Community
A Poem for the Aqui Estamos March and Vigil
Editor’s Note: On March 24, 2025, members of the El Paso community gathered in downtown El Paso for the “Aqui Estamos March and Vigil” to show support and be in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. In this blog, lay missioner Kim Wagner shares her reflections after this march and vigil in a poem. In a…
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What is Mine to Do
Editor’s Note: DC Service Corps volunteer Eileen DeGuire reflects on what is “hers to do” in her ministry site to serve marginalized communities and to work for justice. “I have done what is mine to do. May Christ teach you what is yours.” This classic Franciscan quote has been a near-constant mantra for me in…
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Acting with Intention
Editor’s Note: In the wake of the current political climate, DC Service Corps volunteer Philip Krabill shares how he remains faithful and tries to promote peace and justice for vulnerable communities. We live at a time when holding Franciscan values is not easy. Consumer culture normalizes seeking abundance and wealth, while simplicity is a radical…
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Fleeting, Meaningful Moments
Editor’s Note: Reflecting on his program year thus far, DC Service Corps volunteer Philip Krabill shares a few meaningful moments that he experienced in unexpected circumstances. I have grown to love the DCSC program for many reasons. My ministry site, Little Friends for Peace gives me valuable work experience and meaningful insights into the human…
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Day 12: Comfort
Editor’s Note: On the twelfth day of our Advent blog series, “Following the Holy Family in Solidarity,” DC Service Corps alumna Jennifer Eburuoh shares her openness to comforting those around her, inspired by God’s call to be a comforter. “Comfort, give comfort to my people.” I recently read a commentary on this passage of Isaiah…
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Loaves & Fishes
Editor’s Note: Lay missioner Victor Artaiz and his mission team notice a need in the community and meet it with a collaborative project to provide lunches for students. In a recent visit to a preschool in Los Molinos with our mission team made up of local Quechuan volunteers, Maryknoll Fathers, lay missioners, and myself, we…
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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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Rejoice with Me!
Editor’s Note: In her first FMS blog post, lay missioner Mary Liepold, OFS describes her season of formation through the lens of joy. This phase of my new life is called formation, a spiritual, intellectual, and even physical preparation for the mission ahead. My Franciscan Mission Service formation began in August of 2023, with the…
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Guiding Principles
Editor’s Note: In her first FMS blog post, Eileen DeGuire discusses a few sayings that describe her experience as a DC Service Corps volunteer thus far. My FMS DCSC experience can be summed up by two phrases: “talk the talk and walk the walk” and “let go and let God.” Both my ministry work and…
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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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The Franciscan Family
Editor’s Note: Lay missioner Ralph Anderson, OFS describes how he met members of Cochabamba’s local Franciscan Fraternity and became involved in the Franciscan community. Once I finished six weeks of language school in Bolivia, I moved to the place where I will reside for the next two years. I live in the Franciscan Social Center…
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Family Ministry in Los Molinos
Editor’s Note: Lay missioner Victor Artaiz describes how family ministry has flourished in Los Molinos, one of his ministry sites in Cochabamba, Bolivia. As I look back over the last year at one of my ministries here in Cochabamba, I am filled with gratitude for the fruits that have come from Franciscan virtues such as…
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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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Transitions
Editor’s Note: During his next life transition, DC Service Corps volunteer Bohdan O’Shaughnessey compares life with FMS and DC Service Corps to life in New York City as a medical school student in light of faith, community, and service. Over the past few weeks, I finished my program with FMS, returned home to Denver, and…
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Ministry at Centro Social Franciscano
Editor’s Note: Lay missioner Victor Artaiz describes the ministries of Centro Social Franciscano, the organization where he lives and serves in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Franciscan Mission Service has provided its Overseas Lay Missioners the blessing of living at a converted convent in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Centro Social Franciscano has served the city’s community of people living on…
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Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled
