The family who lives on the corner is busy with their sidewalk chalk, writing friendly messages and drawing rainbows and smiley faces in pretty pastel colors of yellow, pink, light green, baby blue and lavender. They do this, even with rain in the forecast. As I walk along their sidewalk squares I read: We Are…
As you may know, we coined the phrase PanDeepening as we work to see this unique moment in history as an opportunity to go more deeply into all our relationships and interconnections. Each day, we post activities, reflections and thoughts intended to help our community thrive, find ways to hold hope and become our own calm center…
I must admit, I’m struggling. In this time of social distancing, I—like many of you—am feeling fearful. My anxiety is often taking precedence over my sense of hope and optimism. But I’m reminded of a story Mary Pipher wrote in her book Women Rowing North: My brother told a story about a tailor who wanted…
One day a young Buddhist on his journey home came to the banks of a wide river. Staring hopelessly at the great obstacle in front of him, he pondered for hours on just how to cross such a wide barrier. Just as he was about to give up his pursuit to continue his journey, he…
People across the world approach this profound change in daily living and long for expression. Some experience this time as a sacred invitation to discover a new sense of home—locally and globally—deeper and more expansive. This beautiful poem below by Jane Hooper, cited in Cynthia Bourgeault’s The Wisdom Way of Knowing, and Sara Thomsen’s beautiful…
Like many of you, I have been struggling with my own fear and anxiety as this pandemic continues to unfold. As the director of Prairiewoods, I hope to make the best decisions to care for the people we serve and for the people who work here—aware that lives and livelihoods may hang in the balance.…
As our lives and commitments shift over time, we find ourselves with time or interest to give to new and varied pursuits. If you find yourself with time to give back, we invite you to consider volunteering at Prairiewoods. We are always looking for dedicated people interested in giving back to their community! Here are…
Prairiewoods foundress Betty Daugherty, FSPA, passed away in December. The ripples of her loss will be felt for many years to come. For those who missed it, here is her full obituary … Sister Betty Daugherty, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 88, died on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice of…
Every story has a beginning, even though there may be no exact moment we can point to and say, “Here is when the first seed was planted. This is where the story began.” This is true of Prairiewoods’ story. The beginning of Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center doesn’t rest in one specific moment in time; our…
What happens as the New Year 2020 emerges from the compost of the old? Perhaps we look forward with such anticipation because we are crossing a threshold. It is a door opening, and if we cross through, we may never return again. Old habits, old ways of thinking, of imagining and of being begin to…