Archive
NEW SERIES! Mother Earth Teaches: Digging Deeper into Faith, Community, and Justice
Today we launch a new series by lay missioner Annemarie Barrett about what she has learned from her time working in the parish garden alongside rural communities in Bolivia. Okay, so I am just going to say it again. I grew up in the city, disconnected from the land. In my parents’ house, we grew…
Community 101: Learning to Love
For the next four weeks, we will feature a four part series on faith in community every Franciscan Friday: “Community 101: An Introduction to Intentional Living”! and would like weekly contributors to highlight specific features of intentional-living in faith communities: Prayer, Listening, Sharing, and Learning to Love. Today’s post is by Ryan Murphy, who lived…
Looking Forward, Looking Back: Board Dinner / Mariam’s Going-Away Celebration
Saturday, June 7, was a bittersweet day in the history of Franciscan Mission Service. As the Board Committee met that afternoon at the Franciscan Monastery to discuss the future course of the organization, the members of the office were at Casa San Salvador down the street, setting up for a dinner to honor the passing…
OFM Congress: Enzo Bianchi on the Importance of Listening
Communications Manager Bridget Higginbotham blogs about her experience last month at the Order of Friars Minor first international congress on mission and evangelization. “If believing in God means to speak about God to others then I do not believe in God. If believing in God means speaking to God then I believe in God.” –…
Donor Story: Leadership and Service of Art McNeill
Arthur T. McNeill Franciscan Mission Service is grateful for the support of our donors from around the world and of all walks of life. This Father’s Day, we honor Art McNeill, a father of three whose life of service touched many. In 1963, Arthur McNeill took his 8-year-old son Thomas to the National Mall to…
Mission Monday: I’m Happy Here!
In today’s post, we share the joy, wonder, and happiness expressed by current lay missioner Hady Mendez at the beauty of mission service. I’m happy here in Bolivia. And even as I write these words, I’m knocking on wood because I don’t want to somehow jinx myself. I’ll admit it. I didn’t expect to be…
Community 101: Listening
For the next four weeks, we will feature a four part series on faith in community every Franciscan Friday: “Community 101: An Introduction to Intentional Living”! and would like weekly contributors to highlight specific features of intentional-living in faith communities: Prayer, Listening, Sharing, and Learning to Love. Today’s post is by Kaitlin Depuydt, one of…
Welcome, John!
Join Franciscan Mission Service in extending a warm welcome to our new Program Associate, John Quense! A native of New Jersey, John graduated in 2011 from Rutgers University, where he double majored in Political Science and Spanish. He comes to Franciscan Mission Service with a good amount of international volunteer experience under his belt. The…
Mission Monday: Enneagram on Mission
In today’s post, current lay missioner Nate Mortenson reflects on the rich personal insights he gained from the Enneagram and how it relates to his spirituality while on mission. For those of you who know Mary well, you wouldn’t be surprised to find out that on our very first date she hashed out The Wisdom…
Community 101: Prayer
For the next four weeks, we will feature a four part series on faith in community every Franciscan Friday: “Community 101: An Introduction to Intentional Living”! It will feature weekly contributors highlighting specific features of intentional-living in faith communities: Prayer, Listening, Sharing, and Learning to Love. Today’s post about prayer is by Paola Piscitelli, President…
Takeaway Wednesday: Supporting Urban Chickens!
Today’s post is about a unique organization promoting active living, friendship, and charity: Urban Chicken Race! Spread the word: Urban Chicken races will be held in Tampa on June 7. The Urban Chicken Race was co-founded by current lay missioner Valerie Ellis. Franciscan Mission Service is considered an international charity partner and receive proceeds from…
Welcome, Mary!
Franciscan Mission Service extends a warm welcome to a new summer volunteer: Mary Unverferth!During her bi-weekly volunteer experience this summer, Mary will work on a variety of administrative and maintenance tasks at the FMS office, as well as at Casa San Salvador, the community house for associates and guests. Hailing from Cypress, Texas, Mary is a graduate…
Franciscan Friday: “Como estas?”
To highlight the service component of the Nonprofit Leadership Program (positions are currently available), recent Franciscan Fridays have featured reflections from program associates about their experiences with weekly direct service. Today’s post is by communications associate Jason Bach. “Hay algo en que te puedo ayudar?” “Is there anything I can help you with?” This was one…
Takeaway Wednesday: Torture Awareness Month
Join Franciscan Mission Service in support for Torture Awareness Month in June! The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is an inspiring organization of women and men united in faith advocating dignity for all people and an end to torture. Their message is clear: So, what can YOU do for Torture Awareness Month? Read the…
OFM Congress: Discussing Mission and Evangelization in the Franciscan Tradition
Communications Manager Bridget Higginbotham kicks-off a special blog series live from Rome, Italy. It’s a historic week for the Orders of Friars Minor. Their first-ever international congress on mission and evangelization has drawn to Sassone (Rome), Italy, about 200 brothers from around the world – Madagascar, the Philippines, South Africa, Australia, Colombia, Pakistan, Brazil, Canada,…
Mission Monday: A Third Year of Service for Annemarie and Jeff!
