Vocation Discernment Events
Catholic Young Adult Women Discernment Retreats and Resources designed for those considering Consecrated Life. Contact us with any questions, and/or visit or Called to Be Franciscan YouTube channel, our Instagram, or our Franciscan Moment Podcasts. Like St. Francis and St. Clare, who were called at a time of social upheaval, we are here to help provide discernment helps for you. A special retreat experience or vocation visit can be an insightful and inspiring step forward, moving from discernment to action in following God’s will. Honest questions about Franciscan Life and a calling as a consecrated religious are most welcome.
Career or Calling
If you’re a young adult woman, you are at a decisive time of life. Our Sisters respect your life experiences, perspective and gifts of those with professional responsibilities and educational goals while still young adults. Talents and background in a variety of areas, from social services to health care to education to IT skills may be part of God’s plan in a Franciscan ministry.
Phone Conversation
We are all experiencing a new normal. It is not unusual in these times of transition that new stirrings or old feelings of desire rise up in hearts. As you take time for quiet and personal prayer, we are here willing to listen. If you have questions about the call to be a Franciscan Sister or would appreciate talking to a trained spiritual director, please complete this survey or call or text Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632. We are ready to respond. Now is a good time to take steps in discernment. God is near!
Design Your Own Convent Visit
You are invited to come visit us at our Wisconsin Motherhouse or one of our convents in various geographic locations for a portion of a day or a few days while discerning God’s call. It is our best way of sharing our spirit with you. Not only will you meet those in Initial Formation, but also many of our Sisters who have lived our Franciscan vocation and have experiences to share. Our homes also speak of our history and the many members who are part of our legacy as Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. Dates can be quite flexible. Register here or call or text Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632.
Coming Discernment Opportunities
Our discernment experiences can be as varied as your life allows. We invite you to design your own visit with us. Let us know the days or the hours that you would like to come. If you are interested in a retreat with a particular topic or an event in our Community of Sisters, please continue reading for more specific dates. All in-person events in Wisconsin take place at our Motherhouse, 2409 South Alverno Road, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. If you have transportation needs e.g. airport, ferry or Amtrak pick up, we are here to arrange the best time with you. Please call or text Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632 with your questions or concerns.
Breaking bread, awakening to your call
Single Catholic Discerning Women ages 20-35: You are invited to come for prayer and a meal with our Sisters at our Motherhouse or at one of our convent homes in Bapchule, Arizona; Cambridge, Ohio; Chassell, Michigan; Imperial, Nebraska; Kaukauna, Wisconsin; Tucson, Arizona; West Point, Nebraska; Yuma, Arizona and Zanesville, Ohio. Help us set a date so we can invite others to consider the discernment experience as well. Register here and we’ll connect you to the place of your choice.
April 28-May 3: Individual Silent Retreat with Spiritual Guidance
This discernment experience is held at our House of Prayer which is housed within St. Francis Convent, 6835 Calument Ave, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Retreatants meet with Spiritual Director Sister Jacqueline Spaniola for a half hour each day and receive prayer helps based on those conversations. Mass, Liturgy of the Hours is prayed with our Sisters at St. Francis Convent. Adoration is also offered in a smaller prayer chapel. Private room and an opportunity to explore the outdoors are also a gift for those who choose this retreat. The House of Prayer located within walking distance to our Motherhouse. Register here Vocation Retreat Registration – Franciscan Sisters (fscc-calledtobe.org)
May 19-25 Celebrating God’s Love Retreat
Father Ben Markwell, OFM Cap leads on this silent Sisters’ retreat on the theme: Celebrating God’s Love. Father will focus on God’s personal, unconditional love for us revealed in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. This discernment opportunity is held at our Motherhouse, Holy Family Convent, 2409 S. Alverno Road, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Come for one day, some of the days or the whole time of the spiritual experience. If you feel called to be with us, we are here to tailor it to fit your life. You will not leave us without also having conversations with some of our Sisters. Call or text Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632. Register here Vocation Retreat Registration – Franciscan Sisters (fscc-calledtobe.org)
July 7 – 13 By the Seaside-By the Beautiful Sea Retreat
Father Dennis Mason, OFM Conv directs this silent Sisters’ retreat on the theme: By the Seaside- By the Beautiful Sea. The waters of chaos swirled in Genesis. The waters of the Red Sea parted in Exodus. The waters of the Sea of Galilee frightened and calmed and fed the disciples in the Gospels. Throughout the Biblical tradition the Sea has been a particular place of God encountering God’s People. Join us to explore and experience the presence of God By the Seaside of the Scriptures and By the Beautiful Sea of our hearts.
This discernment opportunity is held at our Motherhouse, 2409 S. Alverno Road, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Come for one day, some of the days or the whole time of this Franciscan reflection experience. We are quite flexible in helping to plan with you to insure that if God is calling you to be with us, it will happen. Coming to our home, you will have an opportunity to have conversations with some of our Sisters as part of your time with us. Call or text Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632. Register here Vocation Retreat Registration – Franciscan Sisters (fscc-calledtobe.org)
Include Us in Your Young Adult Discernment Pilgrimage
Are you feeling you need the intercession of the saints in your discernment journey? Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Motherhouse is in an ideal Young Adult Pilgrimage location whether for the day or part of a trek that includes other holy places. We are just 40 minutes from The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion and about the same number of miles from St. Joseph Shrine, De Pere, Wisconsin. An hour and a half south of us is Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine. Our own sacred founding spot, our Motherhouse, has beautiful chapels and an outdoor environment where friends of St. Francis and St. Clare would feel quite at home. For those who wish to travel three and a half hours more to Bishop Baraga’s tomb, we are on the way. Call Sister Julie Ann at 920-323-9632 and plan on coming to see us. Register.
