Engaging Franciscan Wisdom

Join Franciscan Associate Doug Beumer who courageously explores the kaleidoscope of his life experience and work, a mirror for what he sees in society today.

From Doug's interview: "We know with trauma, people get stuck. When our amygdala is tired, it's like the panic button. Our other thinking shuts down. For those of privilege, and by privilege, I mean, isolated or insulated from the trauma and hurt of others, we may not recognize that or choose to look away; it's a concerning time for our country. … There's a poster I saw at the group home I worked in for those that are struggling with substance abuse and mental illness, that a hundred million people in our own country aren't getting the services and support they need. It's the reality. …

Self-care, I think in a certain way is an act of resistance in a world that's full of chaos and trauma and confusion. … Having context for what I do is really helpful for me in terms of keeping things in balance and finding a middle pathway, if you will, forward. …

Being present to the present as adults, we can make the decision to engage at many different levels with all the different issues that you see in our society. And I think when we are aligned with others and in relationship with others that are experiencing suffering that makes a huge difference. For some, it's an inconvenience, for others it's really devastating what's going on. And, we're all learning and growing in our awareness and response to all the challenges going on these days

Have the courage to reach out if you're suffering or in pain or needing support. Be gentle with yourself because that is a pathway forward that has benefit in the end. It's not easy work to look at ourselves and to nurture ourselves, but as adults, I think that is our task. When we do, we model that for our loved ones and allow them to be themselves and grow and learn. It's kind of a self-sustaining kind of dynamic when we have relationships like that, where we love others and others love us and we could share that. And so it's an expanding intimacy that can be very life-giving.

When we recognize that the only person we can change is ourselves, that puts us in a different stance or position with the world. Acknowledging there is a higher power and again, being gentle with myself and finding balance, finding health and recognizing all the gifts, I think, is a powerful relationship with God or higher power or the presence in our life that is present, that we don't always understand or appreciate."

For a full transcript, please include episode number and email: [email protected].

References:

Trauma: What is trauma? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/trauma.

Recovery Community: This is a general term re: networks to support recovery from substance abuse. Among many sources, here is a resource in Minnesota: https://minnesotarecovery.org/.

Clare's Well: Here is an article about the 25th Anniversary of Clare's Well: https://www.annandaleadvocate.com/news/14262/wellness-at-25-clares-well-celebrates-anniversary. After a fruitful 27 years, this ministry ended in 2015; the farm was sold and re-opened as Wellsprings Farm; in 2021, the farm became Rootsprings Coop.

Neuroplasticity: What is brain plasticity? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886. See also: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/neuroplasticity.

Dysregulation: What is it? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-dysregulation-5073868.

Amygdala: What does it do? https://www.simplypsychology.org/amygdala.html.

Father John Kaiser: Learn about Fr. Kaiser, and a microloan fund that has been set up in honor of his work with people on the margins, which cost him his life in Kenya: https://www.catholicfoundation.info/copy-of-mother-mary-s-fund-for-life. For more detail about his life work for justice and his death, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Anthony_Kaiser.

BIPOC: What does it mean? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-bipoc-5025158.

Columbia Protocol: Learn more about the Columbia Suicide Scale https://cssrs.columbia.edu/the-columbia-scale-c-ssrs/about-the-scale/.

Camino de Santiago: History of the Camino: https://www.caminoadventures.com/blog/history-of-the-camino/. Twin Cities chapter of American Pilgrims: https://americanpilgrims.org/iwpmap_directory/minneapolis/. As I mentioned in the podcast, Bottes et Velo (Boots and Cycling) is a resource available in English and in French: http://bottesetvelo.com/; Brigitte and Eric are friends who do accompaniment and support of pilgrims based out of French Canada.

Johari window: This practical tool can be applied in relationships and in professional settings. Here's an informative article: https://www.communicationtheory.org/the-johari-window-model/, and a video reflection process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsXicQ4019E&t=3s.

Journey of the Universe, Brian Swimme: an introductory video to the 2011 documentary: https://www.imdb.com/videoplayer/vi3647970585. You can also search online for a number of videos of Brian Swimme's work honoring the beauty and complexity of the universe.

Dissociate: What is dissociation? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-dissociation-22201.

North Minneapolis Resources:

Visitation Sisters: Read about these Sisters, their ministries and collaborators: https://www.visitationmonasteryminneapolis.org/.

Sojourner Truth Academy: https://sojournertruthacademy.org/.

Join Franciscan Associate Doug Beumer who courageously explores the kaleidoscope of his life experience and work, a mirror for what he sees in society today.

