Wheaton Franciscans Create an Invitational Church

by Sharon Niemet

It all began with an invitation to an energy group. In 2013, a group of 14 Wheaton Franciscan sisters and Covenant Companions (laypeople who have made a public commitment to the community) met to discuss the meaning of an invitational church. They gathered to explore these questions:

• As Franciscans, we have been called to “rebuild the church.”
• As Wheaton Franciscans, we are called to be “a presence of blessing.”
• As People of God, how are we expressing our empowerment and responsibility to “be Church?”

Since those early days, the Invitational Church Circle was born and has evolved to embrace the perspectives of the people served (including a growing digital community) and those not yet known but who seek a welcoming community of faith. Circle members represent all facets of the Wheaton Franciscan community, including the Regional Leadership Team; Charism and Mission; Tau Center (spirituality center); Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation; Religious Formation; Liturgy; Covenant Companions; Congregation of Jesus and Poor Clare sisters residing with the Wheaton Franciscans; and Building and Administration. Remarkably, three of the original members from 2013 are still active with the circle today.

Living the invitation

In April 2023, the intention statement was updated to reflect the circle’s scope more accurately:

The intention of Invitational Church Circle is to respond to the urgent call of the spirit to
create a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community where faith journeys are
nurtured and shared through ritual, kinship, and service.

The circle discusses and plans various ways to engage the faith community, friends, and digital followers, creating a welcoming space both in person and online. Some events, such as feast days and the annual Jubilee celebrating the anniversaries of sisters and Covenant Companions, follow time-honored traditions. Other activities are dreamed up and tried, such as a concert by Jesse Manibusan, composer, singer-songwriter, storyteller, and evangelizer to celebrate the Season of Creation or an outdoor walking event to celebrate peace and justice.

The circle, with input from others, develops an annual theme and logo to help focus efforts and create a cohesive message for those it serves. This annual theme is then tailored for special seasons such as Lent/Easter, Season of Creation, and Advent/Christmas.

The weekly Eucharistic celebrations bring joy and comfort for individuals and families seeking a spiritual home. Special prayer services, from Taizé to Prayers of Hope, unite people of faith in responding to the needs of our world today.

First Sundays feature fellowship after liturgy, known as “Coffee &…”, where people gather for friendly conversation over coffee and breakfast foods. The circle works hard to create opportunities for sisters, covenant companions, faith community members, and visitors to connect and open doors for contemplation and action.

Some of the most popular Invitational Church events involve generous giving, such as collecting food for Thanksgiving baskets, gift cards to brighten the Christmas celebrations of those in need, a Lenten donation drive for newly arrived refugees, and donations of items for a local animal shelter during the annual pet blessing on the feast of St. Francis (Oct. 4). People from all walks of life come together to celebrate gratitude and extend generosity to their neighbors.

The Wheaton Franciscans have a peaceful and lovingly landscaped campus, so some activities occur outdoors. People are invited to enjoy the serenity of the St. Clare Garden, walk the labyrinth, and stroll through the Peace Path.

A master calendar for planning and evaluation

The circle produces a master calendar of events that guides the use of space, time, resources, and potential participation. The calendar also features regional and national events — such as Interfaith Week, Catholic Sisters Week, and Charism Carrier Week — to help spot opportunities for collaboration and shared learning.

The circle also analyzes and reflects on completed events, querying if those activities served the community and exploring better ways to accomplish their goals.

“We try not to overschedule, but we also try to offer what our community needs. If we are not thoughtful in scheduling, we defeat our desire to be welcoming and invitational. This collaboration and coordination are increasingly important in our post-pandemic hybrid world,” explains Jeanne Connolly, the circle’s convener and Director of Charism and Mission.

Being agile in an ever-changing world

Every meeting, the circle members ask, “What more can we do to open our doors?” The isolating days of the pandemic taught valuable lessons in how to stay connected and how to quickly adapt to using digital resources. Zoom meetings and livestreamed liturgies began out of necessity during those days but are still used today to connect with those who live far away or are physically unable to attend in-person events.

“Invitational Church Circle is always on the move, making things happen and looking to strengthen vital connections among our sisters, covenant companions, faith community, friends, and those simply knocking on our door or visiting our website. We hope that everyone feels the Franciscan love and hospitality that guides our work,” notes Sr. Mary Lou Wirtz, Regional Directress.

To learn more about the Wheaton Invitational Church Circle,
contact Jeanne Connelly at jconnolly@wfsisters.org.

Who are the Wheaton Franciscans?

We are a community of vowed sisters and covenant companions (laypersons) who live the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi and our foundress, Mother M. Clara Pfaender. Through our shared commitment to Franciscan contemplative presence and service, we strive to be a blessing in the heart of the world.

 To learn more, visit www.wheatonfranciscan.org

Do you know of or belong to a community that you would like to see highlighted? Reach out to Martha at martha@futurechurch.org.