One of my greatest pursuits is quality conversation. I love a meaningful exchange: the openness, dance, surprise, curiosity, and discovery. I love walking away from an encounter and feeling the lingering effect: emotion, buzzing thoughts, shifts. If a conversation is quality, I may muse on what I heard another say, how I felt, or what I heard myself say for a long time. In other words, good conversations change me.
As a minister and member of a faith tradition that centers community, I am blessed that much of my daily life is made up of many meaningful conversations. Good talks add texture to my life.
For example, a couple weeks ago I was fortunate to have a meaningful conversation with Bishop William Joensen from Des Moines, Iowa. I was asked to speak with him about my book for a radio program. (The link is below, if you’re interested in listening to the recording.) Bishop Joensen and I have known each other for a long time. Before he was a Bishop and I was a Franciscan Sister, we were both at Loras College. (I was a student; he was a professor.)
Now, I’ve had many media conversations related to my book this past year, but this conversation was especially special to me because of our shared history and Catholic faith. (And, well, I honestly dreamed that someone who was part of the Magisterium might eventually affirm my book, as he did.) Bishop Jonesen affirmed my personhood, witness, vocation, and dedication to the Franciscan family. He told me I wrote with a “holy boldness.” After the interaction I felt every lingering insecurity about my book wash away. The talk influenced some of the deep soul work that’s been happening in me too.
The conversation mattered because I was offered compassionate curiosity and encouragment. With these gifts, I felt more human. We each can strengthen others during good conversation. Good conversations really matter.
The ordinary sacredness of humans sharing ideas, stories, and opinions is not only personally transformative, good conversations are the building blocks of peace and social change. The foundation of good democracy might not be voting, but participation. And one of the most sacred ways we participate is by entering into good conversation: we share who we are and listen to other views.
The thing is, we often fail at the art of conversation. If we set up a meeting with an agenda to convince someone of our opinion instead of being ready to learn from their perspective, then we aren’t really practicing the art of conversation. If we are more comfortable hearing what others think (or sharing what we think) than going back and forth and taking turns, then we’re not really having a conversation. We must communicate well—talk and listen—to evolve into who we are meant to be as individuals, communities, and collectives.
As Margaret J. Wheatley wrote, “When we humans don’t talk to one another, we stop acting intelligently. We give up the capacity to think about what’s going on. We don’t act to change anything. We become passive and allow others to tell us what to do. We forfeit our freedom. We become objects, not people. When we don’t talk to each other, we give up our humanity.”
So, let’s talk, good people. Through conversations that matter, we can become more human and alive. We can change the world.
by Nazzareno Cipriani - bonhams.com, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=140269399
SISTER JULIA SUGGESTS
Most of what I’m suggesting in this issue is centered on good conversations, informed voting, and protecting democracy.
But I’ll start off by sharing some other things that I find fascinating or important and think you might too.
Productive Habits: Exploring productivity and the religious life (Theos)
Behind the Catholic Right’s Celebrity-Conversion Industrial Complex (Vanity Fair)
Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future by Margaret J. Wheatley (I really love this book!!)
Meditating on how sacred of a responsibility voting is by taking in a global perspective. For example, I like this: “One man, one vote in Indian forest” (BBC)
FRATELLI TUTTI: On Fraternity and Social Friendship by Pope Francis
Check out all the excellent resources at Voting & Democracy: NETWORK (Perhaps you want to attend a Nuns on the Bus event!)
This Catholic Voting checklist is super helpful for thinking things through.
A Citizens Guide to Preserving Democracy (PBS)
Public Participation Guide (EPA)
Volunteer to be a Poll Worker.
Or, if you’re a minister you could even sign up to be a poll peacemaker/chaplain.
Respectful Conversations: Keeping Election Talks Peaceful (event in La Crosse, WI on October 23rd)
Here’s an example of conversations that mattered: The Basement Talks. You can watch the series for free here. Here’s the trailer.