From Doug's interview: "We know with trauma, people get stuck. When our amygdala is tired, it's like the panic button. Our other thinking shuts down. For those of privilege, and by privilege, I mean, isolated or insulated from the trauma and hurt of others, we may not recognize that or choose to look away; it's a concerning time for our country. … There's a poster I saw at the group home I worked in for those that are struggling with substance abuse and mental illness, that a hundred million people in our own country aren't getting the services and support they need. It's the reality. …

Self-care, I think in a certain way is an act of resistance in a world that's full of chaos and trauma and confusion. … Having context for what I do is really helpful for me in terms of keeping things in balance and finding a middle pathway, if you will, forward. …

Being present to the present as adults, we can make the decision to engage at many different levels with all the different issues that you see in our society. And I think when we are aligned with others and in relationship with others that are experiencing suffering that makes a huge difference. For some, it's an inconvenience, for others it's really devastating what's going on. And, we're all learning and growing in our awareness and response to all the challenges going on these days

Have the courage to reach out if you're suffering or in pain or needing support. Be gentle with yourself because that is a pathway forward that has benefit in the end. It's not easy work to look at ourselves and to nurture ourselves, but as adults, I think that is our task. When we do, we model that for our loved ones and allow them to be themselves and grow and learn. It's kind of a self-sustaining kind of dynamic when we have relationships like that, where we love others and others love us and we could share that. And so it's an expanding intimacy that can be very life-giving.

When we recognize that the only person we can change is ourselves, that puts us in a different stance or position with the world. Acknowledging there is a higher power and again, being gentle with myself and finding balance, finding health and recognizing all the gifts, I think, is a powerful relationship with God or higher power or the presence in our life that is present, that we don't always understand or appreciate."

For a full transcript, please include episode number and email: [email protected].

References:

Trauma: What is trauma? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/trauma.

Recovery Community: This is a general term re: networks to support recovery from substance abuse. Among many sources, here is a resource in Minnesota: https://minnesotarecovery.org/.

Clare's Well:  Here is an article about the 25th Anniversary of Clare's Well: https://www.annandaleadvocate.com/news/14262/wellness-at-25-clares-well-celebrates-anniversary. After a fruitful 27 years, this ministry ended in 2015; the farm was sold and re-opened as Wellsprings Farm; in 2021, the farm became Rootsprings Coop.

Neuroplasticity: What is brain plasticity? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886. See also: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/neuroplasticity.

Dysregulation:  What is it? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-dysregulation-5073868.

Amygdala: What does it do? https://www.simplypsychology.org/amygdala.html.

Father John Kaiser: Learn about Fr. Kaiser, and a microloan fund that has been set up in honor of his work with people on the margins, which cost him his life in Kenya:  https://www.catholicfoundation.info/copy-of-mother-mary-s-fund-for-life. For more detail about his life work for justice and his death, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Anthony_Kaiser.

BIPOC: What does it mean? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-bipoc-5025158.

Columbia Protocol: Learn more about the Columbia Suicide Scale https://cssrs.columbia.edu/the-columbia-scale-c-ssrs/about-the-scale/.

Camino de Santiago: History of the Camino: https://www.caminoadventures.com/blog/history-of-the-camino/. Twin Cities chapter of American Pilgrims: https://americanpilgrims.org/iwpmap_directory/minneapolis/. As I mentioned in the podcast, Bottes et Velo (Boots and Cycling) is a resource available in English and in French: http://bottesetvelo.com/; Brigitte and Eric are friends who do accompaniment and support of pilgrims based out of French Canada.

Johari window: This practical tool can be applied in relationships and in professional settings. Here's an informative article: https://www.communicationtheory.org/the-johari-window-model/, and a video reflection process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsXicQ4019E&t=3s.  

Journey of the Universe, Brian Swimme: an introductory video to the 2011 documentary: https://www.imdb.com/videoplayer/vi3647970585. You can also search online for a number of videos of Brian Swimme's work honoring the beauty and complexity of the universe.

Dissociate: What is dissociation? https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-dissociation-22201.

North Minneapolis Resources:

Visitation Sisters: Read about these Sisters, their ministries and collaborators: https://www.visitationmonasteryminneapolis.org/.

Sojourner Truth Academy: https://sojournertruthacademy.org/.

Join Franciscan Cojourner Cathy Nelson as she breaks open the beauty of belonging, the music and mystery of the God's love poured out in Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the invitation for us to respond in love.

