Annual Report. Gentle Women. so strong and bright SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS

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1 SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS Annual Report Gentle Women so strong and bright

2 Gentle Women so strong and bright exemplifies the Sisters of St. Francis as we spread the word of God by living our lives as a reflection of St. Francis with open hands and hearts, trusting and forgiving while following the path of service to those less fortunate has been a year of accomplishments for our Community as we completed the transition of the Oldenburg Franciscan Center to our Motherhouse, celebrated the dedication of Epiphany Hall to provide housing for our returning Sisters, commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the Virgin Mother s appearance at Fátima, and continued to spread the word of God through our Sisters on mission, and through our Sisters here in the Burg. Our 2017 Annual Fund of Gratitude provides opportunities to support our Sisters ongoing expenses and also to support our Community s needed capital improvements. Two capital expenses needing immediate attention include a chiller and a nurse call system, both for St. Clare Hall. The chiller that provides air conditioning for Sisters in St. Clare Hall is now beyond repair, and $250,000 is needed for its replacement. The current nurse call system serving our Sisters is failing, and $125,000 is needed to upgrade the system to meet the minimum needs of the healthcare staff and patients in our healthcare center. As we launch our 2017 Annual Fund of Gratitude, please consider a gift at the level that reflects your gratitude for our Sisters. $49. Will provide postage stamps to help a Sister keep in touch $160. Will provide funds to power-clean four tombstones in the Sisters cemetery $249. Will provide a Sister with school supplies for students in need $495. Will provide a Sister in St. Clare Hall with a new long-term care mattress $749. Will provide a Sister with supplies to help families in need $1,200. Will provide a Sister with gasoline for a year to travel in her ministry $2,495. Will provide a modern long-term care bed for a Sister in St. Clare Hall $5,000. Will aid in funding the $125,000 needed for a new nurse call system $10,000. Will aid in funding the $250,000 needed to replace the chiller in St. Clare Hall Our Annual Report provides a glimpse of our ministries and accomplishments during the year. As we reflect on our blessings in 2017, we remain grateful to you for helping to make it possible. From all of us at Oldenburg, Thank You for remembering us and know that you remain in our thoughts and prayers. S. Maureen Irvin, OSF, Congregational Minister 2 Gentle Women so strong and bright

3 Ministry is a Gospel-inspired approach to doing the work of the community. In the field of education, the Sisters are helping to support two scholarship funds. The Francesca Thompson Scholarship Fund, founded in 1985, assists African-American high school students. The Carmen de Barros Scholarship Fund, founded in 2003, assists Hispanic high school students. Both tuition grants allow students to attend a Catholic high school of their choice. Spirituality Centers offer an environment which helps to nurture the spiritual lives of all visitors. the Sisters participated in Oldenburg s Holiday Under the Spires, and later hosted our Christmas Convent Tours. Both events brought hundreds of welcome guests to our Motherhouse to share Oldenburg Franciscan Center in Indiana and Nia Kuumba (creative purpose) in Missouri, provide gathering and prayer space for those seeking to deepen their relationship with God. in the true meaning of Christmas. OldenburgFranciscans.org 3

4 Motivated by increased awareness of ecological issues, the Sisters support a revitalization plan for Michaela Farm, which began operations in Through the years the Farm helped supply the Sisters and the Academy students with food until farm operations ceased in In 1992, it was revitalized to merge agriculture, education and spirituality, and today it embodies the Franciscan spirit as the staff nurtures sustainable relationships among land, plants animals and humans. The missions in Papua New Guinea that were established by the Sisters in 1960 prompted the Community to sponsor the Little Portion Club. This appeal is a vital link to our missionary work. Today ongoing Little Portion Club funds are provided for children and adults on Native American reservations, in Appalachia, and in the inner-cities. the Sisters offered summer and fall Consumer Supported Agriculture programs making local produce available to families and businesses seeking healthier food alternatives. 4 Gentle Women so strong and bright

5 Our Annual Fund, or unrestricted income, is used to help care for our senior Sisters, and also enables us to continue the work of the Community in areas not covered by the previously mentioned appeals as it helps us maintain general operating expenses. Since 1981, persons sharing the values, vision, prayer and mission of the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, without making a vowed commitment, complement our core community. Attracted to the program history, personal relationship, and connections with the missionary efforts of the Sisters, our current Associates have gained a greater sense of our spiritual, personal and global awareness. In this fiscal year, 1% of donations were directed toward the Associate Program. The Sisters living in St. Clare Hall and St. Francis Hall have served faithfully for many years. Donations directed to care for our Retired Sisters provide medical, spiritual and bodily care for our senior Sisters. The Sisters also receive a portion of their gifts through Bequests, Stocks, In-Kind Gifts and Mass Stipends. OldenburgFranciscans.org 5

6 the Sisters invited the public to join them for May Devotions at the Our Lady of Fátima Shrine located on the Motherhouse campus. The Oldenburg Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima s history dates back to 1949 when a generous monetary gift was received by the Sisters from the Wolfrum family of Cincinnati to memorialize their late mother, noting that the Sisters should determine how the memorial gift be used. S. Mary Ruth Michaels presented to the General Council at that time the suggestion for a shrine to Our Lady of Fátima. The Council endorsed the suggestion, and soon the Fullenkamp Construction Company of Oldenburg began construction. The statues were imported from Italy, while the stones and slabs were constructed on the Motherhouse campus. The original Dedication and Blessing Ceremony of the Fátima shrine was held on October 29, Gentle Women so strong and bright Copyright 1975, 1978, Carey Landry. Published by OCP all rights reserved. Reprinted under One License.net#arguments.licenseA

7 Thank You Your contributions make it possible for us to help carry out the mission of the Gospel in the world. St. Francis calls us to spread the Gospel in everything we do and continue to spread the Word of God as gentle women so strong and bright. the Sisters dedicated the Epiphany Hall area of the Motherhouse after successfully raising $2.4 million for the renovation project. Through the generosity of you, our donors, seventeen additional sleeping rooms were completed for returning Sisters, the Oldenburg Franciscan Center has been relocated, courtyard windows have been replaced, and energy-efficient LED lighting has been installed. We count on your prayers, your interest in caring for all God s creation, and your continued support. Invest in Us Gifts of Cash Appreciated Stock Paid-Up Life Insurance Policies Bequests Corporate Matching Gifts The Sisters of St. Francis In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, the Community is publishing our Annual Report without the list of donors. We hope you will agree that this step is not only good for the environment, but also is a wise choice in reducing the Sisters printing and mailing expense. For a listing of all the individual donors who remembered the Sisters between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017, please visit the Sisters website, OldenburgFranciscans.org, and click on the Annual Report icon. Office of Congregational Advancement Sue Siefert, Director OldenburgFranciscans.org 7

8 SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS PO BOX 100 OLDENBURG, IN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 770 CINCINNATI, OH Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with you, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. Through our Associate Program Online: Facebook: Franciscan Sisters of Oldenburg