Editor’s Note: DC Service Corps volunteer Noah Duclos shares how he embraces the present and trusts in God during life transitions. We hear so often that we should live in the present moment, but the realities of life often require us to turn toward the future, and in doing so, we begin to worry. This…
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Dreaming and Discerning
Editor’s Note: DCSC volunteer Jennifer Eburuoh contemplates the various ways that God is calling her to serve and reflects on her year of service thus far. When I was a young child, I dreamed of being a missionary. I spent many days imagining a life among people and places unknown to me. I dreamed of…
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Embracing Connections
Editor’s Note: As she waits for her time on mission to begin, lay missioner Susan Sarkissian reconnects with friends and family members and cherishes her relationships with her loved ones. When the FMS Formation ended in November 2023, I knew I had a long wait for my Jamaican Visa to be approved. My heart and…
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Nativity in Cochabamba
Editor’s Note: During the Christmas season, lay missioner Victor Artaiz describes the nativity scenes from his ministry sites and how they capture the simple joy of the Nativity. In spending my 2nd Christmas here in Cochabamba, the peace and simplicity of the Nativity really came into focus for me. In my ministry at El Abra,…
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Saying Yes and Saying No
Editor’s Note: Kim Wagner, a newly commissioned missioner describes how she discerned joining FMS’s Overseas Lay Mission program through a series of yeses and nos. As we draw closer to the end of formation in Washington D.C., I have taken time to recall the first few months of 2023 when I was discerning joining FMS’…
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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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Ending My Year of Service in DC
Editor’s note: DCSC volunteer Emily Dold shares a thoughtful video compilation made throughout her year of service with DC Service Corps. She shows moments all reflective of intentional community, what service looks like, as well as the joy that has come from this year alone.
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God’s Timing
Editor’s Note: DCSC volunteer Domonique Thompson reflects on her time serving within the Father McKenna Center. She embraces all that she has learned and plans to carry it with her throughout her mission in Bolivia later this year. This was the year that I never wanted and never thought that I would need. There is…
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“Who do you say that I am?”
Editor’s Note: DCSC volunteer Madeline McKissick brings the reader into an experience from the DCSC Mid-year retreat. In playing a get-to-know-you game there, she reflects on her identity both within Christ and this intentional community. I anticipated the mid-year retreat for several reasons. First of all, we spent three days in a cute little Airbnb…
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Day 26: Light
Editor’s Note: Executive Director Elizabeth Hughes discusses the light that has contrasted the darkness of this past year. On this Christmas Day, she reflects on the power of Christ’s light within us. One of my favorite websites is NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day. Each day, NASA features a different image of the cosmos, along…
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Day 20: Humility
Editor’s Note: Second-year missioner Megan Hamilton writes from the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany convent in Kingston, Jamaica. One of her current ministries–with elderly sisters–becomes a springboard for looking back at a life-changing process of embracing humility. Drunks, Dentures & Humility My recent thoughts on humility started with Sister Goretti’s dentures, which didn’t return from the…
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Day 11: Food
Editor’s Note: Domonique Thompson, Lay Missioner and new DCSC volunteer, shares her relationship with food and how it’s encompassing nature blends so naturally into community for her. During quarantine many people picked up new hobbies or skills to fill those endless hours in their homes. Some took up an instrument, challenge, or even a language.…
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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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Fleeting Eternity
Editor’s note: Lay missioner in formation, Nora McMahon, uses a poetic language to reflect on an early morning adventure with her casamates. 530 am Alarm 540 am Put on kettle 550 am Let tea cool 600 am Drink tea 610 am Head out We make it to the Lincoln Memorial by 640 just as…
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Language and Culture: A Vibrant Relationship
Editor’s note: Overseas missioner, Anna Metzger, reminisces on her time in Bolivia while at home in Kentucky. She dives into the connections between language and culture, considering lessons learned from her journey into the Quechua language. Most simply put, being home is hard. For years, I dreamed of living in Latin America, and just as…
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Worlds Colliding: Catholic Social Teaching & Social Work