From Cathy's interview: "It became clear that we were not going to be having another baby, but that I was going to be birthing music. And there you go. So now I have had a lot more children. And just like a child, they're born, you shape them, you form them and then you have to let them go. One of the hardest parts about being a composer is when somebody else plays my song and I don't like the tempo or the style, or it's like, no, no, no, that's not how it goes. I remember that saying about giving children wings. You can no longer control anything. And so I can't control my little baby songs or my, let's say my adult songs. They need to move on and, in a sense, have a life of their own. …

My journey is one of an ever broadening and deepening understanding of this mystery that we call God…. In terms of contemporary reality, with all the divisiveness I think Franciscan spirituality does call us to an ever-expanding inclusiveness, to understand that no matter where you have come from, no matter what part of society you are in, no matter what part of creation you are in, that you belong. I really think that is one of the core values, Franciscan values, that incorporates care for the poor, care for the earth, speaking out for the powerless. Action based on contemplation because in the contemplation we think about what we're going to do in the context of the whole. I really think an expanding sense of inclusiveness and it's what we need right now in our country, in our world. …

God's intent is love, not condemnation. How do I share that love? So the wisdom is reflecting on, how am I being called to share the love of Christ with others? And Francis said, Christ has shown me what is mine to do, now... I'm paraphrasing... It's up to you to know what is yours to do. I think the wisdom is understanding that since we all function within a web of relationships, we each have an individual charism or giftedness that is to be shared.

But with the understanding that all that I have is from God, which is the basis, I think, of Franciscan poverty, humility, that the wisdom in the concept of poverty is not that I have to be wanting for food, but it's that I know that everything I have is a gift and that God has a special way to use my particular charisms."

For a full transcript, please include episode number and email: [email protected].

References:

Newman Centers: What is a Newman Center? https://www.sacramentonewman.org/what-is-a-newman-center.html. For further information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newman_Center.

Secular Franciscan Order: USA site: https://secularfranciscansusa.org/. A general history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_Franciscan_Order.

Rochester Franciscan Sisters: located in Rochester, Minnesota: https://rochesterfranciscan.org/.

Francis and Clare sources: for a searchable database of early documents and further resources see the Franciscan Intellectual-Spiritual Tradition (CFIT) website: https://www.franciscantradition.org/. Hardcopy sources are available at: https://www.newcitypress.com/academic/francis-clare-of-assisi/francis-of-assisi-early-documents.html.

Regis Armstrong on Saint Clare: in addition to the above CFIT source, early Clare of Assisi documents are available in hard copy: https://www.newcitypress.com/clare-of-assisi-early-documents-the-lady.html. For more about Franciscan Friar Regis Armstrong: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regis_J._Armstrong.

Ilia Delio wrote 'Simply Bonaventure: An Introduction to His Life, Thought , and Writings':

Cathy noted in her interview that this book "has a lot in it about the Trinity. And that just blew my mind, talking about God as the fountain fullness. This idea of love flowing out into the form of Jesus. And then the love between them flowing out as the Holy Spirit, and that they're a community of love." See: https://www.abebooks.com/9781565484849/Simply-Bonaventure-Introduction-Life-Thought-1565484843/plp.

Richard Rohr: a Franciscan friar, prolific author and presenter; here is his bio: https://cac.org/about/richard-rohr/.

Cathy Tisel Nelson: Cathy's website (http://www.cathynelsonmusic.com/) includes her Franciscan songs: http://www.cathynelsonmusic.com/franciscan-music-and-songs.

Engaging Franciscan Spirituality (EFS): an educational and formational program sponsored by the Franciscan Life Center; currently on a year of sabbatical. Some information is here: https://www.fslf.org/FranciscanSpiritualityProgram.

Incarnational Christology of Franciscan theology: Some short informational articles, including Custodian articles #1 and #12, are good beginning reading; see: https://www.franciscantradition.org/resources/custodians-of-the-tradition.

Spiritual Directors and Spiritual Direction: Spiritual directors accompany individuals or groups in deepening their spiritual lives and their relationship with God. See interview with Teresa Blythe: https://youtu.be/b6l7UN9wxEg; for further exploration, listen to Sister Michelle at: https://40minutesoffaith.com/podcast/spiritualdirection.

Join Franciscan Cojourner Cathy Nelson as she breaks open the beauty of belonging, the music and mystery of the God's love poured out in Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the invitation for us to respond in love.  

