Valerie Ellis
2014: Year in Review
As 2014 draws to a close, we reflect with gratitude on the past year and those who make our ministries possible. Here are a few organizational highlights from another fruitful year of encouraging the laity to follow the Franciscan mission tradition of sharing in the lives with those on the margins. Thank you for supporting us as…
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Cutting Down Barriers and Stereotypes
Lay missioner Valerie Ellis talks about an experience she had connecting with a woman in a Bolivian prison. When I heard that women in jail in Cochabamba earn credits by cutting hair in their peluqueria (hair salon), I knew I had to go. Not only do they have the opportunity to get out of jail…
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Valerie’s New Ministries: Violence Prevention and Awareness Raising
Lay missioner Valerie Ellis talks about the two new ministries in which she has been invited to serve. I came to Bolivia with the goal of working with children, and possibly women, who are survivors or current victims of violence. Unfortunately, like in the United States, this is not hard to find. I saved one…
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Takeaway Wednesday: Supporting Urban Chickens!
Today’s post is about a unique organization promoting active living, friendship, and charity: Urban Chicken Race! Spread the word: Urban Chicken races will be held in Tampa on June 7. The Urban Chicken Race was co-founded by current lay missioner Valerie Ellis. Franciscan Mission Service is considered an international charity partner and receive proceeds from…
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Mission Monday: A Helpful Guide on How to Get Lost in a New City
In today’s post, missioner Valerie Ellis proposes a satirical guide to urban navigation. Although new missioner Valerie Ellis was having an awfully hard time adjusting to the new city in January, she is happy to report that she only occasionally gets lost in the Cancha, and might not be the best guide anymore for getting lost…
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“10 Things I’m Thankful For”
In today’s blog post, current missioner Valerie Ellis writes in gratitude about the blessings she’s experienced during her first month on mission. Photo by Valerie Ellis on a scenic drive with her host family 10. My host family. They have been incredibly hospitable, kind beyond my wildest dreams, and have the patience of saints. 9.…
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Mission Monday: Reconciliation as Mission
Continuing our series Sacraments and Social Mission: Living the Gospel, Being Disciples, current missioner Valerie Ellis writes today about her faith’s relationship to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and her call to mission. Every time I come out of confession, I feel completely cleansed and at peace. What a beautiful gift we have from God to go…
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The Light of One: In Gratitude
Continuing our daily Christmas reflection series, Valerie Ellis writes about how her faith has been shaped through the caring presence of her pastor, Fr. Len Plazewski. As my family and friends will tell you, I have never been much for seeking advice. In fact, I have prided myself for many years on self-sufficiency. Even more…
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A Window into a Soul
Mateusz Stachowski Missioner-in-training Valerie Ellis reflects on the powerful effect love’s presence has made on her in her relationship with a woman at her volunteer site. I was offered a window into Angela’s* life. I saw a woman who looked much younger than ninety-seven. I heard of a life, just the inklings of understanding about…
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Friendship on the Street: Take Two
Missioner-in-training Valerie Ellis reflects on one of her experiences with those living on the streets of Washington, D.C. Yesterday, I met Brad.* When we first met, he thanked us for the food that we gave and asked if we would like to pray. He joined hands with us and we prayed the Our Father. Brad…
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Taste and See: Surrendering My Will
Part of our mission preparation program includes regular volunteering with impoverished or vulnerable populations in the area. Today missioner-in-training Valerie Ellis talks about the first few weeks of her volunteer experience. My dream for going on mission is to work with children, and I was thrilled when I received the email from Franciscan Mission Service …
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Friends on the Street
Missioner-in-training Valerie Ellis reflects on the need of those around us. I was thinking back to a time when I really needed a friend of mine to be present in my life. Because I really needed her, I was spending more time with her. It struck me that at times when I didn’t need her…
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