Young Adults

We've created a safe space to talk about spirituality and topics relevant to you as a young adult. Ask questions, express spiritual concerns, and make connections with others. You do not have to be Catholic, and we invite spiritual neighbors from cultures around the world. "Identity" surfaced as a main topic of interest at recent young adult Zoom gatherings with our Sisters. Read on for how we are responding! 

"Becoming the Person God Created Me to Be" starts Sept. 25, 2023

We are happy to offer a series of reflections with the theme "Becoming the Person that God Created Me to Be." We will use the Enneagram as an instrument to begin this journey of self-knowledge. The reflections will be held over Zoom on the fourth Monday of the month, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. CST, beginning on Sept. 25th and continuing for the next five gatherings, excluding Christmas Day. Someone once said that the best gift we can give to our God is the gift of ourselves. Do you know who you are to be able to give this gift?

Join us for our first session on Monday, September 25, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Register to receive a Zoom link for this gathering and email updates.

Register

 

Check out our Young Adult Blog, "Authentically You."     

Go to Blog

 

Header video credit: ©CreationSwap®

A message of hope

 
Have you ever been angry at God? Conversations aren't always easy, but this one is definitely worth having.

    

After hearing this poem, see our latest Authentically You blog post on "The Power of Conversation."

Go to Authentically You

 

Programs and conferences for young adults

Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference:  (See Advocacy section below.) Friday, Oct. 13 through Monday, Oct. 16. Discount for young adults 18-30 and an affordable online half-day option on October 14, 2023.
National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults
FOCUS:  Launching College Students into Lifelong Catholic Mission
SEEK24:  A FOCUS conference for young Catholic adults, Jan. 1-5, 2024, in St. Louis Missouri
ESTEEM:  A leadership formation program for young adults on college and university campuses

What issues inspire you to action?

Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference:  Franciscan-inspired justice-seekers from across the country are holding their first conference on Friday, Oct. 13 through Monday, Oct. 16. Discount for young adults 18-30 and an affordable online half-day option on October 14, 2023. With the urgency of climate change compounded by environmental racism’s disproportionate harm on people of color and those in poverty, the conference will focus on embracing an advocacy response to these interconnected issues facing creation and our communities through the lens of the Franciscan tradition. Participants will engage in practical leadership training on how to be advocates for change in our home communities, whether that be on a college campus or beyond.
Sisters Against Trafficking
Invisible People: Helping the Homeless
NETWORK: Advocates for Justice, Inspired by Catholic Sisters

Media that inspires, inform and heals


Saint of the Day
Hope and Suffering: The Spirituality of Life and Loss
Franciscan Media
Pure Flix:  Media that strengthens your faith and values, is wholesome, and suitable for the entire family and streamed seamlessly on any device.
FORMED:  Catholic content for parishes, families and individuals
A Nun's Life

News and Culture from a Spiritual Perspective


National Catholic Reporter  
Global Sisters Report
St. Anthony Messenger

Resources for students and young adults

Young Adult Resources from the blog 
"Paws in Praise"(used with permission)


Academics and Faith

The Heart and Love

 

 

Work and Faith 

- Empowerment Through Prayer 
- The Meaning of Merit
- We are all parts in the Bone Box: a reflection on One Body, Many Parts
- Spiritual Wellness in Veterinary Medicine 
  (This article can be applied in some way to everyone, not just students of veterinary medicine. Be sure especially to check out the article in the section that begins with "Solidarity Week" and Tails of Wellness on Instagram.)

Food and Faith

- Diving into the Diet 
- Shedding Light on "Livestock's Long Shadow"

Contemplation & Reflection

CONTEMPLATION:
Resources for Contemplative Engagement

REFLECTIONS:
On Letting Go
Voices of Franciscan Hearts

Spiritual Direction


Several of our Sisters at St. Francis Woods are trained Spiritual Directors. It is an hour-long session, usually scheduled monthly and offered either in-person or over Zoom. You are invited to share ordinary life experience and be guided to listen for how the Divine is speaking through the twists and turns of your faith journey. The fee is $55.00 per session or $40.00 per session for anyone on retreat at The Portiuncula Center for Prayer on campus.

Norma Janssen, OSF    815.545.0183
Janice Keenan, OSF   815.469.4883
Nancy Roberta Schramm, OSF   224.565.1460
Joyce Shanabarger, OSF   815.464.3803
Mary Shinnick, OSF   815.464.3807

Group Spiritual Direction
Led by a trained Spiritual Director at our Portiuncula Center for Prayer, this program is an opportunity to share your story in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Respect for each individual and their spiritual path is an essential component to this process. You will be encouraged to listen with compassion and speak without fear as all deepen their relationship with God. Total Fee: $60 (for all four sessions) Limit: 6 participants. Wednesdays: September 6, October 4, November 1, December 6, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Facilitator: Janice Keenan, OSF is a West Peoria Franciscan who serves as the Retreat Program Manager and Spiritual Director at The Port.

Register