Franciscan Mission Service

10/09/2026

💬 “In my time at the Casa so far the most surprising thing has been our chosen community activity: doing puzzles. I’ve always enjoyed puzzles and trying to figure out where each piece fits... This experience of intentional community is all very new to me. I’m faced with a new question: how do I fit in?”

In her first FMS blog post, Leah Galucki, a new DC Service Corps volunteer, reflects on her love of puzzles and finding her place in intentional community.

Read more of Leah’s blog, “Puzzles” on our website 💻 franciscanmissionservice.org/blog/

10/08/2026

🤎 October is Franciscan Month! To celebrate this Franciscan Month, we are lifting up Franciscan values and sharing how our program participants are living them.

Today, DC Service Corps volunteer Gabby Dudajek shares how she lives the Franciscan value of community in her intentional community and at her ministry site, Franciscan Action Network

Follow along for more about Franciscan values and how our program participants are experiencing them!

10/07/2026

💬 “When asked what it meant to be doing a year of service, I found it hard to explain to people. A lot of people didn’t understand why I would willingly choose to go from a full-time, paying role, to living on a stipend with eight roommates in Washington, DC. On the surface, this choice doesn’t really make sense. It’s risky and countercultural, but it never felt that way to me.”

In her first FMS blog post, Gabriella Dudajek, a new DC Service Corps volunteer, compares the story of St. Francis’s call to the countercultural call of a year of service.

Read more of Gabby’s blog, “Not my Choice, but God’s” on our website 💻 franciscanmissionservice.org/blog/

10/06/2026

🤎 October is Franciscan Month! To celebrate this Franciscan Month, we are lifting up Franciscan values and sharing how our program participants are living them.

Today, DC Service Corps volunteer Peyton Gray shares how he is living the Franciscan value of service.

Follow along for more about Franciscan values and how our program participants are experiencing them!

09/24/2026

🏆 Why should you apply for the San Damiano Award? Swipe to find out!

🌳 Are you a Catholic, service-oriented college student? Franciscan Mission Service invites you to apply for the San Damiano Award, which recognizes faith, service, and leadership! The winner of the 2027 San Damiano Award will receive prizes including a trip to Washington DC and $300 to use for tuition, service projects, or donations.

🗓️ Apply by January 29, 2027 to be considered for the San Damiano Award!

💻 Visit franciscanmissionservice.org for more information and to apply for the San Damiano Award!

09/23/2026

📝 Check out the first blog from our newest Missioner-in-Formation, Anne-Marie Miller, OFS! She reflects on the start of her 3-month Formation program here in Washington, DC.

Editor’s Note: Our new Lay Missioner-in-Formation, Anne-Marie Miller, OFS, reflects on her first week of Formation with FMS. Continue reading for updates

09/21/2026

⛪ Lay Missioner Susan Sarkissian serves in Kingston, Jamaica. Over the summer, she helped plan and lead a summer Bible Camp for children in a local parish community. This Mission Monday, Susan shares a few pictures of activities that the children participated in during Bible Camp.

To learn more about Susan’s time on mission, read her blogs on our website 💻 franciscanmissionservice.org/blog

09/15/2026

🏆 Applications for the 2027 San Damiano Award are now open!

🌳 Are you a Catholic, service-oriented college student? Franciscan Mission Service invites you to apply for the San Damiano Award, which recognizes faith, service, and leadership! The winner of the 2027 San Damiano Award will receive prizes including a trip to Washington DC and $300 to use for tuition, service projects, or donations.

🗓️ Apply by January 29, 2027 to be considered for the San Damiano Award!

💻 Visit franciscanmissionservice.org for more information and to apply for the San Damiano Award!

09/14/2026

🌳 This Mission Monday, meet our Lay Missioner in Formation, Anne-Marie Miller, OFS!

Raised in Kent Ohio, Anne-Marie has called Maryland her home for close to three decades. She and her late husband, Bob (also a Secular Franciscan) have four wonderful adult sons. They traveled to many countries and had extended stays for Bob’s research. Anne-Marie has worked in education, both in the US and abroad, nurturing kids from birth to 8th grade in home, daycare and elementary schools both as teacher and administrator. Her favorite age to teach is Kindergarten. Anne-Marie is committed to her Franciscan vocation--she strives to espouse a minimalist lifestyle and values people above things. She loves to run, garden, and sing and dance with her students. Anne-Marie is excited to go on international mission, to live in community, and walk alongside the marginalized sharing and serving.

Please keep Anne-Marie in your prayers as she begins Formation, lives in community at Casa San Salvador, and prepares for her time on international mission!

09/07/2026

🎒 It’s back to school season, so this Mission Monday, we’re sharing a moment from lay missioner Mary’s teaching ministry.

Mary Liston Liepold, OFS serves on the US-Mexico border. One of her ministries involves teaching English in Juarez. On the last day before summer break, Mary gave each of her students a certificate for excellence in English. One of her students gave her this note while saying goodbye, which translates to, “We are going to miss you so much because you teach us lots of English. Thank you for what you've taught us.”

To learn more about Mary’s time on mission, read her blogs on our website 💻 franciscanmissionservice.org/blog