Today’s post features an exciting update about two current missioners in Cochabamba! Great news: second-year missioners Annemarie Barrett and Jeff Sved have each decided to stay in Bolivia for a third year of mission! When our lay missioners are commissioned, they agree to a minimum of two years of service, but they can renew their…
Franciscan Friday: Welcome, Shenelle!
We extend a warm welcome to our summer intern: Shenelle Sanoir! After joining our office this week, Shenelle Sanoir will be working at Franciscan Mission Service throughout the summer and gaining first-hand experience in nonprofit leadership. A Maryland resident, Shenelle is a rising senior at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia where she studies International Business. A student…
Takeway Wednesday: Jack Jezreel’s Anselm Moons, OFM Award Acceptance Speech!
Earlier this Spring, Franciscan Mission Service celebrated the 2014 World Care Benefit! In today’s blog, we share the inspiring acceptance speech of Anselm Moons, OFM award recipient Jack Jezreel. Enjoy the full text of his speech. Originator of the JustFaith program, a faith formation program for adults, Jack Jezreel also contributed to our Lenten blog…
Mission Monday: Arroz By Any Other Name
Editor’s Note: This is Part IV in a series called “Visiting Christ the Prisoner: A Look into Prison Ministry in Bolivia”. Enjoy previous posts in the series: Part I: Plantas Part II: Chess Part III: Council “Christ of Maryknoll” by Br. Robert Lentz, OFM In this post, missioner Jeff shares with us a little about how…
Franciscan Friday: The Necessity of Presence
To highlight the service component of the Nonprofit Leadership Program (positions are currently available), Franciscan Fridays are currently featuring reflections from program associates about their experiences with weekly direct service. Enjoy other entries in this series: “Service through Faith: The Ultimate Act of Hope” by communications associate Michael Carlson “A Lesson in Perspective” by development associate…
Takeaway Wednesday: National Bike Challenge!
It’s National Bike Month! Celebrate care for creation and start a new habit: bicycling! Many of our current missioners are cycling enthusiasts and eager for more people to share their joy. The League of American Bicyclists has a friendly challenge for you to get active and connect with bike-friendly or bike-curious communities: The National Bike Challenge…
Mission Monday: Community in the Candlelight
Currently serving her third year on mission in Bolivia, Kitzi Hendricks will be sharing her experiences of community in a multi-part series that begins today as she recalls her participation in a formative faith group before she became a lay Franciscan missioner: Creighton University’s Candlelight Choir! “The world is so empty if one thinks only…
Franciscan Friday: A Lesson in Perspective
To highlight the service component of the Nonprofit Leadership Program (positions are currently available), the next several Franciscan Fridays will feature reflections from program associates about their experiences with weekly direct service. Today’s post is by development associate Sarah Hoffeditz. During the recent heavy rains in Washington, I came home from my service at Miriam’s Kitchen…
Takeaway Wednesday: Recipe for Choclo Salad!
In today’s Takeaway Wednesday post, lay missioner Nate Mortenson presents a recipe for one of his new favorite Bolivian dishes: “Choclo Salad”! “Choclo Salad” prepared and photographed by Nate Mortenson It features a type of Andean corn with kernels much larger than traditional sweet corn in the United States: Read more about choclo here. It…
Franciscan Friday: Service through Faith: the Ultimate Act of Hope
To honor National Volunteer Month and highlight the service component of the Nonprofit Leadership Program, the next several Fridays will feature reflections from program associates about their experiences with weekly direct service. In today’s post, communications associate Michael Carlson writes about his weekly service experience as a Reading Partner at DC Prep Elementary, a grade…
Takeaway Wednesday: Nonprofit Leadership Program!
