Vocation Discernment Events
We invite Catholic young adult single women discerning consecrated life to begin with watching our Called to Be Franciscan youtube channel, tuning into Instagram, listening to our Franciscan Moment Podcasts and contacting us to begin a conversation at any time along the way. 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 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.
October 13-15 or November 17-19: My Vocation Call: Saints Francis and Clare-“Saints of Light” Retreat
Join Young Adult Catholic Women and Franciscan Sisters for an In-Person Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc, Wisconsin Retreat or Zoom Retreat on Friday at 6:30-8:30 PM. Come to pray and explore how Saint Francis and St. Clare shed light on the great pillars of our Catholic Faith:
- Creation
- Incarnation
- Crucifixion and Resurrection
- Eucharist
There will be an Introduction and Conference on Friday evening accompanied by an invitation for a personal meeting (Spiritual Direction) on Saturday and/or Sunday.
Drawing on St Francis and St. Clare’s wisdom for our times, Spiritual Director Sr. Anne Marie Lom facilitates this discernment experience, and Sr Pam Biehl leads the Friday Evening Night Prayer. Those coming in-person will have additional opportunities of interaction with the Motherhouse Community.
Call or text Sister Julie Ann your questions or concerns. Register here.
October 20-22 My Vocation Call: Discernment of Spirits Retreat
Are you a 20-something young woman discerning if God is calling you to religious life or to married life or to single life? Or seeking to follow His will more closely? A Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity, Sr. Jacqueline Spaniola, is offering a silent retreat, October 20-22, based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
The Spiritual Exercises are a timeless and always useful “exercise” to guide you in the spiritual life as you seek to do God’s will. Most free time will be spent in silence in order to pray and to ponder how God is working in your life. The retreat begins Friday, October 20, at 6 p.m., and ends after a noon meal on Sunday, October 22. The retreat is being held at the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity’s Motherhouse in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. For more information call or text 920-323-9632. $25 (scholarships available) Register for the retreat here.
November 29 Living the Buzzwords of Advent: Wait, Watch and Prepare Zoom
Desiring to make your Advent more prayerful? Sister Pam Biehl facilitates “Living the Buzzwords of Advent: Wait, Watch & Prepare”, a one-hour Advent Zoom from 6:30 – 7:30 PM on Wednesday, November 29. Other Franciscan Sisters are invited to also listen in on the session. Sister Anne Marie Lom will lead night prayer. Register here for an evening with others desiring to grow in faith.
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.