Editor’s note: DC Service Corps volunteer, Arianna Beitler, takes a closer look at two ideologies: Catholic Social Teaching and the ideals of Social Work. Each learned from very different points in her life, from her studies in college to the lessons of our FMS Formation sessions. She shares her experiences and their overarching similarities with…
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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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Beyond Language
Editor’s Note: Missioner Sabrina Portner reflects on language barriers and ways she can better connect with her surroundings as she begins her ministry in Cochabamba, Bolivia San Martin, the home for boys that has become my new place of service and source of contentment, cares for one singular cow, Betty, and her bull calf. Beyond…
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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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A Journey of Love
Editor’s Note: Missioner Erin McHugh reflects on her mission in Guatemala at Valley of the Angels school and the relationships she has built within the community. I have recently been reflecting on my original call to mission, and specifically my call back into mission after my first experience in Jamaica. When I discerned to be…
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World Care Benefit & Celebration: A Success Story
Editor’s note: Development Associate Sam Hardwick shares his unexpected impression of FMS’ 2018 World Care Benefit—the impact of which is still being felt a month later! On Friday April 27th, FMS held its annual World Care Benefit & Celebration in which I had a hand in helping host. If you have ever been a part…
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Update from the Field: Food Changes Lives!
Editor’s note: DC Service Corps Volunteer PJ Herrera shares about a new health and wellness program he helped develop at his ministry site, So Others Might Eat (SOME). Food changes lives. Think about it! Likely some of your best memories have revolved around a dinner table, right? What about the times when someone shared a…
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Come to the Table: Community
Editor’s note: Missioner Maggie Van Roekel begins a three-part blog series on how kitchens and cooking have become important to her on mission. In part one, Maggie shares her memories around the Carmen Pampa volunteer house kitchen table. To some extent, I’ve always been pretty comfortable in the kitchen. Growing up, I spent a lot of…
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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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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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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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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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Heavenly Food to the Faithful
Editor’s note: DC Service Corps volunteer PJ Herrera reflects on life with his fellow community members at Casa San Salvador. “He is The Bread sown in the virgin, leavened in the Flesh, molded in His Passion, baked in the furnace of the Sepulchre, placed in the Churches, and set upon the Altars, which daily supplies…
Read MoreInner and Outer Beauty: An Interview with Alessia Catena
Editor’s note: Tim Shelgren deepened his acquaintance with DC Service Corps member Alessia Catena in an interview last week. I have known Alessia Catena for two weeks. My first impression of Alessia reflects maturity and both inner and outer beauty. She presents herself in a way that shows she has confidence and does not hesitate…
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Searching for, and Finding, Community
Editor’s note: Stephanie Ashley Caban, a new FMS missioner, traces the path that led her to overseas mission and her hopes for ministry. God and I sat down and talked one day a few months ago, and we’ve decided that serving abroad for two years seemed like a pretty good plan for my life. I am…
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Rooted in the Present
Editor’s note: During a visit to a local, Jamaican coffee farm, Missioner Janice Smullen reflects on presence, rootedness, and how to bloom where any of us may be planted. Recently, I was able to spend a two-night holiday with my visiting sister at an eight acre coffee farm containing 5,500 coffee trees, about 3,000 feet…
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Welcome Executive Director Elizabeth Hughes
Executive Director Liz Hughes has been with FMS just over a month, but she can trace her path to her current position all the way back through her many job experiences. She described her development in terms of a J.D. Salinger quote: “All we do our whole lives is go from one little piece of…
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Mis Hijos – My Sons
Editor’s note: As four students from Valley of the Angels prepare to graduate, Missioner Amanda Ceraldi shares how her friendship with them over the last two years has impacted her and her time on mission. I must have said goodbye to George* at least ten times. Every time I saw him I would squeeze him…
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