Twelve Reasons Why FSCC Discernment Retreat was Life-Changing

Paul Keggington

November 16, 2009

img_6901.jpgThe Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity hosted a discernment retreat (an opportunity for young women to gather together to seriously contemplate religious life as an option in their lives) November 13-15, 2009 at their Motherhouse in Manitowoc, WI. Twelve retreatants, ages 19-36, filled out an on-line website registration form after hearing about the weekend through a conversation with one of the Franciscan Sisters, a recommendation from a priest or friend, facebook or by following a link about the retreat to the Sisters website.

Here are more than twelve reasons why the retreat was life-changing:

  • twelve young women who shared themselves (with varied experiences as students, teachers, cartographer, restaurant managers, catechists, youth ministry volunteer, peace and justice leaders, etc.)
  • opportunity for ‘real’ face to face friends from IA, MN, LA, Washington D.C. and WI
  • personal interaction with four young women who are in the process of becoming Sisters as Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity who are themselves ages 22-31
  • sessions on St. Francis and St. Clare focused on  the theme of Gospel Living
  • time for private and communal prayer (Morning and Evening prayer, sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation)
  • music outreach at the Saturday evening Eucharistic Liturgy at Sacred Heart Parish, Appleton, WI with other retreatants and Franciscan Sisters (home parish of novice, Sister Chiara LaValley, OSF)
  • good conversation 
  • safe possibilities for reflective hiking on Motherhouse grounds and trails in nearby woods
  • sit down meals together

Any other thoughts?

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