From Cathy's interview: "It became clear that we were not going to be having another baby, but that I was going to be birthing music. And there you go. So now I have had a lot more children. And just like a child, they're born, you shape them, you form them and then you have to let them go. One of the hardest parts about being a composer is when somebody else plays my song and I don't like the tempo or the style, or it's like, no, no, no, that's not how it goes. I remember that saying about giving children wings. You can no longer control anything. And so I can't control my little baby songs or my, let's say my adult songs. They need to move on and, in a sense, have a life of their own. …

My journey is one of an ever broadening and deepening understanding of this mystery that we call God…. In terms of contemporary reality, with all the divisiveness I think Franciscan spirituality does call us to an ever-expanding inclusiveness, to understand that no matter where you have come from, no matter what part of society you are in, no matter what part of creation you are in, that you belong. I really think that is one of the core values, Franciscan values, that incorporates care for the poor, care for the earth, speaking out for the powerless.  Action based on contemplation because in the contemplation we think about what we're going to do in the context of the whole. I really think an expanding sense of inclusiveness and it's what we need right now in our country, in our world. …

God's intent is love, not condemnation. How do I share that love? So the wisdom is reflecting on, how am I being called to share the love of Christ with others? And Francis said, Christ has shown me what is mine to do, now...  I'm paraphrasing... It's up to you to know what is yours to do. I think the wisdom is understanding that since we all function within a web of relationships, we each have an individual charism or giftedness that is to be shared.

But with the understanding that all that I have is from God, which is the basis, I think, of Franciscan poverty, humility, that the wisdom in the concept of poverty is not that I have to be wanting for food, but it's that I know that everything I have is a gift and that God has a special way to use my particular charisms."

For a full transcript, please include episode number and email: [email protected].

References:

Newman Centers: What is a Newman Center? https://www.sacramentonewman.org/what-is-a-newman-center.html. For further information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newman_Center.

Secular Franciscan Order: USA site: https://secularfranciscansusa.org/. A general history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_Franciscan_Order.  

Rochester Franciscan Sisters: located in Rochester, Minnesota: https://rochesterfranciscan.org/.

Francis and Clare sources: for a searchable database of early documents and further resources see the Franciscan Intellectual-Spiritual Tradition (CFIT) website: https://www.franciscantradition.org/.  Hardcopy sources are available at: https://www.newcitypress.com/academic/francis-clare-of-assisi/francis-of-assisi-early-documents.html.

Regis Armstrong on Saint Clare: in addition to the above CFIT source, early Clare of Assisi documents are available in hard copy: https://www.newcitypress.com/clare-of-assisi-early-documents-the-lady.html. For more about Franciscan Friar Regis Armstrong: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regis_J._Armstrong.

Ilia Delio wrote 'Simply Bonaventure: An Introduction to His Life, Thought , and Writings':

Cathy noted in her interview that this book "has a lot in it about the Trinity. And that just blew my mind, talking about God as the fountain fullness. This idea of love flowing out into the form of Jesus. And then the love between them flowing out as the Holy Spirit, and that they're a community of love." See: https://www.abebooks.com/9781565484849/Simply-Bonaventure-Introduction-Life-Thought-1565484843/plp.

Richard Rohr: a Franciscan friar, prolific author and presenter; here is his bio: https://cac.org/about/richard-rohr/.

Cathy Tisel Nelson: Cathy's website (http://www.cathynelsonmusic.com/) includes her Franciscan songs: http://www.cathynelsonmusic.com/franciscan-music-and-songs.  

Engaging Franciscan Spirituality (EFS): an educational and formational program sponsored by the Franciscan Life Center; currently on a year of sabbatical. Some information is here: https://www.fslf.org/FranciscanSpiritualityProgram.

Incarnational Christology of Franciscan theology: Some short informational articles, including Custodian articles #1 and #12, are good beginning reading; see: https://www.franciscantradition.org/resources/custodians-of-the-tradition. 

Spiritual Directors and Spiritual Direction: Spiritual directors accompany individuals or groups in deepening their spiritual lives and their relationship with God. See interview with Teresa Blythe: https://youtu.be/b6l7UN9wxEg; for further exploration, listen to Sister Michelle at: https://40minutesoffaith.com/podcast/spiritualdirection.

Join Franciscan Sister Nancy deMattos, a woman of great faith, as she tells her story and reflects on her experience of listening and responding to the work of the Holy Spirit in her life. Prepare to be surprised and inspired!

From Sister Nancy's interview: "Franciscan values have always laid quietly in my inner self, but they've been brought forward by living community for these 37 years.

And living with the elderly has taught me the wisdom of listening. The joys expressed in even the smallest gifts, mostly of my time and theirs. Their humility and accepting what is, even when it may not be what they prefer. In these days of chaos, I have learned that a prayer will settle my thoughts faster than conversation. So I do a lot of that also. ….

