As so many in our midst are becoming increasingly marginalized and vulnerable you may be asking, “what can I do?” Led by the Spirit and rooted in our Gospel values, FutureChurch is pleased to offer this 2025 Lenten Series – “What Is Mine To Do?”

Inspired by the Anointing Woman of Mark’s Gospel (14:3-9), who – in Jesus’ words – “did what she could,” FutureChurch is offering several opportunities designed to help each of us prayerfully discern how we are being called to stand in solidarity with the vulnerable and marginalized and to uphold and defend the dignity of all people. 

Our series will begin on Wednesday, March 12, with an introductory evening of reflection and discernment, facilitated by the FutureChurch team, during which we will call to mind the gifts God has given to us. On the subsequent four Wednesdays, members of the larger FutureChurch network will lead us in prayer meant to increase our awareness of the struggles of these populations and learn about ways we can support them. Finally on Saturday, April 12, we will conclude our Lenten series with a two-hour retreat led by Sr. Nancy Sylvester, IHM – founder and director the Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue, past president of LCWR, and past national coordinator of NETWORK, the Catholic Social Justice Lobby.

Join us for any or all of these programs as we begin to faithfully answer the question “what is mine to do?”.

Join FutureChurch as we welcome Sr. Christine Schenk for a conversation about her newest book!

Bending Toward Justice (Rowman Littlefield, 2024) tells the story of the rampant closings of Catholic parishes across the United States and documents the courageous advocacy of Sr. Kate Kuenstler and hundreds—indeed thousands—of ordinary Catholics whose persistence charted a new course in canon law. Sr. Kuenstler's expertise eventually gave increased leverage to the laity—and their parishes—in the struggle to preserve their parish homes, especially in ethnically diverse and poor neighborhoods. 

Christine Schenk, CSJ has worked as a nurse midwife to low-income families, a community organizer, an award-winning writer-researcher, and the founding director of an international church reform organization, FutureChurch.  Her first book Crispina and Her Sisters: Women and Authority in Early Christianity (Fortress Press, 2017) received a first place in history from the Catholic Press Association and her most recent work, To Speak the Truth in Love: A Biography of Sr. Theresa Kane RSM (Orbis Books 2019) received first place awards from The Association of Catholic Publishers and the Catholic Press Association. 

Schenk also writes a regular column for the National Catholic Reporter and is one of three nuns featured in the award-winning documentary Radical Grace. Schenk graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University and holds two masters’ degrees, one in science from Boston College and an MA in Theology "with distinction" from St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Cleveland.

With the fire of Pentecost and emboldened by the Holy Spirit, we at FutureChurch are engaging in a new project to recognize and celebrate communities that are embodying the mission of Pentecost. Over the next several months, we will be highlighting communities that have been emboldened to live the Gospel in new and creative ways. Today we introduce you to Beyond the Habit.

Excerpt:

 “At a time when Catholic sisters are less and less visible in the spaces where they were historically called to minister, Srs. Erin McDonald, CSJ and Colleen Gibson, SSJ have taken to the airwaves to spread the charism of their congregations. Through the power of modern day streaming, since November 2022 the voices of this dynamic duo can be found through the speakers in your car, earbuds, or living room as they interview various theologians, ministers, and other people of faith on real life issues in our world today."

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