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Year: 2017

Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: The Feeling of Hospitality

Editor’s note: As a part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, missioner Anna Klonowski reflects on the moments of hospitality she’s experienced in Bolivia. I have experienced hospitality this year on mission in so many new and unexpected ways. This makes me think of a quote from Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said,…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: The Biggest Stars in the World

Editor’s note: Fr. Michael Della Penna, OFM, is the Director of the Valley of the Angels Orphanage in Guatemala, an FMS partner site. As a guest blogger for FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Fr. Michael emphasizes the importance of keeping Christ as the first priority in our lives and cautions against false idols. As a…

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Faith Calls Us to Be Neighbors: Christmas Night with the Shepherds

Editor’s note: Elizabeth Hughes is the Executive Director of FMS. After our Advent reflections on experiences of hospitality, she invites you to join her in a Christmas imaginative prayer, accompanying the shepherds to welcome Jesus to the world. What gifts and graces might have unfolded during the journey of welcome? “O, Holy Night…the thrill of…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Aymara Hospitality

Editor’s note: As a part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, returned missioner Lee Lechtenberg shares an experience of hospitality while adventuring the Inca trail with fellow missioners in Bolivia. Our journey began in the falling snow at the top of a mountain, trying to find the beginning of the Inca trail that would take…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: When the Advent Promise Has No Resonance

Editor’s note: As a part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM, reflects on the meaning of Advent and the need to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Christian-Catholics identify closely with each of the Church’s liturgical seasons. We rejoice at Emanuel—God-With-Us—during Christmastime; we recognize our need for…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: So Much Room

Editor’s note: As a part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, former DC Service Corps volunteer, Kathleen Strycula, reflects on the blessing of empty spaces. There’s a guest room in my home. It’s the first house I’ve lived in that’s big enough to have a room dedicated to visitors, and I love it. Only a…

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Faith Calls Us to Be Neighbors: Seeing God in Others at Catholic Charities

Editor’s note: As a part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Programs Associate Rose Urankar shares a few reflections from people associated with Catholic Charities, including Barbara Fortson and Madonna Enwe. There is something about the Christmas season that motivates people to give. Monetary and in-kind donations are made to charities throughout the nation and…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: God’s Welcoming Presence In Our Vocation

Editor’s note: As a part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Graphic Design Associate Alessia Catena shares the feeling of God’s presence as a moment of welcome and faith in her relationship. When my fiancée, Chris, and I were first discerning marriage, he was getting ready to move halfway across the world to Japan. Odd…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: God’s Welcoming Presence Abroad

Editor’s note: Christopher Unger is a service member in the United States Air Force and engaged to FMS Graphic Design Associate, Alessia Catena. As a guest blogger for FMS’ Advent blog series, Chris shares his experience finding God overseas in the welcoming outreach of others. My story begins upon arriving to my new duty station…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Relationships, Community, Involvement, Learning

Editor’s note: Joseph J. Cicala, Ph.D., is the Vice President for University Life and Dean of Students at Alvernia University and accompanied Alvernia students on a DC-based FMS service trip last spring. As a guest blogger for FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Joe reflects on God’s intentions for us and how Jesus came to live out these intentions…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Our Call, Our Challenge

Editor’s note: Sister Pat Klemm, OSF, a Franciscan Sister of Allegany for 54 years, has ministered in education, healthcare, parish ministry, formation ministry and leadership. As a guest blogger for FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Sr. Pat shares her experiences serving (and being welcomed) abroad and reflects on the story of the Nativity. A number…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Open Doors, Here and Abroad

Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, missioner Janice Smullen shares her experiences welcoming refugee families with open doors. When the churches in my area first met with Catholic Charities to hear specifics about the Refugee Resettlement program and to decide if we wanted to participate, Catholic Charities brought a man from…

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Faith Call Us to be Neighbors: In Thanksgiving for Community

Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Programs Associate Rose Urankar reflects on the past year and how community has welcomed her during that time. “Where were you one year ago today?” As we sat around the table, bellies full from our “Friendsgiving” feast, the FMS Casa community reflected on how our…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Finding Peace

Editor’s note: Pat Maloney is the Principal Director for Joint Operational Programs for Aerospace at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and one of FMS’ Board members. As a guest blogger for FMS’ Advent blog series, Pat reflects on her recent trip to Rome and Assisi and shares the opportunities she had to live out…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Welcoming Those in Need

Editor’s note: Paula J. Scraba, O.S.F., Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Physical Education Department at St. Bonaventure University and a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Washington, D.C. As a guest blogger for FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Paula shares some of her service experiences and reflects on how much she has learned from others…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: “You Must Stay!” An Experience of Not-So-American Hospitality

Editor’s note: Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv., is an FMS Board member and serves as Vicar Provincial of his Franciscan Province and Director of PostNovitiate Formation. As a guest blogger for FMS’ Advent blog series, Fr. Brad recounts a time he was generously welcomed into a friend’s home in Jordan. It was the spring of…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: A “Thank You” Letter to Bolivia

Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, missioner Catherine Hope Sullivan shares her gratitude to Bolivia, who has welcomed her in a variety of ways for the past two years, as she leaves the country today. Dear Bolivia, Today, I leave you and I cannot believe it. You have been everything to…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: “Welcome” Has No Language Barriers

Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, missioner Maggie Van Roekel describe a time when she was patiently welcomed by her students in Carmen Pampa despite the challenges of the language barrier. When I think about being welcomed, one of the biggest ideas that comes into my mind is my first few…

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Faith Call Us to be Neighbors: “Hospes,” the True Root of Hospitality

Editor’s note: Patrick McKenzie is the Director of Campus Ministry at Neumann University, a Franciscan school in Aston, PA. As a guest blogger for FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Patrick shares a “shining moment of true hospitality” and reflects on the true meaning of the word. “Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Hospitality, Joy, Christmas

Editor’s note: Sr. Patricia D. Reid, OSF, an Allegany Franciscan for more than 50 years, serves on the Franciscan Mission Service Board of Directors. As a guest blogger for FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Sr. Pat shares a time when she felt welcomed into the home of a woman who didn’t own much, but “had everything.” If…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Embracing the Culture of Encounter

Editor’s note: Fr. Kevin Mullen, OFM, serves as provincial minister of Holy Name Province. As a guest blogger for FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Fr. Kevin describes a time when he “embrace[d] the culture of encounter” by welcoming someone in the spirit of Saint Francis. This Advent, as we think about hospitality and about awaiting the…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Welcoming and Being Welcomed

Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, missioner Aubrey Kimble recounts her experiences being welcomed in Bolivia. This year’s Advent theme centers on hospitality and welcome, themes that are central to the Franciscan charism. I love that showing hospitality is part of the Franciscan charism because it is something that I believe…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: The Miracle of God’s Presence in Welcoming Others

Editor’s note: Fr. John Adams is the President of So Others Might Eat (SOME), a DC Service Corps site partner. As a guest blogger for FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, Fr. John reflects on being welcomed early on in his life, and in turn, finding a calling of welcoming others. What I have witnessed over…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Welcoming God in My Grief

Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, missioner Cindy Mizes recognizes God’s welcoming presence in the midst of grief and anguish. The photo is from the top of Blue Mountain (Highest peak in Jamaica) which she climbed with others last month. I would never have imagined that I would enter into a world…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Open Wide the Doors of Your Heart

Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ 2017 Advent blog series, missioner Erin McHugh reflects on the meaning and application of true hospitality and shares what happens as a result. It is such a beautiful God thing to me that our Advent theme for us this year is hospitality and welcoming the stranger, as I have…

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Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors: Welcome to the Advent Blog Series!

