Franciscan Life
Franciscan life is a love story — with God, with the poor, with the earth, with the stranger. Rooted in the spirit of Francis and Clare of Assisi, these posts explore what it means to embrace simplicity, kinship, and courageous countercultural choices in a world that constantly pushes the other direction. From returning land to Indigenous communities to the spirituality of dumpster diving to what the feast of St. Francis has to teach us today, this is a space for anyone drawn to the Franciscan way — whether you’ve taken vows or are just beginning to feel its pull.
Life in the Spirit: Starting a new community and trying to prevent burn out
I’ve been thinking a lot about my devotion to the Holy Spirit. As a vowed Franciscan Sister, I publicly committed to obeying the Spirit’s nudges,…
Tessa Bielecki: The Mystery and the Mess
“Let yourself be broken. Let yourself suffer. Cling to Christ through it.” – Tessa Bielecki Season 4, Episode 6 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, hosted…
All Shall Be Well in Time of Pandemic
Are you overwhelmed? Do you feel yourself wanting to retreat from reality? I am with you, my friend. War, violence, refugees, the pandemic, climate catastrophes,…
Ellen Salmi van Cleef and Joshua van Cleef: Missionaries Rooted in Presence
“The mess and the beauty are really tied together.” – Joshua van Cleef Season 4, Episode 5 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, hosted by Sister…
Caring a Hair for the Birds of the Air
Since I began homeschooling my children last year, I’ve felt compelled to raise them as amateur naturalists. We take walks together as a family. I…
Sister Nicole Trahan: The Mess as a Grace
In this episode of Messy Jesus Business, Sister Julia Walsh talks with Sister Nicole Trahan about inclusivity and equity in the Church, privilege and the…
What’s So Ordinary About Ordinary Time?
As summer winds down and school years begin, we still find ourselves in Ordinary Time. Officially, Ordinary Time received its name because these days are…
Community Building | Equity and Justice | Human Rights | Podcast | Prayer and Spirituality | Service on the Margins
Sister Tracey Horan: Love Without Borders
“There’s nothing that I wouldn’t give to just tear that wall down.” – Sister Tracey Horan Season 4, Episode 3 of Messy Jesus Business podcast,…