Secular Franciscans are a part of the Franciscan family, which are the laity. … They have a formation program of about two years and then they make their profession and they do the Lectio Divina and they also study the scriptures and the Franciscan way of life. They're very much an active part of the Franciscan family. …

First of all, creation spirituality has always been an inspiration for me …. I got to visit the Teton range in Wyoming and the purple mountains majesty? I saw it. I felt it. Amber waves of grain, fields of grain waving at the base of the, going to the sun highway. And the, the waves of the, I have swum in both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. And I have seen the giant sequoias and I have seen the cacti in Arizona and New Mexico. I've been extremely blessed, but I have seen God's creation upfront and personal, and that is a great part of my creation spirituality.

My woundedness is with the woundedness of Mother Earth, to see so much of it destroyed. And my prayer is that somehow we can regain and replace those things that have been destroyed and are missing for our children and our grandchildren, and my great-grandchild.

So that's my wisdom. The wonders of God's making the earth and repentance for us wounding it, with devotion to do what I can. Observations with joy of sighting a Monarch butterfly on Sunday, just sitting quietly at the entrance of the convent. Knowledge with love, reading, and reflections of the divinely inspired wisdom.

And I have been so blessed to have some divine inspirations from the Holy Spirit. Rainbows, when all seemed dark. Open doors when the way seemed blocked for me and people who have lent a hand, when seemingly there was no way to go forward. Those are the things that I considered wisdom of the Holy Spirit and my life. …

To others who are searching, I would say, find a comfortable place where you can state your needs to God as you would to your closest friend. And then sit in silence. When the time is right, you will hear God's will for you. Sometimes it's no. Sometimes it's yes. And sometimes it's wait, the time is not right for now. But God is always present. God will never leave you."

For a full transcript, please include episode number and email: [email protected].

References:

Sisters and Nuns seem to be used interchangeably….is there a difference between being a Sister or a Nun? https://anunslife.org/how-to-become-a-nun/sister-or-nun .

Process of becoming a religious sister or nun: https://anunslife.org/how-to-become-a-nun .

Secular Franciscans: For further information, please see https://secularfranciscansusa.org/.

Lectio Divina literally means "divine reading" and is an ancient practice of praying the Scriptures. See https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/lectio-divina-contemplation/ for further information.

Daily Scriptures and Meditations: For Catholics there are Scriptures for each day. There are also sources for meditation. Sister Nancy referred to The Word Among Us: https://wau.org/subscribe/. Another daily devotional is Give us this Day: https://giveusthisday.org/. The daily Scripture readings are available in English and Spanish at: https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading.

Join Franciscan Sister Nancy deMattos, a woman of great faith, as she tells her story and reflects on her experience of listening and responding to the work of the Holy Spirit in her life. Prepare to be surprised and inspired!

From Sister Nancy's interview: "Franciscan values have always laid quietly in my inner self, but they've been brought forward by living community for these 37 years.

And living with the elderly has taught me the wisdom of listening. The joys expressed in even the smallest gifts, mostly of my time and theirs. Their humility and accepting what is, even when it may not be what they prefer. In these days of chaos, I have learned that a prayer will settle my thoughts faster than conversation. So I do a lot of that also. ….

Secular Franciscans are a part of the Franciscan family, which are the laity. … They have a formation program of about two years and then they make their profession and they do the Lectio Divina and they also study the scriptures and the Franciscan way of life. They're very much an active part of the Franciscan family. …

First of all, creation spirituality has always been an inspiration for me …. I got to visit the Teton range in Wyoming and the purple mountains majesty? I saw it. I felt it. Amber waves of grain, fields of grain waving at the base of the, going to the sun highway. And the, the waves of the, I have swum in both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. And I have seen the giant sequoias and I have seen the cacti in Arizona and New Mexico. I've been extremely blessed, but I have seen God's creation upfront and personal, and that is a great part of my creation spirituality.

My woundedness is with the woundedness of Mother Earth, to see so much of it destroyed. And my prayer is that somehow we can regain and replace those things that have been destroyed and are missing for our children and our grandchildren, and my great-grandchild.

So that's my wisdom. The wonders of God's making the earth and repentance for us wounding it, with devotion to do what I can. Observations with joy of sighting a Monarch butterfly on Sunday, just sitting quietly at the entrance of the convent. Knowledge with love, reading, and reflections of the divinely inspired wisdom.

