How to Become a Franciscan Sister from Manitowoc to Mississippi

Franciscan Novice Sister Mary Jane Schwartz reflects on a recent zoom from St. Francis of Assisi School, Greenwood, Mississippi to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The voice of vocations is heard across the miles.

The teachers at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Greenwood, Mississippi came up with a plan to incorporate the theme of faith with introducing the students to faith lived out in different vocations. The plan began to take shape when a teacher contacted Sister Kathleen Murphy and asked if some Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity would be interested in attending a Zoom meeting with the students. Other Sisters were also gracious enough to accept. Sister Kathleen began the Zoom meeting with a prayer and introduced the first speaker which was Sister Carol Seidl. Sister Carol talked about how the Sisters live out their Catholic faith while on mission in various locations and ministries.

Next, Sister Elaine Turba presented the history of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. This was followed by Novice Sister Mary Jane who introduced the students to the stages of Formation ending with a brief statement about her own vocation. Then, Sister Julie Ann Sheahan told the students the story of St. Francis of Assisi using the storybook by the author Tomie dePaola. The Zoom meeting ended with Sister Kathleen talking about the life of the Sisters including an emphasis on prayer and how they could pray as well. She led the students in the popular prayer attributed to St. Francis with simple hand gestures. It was a joy to gather with the students who listened well and showed interest in what each Sister had to say.  Blessings on all Catholic Schools, teachers, and students during the year 2022.