Lent
Almsgiving on a Stipend
Editor’s note: DC Service Corps member Matthew Hinderberger volunteers at Christ House, a home for men experiencing homelessness with acute medical needs. Inspired by the call to increased prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Lent, Matthew reflects on creative ways to give alms, even while living on a stipend or limited income. Jesus answered, “If you want…
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Lenten Litany: Prayer For Resilience
Editor’s Note: As we journey through the sacred season of Lent, our Overseas Lay Missioners and DC Service Corps volunteers will be compiling a Lenten Litany, each writing a one-line prayer close to their hearts. Today, DC Service Corps volunteer Grace Kueber, who serves as a Protection Counselor at the UNHCR, shares a prayer for resilience. …
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BE PRESENT — THIS LENTEN SEASON IS A GIFT
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on Light the Way: The Campaign for Catholic University and is written by FMS’ Board Chair, Emmjolee Mendoza Waters. Emmjolee is Director of Community Engagement, Social Justice, and Catholic Social Teaching Initiatives at the Catholic University of America. Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season have arrived. I remember thinking…
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Lenten Litany: Prayer for the Gift of Grace
Editor’s Note: As we journey through the sacred season of Lent, our Overseas Lay Missioners and DC Service Corps volunteers will be compiling a Lenten Litany, each writing a one-line prayer close to their hearts. Today, Overseas Lay Missioner Joleen Johnson, who serves in Jamaica, shares a prayer for the gift of grace. Christ, have…
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Three Lenten Resources
Editor’s Note: DC Service Corps volunteer Emily Putzke shares three resources (music, art, and a poem) to help us journey through Lent. Dear friends, As we journey through the season of Lent, I’d like to share three resources to help us enter into a hushed and contemplative space. 1. Lenten Musical Meditation by Joel Clarkson …
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Lenten Litany: Prayer for Ukraine
Editor’s Note: As we journey through the sacred season of Lent, our Overseas Lay Missioners and DC Service Corps volunteers will be compiling a Lenten Litany, each writing a one-line prayer close to their hearts. Today, Overseas Lay Missioner Victor Artaiz, who serves in Bolivia, shares a prayer for peace in Ukraine. Lord, have mercy…
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Lenten Litany: Prayer for Migrants
Editor’s Note: As we enter into the sacred season of Lent, our Overseas Lay Missioners and DC Service Corps volunteers will be compiling a Lenten Litany, each writing a one-line prayer close to their hearts. Today, Overseas Lay Missioner Rhonda Eckerman, who serves on the U.S.-Mexico border, shares a prayer for migrants. Lord, have mercy…
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Habitual Welcome Mats
Editor’s Note: Lay Missioner Nora McMahon reflects on the acts of Holy Thursday and how it can relate to our modern times. Today is Holy Thursday (though by the time you are reading this I am sure it is well past that) and the readings and focus for Holy Thursday has always been on the…
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Give the Good.
Editor’s Note: DCSC volunteer Erin Brown discusses a Lenten lesson that she is actively putting into practice. She delves into how it is in giving that we truly receive. “There is a wonderful, almost mystical, law of nature that says three of the things we want most—happiness, freedom, and peace of mind—are always attained…
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Complaint Fasting
Editor’s Note: DCSC volunteer Domonique Thompson shares her experience of fasting from complaints this Lent. In a continuation from her last blog, reflecting on her blessings, she shares her process of practicing gratitude this season. Part of Lent is taking time to fast and sacrifice. When most people think of fasting, they often think of…
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Into the Stations
Editor’s Note: DC Service Corps member, Amy Brandt gives a behind the scenes look at the motivation and process of her interpretation of the Stations of the Cross. This Lent I had the opportunity to create a collection of visual prayers and reflections based off of the Stations of the Cross. Inspired by Scott Erickson’s…
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Into the Barren Winter
Editor’s Note: As we transition from winter to spring, Programs Manager, Emily Norton reflects on the vulnerability of winter and the lessons that can be learned from sitting with the bareness of nature. Do trees in the winter feel ashamed of their nakedness? Or do they fully embrace the colder months when their beautiful leafless…
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Into The Fog
Editor’s Note: Executive Director, Liz Hughes reflects on the trust required when facing the unknowns and uncertainties of daily life. Last January, I was driving to St. Raphaela Retreat Center in Pennsylvania when I encountered a fog so thick I could barely see. I was scared, claustrophobic, and wondering if I should pull over. As…
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Breathing in the Yearning of God
Editor’s Note: Missioner SarahJane Cauzillo reflects on the constant cooperation and presence of the Creator and creation. She describes the mountains that have guided her heart towards a deeper connection with God. The words of Cynthia Bourgeault – mystic, Episcopal priest, and writer – ran through my ears as I stood surveying the mountain range…