And I have been so blessed to have some divine inspirations from the Holy Spirit. Rainbows, when all seemed dark. Open doors when the way seemed blocked for me and people who have lent a hand, when seemingly there was no way to go forward. Those are the things that I considered wisdom of the Holy Spirit and my life. …

To others who are searching, I would say, find a comfortable place where you can state your needs to God as you would to your closest friend. And then sit in silence. When the time is right, you will hear God's will for you. Sometimes it's no. Sometimes it's yes. And sometimes it's wait, the time is not right for now. But God is always present. God will never leave you."

For a full transcript, please include episode number and email: [email protected].

References:

Sisters and Nuns seem to be used interchangeably….is there a difference between being a Sister or a Nun? https://anunslife.org/how-to-become-a-nun/sister-or-nun .

Process of becoming a religious sister or nun:  https://anunslife.org/how-to-become-a-nun .

Secular Franciscans: For further information, please see https://secularfranciscansusa.org/.

Lectio Divina literally means "divine reading" and is an ancient practice of praying the Scriptures. See https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/lectio-divina-contemplation/ for further information.

Daily Scriptures and Meditations: For Catholics there are Scriptures for each day. There are also sources for meditation. Sister Nancy referred to The Word Among Us: https://wau.org/subscribe/. Another daily devotional is Give us this Day: https://giveusthisday.org/. The daily Scripture readings are available in English and Spanish at: https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading.

Join Franciscan Associate Michele Rosha as she radiates the joy of God's presence through her storytelling, her generosity of spirit and her accompaniment of others in life's transitions.

From Michele's interview: "My grandmother on my mother's side was sickly. She had something with her heart really early on. What I remember most about her is that her bed was in the dining room. It was a hospital bed, and there was a big radio there and she and I would pray the rosary together when we'd come to visit. And so I think of her as my first spiritual director; I just remember that time as being really very special. ….

I don't like conflict, but I have learned that through the challenges we have, we really do learn life's lessons. I've taken a softer view of that. It's like, okay God, this is something that's going to happen in my life, whether I like it or not, so teach me the lesson well. And I believe that God has answered that prayer for me because, we don't want a lesson a second and a third and a fourth time; sometimes that's what's happened. If we don't learn the lesson, we get it over and over again. So I try to learn it when it comes to me the first time…. there are going to be conflicts in life, but that is what makes life beautiful. ….

If you feel like there's something missing in your life, connect with the Franciscan community…. if you feel like there's a hunger there, it can be fed with a Franciscan spirituality, and with getting involved with the Franciscan community because it's certainly has done that for me."

For a full transcript, please include episode number and email: [email protected].

References:

Liturgy of the Hours: To learn about this is, see https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours.

Novena: To learn more about Novenas, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novena.

Consecration to St. Joseph: For further information, please see https://www.consecrationtostjoseph.org/.

Rosary: For more about the Rosary, see https://catholicstraightanswers.com/what-is-the-rosary-and-how-did-it-originate/.

Divine Mercy chaplet: see https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplet.

Religious Communities: For a simple summary of religious communities development in a Roman Catholic context see: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Roman-Catholicism/Religious-communities. My own community, the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, is an example of a religious community today.

Holy Spirit: Christians believe in a Triune God, a mystery of three persons in one God. For a broad exploration of the Holy Spirit in Christianity, please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit_in_Christianity. Note this excerpt from Saint Francis of Assisi's Later Rule X:8 "Let them pay attention to what they must desire above all else: to have the Spirit of the Lord and Its holy activity."

"Listening Ministry" by Susan K. Hedahl: Michele quoted an excerpt by Steven Veer:

"To listen a person into discovery and disclosure may be the most important thing you can do for a soul." This book was published by Fortress Press in 2001, see https://www.amazon.com/Listening-Ministry-Rethinking-Pastoral-Leadership/dp/0800631749.

Hospice: To learn what Hospice is, see https://hospicefoundation.org/Hospice-Care/Hospice-Services. Also, see "Midwife for the Souls: Spiritual Care for the Dying" by Kathy Kalina, published by Pauline Books and Media in 2007: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/432444.Midwife_For_Souls.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Referred to in different ways at different times in the Scriptures, see https://www.christianity.com/god/holy-spirit/what-are-the-seven-gifts-of-the-holy-spirit-scripture-meaning.html.

Francis and the pigs story, recorded by Roger of Wendover, between 1225; see verse 6 https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/related-documents/other-chronicles-and-references/1044-fa-ed-1-page-597.

Join Franciscan Associate Michele Rosha as she radiates the joy of God's presence through her storytelling, her generosity of spirit and her accompaniment of others in life's transitions.

