Casa San Salvador
Lessons from the Dining Table
Editor’s Note: In his first FMS blog post, DC Service Corps volunteer Tai Ha gives a detailed glimpse into what community dinners are like at Casa San Salvador. It’s 6:30 pm. The living room bell rings throughout the Casa. Dinner is ready. Everyone slowly makes their way to the dining room from various corners of…
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My Move-in Night
Editor’s Note: In his first FMS blog post, DCSC volunteer Grant Diego recounts his first night at Casa San Salvador, which involved a humorous turn of events! I am someone who loves surprises! The thrill of not knowing what to expect always gets me excited. I think I enjoy that because it makes life seem…
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Fostering the Franciscan Charism as a Franciscan Mission Fellow
Editor’s Note: Following this year’s Sending Forth Mass, Franciscan Mission Fellow Joe Costa shares a reflection on how he grew in the Franciscan charism during his program year with Franciscan Mission Service. July 20, 2024 On July 16, 2024, a Sending Forth Mass was held at the Capuchin College Chapel honoring the DC Service Corps…
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Embrace the Breeze, Protect Your Peace
Editor’s Note: As DC Service Corps volunteer Jennifer Eburuoh reaches the end of her year of service, she reflects on how she has learned to surrender to God’s will throughout the year. Right now, as I sit on the front porch of Casa San Salvador, my home for the past 10 months, I witness the…
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I Can Still Remember How That Music Used to Make Me Smile
Editor’s Note: DCSC volunteer Bo O’Shaughnessy details a night of fun and fellowship and reflects on the spirituality of intentional community. Here at Casa San Salvador, my housemates and I live in an intentional community, meaning we make a purposeful commitment to grow in our relationship to one another and with God. Practically speaking, this…
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The Spirituality of Hello and Goodbye
Editor’s Note: DC Service Corps volunteer Jennifer Eburuoh contemplates being fully present even in brief interactions through a concept that she calls “the spirituality of hello and goodbye.” Being halfway through my service year, I would like to share an unexpected grace that I have begun to call the spirituality of hello and goodbye. This…
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A Happy Ending
Editor’s Note: Ralph Anderson, a newly-commissioned missioner, reflects on FMS’s in-depth Formation for Overseas Lay Missioners and his experiences with living in intentional community. “What can they possibly teach me in thirteen weeks of Formation?” That was my thought before beginning Formation at Casa San Salvador. I knew there was a lot I needed to…
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Sacred Spaces and Receptivity
Editor’s Note: DC Service Corps member Jennifer Eburuoh admires the sacred art in the Casa San Salvador chapel. She allows the art to draw her deeper into prayer and to reflect on her year of service thus far. The first day that I arrived at Casa San Salvador, I was immediately drawn to our chapel.…
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The Parable of the Peas
Editor’s note: Just as a new recipe can change our opinion on an ingredient, missioner-in-Formation Susan Sarkissian shares how her community at Casa San Salvador has inspired her to change her perspective through their witness to adaptability and service. Peas were a staple on the dinner table. My mother loved them. There it would sit,…
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Meals Made to Share
Editor’s Note: DCSC volunteer Airianna Beitler shares her experience of cooking for our great, big Casa San Salvador community. She delves into the importance of food for her and the significance of being able to share this with others. Food is very important to how people express themselves and their cultures. You can guess that…
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Day 8: Community
Editor’s Note: Newly commissioned lay missioner, Domonique Thompson, reflects on her experience living within the intentional community of Casa San Salvador. In her brief hiatus between Formation this fall and returning as a DCSC volunteer in January, she highlights some of the best parts of community life in anticipation for coming back to the Casa…
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How COVID Affects Life in an Intentional Community
Editor’s Note: DCSC volunteer, Airianna Beitler, brings the reader into Casa community life during this time of pandemic through the personal lens of various photos taken thus far. As everyone is aware, we live in an intentional community. As with any community, it can be stressful at times, but it’s also different this year because…
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The Best of Both Worlds
Editor’s note: DC Service Corps volunteer, Fede Wettstein, discusses his experience living in the Casa with fourteen other women. With gratitude, he reflects on the fruits of this experience getting to grow closer to God. “Are you okay living with fourteen women and being the only man in the Casa?” My fellow Casa residents take…
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Casa Love
Editor’s note: In this blog, new missioner Rhonda Eckerman introduces her experience within Casa San Salvador. Coming into this new space, she reflects on the familiarity of the house as well as the community that’s been deeply ingrained within its foundation. She invites the reader into her home and onto the front porch for a…
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If These Walls Could Talk
Editor’s Note: After living in the Casa San Salvador for three years, Amanda Saunders reflects on the gifts and lessons received through living alongside many FMS volunteers, missioners, and guests. As her time as House Manager comes to an end, Franciscan Mission Service extends our gratitude towards Amanda for her service and dedication over the…
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Love Blooms… At the Casa
Editor’s Note: Former FMS Associate and Current House Manager, Amanda Saunders reflects on the lessons that have come from living in intentional community at Casa San Salvador. I have been a member of the FMS family for three years. First, as a DC Service Corps volunteer, and then as the Casa San Salvador House Manager.…
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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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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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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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What Brings You Comfort and Joy?
