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.
Meet Us Where We Are
April 28-May 2: CMSWR Formation Meeting, Long Island, NY
May 13: St. John the Baptist, Marshfield, WI
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
The Liturgical Seasons often offer their own moments of inspired reflection. It is not unusual in these times of prayer 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. When at all possible and if you are able to plan for at least 3 full days, we are able to visit with you the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the only approved apparition site in the United States.
Make This Your Discerning Year
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; Chassell, Michigan; 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.
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.
Sister Michelle Marie’s First Profession Liturgy
Are you a discerning young woman 17-35 who would like to experience a First Profession Eucharistic Liturgy? Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity invite you to reach out to us. We would be delighted to know more about you and how the Holy Spirit is mo. Register here or call or text Sister Julie Ann before June 10 with your questions at 920-323-9632. We would like nothing better than to have interested young women among us as we celebrate with Sister Michelle Marie.
Plan Your Discernment Visit During a Franciscan Sisters’ Retreat
When planning your own discernment visit, we invite you to consider a day or a few days of one of our Motherhouse Franciscan Sisters’ Retreats. Our Sisters are blessed to make a retreat each year and are offered varied themes and times for their convenience. This summer these Franciscan priests will be with us to lead two of the experiences. Register here.
May 18-May 24
Fr. Dennis Mason OFM Conventual
Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? St. Bonaventure said that these three phrases sum up his (and our) experience of our God. For a few days we will prayerfully and leisurely sail with Bonaventure and each other on that vast lake of the Good God. Register here.
July 27-August 2
Fr. Charlie Smiech OFM
Going through the unchartered may cause turmoil. Through it all Jesus calms and reassures that he is walking with us on the water. Register here.
Holy Family Convent Open House
Join us for an Open House at Holy Family Convent on September 21, 2025 from 1-3 PM. It is Catechetical Sunday. It is a good day to celebrate families of all ages and share our lives. Sisters will be available for tours. RSVP at 920-682-7728 and we’ll have our convent cookies baked and ready to share. Call or text Sister Julie Ann with questions 920-323-9632.
