Lives rooted in community - The Sisters of St. Francis

Editor
Cheryl Aughton
ExEcutivE Editor
Sister Lorraine Wesolowski
contributors
Cheryl Aughton
Sister Fran Gangloff
Gregory Griffin
Sister Lorraine Wesolowski
Sister Donna Zwigart
GrAphic DesiGn
Deborah Allen
circulAtion
Sister Rose Marie Colasurdo
Kelli Cavo
Sister Eucharista Johnson
Sister Aileen Popoli
Sister Donna Zwigart
conGreGAtionAl oFFice
oF mission ADVAncement
Gregory Griffin
315.634.7085, ggriffin@sosf.org
VocAtion oFFice
Sister Rosemary Hendry
rhendry@sosf.org, 315.634.7084
Sister Joselle Orlando
jorlando@sosf.org, 315.634.7083
eDitoriAl oFFice
Sisters of St. Francis
of the Neumann Communities
146 Hawthorne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15209
412.821.2200, sisters@sosf.org
www.sosf.org
If there is a change that needs to be made,
we want to do so. Please return your correct
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by email at kcavo@sosf.org or phone
716.632.2155, ext. 685.
In addition, let us know if we have
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By the time late summer and early fall come along, we
have celebrated grand occasions such as anniversaries,
weddings, and graduations; we are between national
holidays and for some of us vacation memories are
beginning to fade. We can characterize these current
months as “ordinary time” — a time when we settle
into more or less a daily routine and tend to go with the flow of life.
Hopefully as you find a few “ordinary” minutes you will be able to
enjoy this issue of “Franciscan Spirit” and get a fuller glimpse of the
kaleidoscope of ministries in which our sisters are engaged and the many
different places where they serve. As you read through the articles you will
learn about our efforts to assist senior adults with housing, our ministry
which offers legal and medical services to those in need, our parish
ministry in Texas, and how we administer a large health care system
in Hawaii.
No matter where our sisters minister, each one serves in the name of
the congregation while using her unique gifts and skills to help others.
Annually, each sister receives a mission card from the leadership team of
the congregation blessing her and affirming her efforts as she goes about
“doing good” for so many. Behind each individual sister in ministry is a
powerhouse of strength as our retired and senior sisters offer prayerful
support along with encouragement for the sisters serving “out in the field.”
For more than 150 years, our ministries have continued in response to
the needs of the times, and we realize the importance of carrying on our
work through our newer members. Currently, we have five women in
various stages of our formative process learning what it means to be a
Franciscan sister at the service of life. Be sure to read the article on Sister
Caryn Crook’s recent, final profession and learn why we rejoice that God
continues to give us new sisters.
You too, play an important part in the work of our sisters because your
financial support aids us in helping others as well as allowing us to place
sisters in ministries where there is need but no financial compensation to
the congregation. For this support we are most grateful. Please know that
each Monday all the sisters throughout the community pray for you, our
benefactors, and for your families.
May God bless you and keep you!
Sister Patricia Burkard, OSF
General Minister
DeAr frienDS,