In a discussion with Provincial Councilor Sr. Suzanne Marie Kush and vocation directors Sr. Judith Marie Blizzard and Sr. Jane Mary Gawlik, the Felician Sisters explored the theme of “Faces of the Future,” focusing on the diverse career paths available to women in their community. The conversation covered the future of religious life, emphasizing the need to embrace change, innovation and intercultural understanding while maintaining the core values of the Felician Sisters. The discussion also highlighted the importance of including the perspectives of newer members and considering the involvement of other community members.
At the heart of this conversation was the “why” of vocation—the deeper calling that draws women to religious life. The discussion also touched on the personal journeys that led each sister to choose the Felician Sisters. Sr. Judy shared that her experience of being taught by the Felician Sisters in school inspired her to join, as she felt called to make a difference. Sr. Jane recounted her encounter with a sister at a young age, which she saw as a divine call to religious life. For each, the decision to join the Felician Sisters was rooted in the sense of joy, impact and community they all found within the congregation.
Sr. Suzanne discussed the diverse career paths women in the community pursue, including fields like education, healthcare and social work. The Felician Sisters are flexible, finding niches in various ministries, such as pastoral or social ministry. They emphasized the value of using one’s gifts for the greater good and the adaptability of members within the community. Sr. Suzanne and Sr. Jane also reflected on the need for the Felician Sisters to respond to global challenges such as social injustice and climate change. Living in community gives them strength to advocate for these issues collectively.
As they looked to the future, the sisters emphasized the importance of adapting religious life to the evolving world while staying true to the values of prayer, community and mission. They spoke about the importance of a global vision, intercultural understanding and inclusion within the community, stressing the optimism they have for the younger generation’s open-mindedness. This vision of change and adaptation in religious life, alongside strong community support, continues to guide the Felician Sisters as they navigate the future.
The conversation also touched on the formation process, which is centered on deepening one’s relationship with God, understanding the culture of religious life and living in community. The sisters acknowledged the challenges of staying connected across distances, but noted that the strength of their shared prayer life and commitment to the charism and mission keeps them united.
Sr. Grace Marie Del Priore
Sr. Grace was initially drawn to religious life through a passion for service, helping others alongside people who cared. This desire to serve evolved through her formation, where deeper community experiences, formal lessons and personal commitment shaped her understanding of religious life. Spiritual readings, especially Felician writings, along with the example set by the sisters, played a pivotal role in this development.
Her ministry today, as the archivist for the province, allows her to preserve the history and mission of the Felician Sisters in North America, strengthening the community. Sr. Grace emphasizes that religious life is about service, not careers or jobs, as it centers on fulfilling God’s will and building His kingdom. She highlights the personal growth and leadership skills she has developed through her community experiences, which have helped her become a better version of herself.
Religious life, according to Sr. Grace, balances individual talents with communal life through shared gifts and discernment. This mutual discernment helps guide their service, which evolves with the needs of the people they serve. Prayer and spirituality are essential, as they support both ministry and daily life, making ministry more than just a job—it is rooted in the heart, dedicated to others and requires sacrifice. Younger sisters, Sr. Grace notes, bring fresh perspectives, balancing the Felician charism with openness to the changing needs of the world. For those exploring religious life, Sr. Grace advises time in Eucharistic Adoration and encourages a proactive approach in discerning by visiting communities and seeking spiritual direction.
Daily life as a Felician Sister involves prayer, Mass, shared meals and individual ministry. Sr. Grace finds the most joy in community life, as it offers rich encouragement and inspiration. She stays connected with sisters across North America through various communication channels and active involvement in the province’s activities, assemblies and committees. If Sr. Grace had to describe her life as a Felician Sister in one word, it would be “fulfilled,” as it represents her continual growth and contribution to a greater purpose.
Sr. Maria Louise Edwards
Sr. Maria Louise reflects on her journey to religious life, which began with a dream of becoming an actress, driven by a desire to explore human dignity and connect with deeper meanings. Her Franciscan spirituality, though unrecognized at the time, shaped her path toward acting, allowing her to engage with the complexities of human life. However, after ten years, she realized her search for meaning was spiritual, not artistic, and felt a calling toward religious life. She began discerning this call by experiencing different forms of religious life, eventually finding her home with the Felician Sisters.
Her time in formation was marked by self-discovery, particularly around communal living, which was challenging for her as an introvert. Over time, she learned to balance solitude with the communal life that became a vital part of her vocation. She also embraced Franciscan spirituality, discovering that she had always been Franciscan at heart. Her understanding of being a contemplative-active sister evolved, recognizing that contemplation is not a separate activity but a form of action in itself—a way of being fully present and engaged with the world.