Editor’s note: Associate Director Meghan Meros introduces FMS’ Advent blog series, “Faith Calls Us to be Neighbors,” with a welcome story from Egypt. Tired. Hungry. Disoriented. In need of a shower. After traveling for nearly 24 hours to Cairo, Egypt, I was so ready to sleep, so ready to eat and to stop being in…

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God Sent Me a Telegram

Editor’s note: missioner Tim Shelgren recounts a divine experience in a Jamaican restaurant in Washington, DC. Since last winter, when I first applied to participate as an overseas missioner with FMS, I have been asked numerous times to “think about and explain why and where it is I feel called to serve.” This question has…

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Something That Important

Editor’s note: Development Associate Sam Hardwick reflects on the example of sacrifice that Jesus provides for us on the cross and how it leads to forgiveness. It’s really hard to forgive. When someone has wronged you in some way, or has led you astray, or caused you grief, or done any number of things that…

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The Sweet Presences of God

Editor’s note: Missioner Erin McHugh shares her gratitude for God’s presence on a retreat she lead for the girls at Valley in Guatemala. “I’m a little pencil in the hand of God writing love letters to the world.” —Mother Teresa I love this quote from Mother Teresa, as that’s exactly how I feel on mission.…

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I Whispered and He Heard Me: Notes from Valle de los Angeles

Editor’s note: missioner Misty Menis-Kyler shares several recent events from her mission experience in Guatemala. The end of the school year has come and the students are relieved to be done with their exams. It was a bitter sweet time for me personally. I did not want to say goodbye to my students whom I…

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Some People Feel Like Home Feels

Editor’s note: now returned missioner Amanda Ceraldi shares the impact the kids at Valley of the Angels in Guatemala had on her during her time on mission. I stood at the front of a line of the 210 children at Valley of the Angels.  Each one of them was waiting to hug me.  After three…

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The Privilege of Options

Editor’s note: Missioner Catherine Hope Sullivan reflects on her two years in Bolivia and shares her reflective thoughts on the transition to returning home. As my two years here in Bolivia come to a close (I cannot believe I am typing it, but today marks one month until departure), I have found myself constantly reflecting…

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Beneath the Paint

Editor’s note: Missioner Allison Dethlefs reflects on the transformative process of an art project with the girls at Nuestra Casa in Cochabamba, Bolivia. It started out as a boredom prevention project. The girls at Nuestra Casa—a home for girls who have experienced sexual violence or abuse—were about to start their month-and-a-half of winter vacation (in…

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Showing Up

Editor’s note: Missioner Allison Dethlefs traces the ups and downs of her journey on mission and reflects on the challenges and joys of forming relationships along the way. When I decided to go on mission, Iwas prepared to experience two of the most fulfilling and gratifying years of my life. I pictured myself arriving in…

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Fall Saints, Fall Souls

Editor’s note: Programs Associate, Rose Urankar, reflects on the fall to winter transition during an afternoon joint session with the Class 33 missioners led by Lonnie Ellis, OFS. If there is ever a time to walk around in nature and be astounded by the creativity of God, it’s during the fall.  Sure, most flowers are…

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Fall Day of Reflection

Editor’s note: Graphic Design Associate, Alessia Catena, shares her photos and her thoughts from the 2017 Fall Day of Reflection experience. Earlier this month, Associate Director Meghan Meros led the DC Service Corps on a day of hiking and reflection amidst the fall foliage at the trails of Great Falls, Maryland. [unitegallery FallDay2017] Reflection question:…

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Dios Está Aquí

Editor’s Note: Executive Director Elizabeth Hughes shares a reflection from her October site visit to FMS communities in Cochabamba, Bolivia and Carmen Pampa, Bolivia. There is a popular Spanish worship song — that also happens to be one of my favorites — called “Dios Está Aquí.” Its English lyrics proclaim “God is here, as certain…

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Lively Young Man in a Brown Hooded Habit: An Interview with Brother Tommy

