Sponsored Ministries
Our two sponsored spirituality centers, the Franciscan Spirituality Center and Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, have been our response to people's desire to grow in relationship to God, creation, self and others. They are an expression of FSPA's call to balance contemplation, ministry and creative ways of living community. The impact of these Franciscan centers cannot be easily measured, but for those who seek meaning, support and spiritual nourishment, the centers provide space and resources.
Franciscan Spirituality Center
The Franciscan Spirituality Center, located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a sacred place of peace and hospitality for those seeking spiritual renewal, personal and professional growth, healing, transformation and deeper self-awareness. People of all faith backgrounds and traditions are welcome.
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, located in Hiawatha, Iowa, is a sacred space where people of all faiths and cultures are invited to explore and nurture their relationships with the Source of all Being, Earth, self and others, with an increasing awareness of the story of the Universe.
Prairiewoods celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026
Thirty years ago, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration founded the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha, Iowa. Founding Sisters Betty Daugherty, Nancy Hoffman, Therese Pedretti, Maryam Gossling, Joanne Moeller and Joann Gehling established Prairiewoods as a sacred space where people of all faiths and cultures are invited to explore and nurture their relationships with the Source of all Being, Earth, self and others, with an increasing awareness of the story of the Universe.
Prairiewoods offers a variety of in-person and online programs and events to support spiritual growth and renewal. View all upcoming events and programs here.
Prairiewoods Garden Party
June 20
Time: TBD
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, 120 Boyson Road Hiawatha, IA 52233
The annual Prairiewoods Garden Party is an evening of great food and great music for a great cause! Your support at this fundraiser helps us continue to grow over 3,000 pounds of produce each year that is donated to local food pantries to help food-insecure individuals and families.
Visit prairiewoods.org for up-to-date information about the Garden Party.
Prairiewoods' 30th Anniversary Retreat: We are Each Other's Light
July 5, 4 p.m. CT - July 10, 1 p.m. CT
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, 120 Boyson Road Hiawatha, IA 52233
For three decades, Prairiewoods has been a refuge where people, prairie, woods and Spirit meet in wonder and awe. Now — together with the winged and finned ones, foxes and oaks, prairie grasses and butterflies — we joyfully mark this milestone with a special retreat, We Are Each Other's Light, guided by musician and retreat facilitator, Sara Thomsen and retreat facilitator Paula Pedersen.
Visit prairiewoods.org to learn more and register by July 4.
Watch the video below for a glimpse of what awaits at Prairiewoods:
Global Awareness Through Experience (GATE)
Global Awareness Through Experience, our sponsored cultural immersion program, is committed to providing open programs each year for individuals who want to discover how they can become informed friends of the people in Latin America.
A Historical Perspective of Sponsorship
In 1883, our predecessors built and operated St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse, their first venture into health care and western Wisconsin’s first private hospital. Between 1883 and present day, numerous FSPA gave service as nurses, administrators, lab technicians, pastoral ministers, anesthesiologists, dietitians, laundry and housekeeping managers, x-ray technicians, office staff and volunteers. We were blessed to be able to provide much of this service gratis. Today, Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare is part of a network of community-focused hospitals and clinics that serve Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. FSPA transferred sponsorship of this organization Oct. 31, 2018.
WXOW TV 19 shares the story of The beginning of Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse as the community celebrates the opening of the new hospital in 2024. And, Mayo Clinic Heritage Films tells the story this founding in the film Lighting the Flame: The Origins of Mayo Clinic Health System.
In 1890, what is now Viterbo University was founded to educate Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration to serve as teachers. FSPA served the organization in a variety of roles, from environmental care to faculty to administration. In the 1940s, lay women were accepted and in the 1970s, both lay women and men made up the student body. FSPA's influence has continued today in the programs incorporated into the university: Franciscan Tradition and Values classes, servant leadership masters program, Franciscan Friends and Assisi pilgrimages. The tradition of fine arts is strong today, dating back to the early history of the congregation to carry out our commitment to beauty and provide art, music and theatre for the La Crosse region. FSPA transferred sponsorship of this organization to Viterbo Ministry on Aug. 8, 2018.
In 1903, the second chapter in the FSPA’s hospital history began when we accepted mission of a new hospital in Carroll, Iowa. The cornerstone was laid on Aug. 2, 1903 and two years later St. Anthony Hospital was dedicated. Many FSPA ministered at St. Anthony throughout the years in clerical, domestic, nursing, records management and administrative roles. Today, St. Anthony Regional Hospital & Nursing Home serves six counties, offers independent and assisted living services, operates seven clinics and offers advanced specialties including radiation/oncology and obstetrics. FSPA transferred sponsorship of this organization to St. Anthony Ministry on Aug. 14, 2018.
We honor and celebrate our years of service to the healing and education ministries of Jesus.