WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) -  Saturday is a very special day for a congregation in Williamsville.

It was 150 years ago when the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann first came to western New York.

Saturday starts the first of a year long celebration for the Williamsville congregation.

Sister Roberta Smith said, "It's just the beginning. We have our sisters, our associates and friends. And it will be a whole year of all kinds of activities."

"We're great at throwing parties. And we're Franciscans and part of our Franciscan charism is joy. And so we like to spread that joy," added Sister Roberta.

The sisters first came to Buffalo in December of 1861. At the time, the Bishop of the diocese needed them to work with those who were sick, poor, and in need of education; which the sisters still take great pride in today.

Sister Roberta Burkard said, "A number of our sisters are still involved in these works. And they've continued over these 150 years so we have a lot to celebrate from our history."

It's been 150 years since the Sister's of St. Francis first came to Buffalo. But their principles have stayed the same: teaching, remembrance, celebration and faith. But to keep up with the times, of course a few changes had to be made along the way.

"I would say some of the challenges are technology and being able to embrace that as well as how do we use it to spread the faith," added Sister Cheryl Wint.

Sister Rosemary Hendry said, "In it's appropriate time and place, all of it was good. But it has changed. Just as many people's lives, everything was appropriate at its designated time, but things change."

"This is a wonderful time for our community to celebrate unity among ourselves. Specially, it gives us opportunities to not only celebrate the past but to celebrate the present," added Sister Roberta.