Editor’s note: Missioner Tim Shelgren shares an interview with Brother Tommy, a Capuchin Franciscan. One quiet morning at the Casa, my colleagues and I prepared for our first class session of the day with prayer in the chapel and a quiet reflection on how appreciative we are for the education we are receiving. We made…

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Being There

Editor’s note: Former DC Service Corps volunteer Chase Medelberg shares what he learned about the ministry of presence while serving at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School last year. What a year it was at FMS. I still remember walking up the mountain of steps in front of Casa San Salvador and being greeted by…

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Women’s Wisdom

Editor’s note: Former DC Service Corps volunteer Chase Medelberg reflects on the women got to know during his last year living in intentional community at Casa San Salvador. My year at FMS was full of surprises–none bigger than living in a volunteer community with so many women. Before I came to DC, I sort of…

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A Boricua Thinking of Home

Editor’s note:Missioner Stephanie Ashley Caban shares her perspective as a Puerto Rican concerned about the island after the devastation from Hurricane Maria.   “Hey mom, I’m at a baseball game right now with the Casa, can I call you ba-”   “Hola mami, soy yo, tu abuela! Te amo mucho!”   “Abuela!!! Como está usted?!…

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A Day in the Children’s Library and Daycare Center

Editor’s note: Missioner Aubrey Kimble shares her experiences both in the daycare center and the children’s library in Carmen Pampa, Bolivia. [unitegallery daycare] How do you practice a childlike faith in your life?

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A Light in the Darkness

Editor’s note: Missioner Cindy Mizes reflects on the beauty of creation as a manifestation of Christ’s redeeming light. There is a beautiful night blooming cactus on the grounds where I live that has an abundance of flower buds. This particular cactus is massive with its long green tentacle-like arms stretching over 10 feet into the…

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Morning Community

Editor’s note: DC Service Corps member Sam Hardwick shares what he is gaining from incorporating daily Mass into his routine. A man dressed in a janitor’s uniform. A woman from the Middle East wearing a headdress. A man in a freshly cleaned suit with a briefcase. A nun dressed in blue and gray. An elderly…

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A Deeper Definition of Dignity

Editor’s note: Missioner Catherine Hope Sullivan explores perspectives on sexuality through the lens of her experiences in San Sebastian Prison in Cochabamba, Bolivia. First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes the baby in the baby carriage. Are you all singing along? I know I am. I have known that song for as long as…

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Jesus Commands Us To Love, Part 3: Transformation

Editor’s note: Missioner Janice Smullen shares her reflections on forgiveness and redemption. When I write “I will talk about my experience,” I only say that because my experience is all that I know. As you read, take what you like and leave the rest, but know that I share this with you because I am…

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Letting Go

Editor’s note: Missioner SarahJane Cauzillo shares a significant moment in her commitment to mission. When I first learned about St. Francis of Assisi famously stripping in the town square in front of the bishop and about his denouncement of his father, I heard St. Francis described as a “dramatic medieval Italian.” As an Italian myself,…

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Take Us Out to the Ball Game

Editor’s note: Missioner Stephanie Ashley Caban shares her community bonding experience at the Nationals’ game, thanks to Liz Hughes and Board President Patrick Martin, OFS. In preparation for our tailgate party, SarahJane, Sam, PJ, and Anne-Marie spent the morning heating up hot dogs and buns, excitedly chattering before walking to the Metro. Alessia and I…

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Love Can Be Kept Only By Being Given Away

Editor’s note: Missioner Maggie Van Roekel describes a meal that she and her campus ministry group organized in the Carmen Pampa community. “Love can be kept only by being given away.” —Tomas Merton, No Man is an Island This month our campus ministry group, pastoral, organized a lunch for older people in the Carmen Pampa…

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Cooking and Community at Casa San Salvador

Editor’s note: Missioner SarahJane Cauzillo gives a glimpse of the Casa San Salvador community’s evening meal and prayer time. [unitegallery casadinner] Reflection question: How do you make mindful connections through meal time?

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