FSPA News
U.S. bishops condemn sin of racism
"But racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart. This evil causes great harm to its victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts. The persistence of the evil of racism is why we are writing this letter now." - Open Wide our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love America published an...
AdorationTalk: Prayer beyond the basics [watch]
Prayer Beyond Words: 7 steps for contemplative prayer “To pray beyond words is to simply sit in the love of God. To be touched by God. To rest in God. To quiet the inner as well as outer sounds and find our own being in God,” begins Sarah Hennessey, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, in her latest AdorationTalk, “Prayer Beyond Words.” Sister Sarah...
Video premiere: vocations and family conversations
We know that considering life as a Catholic sister today can be met with lots of questions, both for the woman contemplating vows and for her family. And that’s why we've added a video series to our Show me a sign guide for discerners. In the Show me a sign series premiere, “What if my family doesn’t agree with my choice?”, Sister Lucy Slinger...
Q & A with Sister Marlene: human trafficking
Global Catholic Sisters Report sat down with Sister Marlene Weisenbeck to understand the "particular role women religious can play in ending human trafficking." GSR: You've talked before about the importance of collaboration when it comes to ending human trafficking. Why is collaboration so important? Sister Marlene: No one organization can do it all alone. It's as...
Submit names of your dearly departed
During November, the church pauses and remembers in a special way all of our loved ones who have gone before us. One of the gifts of religious life is sharing in the lives of others through prayer. In the tradition of our Catholic faith, during the month of November we pray for the deceased. We would be honored to remember your loved ones. We will add your submissions to our basket...
Sisters call for protection of immigrants
We stand with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and its recent statement on immigration. Sept. 25, 2018 The US Department of Homeland Security’s proposed changes to the public charge regulation are yet another attempt by President Trump to restrict immigration and punish immigrant families. The new regulation would force parents to make impossible choices between the...
Take action: U.S. Peace Resolution for Cameroon
A clergyman in Kumbo is quoted in the most recent Human Rights Watch report as saying, “I don't like the idea that the international community only waits for bloodshed and open war to come with aid.” As members of the international community, we invite you to join us in trying to avert further violence. The La Crosse Friends of Cameroon and the Franciscan Sisters of...
St. Rose Complex Renovation announced
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration announced in August 2018 plans to renovate St. Rose Complex. Renovation is scheduled to begin in March 2019. St. Rose Convent, home to some Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the organization’s administrative headquarters, and the Franciscan Spirituality Center, a program and retreat center founded and sponsored by the...
FSPA welcomes new member into novitiate
We celebrate and welcome Michele Pettit into the FSPA novitiate! A reception was held August 12, 2018, at Mary of the Angels Chapel in La Crosse, Wisconsin. During her novitiate reception, FSPA President Sister Karen Lueck invited Michele “to be open to the gifts and blessings of the novitiate as you continue your journey growing into a deeper relationship with God,...
Sister Thea Bowman's path to sainthood advances
Updated Nov. 14, 2018 The U.S. bishops endorsed the sainthood cause of Sister Thea Bowman on Nov. 14 during their fall assembly in Baltimore. The granddaughter of slaves, she was the only African-American member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, and she transcended racism to leave a lasting mark on U.S. Catholic life in the late 20th century. Read...
Sacred Tradition: honoring 140 years of prayer
On Aug. 1, "More than 100 FSPA and lay prayer partners gathered at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse for the reverential ceremony, prayer service and Mass [celebrating 140 years of perpetual adoration]. The tradition traces to the prayer of Mother Antonia Herb in 1865, when the FSPAs overcrowded the cramped space in their small Maria Angelorum Chapel: “Dear Lord, if you will...
Sister Julia joins Sirius XM as a guest
America magazine published an article written by Sister Julia Walsh in its July 23 issue: "Standing in the divide: The Postville immigration raid, 10 years later." And on Aug. 1, America invited Sister Julia to be a guest on the America This Week program hosted by Sirius XM radio's The Catholic Channel. Listen to Remembering Postville, 10 years later.