Update: We have a new title for our domestic service program: Nonprofit Leadership Program! This is an opportunity for Catholic women and men to gain experience in nonprofit work at Franciscan Mission Service while receiving faith formation through intentional community living and direct service. Our 13 month program is a distinctive full-time volunteer program combining…
Poor and Free: “Letting Go of Lent”
Franciscan Mission Service presents: “Poor and Free: A Spiritual Yes to Less” every Friday in Lent Series contributions: Shane Claiborne: Part I, Part II, and Part III Gigi Gruenke: “Invest in God’s Dream” Jack Jezreel: “The Simple Math of Voluntary Simplicity” Amy Echeverria: “Saying ‘Yes’ to Love” Sr. Marie Lucey (OSF): “Faith Keeps Hope Alive” Marie Dennis: “Beyond Detachment” Fr. Martin…
Takeaway Wednesday: 8 Characteristics of Discernment
It’s National Volunteer Month with Franciscan Mission Service! Get excited, be inspired, and serve others during April. In today’s post, Program Coordinator Natalie Helfrick writes about the importance of prayerful discernment when considering both service opportunities and life-paths. In the joyful Franciscan spirit, Natalie advises us that the most important aspect of discernment is inviting…
Forming New Disciples: 2014 World Care Benefit
Franciscan Mission Service recently celebrated the 2014 World Care Benefit! In today’s blog, we share the evening in a post of gratitude for Anselm Moons, OFM award recipient Jack Jezreel, keynote speaker Fr. Dan Horan, OFM, and all of our sponsors and members of the Franciscan family. As part of Friday night’s 2014 World Care…
Mission Monday: A Helpful Guide on How to Get Lost in a New City
In today’s post, missioner Valerie Ellis proposes a satirical guide to urban navigation. Although new missioner Valerie Ellis was having an awfully hard time adjusting to the new city in January, she is happy to report that she only occasionally gets lost in the Cancha, and might not be the best guide anymore for getting lost…
Poor and Free: “Beyond Detachment”
Franciscan Mission Service presents: “Poor and Free: A Spiritual Yes to Less” every Friday in Lent Series contributions: Shane Claiborne: Part I, Part II, and Part III Gigi Gruenke: “Invest in God’s Dream” Jack Jezreel: “The Simple Math of Voluntary Simplicity” Amy Echeverria: “Saying ‘Yes’ to Love” Sr. Marie Lucey (OSF): “Faith Keeps Hope Alive” Marie Dennis: “Beyond Detachment” Fr. Martin…
Mission Monday: “You’re Going to Have to Wait”
In today’s post, missioner Annemarie Barret reflects on the privilege of time and how waiting on others, on events, and life in general has personally affected her and informed her toward deeper ministry of presence. “You are going to have to wait.” I remember Hermano Ignacio’s warning when he visited during our formation in Washington,…
Poor and Free: “Faith Keeps Hope Alive”
Franciscan Mission Service presents: “Poor and Free: A Spiritual Yes to Less” every Friday in Lent Series contributions: Shane Claiborne: Part I, Part II, and Part III Gigi Gruenke: “Invest in God’s Dream” Jack Jezreel: “The Simple Math of Voluntary Simplicity” Amy Echeverria: “Saying ‘Yes’ to Love” Sr. Marie Lucey (OSF): “Faith Keeps Hope Alive” Marie Dennis: “Beyond Detachment” Fr. Martin…
Takeaway Wednesday: Jesus the Immigrant
Matthew: 2:13-15Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young…
Mission Monday: “How Life Prepared Me for Mission”
In today’s post, current missioner Hady Mendez reflects on how the relationships she developed and enjoyed before mission prepared her for her ministry of presence as a Franciscan lay missioner. When I was living in New York, I used to often go to a salon in Jersey City. Mary owned the salon. Lucy did my…
Poor and Free: Saying “Yes” to Love
Franciscan Mission Service presents: “Poor and Free: A Spiritual Yes to Less” every Friday in Lent Series contributions: Shane Claiborne: Part I, Part II, and Part III Gigi Gruenke: “Invest in God’s Dream” Jack Jezreel: “The Simple Math of Voluntary Simplicity” Amy Echeverria: “Saying ‘Yes’ to Love” Sr. Marie Lucey (OSF): “Faith Keeps Hope Alive” Marie Dennis: “Beyond Detachment” Fr. Martin…
Takeaway Wednesday: Uncomplicating Ecumenism
In today’s post, Communications Associate Michael Carlson writes about his participation at Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2014 as an insightful formation experience. Don’t miss the reflection questions at the end! “Ecumenism” can be a complicated word when there are connotations of theologians debating doctrinal minutiae that can seem ironic given the simplicity of Jesus’ teachings and…
Mission Monday: “Living Simplicity”
In today’s post, Nate Mortenson reflects on the freedom he has found in Bolivia to live simply by incorporating a mentality and lifestyle that values recycling. This intentional living has affected his own faith-life to draw closer to Franciscan spirituality. Photo of Cochabamba by Nate Mortenson Recycling came up in class the other day. It…
Poor and Free with Jack Jezreel: “The Simple Math of Voluntary Simplicity”
Franciscan Mission Service presents: “Poor and Free: A Spiritual Yes to Less” every Friday in Lent Series contributions: Shane Claiborne: Part I, Part II, and Part III Gigi Gruenke: “Invest in God’s Dream” Jack Jezreel: “The Simple Math of Voluntary Simplicity” Amy Echeverria: “Saying ‘Yes’ to Love” Sr. Marie Lucey (OSF): “Faith Keeps Hope Alive” Marie Dennis: “Beyond Detachment” Fr. Martin…
Takeaway Wednesday: Saying “Yes” to the Culture of Encounter
Our Lenten series focuses on the joyful freedom of spiritual poverty. The Good News is that detachment of ownership leads us to greater reliance on God which makes us more available to love and serve the poor. Series contributions: Shane Claiborne: “A Theology of Enough”: Part I, Part II, and Part III. Gigi Gruenke: “Invest in God’s…
Mission Monday: “Hospitality”
Since they arrived in January early this year, the missioners have been living with host families while engaging language study. In this post, missioner Mary Mortenson describes the joys and graces she has received while living with her host family in Cochabamba, the Mustafa family. Nate and I have been here for a little under…
Poor and Free: “Invest in God’s Dream”
Franciscan Mission Service presents: “Poor and Free: A Spiritual Yes to Less” every Friday in Lent Series contributions: Shane Claiborne: Part I, Part II, and Part III Gigi Gruenke: “Invest in God’s Dream” Jack Jezreel: “The Simple Math of Voluntary Simplicity” Amy Echeverria: “Saying ‘Yes’ to Love” Sr. Marie Lucey (OSF): “Faith Keeps Hope Alive” Marie Dennis: “Beyond Detachment” Fr. Martin…
New Board Members: Welcome, Lee Lechtenberg and Fr. Wayne Hellmann (O.F.M. Conv.)!
