Sister Carmen ministers with the Faithful Fools Street Ministry in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco and with connections in Nicaragua. She co-founded the Faithful Fools with Rev. Dr. Kay Jorgensen, Unitarian Universalist minister.  Carmen shares her gifts through her service on the FSLF Formation Advisory Council, One World Mission Grant Fund Committee, and helps facilitate the Associate relationship within Latin America. Previously Carmen ministered in Chicago and Nicaragua.

In June 2009, Sister Carmen celebrated her 25th jubilee.  The following is an edited brief excerpt from her autobiography written for the occasion.  The entire autobiography was posted in the Living Franciscan Blog in February, March and April 2009.

"I was the third child and third daughter of my parents, Geri Kolles Barsody and Joe Barsody. We lived in Elk River where we were part of the Church of St. Andrew as well as both the German (Kolles), and the Hungarian (Barsody) communities. Polka dancing, pig roasts, hayrides and playing baseball in the hollow at Grandma B's with a bunch of cousins and neighbors made for a wholesome, familial upbringing.

One of the greatest gifts my siblings and I received from our parents was their ability to support and nurture us as individuals. They were my first teachers of how to allow one's mind and heart to be opened continuously, and love through it all.

I attended St. Andrew Parish School where the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls taught. I felt a special connection with the Little Falls Franciscans because of my aunt, Sister DeLourdes Kolles. The Franciscan Sisters nurtured my heart and mind. They were common people who enjoyed being a part of the parish and school community. I'm grateful for the values that they instilled in us, most keenly to be of service.

It was while I was in college that I felt a kind of restlessness. During my third year, my friend and mentor, Sister Mary Margaret Yaeger, who was a Franciscan Sister at the time suggested I look at their Franciscan Lay Volunteer Program in Venezuela. That was the key that unlocked the door!

I called Sister Rita Barthel who was coordinating the program and she agreed to meet me at a restaurant in St. Paul for an interview. After our visit Sr. Rita enthusiastically welcomed me as a Lay Volunteer. Talk about being excited and scared! I think I was trembling a bit when I got back into the car. Now I had to tell my parents I was quitting college. Though they questioned me and wondered why I couldn't wait until I graduated, they never stood in the way. The next thing I knew they were helping me buy a ticket to go to Venezuela.

On June 23, 1983 I flew to Venezuela with Father Tony Kroll. It was my first time on a plane. I cried all the way from Minnesota to Miami. I was welcomed to Maracay, Venezuela by Sisters Maurita Bernet, Audrey Loher and Cheryl Biever, the three Sisters with whom I lived and ministered. I soon felt very much at home and set forth to learn more Spanish and work with youth and music in the parishes with the Sisters.

I realized there that I wanted to join the Franciscan Community. I knew I wanted to work with the poor and marginalized people of our world and I wanted to do it with a group of women who shared the same commitment.

I feel that my life as a Franciscan Sister is pure gift."

At a glance

Ministry: Vocations Minister
Location: San Francisco, CA