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Into the Vines
This Lent, we invite you to join the FMS family as we reflect on how nature has served as a backdrop to prayer and transformative encounters with God, just as the desert served as the context for Jesus’ 40 days of fasting and praying. No doubt, some stories will be of majestic views, peaceful retreats,…
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Love and Brotherhood are Offered and Received
Editor’s note: Missioner Tim Shelgren recounts Immaculate Conception High School’s Dramatization of the Crucifixion in Kingston, Jamaica and reflects on his role in the process. Setting Campus Minister Donna Haynes set the stage in the school’s “quadrangle” where the student body meets for assemblies. She placed several small palm trees and a cross to represent twelve…
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Seeing Clearly: A Letter to God
Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ Lenten blog series, Sam Hardwick, FMS Development and Operations Associate and DC Service Corps member, writes an honest letter to God. Mirroring Jesus’ time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Sam expresses trust in God, even as life seems “murky” and the path forward is unclear. Dear God,…
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Seeing Clearly: Finding Clarity in the Dark
Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ Lenten blog series, Kathleen Strycula, guest blogger, graphic designer, and DC Service Corps Alum considers the true meaning of clarity. Is it really about being able to see, or is it about something else? Kathleen’s original poem complements her prose, inviting us to prayerfully consider how seeing clearly might…
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Seeing Clearly: Solidarity, a Sandwich, and St. Valentine
Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ Lenten blog series, Harrison Hanvey, guest blogger and Assistant Campus Minister for Community Service at the Catholic University of America, reflects on an Ash Wednesday experience that helped him consider the distinction between service and solidarity–all while eating spicy chicken sandwich. The first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, happened…
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Seeing Clearly: The Mysterious Gift From Jesus
Editor’s note: As Part of FMS’ Lenten blog series, Programs Manager Emily Norton shares the insights she gained from a surprising gift that she received during two FMS retreats she coordinated for our lay missioners during their 3-month long Formation Program, preparing them to serve overseas. One of the privileges of being the Programs Manager…
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Seeing Clearly: Happy Presence Day
Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ Lenten blog series, Programs Associate Rose Urankar shares an unexpected experience practicing ministry of presence. Ah, a day off! One of the best things about transitioning into the working world after 18 years of Catholic education is celebrating federal holidays with a vacation day. This President’s Day, I was…
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Seeing Clearly: Jesus Meets Us Where We Are
Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ Lenten blog series, Executive Director Liz Hughes shares her reflection on the Catholic Day of Action with Dreamers and how that experience allowed her to see Christ more clearly. In this Sunday’s gospel, the people yet again ask Jesus for a sign. “What sign can you show us for…
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Seeing Clearly: “The Holy Befold”
Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ 2018 Lenten blog series, missioner Anna Klonowski shares a reflection on seeing holiness from Barking to the Choir by Father Greg Boyle. As part of my personal commitment to learn and grow while on mission, I recently read a book by Father Greg Boyle called Barking to the Choir*.…
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Seeing Clearly: Reading the Word
Editor’s note: Thomas Piolata, OFM Cap. is an FMS formation presenter and close friend to the FMS community. As a guest blogger for our Lenten blog series, Br. Tommy analyzes how we are saturated with information—as members of the social media generation—constantly seeking to learn more things, know more facts, and understand more deeply. Yet, he…
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Seeing Clearly: Listen. Notice. Wonder.
Editor’s note: Andy Gleason supports the FMS team as a grant writer; as part of FMS’ Lenten blog series, Andy reflects on his experience listening, noticing, and wondering—especially during his time on El Camino de Santiago—and strives to apply these practices throughout the Lenten season. As I sit in stillness this weekend morning, enjoying a freshly brewed…
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Seeing Clearly: Jesus Not Java
Editor’s note: As part of FMS’ 2018 Lenten blog series, Graphic Design Associate Alessia Catena shares her reflections on giving up caffeine. I never ever thought I would give up coffee for Lent, let alone all caffeinated products. It all started a couple weeks ago when I was on the phone with Chris, my fiancé,…
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Seeing Clearly: Welcome to Lent
Editor’s note: Associate Director Meghan Meros introduces FMS’ Lenten blog series, “Seeing Clearly.” When do you know yourself best? When do you see the saint—the one united with God—inside your soul? When do you see the sinner in need of mercy and healing? Perhaps your moments of clarity come when your feet hit…
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