Franciscan Passages

What is Franciscan Passages?

Franciscan Passages was born in the spring of 2010. It is through this endeavor that Julie McElmurry  creates and leads retreats and presentations for Retreat Centers, Church groups, schools, Secular Franciscan Fraternities and Faith-based volunteer programs.

The foundation of every presentation is upon the writings of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, or by their contemporaries.

Many early Franciscan writings have been translated into modern, readily accessible English and Spanish and contain a wealth of riches which are yours to explore. 

You will find that St. Francis, St. Clare and their contemporaries have much to say to us in our lives today through their writings.

Who recommends Franciscan Passages?

We will be happy to provide you with a list of people who have experienced Franciscan Passages retreats and presentations.

Additionally, you may wish to read some recommendations on the "Recommended by.." page of this website.

What are some examples of presentations and retreats you have given in the past?

Retreats for Secular Franciscan Communities

Busy Person's Retreat and Staff Retreats for Faith-based volunteer programs

PechaKucha Raleigh: How Francis of Assisi Got His Groove

Daylong Retreat for a women's group: Lay Men and Women: Called and Gifted

College Student Service Weekend: To Love and To Serve

Morning Retreat for Staff of Catholic University of America

One Evening class on Francis' Testament for Capuchin Franciscan Friars at Cap College in Washington, DC

Six hours of classes for Postulants of Capuchin Franciscans in Brooklyn, NY

Advent Parish Mission in Elizabeth City, NC

Retreat for Staff of Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, MD

Directed Retreat for the Parish Council of St. Joseph's in Bryson City and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cherokee, NC (the parish where I grew up!)

Service Trip for Youth Group from St. Peter's in Charlotte

Series at a United Methodist College: Francis of Assisi 101

As part of a series at St. Matthew's in Charlotte: Writings of Francis of Assisi and You

Retreat Day for Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School children in grades 1st-8th in Winston-Salem, NC

Retreat Afternoon (1.5 hours) for Kindergartners on "The Things we see in Church" (email to request a free coloring book!)

Eighth Grade Retreat for Our Lady of Mercy: God is With Us Always

Women's Bible Study at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Winston Salem, NC: Reflections on Chapters from Genesis and Exodus

Speaker at Theology Uncorked in Charlotte: Discernment and Conversion in St. Francis of Assisi

Avila Retreat Center in Durham NC: Created and led their annual Franciscan Retreat. Francis and Clare, In Their Own Words

Webinar: Effective Retreats on a Shoestring Budget

Friday night and Saturday retreat at St. Joseph's in Wilmington, DE:Francis of Assisi Speaks to Us!

Daylong Retreat for Baby Boomers held at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center

Franciscan Approach to Advent presentation at the Franciscan Center in Greensboro, NC

Please contact us about providing a retreat for your group. We travel wherever we are invited.

 To see more, click on these pages:

2011 Events

2012 Events

Who is associated with Franciscan Passages?

Director

Julie McElmurry, earned the M.S. in Religion and Religious Education from Fordham University and the M.A. in  Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure University's Franciscan Institute over the course of nine summers while serving as a Campus Minister.

As a Campus Minister of the Diocese of Charlotte (1999-2010) Julie served under the direction of Fr. Jude DeAngelo, OFM Conv., a Franciscan priest who is now the Chaplain of Catholic University of America. Julie taught Service Learning classes at Salem College for 22 semesters and planned over 20 international and domestic mission trips. Following the Bishop's statement on the role of Campus Ministers, she assisted in Forming the Faith Community, Appropriating the Faith, Forming the Christian Conscience, Educating for Justice, Facilitating Personal Development and Developing Leaders for the Future.

Since 2010, Julie has worked full-time as the Director of Franciscan Passages, a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization. Julie travels wherever she is invited by Secular Franciscan Fraternities, Faith Based Volunteer Programs, Church groups, Schools and Retreat Centers to give retreats and presentations on St. Francis of Assisi.

Julie's purpose is to share what she has been taught over the course of her studies under such preeminent Franciscan scholars as Dr. Jacques Dalarun, Fr. Michael Cusato, OFM, Dr. Alison More, Dr. Jean-Francois Godet-Callogaras, Fr. Wayne Hellmann, OFM Conv., Dr. Joshua Benson, Fr. Michael Blastic and others.

Musician

Larry Kirwan,M.R.E., Loyola  Institute for Ministry Extension Program,  an accomplished musician, composer and educator is available to accompany Julie.  Please see his website for more information about his music.

Our Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is comprised of Julie and four people who believe in the mission of Franciscan Passages freely offering their time, prayers, wisdom and advice to help lead Franciscan Passages.

Helen Akinc, MBA of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Winston Salem, NC, has an extensive background in business and academia. Helen is a published author, has led classes to welcome non-practicing Catholics home and has lived in Turkey. 

Sister Kathy Ganiel, OSF, a native of New Jersey and a Sister of the dynamic and wonderful Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia, has traveled to the U.K., Kenya and throughout the U.S. sharing the presentations God's Extravagant Love:The Franciscan Intellectual Tradition.

Rev. Horace "Duke" Walker, M. Div., husband to Denise, United Methodist Minister, Executive Director of the Chattanooga House of Prayer

Debbie Driscoll, MA,  wife to Brett,mother, designer, artist, engineer, cheese maker and unicyclist. Her experience includes market research, product design and engineering. She is dedicated to sustainability and is a very active member of her Catholic parish in Portland, Oregon.