Franciscan Spiritual Connections

Join us this evening for a time of "Being with the Land", 6-7 p.m. on our campus grounds. You'll see the work we've been doing on our habitat restoration project and be invited to a time of prayer, as we reflect on what has passed and what we hope for in the future.

Allow yourself a time for prayer and soothing music today at 5:30 p.m. in our chapel's Gathering Space. If you're not able to make it tonight, be sure to add our upcoming Taizé services to your calendar: Oct. 22, Nov. 26 and Dec. 17.

Join us today! Leah Rampy, author and Jamie Deering, Director of Franciscan Spiritual Connections will be at Barnes and Noble in St. Cloud where Leah will lead a conversation on reweaving earth and soul in these times of climate change. You can purchase a copy of her book or bring your copy for her to sign. Stop by anytime between 11 and 1. See you there!

This evening in Saint Cloud, Leah Rampy, author of "Earth & Soul: Reconnecting amid Climate Chaos" joins us for an evening of conversation and reflection. If you haven't had a chance to register for this event - come anyway! We'd love to see you there!

During times of uncertainty and change, it's common to feel off balance. Find your center again by joining us as we learn various contemplative practices. Give yourself this gift of peace and recharge your spirit with this free event, open to all seeking peace in their heart. You can attend one, a few, or all of the sessions. Whatever works for you!

Exciting news! Our annual Blessing of Animals will be October 6 on our campus! Bring your pet, horse, goldfish, all your furry and feathered friends for this wonderful tradition of honoring their presence in our lives. Sisters and staff will be present to give the blessings. Don't have a pet? Invite your neighbors and come anyway! Seeing all the wagging tails is sure to make your day!

Real Conversations is starting next Monday and you don't want to miss this event, offered in-person or by Zoom. If you're in or near Little Falls, a group is gathering at First United Church to take part and they'd be happy to include you! (Use the email on the flyer if you have questions.) There are a few spots left. Register soon!

Take a moment now to just breathe ...

Times of change, even for the good, may still cause grief. As we seek to restore our campus grounds to native habitat, we grieve the loss of vegetation as well as give thanks for what has been and what will come to be. Please join us for "Being With the Land" on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. for prayer and conversation, plus a short walk through the campus.

We invite you to join us for a time of meditative prayer and music. If you have not attended a Taizé prayer service before, allow yourself this time for calming your mind and heart, the perfect way to end a hectic day. Beginning Sept. 24, services will be offered once a month on Tuesdays (upcoming dates on flyer).

How does your garden (heart) grow? 💕

Making connections, healing divisions, practicing kindness - we know we're called to these actions, yet too often it's easier to remain silent. Real Conversations, a six-week course beginning Sept. 16, offers you tools and practices to stay engaged and present while remaining true to your own values. Offered in person in St. Cloud or by Zoom - see below for registration info. We hope to see you there!

You don’t have to be an artist to make SoulCollage® cards. Anyone can create and enjoy this powerful, meditative practice - and it truly is fun! Taking place Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Scan the QR code on the flyer below to register by September 6. We hope to see you there!

To allow space for the Presidential debate, our Wild Wandering event originally scheduled for Sept. 10 has been moved up one week to Sept. 3. Come at 5 with a box dinner if you'd like to eat together beforehand. We hope you can join us for this relaxing and enriching event! (Remember to bring bug spray!)

During the week we begin each day with a short Franciscan Reflection, typically a brief quote or prayer that helps us settle in to our work. This particular one serves as a good reminder to always be kind to yourself, as it's vital for both your spiritual and mental well-being!
It comes from a book by Heather King called "Loaded: Money and the Spirituality of Enough."

We are so thrilled to share that Leah Rampy, author, speaker, educator, and leader of our September retreat, will be making two appearances in Central Minnesota to talk about her award-winning book Earth & Soul, Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos. She'll be at Barnes & Noble in St Cloud on Sept 21 and the Little Falls Public Library on Sept 28. Leah doesn't shy away from the truth and she guides us towards hope and learning from nature to reconnect with Earth and fill our souls. Come hear, come learn and come be inspired. We hope to see you there! More information about the book events and our September retreat are in the flyers below.

Our Earth is amazing, beautiful, and breathtaking. Many of us are feeling stress and anxiety from loss associated with climate change. Author Leah Rampy will be at Welcoming House the evening of September 19 to share a path forward to claim the beauty, joy and possibilities available when we reconnect with Earth. Leah is a writer, speaker and retreat leader who weaves ecology, spirituality, personal stories, and practices to help others deepen their relationship with the natural world. This will be time well spent. More information about this free event is available in the flyer below. We ask that you register using the QR code in the flyer so we have tea and coffee ready for you.

Wild Wanderings is at Rockville County Park today starting at 6:30! This is a great opportunity to connect with nature, a time for reflection and a chance to build community. If your schedule allows, please bring a box dinner and come early so we can share a meal together before we start. You'll want to remember your water bottle and bug spray. We'll meet at the covered picnic shelter. See you there!

How do you feel during difficult conversations? Do you find it hard to stay engaged? Do you swallow your words and find it hard to communicate your needs? Real Conversations is a six-part series to help you learn how to express yourself and stay in these hard conversations. Join us at Welcoming House in St Cloud or on Zoom for this enlightening and thought-provoking series. Use the QR code in the flyer to register. Take time to invest in yourself.

Wild Wanderings is featured in the Central Minnesota Catholic Magazine this month. We are thrilled to share this news with a wider audience and so thankful to the author and photographer for this great article. https://thecentralminnesotacatholic.org/franciscan-ministry-encourages-people-to-connect-with-god-in-nature/

You are enthusiastically invited to enjoy a time for reflection and connection both with nature and community. We will be at Rockville County Park on August 13 and would love to see you there!

Franciscan Spiritual Connections
New Name. Same Purpose.

As a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, we are rooted in Franciscan values. Franciscan Spiritual Connections (formerly Franciscan Programs Ministry) has always been about inspiring and nurturing spiritual growth through experiences that inform and invite reflection and action. We continue living into our purpose with a new name.

We invite inner reflective processes that rouse us to actions of love in the world. Spiritual reflection that leads to action and action that pauses to reflect. We hope people leave an experience with us feeling their profound belonging in Divine Love. We hope they leave feeling connected to God, community, self, and all of creation. Our new name reflects our purpose of weaving spiritual connections!

Did you know? We are in two locations – the campus of Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls and Franciscan Welcoming House in St. Cloud.

We hope you will join us soon to pause, rest, ground, and engage in your spiritual journey.

Gratefully from the Franciscan Spiritual Connections Team
Jamie Deering, Director
Christi Hartwell, FLC Communications Coordinator