Our Mission
“Make us instruments of your peace.”
St. Francis of Assisi
Our community was founded in England in 1905 and its first ministries were to dock workers and their families, often providing respite for weary caregivers. From the beginning the community shared in the stresses and strains of the life of the poor, being continually faced with the challenge to live the Gospel in a particular time and place. The sisters came to the United States in 1974 and since then we have engaged in many types of ministry, but with special concern for the poor, the marginalized and the sick.
A sister’s work depends upon interest, talents, and the needs which call for her response. We have worked in hospitals, nursing homes and soup kitchens; among the homeless, immigrants and people with AIDS; teaching Godly Play and offering Healing Ministry in our parishes; teaching student deacons and serving on diocesan commissions; providing spiritual direction and retreats. In all things we strive to be instruments of God’s love.
“Blessed are those servants who would love and respect their brothers and sisters.”
St. Francis of Assisi
Through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, we form a community which provides us with support in our life of prayer, study and work, and also creates a concrete context for the daily living out of our ideals as we strive through God’s grace to love despite imperfections and failings. An important part of our Franciscan calling as a community is hospitality, so we welcome visitors.
Our Ministry
We are called to be with people in their tears, but also to confront the structures that made them cry. Verna Dozier
Our ministry has always had two threads: that of compassionate service and of justice and peace advocacy. Both are necessary, as Verna Dozier reminds us in the quote above.
The Franciscan Charism Today
What we are asked to do at present is not so much to speak of Christ as to let him live in us so that people may find him by feeling how he lives in us. Thomas Merton
The Sisters of the Community of St. Francis are followers of Jesus in the way of Francis of Assisi., the 13th century saint whose compassion for the poor and his insight into our kinship relationship for the rest of creation presents a challenging message to our contemporary world.
Meet the Sisters
We are all called to be Christ’s Mother, by giving birth to Jesus in our good actions. Francis of Assisi
Learn more about the Sisters and check out our newsletter archives which tell more about our life.