AdorationTalk release: meditations on prayer
In a special AdorationTalk series released to celebrate the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration’s 140th anniversary of continuous prayer, Sister Sarah Hennessey breaks down two well-known prayers: the Our Father and Hail Mary. Reciting the Hail Mary, the short prayer through the words of the Gospel and the church directed to Mary, truly brings us ever closer to...
New leaders elected, take office Nov. 1
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Elect Leaders for 2018 - 2022 La Crosse, Wis.—The 99-member General Assembly of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration completed three days of meetings July 26 to 28 at which they elected leaders for 2018-2022. Sisters Dawn Kutt, Eileen McKenzie, Sue Ernster, Karen Kappell and Lucy Slinger Sister...
Our statement on zero-tolerance policy
As FSPA works toward building bridges of relationships that stretch us to be people of encounter who stand with all suffering in our Earth community, we are taking a stand against the separation of children from their parents. We join the Leadership Conference of Women Religious Wisconsin region, representing more than 2000 Catholic Sisters, and express our strong disagreement...
We proclaim A Revolution of Goodness
The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and affiliates have proclaimed “A Revolution of Goodness.” We showed up to "do something." For the second time in the congregation’s 169-year history, the sisters invited guests from the general public to attend. The last time was during the 1980s as the...
Sister Julia gets real on Jewish Podcast
Sister Julia Walsh tackles questions about Motherhood, Discernment and Community Sister Julia Walsh was featured as “Gentile of the Week” on a Jewish podcast called, Unorthodox. The podcast, a product of Tablet Magazine, an American Jewish online publication, allowed Sister Julia to tackle some difficult questions, including motherhood, discernment, and choosing a...
Modern Ministry: Meet Sister Laurie
What does is it mean, as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, to minister in modern life by way of sacred traditions? Perspectives Update, asked Laurie Sullivan, FSPA, who says "it's about building relationships of love and empowerment ..." Perspectives Update: What ministry are you currently serving as an FSPA? Sister Laurie: I am the volunteer...
Listen to: "An Eco-Advocate with a Green Thumb"
Sister Lucy Slinger is featured in “An Eco-Advocate With A Green Thumb,” the May 19 episode of Connecting the Diocese (Diocese of La Crosse’s weekly radio program) hosted by Jack Socha. Click image to listen Learn more about Sister Lucy Sligner and her role as FSPA Ecological Advocate. Learn more about Greening FSPA Land
Viterbo honors Sister Helen with St. John XXIII award
During a May 22 ceremony hosted by Viterbo University, John Desmond, a community leader known for his ability to get things done, Mike Desmond, a retired educator who has provided tremendous leadership with organizations that serve area youth, and Helen Elsbernd, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration who has always felt called to serve, are the 2018 recipients of the...
Sister Diane: honored for literacy support
Left to right: Sisters Mary Ann Gschwind, Grace Ann Schiffer, Marcella Anibas, Diane Boehm, Esther Leis, Laverne Wilichowski, and Mary Morrissey Literacy Chippewa Valley (LCV) announces that this year's recipient of the Eric J. Wahl "Making a Difference" Award is Sister Diane Boehm. Sister Diane is an LCV tutor and received the award on May 15 at LCV’s Celebration...
Sisters lead meditative Earth Day walk
To honor Earth Day 2018, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration hosted a meditative walk around St. Rose Convent. Guided by the prayer service prepared by Catholic Health Association, sisters and guests "gathered in gratitude for God’s good gift of creation and the Earth ... recalling our responsibility to care for our common home." In addition...
Task Force: "Eliminating demand to end sex trafficking"
During UW-L Social Justice Week, the La Crosse Task Force to End Modern Slavery hosted Terry Forliti, executive director of Breaking Free. “She’s familiar with the life,” said Sister Marlene Weisenbeck, a member of the Task Force. “She’s familiar with the difficulties of trying to move out of the life. I feel it’s always important to hear...
