“We remember. We celebrate. We give thanks.”

These are the words that the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities are using to commemorate 150 years of service in the Diocese of Buffalo.

First, they remember. Steeped in tradition, the sisters are very fond of their roots which have contributed to their unique identity.

Sister Mary Dolores Cook, OSF, shared one of the sisters’ standard stories which tells of the beginnings of the community in the Diocese of Buffalo.

“Several sisters left the Philadelphia congregation and came to Buffalo on Dec. 18, 1861,” said Sister Dolores. “They had 75 cents to their name. When they arrived they had to give 50 cents to the porter. So, we began a mission on a quarter, and look how far we’ve gone.”

After settling down, the sisters immediately began their service to the community.

“One of the first things we did was to go into the homes and take care of the sick and poor,” added Sister Dolores. “We began to take care of the elderly almost immediately. Wherever we saw a need we could meet, we responded.”

The sisters not only fondly remember the origins of their service, but they also remember their members who have passed on, including Sister Stella Marie Alessi (1918-2010) and Sister Dorothy Marie Clitheroe (1925-2010).

Secondly, they celebrate. The Sisters of St. Francis have scheduled a yearlong list of activities to celebrate their heritage and service. The celebrations began with an opening liturgy on Jan. 8.

“We began preparations for the 150 th year last October, but our official beginning was the opening liturgy on Jan. 8, the Saturday closest to the feast day of St. John Neumann,” said Sister Dolores. “Our closing liturgy will be on Dec. 18, which is very significant because it is the day the sisters came to the Diocese of Buffalo in 1861. So it is special that all of our celebrations are sandwiched in between these two special days.”

In addition to these special occasions, other celebratory dates have been scheduled with different activities. On March 19, the sisters will host a Lenten retreat with the theme, “Remembering and Celebrating.” Sister Margaret Carney, OSF, will present “Meeting Francis and Clare: Franciscan Guides in a Tough Economy” on April 2, and on May 3, the sisters will host a food and wine tasting. On May 30, the sisters will remember their loved ones at the memorial Mass for the deceased sisters. During the summer, the sisters will participate in the Williamsville parade for Old Home Days on July 12, and then have a homecoming for former members on Aug. 6 where they will catch up with old friends. The fall celebrations include a benefactor appreciation day on Sept. 17, a jubilee celebration on Oct. 1 and a presentation on “Cherishing the Land: God’s Gift to All” at Amherst State Park on Oct. 10.

Finally, they give thanks. The sisters showed their gratitude to their community by creating a special heritage room which displays historical artifacts, photos, documents and memorabilia from their history. They also created five beautifully rendered panels which document their history of service with photographs. The panels are currently located at the sisters’ residence in Williamsville, but may be traveling the diocese throughout the year.

In addition, Sister Mary Francis Gangloff, OSF, has compiled a rich history of the community called “A Canticle of Welcome.”

“It took me 10 years to compile,” said Sister Francis. “We follow the Third Order Rule of St. Francis. We add to the congregational history a unique personality and a specific kind of culture. We have a reputation for hospitality – we are very welcoming.”

“We live the Franciscan Spirit,” said Sister Dolores. “It’s not only our service, but it’s the way we do it.”
To learn more about the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, call 716-632-2155 or visit them online at www.sosf.org.