Sisters Receive USF Presidential Alumni Award

On Sunday DSC_6755September 20, 2015, the University of St. Francis held their annual Alumni Award Ceremony during their Homecoming and Reunion Weekend. Among the various alumni awards presented was the Presidential Award. This year, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, were honored for their continued service and support of USF.  The Sisters founded the University of St. Francis.

AcceptiPresident_Award_webng on behalf of the Sisters was Sister Clarita Schumacher, Vice President and Councilor for the Membership.

Sisters featured in Christ is our Hope Magazine

Christourhope-sept2015In their lifetime, the Joliet Franciscan Sisters witnessed the Wright Brothers take flight in Kitty Hawk, Charles Lindbergh cross the Atlantic, and Neil Armstrong become the first person to walk on the moon. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, laying the groundwork for the ability to communicate with people around the universe in more ways than even he could have possibly imagined.

Over their 150 years, the sisters opened classroom doors, and thousands of students walked through to meet teachers who would help them learn about God, the world and themselves. They founded the Franciscan Learning Center, St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy) and the College of St. Francis (now known as the University of St. Francis), all in Joliet. The sisters taught in schools across the Diocese of Joliet, the Archdiocese of Chicago,towns in Illinois and the United States. As the immigrant population of the U.S. grew, sisters who spoke German, Slovak and Polish were sought by pastors needing teachers who could teach the children of their growing parishes.

Congratulations to New Regional Council in Brazil

Council-webThis is a historical moment in our Congregation! On September 6, 2015, the first all Brazilian council was elected. The Regional Council consists of a Regional Coordinator and 2 councilors.

Sister Jeronima Marques da Costa was elected Regional Coordinator and Sister Neli Vieira dos Santos and Rita Cristina Lima dos Santos were elected councilors.

Right after the elections, the Council met and asked Sister Ruth Berry to continue as Secretary and Ana Claudia Pontes Rezende will remain as Treasurer.

Photo:  Sisters Ana Claudia, Jeronima, Rita, Dolores, Neli and Ruth.