The softness of arrival

newness comes through the muck

The earth has thawed. The seeds have cracked. Life and color is sprouting through the soft earth. I see all this as I squint through my bedroom window and gaze into the lush backyard at The Fireplace, where vibrant color dots the green.

Jesus came back from the dead, I believe. Love Incarnate is wounded, tender, and feeding his friends. This is still happening. And we have a chance to imitate Him. I want to love like Jesus—sharing through my wounds in ways that allows others to know greater freedom and love.

Yes, Jesus shows us the way (is The Way), but the elements of nature also provide a path, also show us how to be. I wonder how to be open to my soul being more like the warm soil: soft, flexible, and ready to surrender to the present moment. Am I open to new life?

I wonder how the Church—the people of God—might be if we followed the example of God’s designs in nature. Could the Church become wildly open to sharing bold hospitality? Can we work with Holy Mystery and cocreate diverse places of belonging and joy?

The wonder and questions are more than musings for me. The wonder and questions are the fruits of encounter, as I absorb the incredible graces of meeting new people during this amazing “book launch season” and experiencing the support of loving community. I am blessed, broken and shared. We each are: my story is one story. Thank you for being with me in the story of arrival, dear ones. Thank you for celebrating the newness that emerges, even in the midst of stormy suffering, even through the muck. May we each be soft and open to the vibrant new life bursting through. Amen.

SISTER JULIA SUGGESTS

Reading Sister Eileen McKenzie’s recent Letter to the Editor.

Finding ways to carve out time for intentional conversation circles with people you are care about. I spent two hours in circle with about a dozen Sisters last Sunday afternoon and we each shared a question on our heart, a challenge we’re dealing with, and a hope. The sharing was deep, moving, intimate, and helped us to love one another better.

Making homemade donuts with a friend. I did this along with one of my housemates at The Fireplace for a recent dinner here and it was so much fun!

Studying the flowers and noticing their delicate strength.

Scheduling retreat days for yourself in the midst of busy seasons. I have one coming up soon and I am so excited! I plan to meet with my spiritual director and therapist, take a walk along Lake Michigan, get a massage, and visit the arboretum. On a Wednesday! Because we must do everything we can to stay grounded and healthy, no matter how hectic life becomes.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND APPEARANCES

For Love of the Broken Body is now officially in the world, since March 26, 2024!

There’s a recording of the Monkfish Publishing book launch day interview with Jon M. Sweeney available. (YouTube link)

Rev. Adam Bucko interviewed me about my book for a recent episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast.

For Love of the Broken Body was reviewed by Spirituality & Practice.

I was a guest on the Franciscan Spirituality Center What is Spirituality? Podcast.

For Love of the Broken Body was reviewed by Kirkus Reviews.

Outreach published an article I authored: “Transgender Catholics call the church to listen, says this Franciscan sister” on April 8th.

A Nun’s Life featured me and For Love of the Broken Body in a recent Facebook Live event.

I was a guest on the Busted Halo radio show on SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel. Now you watch or listen to the podcast recording on the Busted Halo website.

I was quoted in a recent article in The Baffler about American nuns called “The Wimple Life,” written by Lauren Fadiman.

A Nun’s Life also featured my book on the On Good Faith podcast.

[Whew, it’s been a busy time!!]

UPCOMING PUBLIC EVENTS

Friday, April 19, 2024 CHICAGO, IL 7:00 p.m. The Fireplace Community Book Launch Celebration. (In-person event)

Saturday, April 27, 2024 PITTSBURGH, PA 12:30 p.m. St. Aidan Parish. Book Talk. (In-person event)

Thursday, May 2, 2024 WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN, NY 7:00 p.m. Most Holy Trinity St. Mary. Book Talk. (In-person event)

Friday, May 3, 2024 LYNNFIELD, MA [Write to me for exact location.] 2:00 p.m. Book Talk (In-person event)

May 6, 2024. 6:30-8:00 p.m. DES MOINES, IA Beaverdale Books Meet the Author event. (In-person event)

Friday May 31-Sunday June 2, 2024. LA CROSSE, WI  Franciscan Spirituality Center. Book Retreat (In-person event)

In a Church and society full of brokenness and injustice, we all are members – bodies – who are broken and part of the whole. Join Sister Julia for a weekend of reflection, community and spiritual practices centered on sharing our beautiful brokenness for the sake of the common good. The experience includes an optional tour of FSPA-related sites featured in the book, including the land at Villa St. Joseph.

Saturday June 29, 2024. ELGIN, IA  Elgin Homecoming. Book Signing (In-person event)

October 12-15, 2024. WASHINGTON D.C. Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference. Keynote Speaker (Hybrid event)

A FEW REQUESTS: share the Good News about For Love of the Broken Body

• Book reviews on sites like Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble help others discover books. Please consider marking a few stars and/or writing a comment. Thank you!

• Try to come to one of my events and bring a friend or two. I’d love to see you! Thank you!

• Via social media, share a picture of the book (and your pretty face?) and give witness about how reading For Love of the Broken Body impacted you. Thank you!

LAST WORDS

Whoever is in Christ is a new creation:

the old things have passed away;

behold, new things have come.

-2 Corinthians 5:17