AdorationTalk: Living Adoration
In this AdorationTalk, Sister Sarah explains that adoration is both prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and a basic attitude of awe and wonder ... of the awareness of sacred mystery in our daily lives whether we are in a chapel or not. Watch more AdorationTalk episodes
March For Our Lives: we are connected
"What happens to you happens to me because we are connected. What happened in Florida happened to our brothers and sisters ... We need to remind the NRA that guns are not our brothers and sisters, people are." - Sister Laura Nettles speaking at March For Our Lives - La Crosse, Wisconsin, March 24, 2018. To hear more, listen below (press play, if your audio isn't working, look for...
AdorationTalk: Radical acceptance when you can't
“When we live with a chronic illness, addiction, or mental health issues sometimes it feels like life does not make any sense.” For Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Sarah Hennessey, mental health issues have been a constant companion. “I have often struggled to make meaning in my life.” Coming from her experience and from an FSPA spiritual tradition,...
LCWR calls for action to prevent gun violence
As members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), we support this statement released Feb. 23, 2018. Mourning is not enough: LCWR calls for action to prevent gun violence On February 14 a very troubled 19-year-old took an AR-15 assault rifle to Marjory Stoneman High School and opened fire killing 14 students and three staff members. The shooting was a horrible...
Sister Karen recognized for homelessness work
Sister Karen earns Jefferson Award for tireless work to end homelessness WXOW TV 19 awarded Sister Karen Neuser with the Jefferson Award noting that "She's a driving force behind the effort to end homelessness in La Crosse. "Sister Karen is the first to say the effort is the result of a lot of good people, organizations and sponsors." Click or tap the image below to...
Sister Malinda releases chapel book
In the Sunday, Jan. 21 edition of the "La Crosse Tribune," reporter Mike Tighe shares Sister Malinda's story behind the writing of her new book "Mary of the Angels Chapel: God's Answer to a Bold Promise." The book "outlines the history, artwork and architectural elements of the chapel." Read "La Crosse Sister Malinda Gerke chronicles...
Affiliate sews "warm fuzzies" for homeless
Giving peace: through the spirit of Franciscan ministry, such serenity can come in different forms, at any time, in any place. For an FSPA affiliate from Tucson, Arizona, Lavina Taylor, one of these gifts to others literally surfaced on the top of her head. She shares her reflection - one of finding personal comfort and giving peace to those in need because of it - with us here. ...
Human Trafficking video series released
The Franciscans Sisters of Perpetual Adoration-founded Task Force to End Modern Slavery partnered with Breaking Free, one of the nation’s leading organizations for working with victims and survivors of sex trafficking, to create “The Faces of Human Trafficking” video series. The series launched in January, Human Trafficking Awareness Month. “Our goal was to...
Video: 2017 in review
Joy, peace and light! Thank you for supporting FSPA in 2017.
Walk on Earth Gently: Interfaith Climate Statement
Walk on Earth Gently A Multi-Faith invitation to Sustainable Lifestyles An excerpt of a letter to all members of the human family and to leaders gathered at COP23 "We extend our warm greetings. We represent the world’s family of spiritualties, faiths and religions who share a profound gratitude for our precious planet. Earth is a blessing. She supports life and...
St. Nick's Boot: you joined us in giving
St. Nick's Boot was back for Christmas 2017! This year, the boot helped three La Crosse-area non-profits who serve our brothers and sisters with mental health issues. Community fills St. Nick's Boot well beyond wish lists If the loot in St. Nick’s Boot this year is any indication, the spirit of Christmas is alive and well in our community. The giant boot was stationed...
Sisters announce sponsorship transfer
Since 1849, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have served in areas of greatest need. In its early years, that meant establishing health care and addressing education needs, ultimately leading to the creation of what are now Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare and Viterbo University, both in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and St. Anthony Regional Hospital & Nursing Home...
2017 World Day of the Poor: reflection video
Let us love, not with words but with deeds Message of His Holiness Pope Francis First World Day of the Poor November 19, 2017 1. “Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in deed and in truth” (1 Jn 3:18). These words of the Apostle John voice an imperative that no Christian may disregard. The seriousness with which the “beloved...
