- Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 March 2022 03:08
On March 12, 2022, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God will celebrate their 100th anniversary with a special Liturgy at 1:00 PM at St. Thomas More Church in Pittsburgh’s South Hills. Bishop David Zubik will serve as celebrant. A special reception with light refreshments will follow the Liturgy.
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Pioneer Holy Family, 1897 - The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, with many members of Polish and Eastern European heritage, served in Chicago’s predominantly Lithuanian St. George School. Pictured are several of the sisters of St. George School, many of whom were of Lithuanian heritage and would eventually form the Lithuanian Sisters of St. Francis (Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God.) |
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| 1941 - The St. Francis Academy building is officially dedicated by Bishop Hugh Boyle during the annual Fourth of July fundraising picnic. St. Francis Academy served as a bastion of Catholic education for fifty years, closing in 1991. Photo credit: Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God (osfprov.org). |
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“A century ago, our founding Sisters began our Franciscan journey with trust in our Provident God. Following in their footsteps, we confidently, joyfully go forward with renewed commitment to care for our common home and our common heart,” said Sister Janet Gardner, USA Area Minister. “All are welcome to join us in celebration and gratitude to our Provident God and the many people who have been part of our Franciscan mission.”
Responding to the needs of the United States after World War I, 22 Lithuanian members of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Des Plaines, IL were called to form a new congregation to serve growing Lithuanian Catholic communities in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan and Connecticut. With assistance from several priests from the Lithuanian parishes and the support of Pittsburgh Bishop Hugh C. Boyle, the Lithuanian Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi was founded on March 12, 1922 when the Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale in Pittsburgh, PA (now the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities) agreed to sponsor the fledgling community and train fifteen professed Sisters, nine novices and two postulants to follow the Franciscan way of life.
The Congregation soon grew and their name was officially changed to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God in 1949, which better reflected their expanded mission to serve persons of all backgrounds througheducation, healthcare, parish and pastoral services and variety of other ministries. Sisters served Catholic schools, hospitals and other ministries throughout Pittsburgh, the East Coast and Midwest, as well as California, New Mexico and other areas of the United States. In 1938, the community began a mission in São Paulo, Brazil that grew into a province and later became home of the Generalate headquarters in 2016. Providence also called Sisters to serve in international missions in Lithuania, Bolivia, Haiti, Ethiopia and Carriacou.
A century after their founding, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God continue their mission that focuses on serving persons in need through various ministries, caring for the Earth and all of God’s creation, and working for justice and peace. Sponsored ministries include the Franciscan Child Day Care Center in Pittsburgh and five educational institutions in Brazil. For more information on the Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, please visit www.osfprov.org or call 412-882-9911.
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