Franciscan Sisters of Chicago

08/27/2026

Celebrating the Transfer of Congregational Leadership

On Wednesday, August 5, the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago celebrated the Historic Transfer of Congregational Leadership with a Mass in Sacred Heart Chapel in Our Lady of Victory Convent in Lemont. Sr. Joyce Shanabarger, OSF, was appointed Pontifical Commissary.

A Pontifical Commissary is a religious who is chosen to assist other congregations with administration and governance. In this role, Sr. Joyce will support the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago and assist them with their future needs, concerns, and initiatives.

Sr. Joyce is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Frankfort, Illinois, where she has served as General Community Leader. “I am very thankful and humbled that the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago have chosen me to serve as their Pontifical Commissary. I feel so grateful and honored for this responsibility, and I will do my very best to serve the needs of the congregation and follow the charism of Foundress Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik,” Sr. Joyce said.

Read this article and view photos from the celebration here: https://www.chicagofranciscans.org/transfer-to-pontifical-commissary

(In photo): Sr. M. Francis Clare Radke, OSF, Sr. M. Bernadette Bajuscik, OSF, Sr. Joyce Shanabarger, OSF, and Sr. Jeanne Marie Toriskie, OSF

08/23/2026

Triduum of Prayer to prepare for the feast of
Our Lady of Czestochowa (August 26)

August 23 - August 26

Let us pray. Lord our God, through your power and your goodness
the Blessed Virgin Mary, the fairest fruit of your redeeming love, shines forth as the perfect image of the Church; grant to your people on their pilgrim way on earth that, with eyes fixed on Mary, they may follow closely in the footsteps of her Son until they come to that fullness of glory, which now they contemplate in his mother with hearts filled with joy
through Christ our Lord.
Download Novena here: https://www.chicagofranciscans.org/download-prayers-and-novenas

08/13/2026

Crossroads, Newsletter of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago Summer 2026 Issue is Now Available! Click here to download: https://www.chicagofranciscans.org/fsc-crossroads-newsletter

If you would like to receive a print copy please email your contact information to: [email protected]

08/02/2026

Novena to prepare for the feast of St. Clare of Assisi (August 11th)
August 2nd - August 9th

Through the intercession of St. Clare, and after her example, give us a daily change of heart that we may experience the beauty of your mercy, express our praise and thanks for your great love, and pursue with an unswerving spirit a life of holiness. We ask this of you who live and reign With the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

Download here: https://www.chicagofranciscans.org/download-prayers-and-novenas

07/21/2026

July 21st - 23rd - Triduum Celebration to Prepare for the Feast of Saint Kinga (July 24)

Let us pray: God, our Father, you caused St. Kinga to excel in purity of life, in contemplation, and in wondrous charity to the poor. Grant that through her prayers and example we may go forward rejoicing in spirit along the way of charity through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Download here: https://www.chicagofranciscans.org/download-prayers-and-novenas

07/15/2026

07/06/2026

This month's FSC Associate article:
Church in History: Part 3 – Presenter: Dawn Mayer
By Mary Mosser, FSC Associate

Dawn started her presentation with a prayer and a brief review of the previous session. She explained that her goal for the day was to outline the developments that led to the Great Schism of 1054 AD.

A schism is a formal division, split or separation. Prior to the Great Schism of 1054 AD, there were numerous controversies that challenged the Church. The Nestorian Schism was a major division in 431 AD over a teaching that Jesus was two distinct persons. The Council of Ephesus in 431 AD condemned the teachings of Nestorius and reaffirmed the Nicene Creed. The Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD affirmed that Christ is one person with two natures - divine and human. Read more here: https://www.chicagofranciscans.org/fsc-associates-articles

05/26/2026

This month's FSC Associate article:
A Church in History - Presenter: Dawn Mayer -
By Mary Mosser, FSC Associate

Dawn started our day with a prayer and a quick summary of her March presentation on the Apostolic era (30 AD–100 AD). During the Apostolic period, early Christians continued to worship in the Temple, then gathered in their homes to pray, reflect on Jesus’ teachings, remember His life and resurrection, and break bread together. The homes where they worshipped were known as house churches.

The New Testament was composed during the Apostolic era, but centuries passed before it was recognized. By the 2nd century, the four Gospels were widely accepted. In the 3rd century, the core collection of books was universally accepted. Finally, in the 4th century, the 27-book canon was recognized. Read more here: https://www.chicagofranciscans.org/fsc-associates-articles

05/11/2026

05/11/2026