciscan Way, was produced. In addition, these four congregations have jointly authored a Franciscan resource for small group sharing entitled Experiencing the Goodness of God.

Each year these Midwest congregations engage outstanding Franciscan presenters for days of enrichment for their members and lay companions. These and other forms of collaboration continue to foster a contemporary understanding of Franciscanism for those called to this spirituality as women and men religious as well as for our many lay partners.

The congregations involved are

• Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, Colorado Springs, Colo.;
• Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa;
• Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Family, Dubuque, Iowa;
• Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Frankfurt, Ill.;
• Congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Joliet, Ill.;
• Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Springfield, Ill.;
• Franciscan sisters of Little Falls, Little Falls, Minn.;
• Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of the Congregation of our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, Minn.;
• Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, Stevens Point, Wis.;
• Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, Sylvania, Ohio;
• Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Charity, Tiffin, Ohio;
• Sisters of St. Francis, Green Bay, Wis.;
• Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, Wis.;
• Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, Milwaukee, Wis.; and
• School Sisters of St. Francis, Milwaukee, Wis.

Click here to return to the Networking page.