The Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity Cross the Threshold of 150 Years in the US SPIRIT. MIND. BODY. CORDECHO 3 A long time ago, in a distant place, God touched a spark that was in a Dutch woman, Catherine Damen. She left her simple home to find work in the nearby city of Maeseyck. There, she encountered franciscans and God in a new way. Then, a call came for assistance in Heythuysen. She crossed a threshold and left what she had known for an unknown place. Three graced words, “God will provide” guided her and a vision. Crossing many thresholds, challenges, and difficulties, she founded a community, the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, in 1835. She became Mother Magdalen. Little did she think or hardly could she have imagined how her small community would grow and expand. Less than two decades later, four courageous women, Mother Aloysia Lenders and Sisters Veronica Conradi, Felicitas Dues, and Leonarda Hannappel crossed a threshold, a stormy sea. On June 5, 1874, they arrived in America. A few short years later, Sister Leonarda, in 1877, opened Sacred Heart High School on Washington Street. She guided the school and prepared for its official incorporation as Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart in 1895 and its permanent New York State Charter in 1899. The Sisters of St. Francis quickly spread across the country, establishing schools, hospitals, an orphanage, and a daycare center. It became clear that one person, a “Mother Superior,” would not be able to provide the contact, care, and leadership for all of the sisters. In 1939, three provinces were formed in the United States. Stella Niagara, New York had already been built for Holy Name Province. Additional motherhouses were established in California, St. Francis Province, and Colorado, Sacred Heart Province. These provinces continue today as well as a joint Mission of the provinces in Chiapas, Mexico. Sisters continue to serve in education, social services, health care, and pastoral care. Holy Name Province provides sponsorship for Sacred Heart Academy, Stella Niagara Education Park, Center of Renewal, and Francis Center. Associates, women, and men, who feel called and inspired by the spirit of St. Francis, St. Clare, and Mother Magdalen join us as non-vowed members for prayer, gatherings, celebrations, and service in their life reality. In June 2024, Sisters and Associates gathered at Stella Niagara to pray, share, and celebrate the 150th Anniversary of our sisters coming to the United States and all of our ancestors. Leadership of our international congregation also came for the celebration. Our franciscan brother and theologian, Joe Chinnici, ofm says that the Evangelical Life is “our experience of God and the relationship we have as brothers and sisters with the Creator.” That’s the heart of the matter; isn’t it? The Sacred Heart of the matter. This is the legacy we sisters, franciscans, offer to you… a way of being and living… We are grateful for you, for the relationships that we have had and have with you, alumnae, parents, friends, and benefactors. And it is with heartfelt gratitude that we express our appreciation for all who have co-ministered with us over the years at SHA, faculty, staff, administrators, and board. You carry and bring to life the spirit and mission of the Sisters of St. Francis. Among these co-ministers, we are deeply grateful to Eileen O’Brien-Scannell who has served us as Board President. She leaves her imprint and special and unique touch upon all of us… We, the Sisters of St. Francis, are happy to share with you that Christine Licata ’63 has been appointed to serve as our new Board President. We look forward to her leadership and the gifts that she brings. God’s love and goodness and beauty are within us and all around us. How blessed we are! God provides… I share with you and pray for you the blessing of St. Clare, “May God be always with you and, wherever you are, may you always be with God…” Sister Jo-Anne Grabowski, OSF, ’67 Provincial Minister The Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, Holy Name Province Provincial Council is made up of Sisters Regina Snyder, Jo-Anne Grabowski, OSF ‘67 (Provincial Minister), Nancy Zelma, and Teresa Miklitsch.
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