Dear John, Writing about the spiritual life has always been a form of prayer for me, and it feels meaningful to know that my words reach so many people through Franciscan Media. Hi, I’m Shannon Evans, a writer and social media manager. Through contributing to the magazine, Pause+Pray, emails, and our Franciscan Spirit blog, I hope I play a small part in spreading God’s love in the world as a part of the team. My name might be familiar to you. As a freelance writer, I have published several articles in St. Anthony Messenger and Franciscan Media’s website over the years. I was always impressed with both the content of the magazine and the kindness of the people on the staff. Eventually, I approached Franciscan Media about joining the team as a part-time writer and social media manager. Luckily for me, they said yes! I have now been a part of the team for over a year, and I still think it’s the kindest work environment imaginable. The Franciscan spirit runs deep! I’m lucky to be in the privileged position of getting to interact with our readers and hear firsthand how their lives are blessed by our content. I remember the very first week I took over Franciscan Media’s Instagram account, I received a message from a woman whose husband had died a few months before. She told me that he had been an avid reader and owned many Franciscan Media books, and that our ministry had comforted her since his death. It felt so sacred to be able to support someone like that in her time of need. Another example is more recent. Last week, a hospital chaplain commented that in her weariness and grief from seeing so many people suffer and die from COVID-19 in her hospital, our post that day had given her strength and inspiration. It is humbling to consider that our work is helping to sustain the women and men on the front lines of this pandemic. Such messages are holy reminders of why we do what we do. Readers experience Franciscan Media as a ministry where they can find the words, prayers, meditations, and resources to get them through difficult times and help them think deeply about the world and their faith. Will you join me now? Franciscan Media needs your help bringing Christ to one another. Our work is only made possible with your generous support. Franciscan Media needs to raise $80,000 by October to ensure that we can continue publishing our rich resources and creating inspiring social media content. Your generous support will help us continue comforting the lonely and sustaining the burdened. Please donate now. | 