And, if you’re wanting to take in some monastic wisdom during this election season, let me suggest this gem of a book: A Matter of the Heart: A Monk's Journal by Paul Quenon, OCSO
RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA MENTIONS / APPEARANCES
Here’s some stuff I wrote:
“I was diagnosed with a progressive eye disorder. It’s changed my understanding of the ‘God of Light.’” (America magazine, August 30, 2024)
You’ll find an essay by me in this new book: Wisdom from the Global Sisterhood, (Liturgical Press, 2024.)
And my you’ll find my first Catholic Women Preach homily (from 2019) in this new book: Catholic Women Preach: Raising Voices, Renewing the Church - Cycle C.
I published “A Litany for Democracy” at MessyJesusBusiness.com in July.
And here’s some stuff that features my book or voice:
“For this sister, an accident led to a deeper understanding of Christ” (U.S. Catholic, August 2024)
“Modern, young religious life demystified in 'For Love of the Broken Body'“ by Bethany Welch (National Catholic Reporter, September 14, 2024)
“Making It Personal with Bishop Joensen: Sr. Julia Walsh - 09/21/2024” (Iowa Catholic Radio/Spirit Catholic Radio Network)
Things Not Seen #2420: “Wounded Solidarity: Sr. Julia Walsh” (May 19, 2024)
“022: A Journey of Faith, Brokenness, and Healing with Sister Julia Walsh” (Your Radical Truth podcast)
Plus the podcast I host, Messy Jesus Business, launched a new season a couple weeks ago. This week we’ll air our 80th episode! Now that’s a lot of great conversations! :)
UPCOMING PUBLIC EVENTS
October 12-15, 2024. WASHINGTON D.C. Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference. Keynote Speaker (Hybrid event)
Details about my other upcoming events are forthcoming; see future issues of this newsletter.
By the way, you can request a visit to your parish, school, retreat center, or book group here. (That link also includes a list of topics that I enjoy speaking about.)
LAST WORDS
Know this... everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. James 1:19-22
Thank you so much to everyone who has read, purchased, recommended, and/or reviewed my book already!!! :)
About my book, FOR LOVE OF THE BROKEN BODY: A SPIRITUAL MEMOIR.
A questioning novice nun’s coming-of-age story. Readers will be moved to reflect on the universal human experiences of being broken and the pull to be part of something bigger than themselves. At the age of 25, just a month into her novitiate as a Franciscan Sister, Julia Walsh fell from a cliff and became disfigured. While working toward healing, she felt pulled to religious community life, but also toward unresolved feelings regarding her own sexuality, identity, and injustice.
For Love of the Broken Body is a story of pain, questioning, recovery, and discovery. What does it mean to exist as a broken body? Why would a young woman dedicate herself to the Catholic Church—to a life as a Franciscan Sister—while others are leaving churches in droves?
“Julia Walsh gives me hope for a future with religious women changing the world. She tells a story all her own, but I felt her doubts, questions, and passion each step of the way. Highly recommended.” —Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking and River of Fire
“For Love of the Broken Body is a beautiful, searching, searing book.” —Liam Callanan, novelist, author of Paris by the Book, winner of the Edna Ferber Prize
“A searing, riveting, surprising, challenging and ultimately inspiring work that asks some of the hardest questions a human being might face.” —James Martin, SJ, New York Times Best-selling author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage
“I laughed out loud, gasped, felt seen, and learned so much in this exquisitely written memoir. It is full of universal truths, questions, and doubts.” —Marlena Graves, professor of spiritual formation, Northeastern Seminary; author of The Way Up Is Down
“This bold, stereotype-busting book is bursting with wisdom. It helps us turn toward our weaknesses, self-doubt, and anxiety and walk through these, with Love, into self-acceptance, self-kindness, and concrete love for others. Bravely coloring outside the usual religious lines by sharing her story frankly, Julia brings us into the brightest hope. Highly recommended!” —Carmen Acevedo Butcher, poet and translator of Brother Lawrence’s Practice of the Presence and The Cloud of Unknowing