This year, we interviewed each member of the Casa San Salvador community to find out what brings them “comfort and joy.” Comfort and Joy through Faith and Service: [su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiVtxpp38Oc&feature=youtu.be”] Comfort and Joy: “JOY” as an Acronym: [su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5F6XZIh7DM&feature=youtu.be”] Comfort in God’s Plan: [su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwxMIjJ5Lw8&feature=youtu.be”] Comfort in Community: [su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk85H0PHSQw”] Comfort and Joy: Casa San…
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Comfort and Joy: Vulnerability
Editor’s note: As part of our “Comfort and Joy” Advent/Christmas blog series, DC Service Corps member Lizzy Balboa shares how living in community has challenged her to embrace vulnerability and how, through this vulnerability, she has found comfort and joy. A few weeks ago, one of my community members asked when in my life I’ve felt most at…
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Chopped Week
Editor’s Note: After going over budget on groceries one week, the Casa San Salvador community decided to take a creative approach to meal planning. Living in a house with 12 people has been quite a unique experience, particularly in the realm of cooking. One week, the community tried a different approach to meal planning: Chopped week.…
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Dancing in the Dining Room
Editor’s Note: Missioner-in-training Catherine Sullivan shares her experiences of community life and how living with 12 other people has impacted her. The two most talked-about aspects of our Formation are classes and volunteering. But what has been most formative for me during this process is living in intentional community. As many people know, Saint Francis…
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Happy 15th Anniversary, Casa San Salvador!
On this day 15 years ago, Casa San Salvador was officially blessed as the new home of Franciscan Mission Service. During an open house celebration, Br. Denis Clark, OFM, conducted the rite of blessing on the 14-bedroom house in the Brookland neighborhood of northeast DC. [button type=”big” color=green url=”/support/wishlist/”]Donate in Support of Casa San Salvador[/button] The June…
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DC Service Corps Launches – Meet the First Class
Last week we welcomed two new Franciscan-hearted young adults to our community as part of the exciting launch of our newest arm of the Nonprofit Servant Leadership Program: DC Service Corps. This transformative year of direct service in our nation’s capital builds young adults’ foundation for a lifelong commitment to social activism and their Catholic…
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Welcome New Communications Associate Maria
As she drove away from the beautiful campus of the Catholic University of America after graduation, Maria Beben nostalgically wondered when and if she’d return. Little did she know that just three short months later, she would be back in Washington, DC, wheeling her suitcases towards Franciscan Mission Service’s Casa San Salvador mission house. For…
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The (Not So) Joy of Cooking
I can’t cook. In theory, I am capable of cooking. I can physically put the soup in the pot, but I find it’s always a chore. There is no passion or joy in it for me. I am blessed to have grown up in a family where both of my parents are not only good…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Franciscan Friday: “The Joy of Love through Commitment”
Casa San Salvador is the intentional faith community where Franciscan Mission Service Domestic Volunteers live along with Katie Miller and James Luisi, who work at NETWORK. Today we chat with Casa San Salvador House Manager Slavka Brigantova to learn more about her faith and how it inspires her to live in community. Slavka, you are…
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Feasting the Franciscan Way: Dinner with the Board of Directors
Three things make a Franciscan celebration complete: a Mass, a meal, and renewed relationships. On the evening of Saturday, November 2, Casa San Salvador hosted the Franciscan Mission Service Board Committee by sharing those exact things. After a day of meetings, the Board Committee and guests visited Casa San Salvador at the invitation of its…
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Welcome our new House Manager, Slavka!
One of our residents at Casa San Salvador, Slavka Brigantova, will be starting as our new house manager on November 1. Read on to learn more about her fascinating story. A self-described “simple girl from Slovakia,” Slavka Brigantova’s modesty hides a very interesting history that has taken her across the world and seen her working…
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Discernment Days – Is Mission for Me?
Perhaps you have just recently graduated from a college that’s cost you your life savings, countless sleepless nights, and many antisocial weekends. Or perhaps you just celebrated your 20th anniversary at a job you’ve kept through thick and thin. Whether you are 22 or 62, discerning a call to mission can be a journey. For…
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Mission Monday: Wine and Cheese Make a Reunion
To welcome home our returning missioners we held our traditional Wine and Cheese Open House. On this Thursday evening, snow threatened the roads and dark had already fallen, but Casa San Salvador soon filled with friends, new and old, to welcome home missioners who had been away for two to three years. The missioners came…
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National Volunteer Month Profile: Daena in DC
Today we profile Daena Padilla who, along with her husband Eduardo, runs Casa San Salvador, our office and hospitality house in Washington DC. They actually met while volunteering with the Claretians in Chicago, and in September they are expecting a baby girl. As house managers, Daena and Eduardo welcome our guests and keep the house clean…
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National Volunteer Month Profile: Fr. Martin in San Antonio
Today we spotlight one of our board members, Fr. Martin Day, OFM Conventual who lives in San Antonio with the Province of Our Lady of Consolation. Fr. Martin became a part of FMS several years ago after connecting with some of our missioners-in-training during a class on Catholiciscm in a Global Context at Washington Theological…
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