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

Photo: © Vatican Media

"Pope Francis reminds me of light and hope and shows me the way," says Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Sue Ernster about her experience of meeting him while in Rome March 18 to 22. Sister Sue, FSPA president and president-elect of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, traveled there with the organization's generalship for an annual meeting with Vatican teams including those working for consecrated life, culture and education, integral human development and more. Of the visit, Sister Sue shares that she felt "many emotions, always leading to the light and a sense of hope." You will find more about her experience at fspa.org.

Photo by Nathan Yungerberg

"There's this whole international tribe of people that love and adore Thea and still really keep her image and commitments to inclusion and acceptance alive," says playwright Nathan Yungerberg in the La Crosse Tribune article, "La Crosse native's play commemorates Sister Thea Bowman's commitment to Black joy, racial justice." The story was shared leading up to the April 27 debut of the play — "THEA" — at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria Theater in New York City, New York. Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Charlene Smith, a fervent member of Sister Thea's "international tribe," shares her experience of reading the play and sentiments for Nathan: "Warm tears of joy for me. You captured her heart, her light, her spirit." Go to lacrossetribune.com to read the article and visit fspa.org to experience so much more about Sister Thea's life and legacy.

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. Twelve FSPA artists are telling personal stories about their work and sharing inspiration behind the pieces showcased in their virtual galleries. Click here to learn about Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Shirley Wagner's ministry of art, view her gallery and experience art by other sisters. And watch for new artists every month throughout 2024.

"Things are gooey and God is in the goo. And thank God that God is in the goo," shares Sister Susan Francois with Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Julia Walsh in Episode 74 of the Messy Jesus Business Podcast, "Policies and Prayer." Sister Susan shares her personal journey from being an ex-Catholic working as an elections officer to a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace and "the role of chaos in collective transformation." Listen to their conversation and become a subscriber at messyjesusbusiness.com.

Imagine leaving your life in Ettenbeuren, Bavaria, to board this ship — the S.S. Hermann — bound for New York, as our foundresses did on April 19, 1849. It was just one leg of their journey to establishing a religious community in the Diocese of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a leap of faith to prayer, witness and service. Join our celebration of the journey and 175th anniversary at fspa.org.

Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Fran Morrissey displays her beautiful button flower creation after a recent crafting session at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

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