From Michele's interview: "My grandmother on my mother's side was sickly. She had something with her heart really early on. What I remember most about her is that her bed was in the dining room. It was a hospital bed, and there was a big radio there and she and I would pray the rosary together when we'd come to visit. And so I think of her as my first spiritual director; I just remember that time as being really very special. ….

I don't like conflict, but I have learned that through the challenges we have, we really do learn life's lessons. I've taken a softer view of that. It's like, okay God, this is something that's going to happen in my life, whether I like it or not, so teach me the lesson well. And I believe that God has answered that prayer for me because, we don't want a lesson a second and a third and a fourth time; sometimes that's what's happened. If we don't learn the lesson, we get it over and over again. So I try to learn it when it comes to me the first time…. there are going to be conflicts in life, but that is what makes life beautiful. ….

If you feel like there's something missing in your life, connect with the Franciscan community…. if you feel like there's a hunger there, it can be fed with a Franciscan spirituality, and with getting involved with the Franciscan community because it's certainly has done that for me."

For a full transcript, please include episode number and email: [email protected].

References:

Liturgy of the Hours: To learn about this is, see https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours.

Novena: To learn more about Novenas, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novena.

Consecration to St. Joseph: For further information, please see https://www.consecrationtostjoseph.org/.

Rosary: For more about the Rosary, see https://catholicstraightanswers.com/what-is-the-rosary-and-how-did-it-originate/.

Divine Mercy chaplet: see https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplet.

Religious Communities: For a simple summary of religious communities development in a Roman Catholic context see: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Roman-Catholicism/Religious-communities. My own community, the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, is an example of a religious community today.

Holy Spirit: Christians believe in a Triune God, a mystery of three persons in one God. For a broad exploration of the Holy Spirit in Christianity, please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit_in_Christianity. Note this excerpt from Saint Francis of Assisi's  Later Rule X:8 "Let them pay attention to what they must desire above all else: to have the Spirit of the Lord and Its holy activity."

"Listening Ministry" by Susan K. Hedahl: Michele quoted an excerpt by Steven Veer:

"To listen a person into discovery and disclosure may be the most important thing you can do for a soul." This book was published by Fortress Press in 2001, see https://www.amazon.com/Listening-Ministry-Rethinking-Pastoral-Leadership/dp/0800631749.

Hospice:  To learn what Hospice is, see https://hospicefoundation.org/Hospice-Care/Hospice-Services. Also, see "Midwife for the Souls: Spiritual Care for the Dying" by Kathy Kalina, published by Pauline Books and Media in 2007: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/432444.Midwife_For_Souls.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Referred to in different ways at different times in the Scriptures, see https://www.christianity.com/god/holy-spirit/what-are-the-seven-gifts-of-the-holy-spirit-scripture-meaning.html.

Francis and the pigs story, recorded by Roger of Wendover, between 1225; see verse 6 https://www.franciscantradition.org/francis-of-assisi-early-documents/the-saint/related-documents/other-chronicles-and-references/1044-fa-ed-1-page-597.

Join young adult Sister Eilis McCulloh as she explores the influence of Franciscan values and life experiences in her journey to a life-long commitment of service in religious life. Eilis notes the impact, for example, of reverence for creation, simplicity, encounter, and hospitality.

From Sister Eilis: "There was something about the Humility of Mary (HM) Community that was calling me to return. That was the place where my heart was, where I felt most at home and most authentically myself. And if I was going to explore religious life, that that was the community that I needed to really do that exploration with. It was the learnings and the experiences of being a Franciscan Community Volunteer that really opened me up to be able to live into the call of religious life and to take the parts of my time in St. Cloud that I loved and were foundational to me. And then to return home to where I knew that I was being called to live and to recognize that that it was back in Villa Maria, Pennsylvania in Northeast, Ohio. …

Key values to explain Franciscans:

The first is honor or reverence for all of creation. … Our HM community is on 740 acres of farmland. And so learning how to honor creation, how to honor the land and to walk gently on it from the Franciscans really was just a natural shift into the HM charism, into the HM community of reverencing the land and taking care of it and making sure that it's around for generations after me to continue and to learn more about it and to be active in protecting the land…

And then, hand in hand with that is the idea of simplicity. Asking continually, what are my needs versus my wants? And how do you balance that as someone who's taking a vow of poverty and what does that mean? How do I live that out? And really, I think returning to the idea of simplicity that we learned is as Volunteers, what can we live without and what are we abundantly blessed with that we share with others? And then how do we live that out as religious or as people, in general.

