Long Gone

from Watin (2022) by Aysanabee

*To listen to the song click on the title

It was already dark by the time I had made it onto HWY 35, which runs parallel to the Mississippi River. The moon was out, and the road in front of me glowed beneath the car's headlights. It was late August. The road followed along the contours of the river, which appeared dark, cold, and still. I was on my way home, after a late dinner with a small group from the FSPA that had participated in earlier conversations with representatives from Network. With my thoughts still reflecting on the stories and discussions that were shared, I turned on the radio, and from the dark interior of my car, in that quiet space, I heard the haunting words from the song above.

Tom Power, who is the host of the CBC radio program Q, was interviewing musician Aysanabee, about his debut album Watin. The album intersperses song with interviews from his grandfather, who shared memories from his childhood of attending a boarding school. His grandfather's voice, along with the recorded songs, seemed to capture the trauma, isolation, and fracturing of relationships that continue to be so impactful in native communities today. The music created a connection to that history - a history that still reverberates.

A month later, on September 30th, the Fall Gathering took place. Maryellen Baker, of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe tribe, was our speaker. I did not realize until the week before that September 30th is also recognized as the National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools in the US, and Orange Shirt Day in Canada. At the gathering, Maryellen shared with us some of her own family's experiences of having attended boarding schools. She also spoke about water, the connection to the creation story, and led a healing ritual around the sacredness of water. We ended the afternoon outside in the courtyard, where Maryellen spoke about the significance of tobacco, and through prayer, song, and reverence, she invited each of us to participate in this sacred ritual.

The gathering itself was not recorded, but you are invited to watch the Commitment Ceremony and Prayer Service for the Season of Creation that took place before lunch at the Fall Gathering. They can also be found on my.fspa. For all of you who were involved with the events over the weekend - Miigwech (thank you). And for those of you who continue to share your gifts as affiliates with the wider community - Miigwech (thank you).

In peace and goodness,

Michael Krueger

Please feel free to reach out to me at mkrueger@fspa.org or 608-668-2588 (ext. 652) with any questions. Office Hours can be found at end of newsletter.

In this week's Franciscan Journey, the Affiliation Office moves locations! Ministry grants are now available, and a video link documenting the last few days of the Villa move/transition is shared. Joe Orso, who previously spoke at our Gathering, also invites affiliates to subscribe to his new writing platform.

You can learn more about the Franciscan Centenary Events here.

• The Grecio Experience at San Damiano - 11/29
• Virtual Advent Retreat - 12/3

"Grecio and the Spirituality of Interdependence" (with affiliate Darleen Pryds)

• Advent Luminary Walk on St. Joseph's Ridge - 12/5
• Franciscan Night at Rotary Lights - 12/10
• The Nativity Experience at the FSC - 12/16
• Franciscan Federation Virtual Retreat - 1/14 or 2/4

"Journeying Together from the Crib to the Cross" (featuring Darleen Pryds)

New Office Location

This past week the Affiliation Office moved down the hall to Room 141 (previously Susan Brown's office for Prayer Partners). There were a number of us who shifted offices as transitions from the Villa move were finalized. You can find Kerri and I in our new office space near the small set of stairs leading from St. Rose to the Franciscan Spirituality Center.

This photo is of our old office emptied out. So many wonderful and beautiful memories were shaped and nurtured here. It is a space made sacred by the presence of each of you, and also through the spirit of those who filled that space with their own experiences and blessings - including Marci Madary, Ashley Skoczynski, and Beth Allen.

The Ministry Grant process for FY25 will begin on November 1, 2023. You can download the application form and affiliate sponsor form here or at my.fspa.org under the “forms” tab. For questions, or to request hard copies, you can contact Rochelle Nicks at rnicks@fspa.org or 608-791-5282. A separate email will also be sent next week with more information.

The grant request cap is $9,000 per application. The Ministry Grant Committee encourages you to read the FY25 Sponsor Guideline Q&A.