AdorationTalk release: And it is good
“In a world that focuses on darkness and fear there are voices of hope. There are signs of goodness that the world is actually getting better.” Dig deeper into goodness—the Franciscan view of goodness—during Sister Sarah Hennessey’s latest AdorationTalk released Nov. 8, 2017. Sister Sarah’s “And It Is Good: A Franciscan Perspective”...
Meet our affiliates
For more than 35 years, women and men have enriched their Franciscan lives by serving as affiliates with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Meet Dee, an affiliate since 2011. Affiliates join when they feel ready. For Justin and Kate, ready came in their early thirties. How many women and men serve with...
Prayer requests offered for all recovering from disasters
Submit prayer request now Text prayer request to 601-308-1849
Human Trafficking: the environmental refugees
Environmental Refugees and Human Trafficking by Jeanne Christensen, RSM, board member U.S. Catholics Against Human Trafficking Following recent climate disasters, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and the earthquake in Mexico, members of the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking believed it would be helpful to share a module entitled “Human Trafficking and...
Prayer service for Dreamers held
As lawmakers consider the future of The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), we hold in prayer and support all of our sisters and brothers. About 100 people gathered in prayer for the "dreamers" at a service hosted by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and Centro Latino on Sept. 14. The gathering included the song "All are Welcome" led...
What are religious vows?
Vision Vocation Network just released its latest Vocation Guide (and here's the Vision Digital Vocation Guide). Inside, you'll meet Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Julia Walsh who reveals "how the age-old vows of poverty, chastity and obedience give shape and meaning to her life." Here's a snippet. "I was just out of high school when I visited a...
Affiliate: "Be yourself. Follow your passion."
Affiliate Vince Hatt urges you to "help make the world a better place." In a recent letter to the editor featured in the La Crosse Tribune, Vince reflects on compassion, on passion and who the world will remember most. "Who does the world remember and admire? It is not the people with the most money. It remembers people such as Buddha, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Gandhi,...
Anniversary: AdorationTalk released, bells chimed
On Aug. 1, 2017, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration celebrated 139 years of continuous prayer. Since 1878, at least two adorers have prayed 24/7 in the sisters' Adoration Chapel. And in traditional celebration, the sisters rang a bell inside St. Rose Convent 139 times marking each year complete and another to usher in the new year. More celebration you'll...
Affiliation minister focuses on future, growth
"The future of the associate movement is strong and perfectly poised for success with future generations. The younger generation are spiritual people, ready to serve, seeking meaningful connections. It is apparent that the veil between God and humanity is becoming thinner with each generation. We want to be ready to welcome this new, vibrant group of seekers," reports...
Ministry grant funds village hydro-plant
"I have discovered that a local initiative in the production of electricity is possible," says Ndiyun Donatus of the Djottin Area Development Authority. "It is common in many less developed countries on a small scale. So, I researched how it is done, adapted a plan to meet the needs for this area and successfully created a mini-hydroelectric system that produces a small but...
Sister Jean Ann: new adventure after 50 years in parish
By JOANNE FOX joannef@scdiocese.org The Catholic Globe After 50 years of service in the Diocese of Sioux City, Sister Jean Ann Rausch, FSPA, will be moving across the state to embrace a “new adventure.” The pastoral minister at St. Michael Parish in Sioux City for the past two decades will be taking on volunteer opportunities at the Prairie Woods Spirituality Center...
"Rebirth" by Sister Eileen McKenzie
In the June 6 issue of “Global Sister’s Report,” Sister Eileen McKenzie’s poem “Rebirth” is published in the article “Pioneers in the 21st century” as a reflection of her experience at May’s Leadership Collaborative. "During our time together, it became clear that we are not re-creating, re-newing, re-founding, or for that matter...
Sister Kristin professes final vows
I Know I Belong by Sister Kristin Peters Sister Kristin professed final vows with FSPA on June 3, 2017. Leading up to her day, she wrote this piece. Thank you for your prayers and support over these last ten years. As I prepare to make perpetual vows with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, I reflect upon my life as a religious. My day to day journey is touched by darkness...