This came to me now, the real profound idea of encounter and meeting one another where each person is, and being able to use that in an encounter. Be able to reach across divides and to talk to one another and to honor the dignity of each person and the story of each person and religious traditions with each person that I meet, I think is a value that I learned in Minnesota and is a strong value of my community as well.

The final thing for me is the idea of hospitality and of being able to welcome another person into your home and to really break bread together and share a meal with one another and get to know each other on a different level than one would, if you don't take the time to share each's stories and to become friends with them."

References:

Sisters of the Humility of Mary, the community to which Sister Eilis belongs: https://www.humilityofmary.org/.

Parker Palmer quote that Eilis referenced: "Vocation at its deepest level is, 'This is something I can't not do, for reasons I'm unable to explain to anyone else and don't fully understand myself but that are nonetheless compelling.'" ― Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation,

San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2000, page 25.

What is fracking? For general information: https://www.britannica.com/technology/fracking. There is information online from pro-industry and environmental perspectives as well.

From HM foundress Mother Madelaine Potier:

"I have always said that I would appreciate the goodness of everyone who will come to our house to help me to do something for the Glory of God."*

*Inside back cover:

Quotation on front cover is from page 39 of Recollections: a fragment, by the Rev. J. J. Begel, New Bedford, 1879. Originally translated by Sr. Mary Therese Berry, HM. October 13, 1979; Revised translation 2007. The recently revised wording is a more accurate translation of the peasant type expression in the original French. Fr. Begel is quoting Mother Madelaine when in September 1854 Julie Claudel had come to Dommartin as the teacher in the new schoolroom.

Join young adult Sister Eilis McCulloh as she explores the influence of Franciscan values and life experiences in her journey to a life-long commitment of service in religious life. Eilis notes the impact, for example, of reverence for creation, simplicity, encounter, and hospitality.

From Sister Eilis: "There was something about the Humility of Mary (HM) Community that was calling me to return. That was the place where my heart was, where I felt most at home and most authentically myself. And if I was going to explore religious life, that that was the community that I needed to really do that exploration with. It was the learnings and the experiences of being a Franciscan Community Volunteer that really opened me up to be able to live into the call of religious life and to take the parts of my time in St. Cloud that I loved and were foundational to me. And then to return home to where I knew that I was being called to live and to recognize that that it was back in Villa Maria, Pennsylvania in Northeast, Ohio. …

Key values to explain Franciscans:

The first is honor or reverence for all of creation. … Our HM community is on 740 acres of farmland. And so learning how to honor creation, how to honor the land and to walk gently on it from the Franciscans really was just a natural shift into the HM charism, into the HM community of reverencing the land and taking care of it and making sure that it's around for generations after me to continue and to learn more about it and to be active in protecting the land…

And then, hand in hand with that is the idea of simplicity. Asking continually, what are my needs versus my wants? And how do you balance that as someone who's taking a vow of poverty and what does that mean?  How do I live that out? And really, I think returning to the idea of simplicity that we learned is as Volunteers, what can we live without and what are we abundantly blessed with that we share with others? And then how do we live that out as religious or as people, in general. 

This came to me now, the real profound idea of encounter and meeting one another where each person is, and being able to use that in an encounter. Be able to reach across divides and to talk to one another and to honor the dignity of each person and the story of each person and religious traditions with each person that I meet, I think is a value that I learned in Minnesota and is a strong value of my community as well.

The final thing for me is the idea of hospitality and of being able to welcome another person into your home and to really break bread together and share a meal with one another and get to know each other on a different level than one would, if you don't take the time to share each's stories and to become friends with them."

References:

Sisters of the Humility of Mary, the community to which Sister Eilis belongs: https://www.humilityofmary.org/.

Parker Palmer quote that Eilis referenced: "Vocation at its deepest level is, 'This is something I can't not do, for reasons I'm unable to explain to anyone else and don't fully understand myself but that are nonetheless compelling.'" ― Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation,

     San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2000, page 25.

What is fracking? For general information: https://www.britannica.com/technology/fracking. There is information online from pro-industry and environmental perspectives as well.

From HM foundress Mother Madelaine Potier:

"I have always said that I would appreciate the goodness of everyone who will come to our house to help me to do something for the Glory of God."*   

*Inside back cover:  

Quotation on front cover is from page 39 of Recollections: a fragment, by the Rev. J. J. Begel, New Bedford, 1879. Originally translated by Sr. Mary Therese Berry, HM. October 13, 1979; Revised translation 2007. The recently revised wording is a more accurate translation of the peasant type expression in the original French. Fr. Begel is quoting Mother Madelaine when in September 1854 Julie Claudel had come to Dommartin as the teacher in the new schoolroom.