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Both Sides Now

Editor’s Note: Lay missioner Mary Liston Liepold, OFS reflects on how she is experiencing continuous conversion while on mission, particularly through Guiding Star, one of her ministry sites. FMS calls us missioners instead of missionaries. Both terms derive from the same root, meaning those who are sent. The difference is in the purpose of the…

A Journey of Ongoing Conversion

Editor’s Note: DC Service Corps volunteer Eileen DeGuire reflects on the process of continuous conversion through pausing to seek truth and goodness. I often find myself reflecting on what it means to seek truth and guidance in a world overflowing with information and competing voices. The Franciscan tradition, rooted in the lives of St. Francis…

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…

Getting Over ‘Otherness’

Program associate John Quense tells how he ended up teaching yoga every Wednesday at Miriam’s Studio, an art therapy program in Washington, DC.  I find that God often draws me to Himself using very personal and uncomfortable methods. This particular encounter began in my bed (pretty comfortable) while I read about the conversion of St.…

Onward and Upward

Being continuously called back to the Creator. Photo by Nate Mortenson Through discussions, required readings, spiritual direction, and prayer, our mission training program has many opportunities to reflect on life, faith, and self. Here’s what been on missioner-in-training Mary Morrtenson’s mind these last few weeks. One concept that I’ve been mulling over since the beginning…

Franciscan Friday: Part 2 of “Francis and the Foolishness of God” Podcast

This week we continue to our latest podcast series that focuses on the book, “St. Francis and the Foolishness of God,” by Marie Dennis, Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Stuart Taylor and Fr. Joe Jangle, OFM. In this multi-part series, recorded during our fall 2012 formation class, Fr. Joe takes listeners through the thought process behind the book…

Solidarity, Conversion and Advocacy

We are nearing the end of our Lenten series “Walking in Solidarity.” For our theme this week, Russell Testa shares with us a process to identify and act on social justice issues we see in our communities. Francis began his conversion in the Church of San Damiano, when he heard the crucifix challenge him, “Francis,…

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