Franciscan Spirituality Center
920 Market Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-791-5295

https://www.fscenter.org

Steve Spilde: Welcome. It is my great pleasure today to introduce, again, Jean Pagliaro. The
last time we had her on this podcast, she was the Program Coordinator for the Franciscan
Spirituality Center. As of a couple weeks ago, she now is the Executive Director of the FSC. I
am excited about that change, and I am excited you are willing to join us today, Jean. Welcome.
Jean Pagliaro: Thank you for having me on here.
Steve: You have experience in congregational leadership. How do you think your experience in
the parish prepared you for your current role as Executive Director? And how do you expect
leadership at the FSC to be different from congregational leadership?
Jean: [Those are] really good questions. As a leader in the church, I was often pulled in many
directions. One question that I was constantly asking was what we were doing and focusing on
to further the mission of the church. I think people probably got sick of me asking that question,
but many times we found that the answer was “yes, we were living out the mission of the
church,” but sometimes that answer was “no,” and we realized that we probably did not need to
be offering that particular ministry or program at that time. I think that’s a way of discernment,
and I really think that that’s helpful for here as well. Another piece [is] I was often present in the
church during some of the most difficult times, and also the most wonderful times in people’s
lives. One thing that I learned is that I don’t always need the right words, and often it’s simply
being present that communicates support. I hope to offer that kind of presence to staff,
presenters, and guests here at the center.
One way that leadership is different here is that I have more of a direct role in financial
oversight. This is new for me. At the church, it was important for me to understand budget
needs and anticipate costs for the year, but here that will be even more so. I am actually looking
forward to learning more about that and the processes that we have here.
Steve: You first assumed congregational leadership approximately 15 years ago. What changes
have you witnessed in the church between the time when you first assumed congregational
leadership, up until probably prior to the pandemic?
Jean: That’s a really interesting question to think about. Up to the point of the pandemic – I
think this had already been starting – but I just think about this in terms of clergy and
congregational leadership, and the number of pastors that are available to serve congregations.
That number had been declining, and I think even more so since the pandemic. Now I think this
is a trend that probably going to continue for awhile. Although I know this creates challenges for
congregations in a lot of ways, I also think that there is some hope in that. Clergy and other
leaders are asked to work hours that are pretty unsustainable. They’re asked to be problem
solvers and mediators and preachers and wedding and funeral planners and volunteer
coordinators and office managers. I’m wondering and sensing if this may be a time where the
role of clergy can start to change, and where more congregational leaders are lifted up. To me,

Jean Pagliaro Podcast
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that feels hopeful. I know not all congregations are feeling that way right now, but I think there
is hope that the leadership in the church may change to allow for a little bit of healthier leaders in
congregations. That is a shift that I have seen, especially in the last 15 years, for sure.