Franciscan Mission Service welcomes two new board members: returned missioner Lee Lechtenberg and Fr. Wayne Hellmann (O.F.M. Conv.)! Their invitation and acceptance illustrates the balance and richness of Franciscan Mission Service’s board through Lee’s experiences as a missioner in Bolivia as well as Fr. Hellmann’s professional expertise as a historical theologian and his personal commitment…
Report from Guatemala: Potential New Service Site!
Thirty minutes east of Guatemala City, a Franciscan boarding school called Valley of the Angels lives its motto: “Give the best to the poor.” Their emphasis on restoring dignity through service resonates with Franciscan Mission Service Executive Director Kim Smolik. Executive Director Kim Smolik with girls from Livingstone, Guatemala. The girls are friends of board member,…
Visiting Christ the Prisoner: “Council”
Editor’s Note: This is Part III in a series called “Visiting Christ the Prisoner: A Look into Prison Ministry in Bolivia”. Read Part I and Part II. Each of the six prisons are unique, but in each of them inmates govern themselves with an elected system of delegates who oversee various parts of the prison society.…
Visiting Christ the Prisoner: “Chess”
Editor’s Note: This is Part II in a series called “Visiting Christ the Prisoner: A Look into Prison Ministry in Bolivia”. Read Part I and Part III. In this post, Jeff shares with us a story of his time in El Centro Productivo de San Antonio. Home to 500 men along with their wives and children, San Antonio is…
Poor and Free: The Shane Claiborne Interview Part III
Franciscan Mission Service presents: “Poor and Free: A Spiritual Yes to Less” every Friday in Lent Series contributions: Shane Claiborne: Part I, Part II, and Part III Gigi Gruenke: “Invest in God’s Dream” Jack Jezreel: “The Simple Math of Voluntary Simplicity” Amy Echeverria: “Saying ‘Yes’ to Love” Sr. Marie Lucey (OSF): “Faith Keeps Hope Alive” Marie Dennis: “Beyond Detachment” Fr. Martin…
Poor and Free: The Shane Claiborne Interview Part II
Franciscan Mission Service presents: “Poor and Free: A Spiritual Yes to Less” every Friday in Lent Series contributions: Shane Claiborne: Part I, Part II, and Part III Gigi Gruenke: “Invest in God’s Dream” Jack Jezreel: “The Simple Math of Voluntary Simplicity” Amy Echeverria: “Saying ‘Yes’ to Love” Sr. Marie Lucey (OSF): “Faith Keeps Hope Alive” Marie Dennis: “Beyond Detachment” Fr. Martin…
Poor and Free: The Shane Claiborne Interview Part I
Franciscan Mission Service presents: “Poor and Free: A Spiritual Yes to Less” every Friday in Lent Series contributions: Shane Claiborne: Part I, Part II, and Part III Gigi Gruenke: “Invest in God’s Dream” Jack Jezreel: “The Simple Math of Voluntary Simplicity” Amy Echeverria: “Saying ‘Yes’ to Love” Sr. Marie Lucey (OSF): “Faith Keeps Hope Alive” Marie Dennis: “Beyond Detachment” Fr. Martin…
Mission Monday: Persistence!
In today’s post, first-year missioner Hady Mendez shares her experience climbing the steep mountain to reach Cochabamba’s famous landmark, Cristo de la Concordia, the largest Jesus statue in the world. WE DID IT! This picture was taken just minutes from reaching the top of the mountain and seeing the beautiful statue. I got up at…