Sr. Maria Louise’s vocation has also led her to work on the margins, particularly in response to injustice. She is deeply moved by the words of Blessed Mary Angela, the Felician foundress, and strives to serve those who are marginalized. Her ministry with Águilas del Desierto, a group dedicated to finding and recovering the bodies of those who die attempting to cross into the United States, has been a profound experience. Through her work, she has encountered the harsh realities faced by migrants, particularly the suffering and loss of life in the desert. Her first search for a missing young man turned into a heartbreaking discovery of a woman’s remains, which deeply impacted her understanding of the human cost of immigration policies.
This ministry has reshaped her view of privilege and injustice, solidifying her commitment to stand witness to the realities of those who suffer, no matter the cost. Through her calling, Sr. Maria Louise has found a deeper understanding of God’s love and the privilege of serving those on the margins, knowing that her vocation leads her closer to God’s heart.
Sr. Shannon Fox
Sr. Shannon shares that her call to religious life has been rooted in a deep desire to serve others and grow closer to God, with a particular longing to serve alongside committed women in a vibrant community. Through her formation as a Franciscan, she learned to live and serve like St. Francis, St. Clare and Blessed Mary Angela, drawing inspiration from their examples. During her almost three years with the Felician Sisters, Sr. Shannon has witnessed the variety of ministries they are involved in and the evolving focus on charism and mission. She recognizes that while the ways of living out the mission may change, the commitment to serving the poor and needy remains steadfast. Sr. Shannon has also learned the importance of discerning the right fit for her ministry and embracing the guidance and feedback from her community and leadership.
In her role as a middle school teacher and reading specialist, Sr. Shannon reflects the Felician charism not through her title but through her relationships with students and colleagues. She embraces the diversity of her students, especially immigrants, and fosters a community that supports and prays for each other. Her ministry goes beyond teaching academics, as she helps students grow in faith and prayer, and is grateful for the support she received from her school community when preparing for heart surgery.
Sr. Shannon has discovered an unexpected passion for teaching Faith Formation, finding fulfillment in helping students learn to pray and deepen their relationship with God. She also enjoys living in a formation house, accompanying young women discerning their vocations, which keeps her own call to religious life vibrant. She acknowledges the challenge of balancing ministry, communal life and prayer, but finds that when her spiritual life is in order, everything else falls into place. The support and prayers of her sisters strengthen her ministry, and she values the communal aspect of religious life, where the mission is about serving a greater purpose rather than personal gain.
Younger sisters bring fresh energy and perspectives, which help the Felician Sisters balance tradition with innovation. Sr. Shannon highlights the importance of discerning the essentials of community life while also responding to the needs of today’s world. She encourages new members to be part of decision-making and leadership development to ensure the mission continues to evolve in alignment with God’s will.
For those discerning religious lives, Sr. Shannon advises finding a good spiritual director and spending time with different communities to understand their prayer and ministry life. She wishes more people understood that religious life is joyful and relevant in today’s world, emphasizing the fulfillment found in community and ministry rather than focusing on what is given up. Daily life as a Felician Sister is a balance of prayer, work and recreation, with time for personal prayer, communal Mass, ministry and fellowship. Sr. Shannon describes her life as a Felician Sister in one word: Joy, because of the genuine laughter and love shared among the community, even in challenging times.
Sr. Maria Goretti Nguyen
Sr. Maria Goretti shares that religious life provides the environment and support she needs to live out God’s purpose for her. Her formation has deepened her understanding of God’s love and how she is called to respond. Throughout her journey, she has learned to embrace who she is, nurture her gifts and serve others. The Felician Sisters focus on meeting the needs they see, particularly through social work and efforts to protect human dignity, life and the environment.
Her ministry at Villa St. Francis in Milwaukee, WI, where she serves the elderly, reflects the Felician charism of sharing God’s love with those often overlooked by society. She emphasizes that religious life offers a deeper purpose than a career, as it is about living for God and His people. Through formation, Sr. Maria Goretti discovered a passion for working with people, bringing God’s love and comfort, which brings her fulfillment. Formation has also prepared her for leadership and personal growth, teaching her how to live and work with others in God’s way.
Balancing personal and communal life is possible through prayer, discernment and communication. Prayer unites the sisters, while community provides support for their ministries. Sr. Maria Goretti highlights the importance of younger sisters bringing fresh perspectives, especially in connecting with the younger generation, and sees the need to balance tradition with innovation through listening, sharing and praying together for God’s guidance.
Her advice to those considering religious life is simple: “Come and see!” She encourages them to open themselves to prayer and trust in God’s plan, which exceeds expectations. Being a sister means living an ordinary life with extraordinary love and devotion to God. Daily life for Sr. Maria Goretti includes full-time ministry, but it is rooted in prayer, both personal and with her community. She finds joy in sharing life with her sisters. If she could describe her life in one word, it would be “family,” as they support and care for each other.
