On February 6, 2025, the Franciscan Feast of St. Peter Baptista, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sister Mary Ann Spanjers and Sister Julie Ann Sheahan began a Vocation Eucharistic Sojourn to the state of Texas. Our Sisters in community promised their prayerful support. Fittingly, the Gospel of the daily liturgy for that particular Thursday was one of St. Francis’ life-changing Scripture texts. “Jesus began to send them out two by two…He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick….” Of course, we packed more generously. 
With the first day’s destination Menomonie, Wisconsin, the first stop along the way was St. Andrew Catholic Church, Rozellville, Wisconsin. Sidewalks were slippery, but in the church the pilgrims found Rozellville’s own Simeon and Anna who were prayerfully scrubbing and vacuuming the floors.
George and Delores both gave permission to add a flyer to the bulletin board. The church’s stained-glass windows were certainly beautiful. We’ll feature them in our future Franciscan Gospel Reflections.
Another poster drop off spot was St. John the Baptist Church, Marshfield, Wisconsin. We were blessed to have the door opened by Mary Gouin, a former St. Bernard Catholic School alumni and sister of Father Patrick Beno, Diocese of Green Bay pastor of St. Joseph, St. Kilian and St. Thomas the Apostle Parishes in the holy grounds surrounding the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion.
While we were passing on our vocation posters to Mary, we were blessed to meet Fr. Dan Thelen. This was not our first encounter with Fr. Dan. He was kind enough to allow us to share his book Saints from Rome and Beyond on our blog in 2024. We caught Father ready to place his own poster describing a new initiative, Stepping Out of the Pew which begins February 1.
There was interest in The Eucharist Adoration to Action Presentation for the Young Adults in this area so there may be a return trip in the future.
Before continuing our sojourn, a visit to the Saint John Paul II Adoration Chapel and the Mother Frances Streitel Center was a spiritual gift. We shared quiet moments along with Lyle, one of the parish’s adorers. The chapel felt Franciscan in spirit. The stone-like walls were a great reminder of St. Francis’ beloved San Damiano and the call to “rebuild My Church.”
