office associates
The Ministry of a Programs Associate
Editor’s Note: DCSC Volunteer and Programs Associate Fatima Godfrey reflects on her role within the FMS office, finding the mission of accompaniment abundantly. Working at the FMS office as the Programs Associate provides me the opportunity to serve as the first point of contact for those inquiring with FMS. This means I get the privilege…
Read More
Get to Know Rose Urankar, the New DC Service Corps Programs Associate
Editor’s note: New Programs Associate Rose Urankar shares her path to becoming a DC Service Corps volunteer and looks forward to the year ahead. Welcome Rose Urankar, the new DC Service Corps Programs Associate. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Rose attended the University of Notre Dame, where she majored in Theology and American Studies.…
Read More
Introducing Sam Hardwick, DC Service Corps Development Associate
Editor’s note: Learn about DC Service Corps participant Sam Hardwick’s background and his hopes for this service year. Sam Hardwick, the new DC Service Corps Development Associate, will be helping with donations and data management and growing in his faith during his service year with FMS. Sam, one of four brothers, was born in the…
Read More
Meet Alessia Catena, the New Graphic Design Associate
Editor’s note: Learn more about DC Service Corps member Alessia Catena, the new Graphic Design Associate. FMS’ new DC Service Corps Graphic Design Associate, Alessia Catena, was born in Rome, Italy, where she spent much of her life. She owes her world travels to being part of a military family–she and her two older sisters and…
Read More
Welcome Program Coordinator Katherine Cespedes!
With a heart for cross-cultural outreach and nonprofit service, Katherine Cespedes is the newest member of the Franciscan Mission Service office. Born in Lima, Peru, and raised in Miami, Florida, she loves telling stories about her many travels and cultural experiences. “In my leisure time, I go to completely new environments and meet diverse people.…
Read More
Welcome Programs Associate Amanda Saunders!
As soon as she arrived at the Franciscan Mission Service office, programs associate Amanda Saunders placed two items on her new desk: a Neumann knight water bottle and a spongy Neumann knight stress ball. The Neumann University mascot is a tribute to St. Francis, who served as a knight before he heard God’s call to…
Read More
Welcome Communications Associate Kathleen!
As 2016 graduate Kathleen Strycula walked down the steps of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with her Catholic University of America (CUA) diploma in hand, her gaze drifted across the street to the Franciscan Mission Service (FMS) office where she would begin the next chapter in her life. While speaking…
Read More
Letting Go of Balto
Editor’s Note: Communications associate Maria Beben reflects on letting go of feeling wronged when, as it so often does, life took a very different turn than what she expected after college. Sometimes, the greatest adventure lies not in traveling far distances, but in looking at the familiar with new eyes. This time last year, I…
Read More
Letting Go of Material Possessions
Editor’s Note: Programs associate Katie Rotterman shares how a commitment to pass along unused possessions led to a deeper sense of simplicity and intentionality in all areas of her life. I’ve been on a mission to simplify my life for about a year and a half now. A key factor of simplifying my life has been the challenge…
Read More
Letting Go of Taking Life Too Seriously
Editor’s Note: Development Associate Sarah Sokora shares how the precarious walk to work after a recent snowstorm led to some deeper realizations and a reminder not to take herself so seriously. The Lord often shows Himself to me in little ways: an unexpected breeze, a warm sign of peace from the little old lady at mass…
Read More
Letting Go and Being Remade
Editor’s Note: Programs Associate Katie Rotterman reflects on how her experience as a crafter challenges her to let go of her ideas for her life and instead let God form her in Christ. “For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should…
Read More
The Little Things: The Power of Shared Experience
Editor’s Note: In the conclusion of “The Little Things” series, communications associate Maria Beben reflects on the communal nature of the human person and the power behind this shared experience of humanity. Recently, the phrase “Make me a channel of your peace” has been stuck in my head (Franciscan problems…) Without fully realizing it though, I’ve started to adopt…
Read More
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…
Read More