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As Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, our lives in Community are rooted in the Cross, Word, and Eucharist. Guided by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, we compassionately respond to the needs of our times through prayer, presence, and hospitality.
We serve as parish leaders, educators, health caregivers, campus ministers, artists, minority and environmental advocates, social workers, literacy counselors, retreat directors, missionaries, and administrators. With the same courage, tenacity, and faithfulness as our founders, we actively engage in improving the spiritual and material condition of those with needs.
Contact
Sr. Laura Zelten, OSF
Phone: Call/Text (920) 468-4737
Email: vocations@gbfranciscans.org
Website: www.gbfranciscans.org
God calls you. We invite you. Franciscan Sistersʼ vocation is to serve as Catholic Sisters and live our Franciscan charism. God has called us to follow St. Francis in rewarding ministries of Catholic Health Care, Education and parishes in rural and urban communities. Simplicity, Joyful acceptance of poverty, Love for the Church, and Selfless dedication to others.
Contact
Sister Julie Ann Sheahan, OSF
Phone: (920) 682-7728
Email: vocations@fscc-calledtobe.org
“A Carmelite is a soul who has gazed on the Crucified One, who has seen Him offering Himself as a Victim to His Father for souls and, recollecting herself in this great vision of the charity of Christ, has understood the passionate love of His soul, and has wanted to give herself as He did!ˮ - Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
Contact
Mother Mary Elizabeth of the Blessed Trinity, OCD
Email: holynamecarmel@catholic.org
Website: http://holynamecarmel.org
The Charism of the Missionaries of the Word is: To live in Jesus, the Fatherʼs one Word, and to empty ourselves, out of love, that we may become dwelling places of the Word, and so cultivate Godʼs life in souls.
Contact
Sr. Maria Lucia, MW
Phone: (920) 574-4133
Website: www.missionariesoftheword.com
The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother participate in the mission of Jesus to bring fuller life to others by revealing the love of God for all, especially the poor.
The Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother both serve and empower others by sharing Godʼs love. We are advocates, supporters, and companions to those in need—the sick, the poor, the vulnerable and those in crisis.
Contact
Sr. Dorothy Ann Dirkz, SSM
Phone: (920) 230-6157
Email: ssmvoc@gmail.com
Website: www.sistersofthesorrowfulmother.org
www.becomingasister.org
“For Love Alone is a 17-minute film on the vocation to women's religious life. The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) commissioned this film to be produced by Grassroots Films, the acclaimed producers of the film on the priesthood, Fishers of Men. This film, completed for the Year of Consecrated Life, aims to share the beauty and depth of the vocation to the religious life.
Join Sister Cecilia Joy in this podcast as she explores the vocation to the Single Life, where the freedom of being single is embraced as a call to live with great generosity and service to God and others.
Mission Statement: “We live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the traditions of Saints Norbert and Augustine. We live a common life “one in mind and heart on the way to Godˮ through celebration of the Eucharist, liturgical prayer and service to the People of God.ˮ
The Norbertines are a religious order of men, rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who live a common life according to the Rule of St. Augustine. We welcome young men ages 18-40 to discern a vocation to Norbertine religious life and/or priesthood. Our vocation director, Fr. Johnathan Turba, O. Praem., strives to journey with vocation contacts, introducing them to Norbertine confreres and ministerial apostolates while answering questions about our common life.
Contact
Vocation Director Fr. Johnathan Turba, O. Praem.
St. Norbert Abbey
1016 N. Broadway, De Pere, WI 54115
Phone: 920-337-4333
Email: vocations@norbertines.org
Website: https://norbertines.org
Every religious order has its own charism or mission. The Capuchin-Franciscan charism is to build up relationships, inspired by Jesusʼ gospel and Francis of Assisiʼs example, as often as and wherever possible. This leads Capuchins to be involved in a great diversity of ministries, since every area of church life and ministry needs the healing touch of wholesome relationships. Capuchins are drawn strongly to the places and people whose relationships are particularly fragile and vulnerable. Thus, many Capuchins minister among poor and marginalized people.
Further, the needs of the poor and the demands of justice shape all Capuchin ministries. Capuchins work to promote the equality of all people within the Capuchin Order, the Catholic Church, and the world. In the words of Fr. Solanus Casey (1870-1957), a Detroit Capuchin who is being considered for sainthood, “To be children of God, we must be lovers of justice, truth, and peace.ˮ Our Diocese is blessed by the service of the Capuchin Franciscans in some of our parishes. If you are interested in learning more, contact the Midwest Capuchin Franciscans today!
Website: https://capuchinfranciscans.org/
The Conventual Franciscan Friars (OFM Conv.) serve the following parishes in our diocese:
The worldwide Franciscan Order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209, and our Chicago-based Province was established in 1939 to serve the Midwestern region of the United States.
St. Francisʼ simplicity, love for the Eucharist, and devotion to the Virgin Mary remain at the heart of our Province. This solid Catholic foundation unifies the friars as they live their 800-year tradition of Gospel fraternity and deep love for the Church.
Our Franciscan identity is further shaped by the life and mission of St. Maximilian Kolbe, our confrere who became a “Martyr of Charityˮ in Auschwitz.
Contact
Br. Bernard Mary Fonkalsrud OFM Conv.
Vocation Director - St. Bonaventure Province, Midwest USA
St. Bonaventure Friary
6107 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago IL 60660
Phone: 872-325-6518
Email: friarvocations@franciscancommunity.org
Website: https://franciscancommunity.org
Some parishes in our Diocese are served by the Franciscan Friars OFM.
Contact
Fr. Patrick Gawrylewski, OFM
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friary
143 E. Pulaski St.
PO Box 100
Pulaski, WI 54162-0100
Phone: 920-822-8125
Website: https://ofm.org
Come Away: Weekend Vocation Retreat at New Mellaray Abbey in Iowa
November 8-10, 2024
New Melleray Abbey
Address: 6632 Melleray Circle
Peosta, IA 52068
For single Catholic men ages 18-59
Unable to attend at this time? Contact Brother Paul Andrew to schedule a private discernment retreat.
Phone: 563-588-2319 ext 111
Email: vocationdirector@newmelleray.org
Website: https://newmelleray.org
Triduum Retreat
April 17-20, 2025
St. Norbert Abbey
1016 N. Broadway, De Pere, WI 54115
De Pere, WI
Join the Norbertines for a discernment weekend during the holiest weekend of the year, Holy Week. This is a silent retreat, in which you will attend prayer and Mass, and meet daily for spiritual direction.
To learn more about our Come & See Retreats, contact:
Vocation Director Fr. Johnathan Turba, O. Praem
Phone: 920-337-4333
Email: vocations@norbertines.org
Website: https://norbertines.org/come-see-retreats
Finding your path in Religious Life is about listening deeply to your heart and mind while exploring where your passions and purpose align. Itʼs not just about making big life decisions—itʼs about discovering your true self and understanding where God is calling you. Now, the big question: how can you serve and make a difference?
Called to serve.
This journey is one of reflection, prayer, and sometimes, stepping boldly into the unknown. Donʼt rush it; instead, embrace this moment to grow, learn, and trust that His path for you will unfold in ways you may not expect, but will lead to something profoundly meaningful and uniquely yours.
