With our whole being, in Relationship, Gospel Living and Unity in Diversity, may we give witness to the goodness that is all around us.

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Marie Kyle, Malinda Gerke, Karen Flottmeier, Dolores Lilla, Mary Becker and Rachel Kiefer with Bishop William Callahan.

The FSPA community is honoring our jubilarians of 2024 — Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Malinda Gerke, Rachel Kiefer, Marie Kyle and Dolores Lilla, Class of 1954, celebrating 70 years of religious life, and Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Mary Becker and Karen Flottmeier, Class of 1964, celebrating 60 years of religious life. Illuminated by their collective reflection of gratitude — "Led by the Spirit. Blessed in the Light." — a celebration was held at St. Rose Convent on May 1, including a Mass in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Join us in marking these joyful milestones: To view a slideshow of images captured that day and read the jubilarians' personal reflections of life as Catholic Sisters, visit fspa.org, and read about their ministries of prayer, witness and service in Global Sisters Report.

Unhoused residents of Humboldt Park, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, now have access to bathing facilities via Shower Connect, a mobile shower unit facilitated by the organization The Puerto Rico Project and supported by an FSPA ministry grant. Visit fspa.org to read the story, and click here to watch a WGN Chicago news report about Shower Connect.

"What does it mean to be Black in the Church and society?" Thirty-five years ago, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Thea Bowman posed this question to an assembly of U.S. Catholic Bishops in song and moralization. "Today we're called to walk together in a new way, toward that land of promise ... and we will overcome." Watch the video of her address above, and visit fspa.org to learn more about Sister Thea, including the cause for her canonization.

In celebration of 175 years of prayer, witness and service, FSPA is sharing our legacy of art, beauty and joy in a visual art experience. FSPA artists are telling personal stories about their work and sharing inspiration behind the pieces showcased in their virtual galleries.

Our current featured artist is Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Antona Schedlo, who shares her "patience in the process" of creating beautiful Ukranian eggs. Watch her video interview (above) and visit fspa.org, where you can read about her ministry of art, view her gallery and experience the works of other FSPA artists. Stay tuned for new artists, interviews, stories and galleries as we share them throughout 2024.

Welcome to "The Seasoned Franciscan," a weekly recipe-sharing blog that nurtures health and well-being, inspires seasonal eating, invites exploration of heritage and embraces Indigenous and ethnic foods. Whet your appetite with the post "Three Bean Salad and Gratitude," and scroll down the page to become a Seasoned Franciscan subscriber.

In this photo, circa the 1950s, FSPA aspirants gathered at Mary of the Angels in Spokane, Washington, including Mary Lou Rickenbach, Sister Elaine (Marguerite) Weller, Margaret Thompson, Patricia Peterson and Sister Marie Leon LaCroix.

Mary Beth Ripp, FSPA affiliate, and Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Sharon Bongiorno enjoyed Franciscan hospitality at FSPA's recent affiliate picnic at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Curious about affiliation with FSPA? Visit fspa.org to learn more.

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