Gospel living is messy.

Christian discipleship is a life of struggle, as we advocate for social justice, live simply, serve others, practice contemplation and live in community. Welcome to the mess.

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  • How to be holy AND messy
    To contemplate the sacredness of messiness, start with the natural world. Step into the forest and study the rotting logs. Examine the erosion. Notice the tiny and the grand, how transformation and evolution have designed the landscapes, and the simple and small. See the surrender of one creature to another, the wildness of complete metamorphosis…
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  • Australian crime drama removes plank in my eye

    By Sister Sarah Hennessey, FSPA

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  • How to be holy AND messy

    By Sister Julia Walsh

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  • Kingdom of God

    By Sister Sarah Hennessey, FSPA

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Justice Prayer Family Environment non-violence Franciscan life

Equity and Justice

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  • Australian crime drama removes plank in my eye

    By Guest Blogger Sarah Hennessey, FSPA How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all…

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  • Kingdom of God

    By Sister Sarah Hennessey, FSPA

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  • The little way today

    By greg little

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  • Hoverboards, driving lessons, friendships and the common good

    By greg little

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  • Just sandals and a walking stick

    By Sister Julia Walsh

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ENVIRONMENT

  • Preserving Dangerous Memories 

    Maura Rocks

NON-VIOLENCE

  • Rules for a messy and holy creative practice 

    Cassidy Klein

FAMILY

  • The invisible, embodied holiness of parenting

    Emily Cortina

Prayer and Spirituality

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  • How to be holy AND messy
    To contemplate the sacredness of messiness, start with the natural world. Step into the forest and study the rotting logs. Examine the erosion. Notice the tiny and the grand, how transformation and evolution have designed the landscapes, and the simple and small. See the surrender of one creature to another, the wildness of complete metamorphosis…
    Read More
  • Ellen Salmi van Cleef and Joshua van Cleef: Missionaries Rooted in Presence
    Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Spotify | Email | RSS “The mess and the beauty are really tied together.” – Joshua van Cleef Season 4, Episode 5 of…
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  • Death comes for us all, Oroku Saki
    “Death comes for us all, Oroku Saki, but something much worse comes for you … for when you die, it will be without honor.” ~ Master Splinter, to the Shredder,…
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  • Just sandals and a walking stick
    Note from Sister Julia: A version of the following text was written for my coursework in my Introduction to New Testament course at Catholic Theological Union where I am a part-time student. The assignment was to…
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  • Adrienne Alexander: Lobbying for the Laborers
    Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Spotify | Email | RSS Season 5, Episode 2 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh. “Little by little, you…
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  • Yo Soy Una Guadalupana (I Am A Guadalupana)
    Posted by guest blogger, Sister Sarah Hennessey A Story of Marta “I’m nervous because I’m here illegally.” Marta held out her arm for a blood pressure check. The nurse in the free clinic and I quickly reassured her that everything was confidential and she had nothing to fear. Marta continued, “I’m nervous because I am illegal…

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