Franciscan Mission Service was founded on the idea that laity have an important role to play in the Church and have their own call to mission. In addition, its founder Fr. Anselm Moons, OFM, believed that the Catholic Church has a missionary task to not only address issues of justice in impoverished areas but to evangelize places of power, affluence, and privilege.
Therefore, Franciscan Mission Service trains and helps lay people serve in solidarity with marginalized communities, and then encourages them to be advocates for peace, justice, reconciliation, and care for creation through the sharing of their experiences with North Americans.
More than 175 lay people have come through Franciscan Mission Service’s various programs since 1990, serving in 19 countries and Washington, DC.
As an independent 501(c)(3), Franciscan Mission Service relies on donations in order to offer service opportunities in the tradition of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi that are relational, radical, reconciling, and relevant.
These photos are just a few examples of the missioners and ministries of Franciscan Mission Service’s first 25 years. They were on display at the World Care Benefit and Celebration (May 1, 2015) is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.
- Beth Riehle 2006-2009
- Class 30: Amanda Ceraldi, Brandon Newland, Maeve Gallagher, Patrick Montine, and Tom Little at their welcoming mass in Fall of 2014
- Kathy Snider 1998-2000
- Kevin Day 1995-1998
- Tim Marcy 2009-2012
- Annemarie Barrett 2012-Present
- Oscar Padilla 1998-2001
- Kristin Nalen 2006-2009
- Bryce and Sandra Bradford 2010-2012
- Bridget Higginbotham, FMS communications manager, at her service site, the Jeanne Jugan Residence during her volunteer year in 2011.
- Catherine Giller 2001-2004
- Chuck McKone 1994-1996
- Dan McNeil 1993-1995
- David LaDuca 2004-2007
- Doug Garofalo 2005-2007
- Fred Cain 1999-2001
- Fr. George Corrigan 1996-1999
- Joe Johns 1992-1993
- Marianne Vecchioine
- Peter Tolhurst 1998-2001
- Hady Mendez 2013-Present
- Kristie Raney 1995-1997
- Jean Lechtenberg 2006-2009
- Jeff Sved 2012-Present
- Karol Kamenka 2000-2003
- Katie Eberhard Mulembe 2004-2006
- Kitzi Hendricks 2012-2014
- Lynda Crone 2005-2007
- Joel Vaughn and Lynn Myrick 2009-2012
- Debbie Lucwick 2000-2002
- Mary Mortenson 2013-Present
- Meegan White 1992-1993
- Nate Mortenson 2013-Present
- Pat Clausen 2005-2007
- Rhegan Hyypio 2005-2007
- Sarah Hoffeditz, FMS operations manager, volunteering at Miriam’s Kitchen, her service site during her volunteer year in 2013.
- Sharon Wahl 2007-2009
- Valerie Ellis 2013-Present
- Lorenz Sollomann 1992-1994
- Val Gregg 1993-1996