Cadence Faurote’s faith keeps her on the move. She aims to listen for God’s direction at every mile marker, every turn, every stretch of her life.
Faurote (BA ’18) looks for ways to live out her faith, whether in the workplace or at road races. Her love for community centered on Christ motivates her—most recently as she geared up for the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 9.
“We’re made in the image and likeness of God, the Trinity—a communion of persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” Faurote said. “It’s imbued into the fabric of our very existence that we are made for a relationship with God and with one another. We are made for communion.”
Faurote grew up in Decatur, Indiana, and began running about a minute after she could walk. She excelled as a runner at Bellmont High School, then chose to further her education and continue her sport at the University of Saint Francis. She blossomed academically and athletically, grew friendships and fell in love with the university. “I was drawn in by the community here,” she said. She enjoyed studying English, theology, philosophy and gaining a liberal arts education while earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Faurote became good friends with Megan Quigley (BA ’18, now USF Assistant Director of the Assisi Program) and Sr. Emmanuel Kurtzweg (BS ’18). They grew spiritually through Bible studies and conversations with Sr. Ignatia Henneberry, Sr. Benedicta Duna and other Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.
“It was by God’s grace that our friendships were forged so strongly,” Faurote said. “Saint Francis also gave me a connection with the Sisters, and they demonstrated to me what it is to actively entrust my life to Christ.”
After graduation, Faurote worked as a nanny, a barista and a library assistant, but she felt the stirring for something else. She felt drawn into a sense of mission. “I didn’t know what that would look like. I asked my friends for intercessory prayers to find a new job and to be able to live in Fort Wayne,” she said.
While searching for almsgiving opportunities on Ash Wednesday, Faurote found the Rescue Mission advertising for a full-time employee. God placed the opportunity in front of her, she said. “It was very clear: Mission right in the name!” Faurote began work with the Rescue Mission’s Treasure House—a thrift store benefiting the Mission and providing vocational training for those in need. “My coworkers are golden. We are a real Christian community aiming to transform others’ lives by sharing His merciful love in simple, everyday ways.”
Faurote remains on the go when her workday ends. She ran her third marathon in Chicago as a member of Team Our Lady of the Angels (OLA). Team OLA supports the mission of the same name, the main work of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. “I think I can only run marathons with religious sisters now—it’s the best way to run a marathon.”
After setting a goal of finishing in 3 hours, 45 minutes, Faurote topped that with a time of 3:41.29, bolstered in part by Team OLA runners spurring each other on. “The quote from St. Therese of Lisieux that was on the back of our Team OLA shirts was also perfect: ‘Since we see the way, let’s run together!’” she said.
Faurote ran her first marathon in 2019 with a group of Franciscan Sisters in Cleveland, Ohio. “I talked with Sr. Ignatia after that first marathon, sharing my strong desire to run another. But how could I just run a marathon, without religious sisters and a team that understands the spiritual benefit that can be applied to the sport?”
Faurote’s friend Angela Pearson told her about Sr. Stephanie Baliga of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago who sought to break the record for a treadmill marathon during the COVID-19 cancellation of the 2020 Chicago Marathon. Sr. Stephanie ran to raise funds for Mission OLA, a Catholic outreach to the poor in West Humboldt Park. Mission OLA feeds about 3,000 families a month, provides additional material and support, and brings the love of Christ to a neighborhood in need of hope.
“I thought that was really neat and was even more delighted to later discover that these Franciscans build a team to run and fundraise every year. I was excited for my second go with Team OLA,” Faurote said. “God plants these good desires in our hearts and, if we stay on the vine, He brings them to fruition in His good and perfect time. He’s so good.”
“The main purpose of running this race was to draw souls after Christ. We aimed to be a witness to Him, offering up our sufferings and our joys through our running, recognizing the sacrifice He made for us.”