Our FMSJ Associates are located are part of the UK area. FMSJ Associates are married or single and have decided to join the programme because of their interest in the charism of the Congregation and Franciscan spirituality. Over the years our Associates have formed deep friendships with one another as well as supporting our sisters in various ministries and through their prayers. The "Meet an Associate" section introduces you to some of these wonderful people.
We are a married couple of almost 48 years and have been committed Christians since our youth. We are also both retired registered nurses having worked for the NHS for over 20 years. At present we attend Saint Mark’s church in Swinton having attended Saint Charles’ church, Swinton prior to the recent amalgamation. Thus, we are active members of our newly created parish of St. Ambrose Barlow to which both churches belong.
Approximately 8 years ago, before moving to a new house, we attended Saint Joseph’s church in Ordsall. It was here that a lay associate of the FMSJ community invited us to attend an informal meeting with a view to the possibility of joining them. We accepted the invitation without much hesitation because, despite regular mass attendance, we had been aware for many years that our experience of ‘church’, in its true sense as a place of Christian fellowship and spiritual community, was very limited.
Read full storyMy name is Sheila Roger/nee Thompson, born in Irlam, baptised at St. Teresa’s, Irlam. I moved with my older sister to Patricroft and attended All Saints Primary School.
I am a cradle catholic but wanted to deepen my faith. I started to read religious books. Them made me realise there is so much more to faith.
My story as an FMSJ Associate begins when I worked with Sister Laetitia Poder, FMSJ who was the housekeeper at Wardley Hall ( home of the Bishop of Salford).