CCaammppaaiiggnn CChhaaiirrMr. Pierce J. Keating

FFoouunnddaattiioonn BBooaarrddMMeemmbbeerrss

Sharon Coleman, ChairM. Eileen Schmitt, MD,Vice ChairEsther Anderson, OSFJean BrennanSteve CuthbertMargaret Gannon, OSFDavid HoganStephanie Kassel-DohertyPierce J. KeatingMarianne E. KutlerPhilip LeachEugene O’BrienJorge R. RuedaMary K. SmithsonGregory T. WozniakMary Vandergeest, OSFCharles F. Zeiler

Gratitude is receivingthe gifts of God andothers and saying“Thank you.” CONNECTIONS seeksto do just that—to saythank you from ourgrateful hearts for mak-ing it possible, not onlyto reach the CapitalCampaign goal of fourmillion dollars but alsoto exceed it.

Each issue of CON-NECTIONS is wovenaround the relation-ships that enrich usthrough connectingwith you. We aregrateful for your friend-ship, support, inspira-tion, and belief in themission we share.This issue introducesseveral foundationboard members; they,too, are gift to us.Their dedication and

hard work not onlyhelped to achieve thecampaign goal, but theboard also continues toguide future planning.Often board membersare the link introducingyou and connectingyou to the Sisters of St.Francis Foundation.Your campaign re-sponses enable us toassist in providing forour retired sisters andlend support to ourministries.

CONNECTIONS enables us to shareseveral individual expressions of gratitude from oursponsored ministrieswhich show how yourgifts make a better lifepossible for others.Often helping one indi-vidual starts a cycle

when those who receive give in return.Two events honoringwomen whose lives influenced others arealso highlighted. Thenumber of thank youresponses, the broadspectrum of individualshelped, and the farreaching influence ofyour assistance isamazing. We thankyou through our lives,our love, our prayers,and a grateful “Alleluia”for helping us in St.Paul’s words “to finishthe race, to reach thegoal.” Entering into relationship with youand realizing the goodachieved through yourgenerosity and prayersmakes my role as ex-ecutive director of thefoundation a blessing.

Sr. Mary Vandergeest

Two women in different ministries—education and healthcare—were remembered by those whose lives they had touched. Each benefit supportedthe retired sisters.

Recognition supports retired sisters

Sisters of St. FrancisFoundation

609 South Convent Rd.Aston, PA 19014

Phone:(610) 558-7713

Fax:(610) 558-5357

Email:foundation@osfphila.org

Website:www.osfphila.org

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Sister Mary Vandergeest, OSFExecutive Director

Sisters of St. FrancisFoundation

Vol. 2, Issue 1, Summer 2012

WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS...

"As long as God does not stop giving to us, we will not stop giving to the poor."

Mother Francis Bachmann

Because of Your Generosity

Dr. Barbara Nazlerod, president of The Catholic High School of Balti-more, shared that, “Catholic High has benefited in many ways from theCapital Campaign…Donors gave generously to our endowment and several capital improvements were made possible, including the state-of-the-art dining hall and gallery. These are in addition to funds made available to assist deserving students with their tuition. I am humbled bythe generosity of our benefactors and thank them on behalf of the youngwomen of Catholic High.”

�Sr. Joan Griffin, an educator, was recognized in Palm Desert, California.Events held during Catholic SchoolsWeek recognized the quality of the programs she began and the Franciscanspirit she spread.

�In Baltimore County, Maryland, Rosemarie E.Liberatore, (Libby) was recognized for contributionsin healthcare. While Libby began as a student at The Catholic High School of Baltimore, she continued her life as partner, supporter, and friend in the Franciscan spirit.

Families Received Help

The mission of St. Joseph Family Center in Spokane, Washington, is to provide coun-seling, spirituality, and healing arts services. Assistance from the foundation makes itpossible to reach out to low-income families and individuals needing counseling—boththe underinsured and the uninsured. Sr. Patricia Millen, executive director, shared thatthe center also provides programs such as the Cancer Survivor’s Retreat and supportgroups. Help from the foundation makes it possible to welcome individuals and families seeking growth through assistance with life’s challenges.

Spreading the good word

Secretary to the board, Jean Brennan, is a resident of Yard-ley, Pennsylvania. Jean seeks to spread the good word ofthe sisters and their ministries, to assist the retired sisters,and to help in fund raising activities. She first met the Sistersof St. Francis when her children attended St. Ignatius School.Sr. Mary Ann Potenza, principal of the school, recalls, “Jean’sdeep appreciation, love and dedication to the sisters.” Thefirst thing one notices about Jean is her infectious smile andher caring tone of voice.

And a Success is Celebrated

In expressing thanks, Sr. Chris Kranichfeld, director of St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelterin Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, said that a donation from the foundation helped to keepthe shelter doors open when needs were up and operating funds were low. Sheadded, “a letter from a former resident helped us realize what the shelter helps to ac-complish: ‘I would like to invite you to be my guest at my house-warmingceremony…you and your staff helped me to start a better life.’”

Sharon Coleman, chair-person of the founda-tion board, resides inTacoma, Washington.She first met the Sis-ters of St. Francis as a student in St. LeoSchool in Tacoma, arelationship which shehas maintainedthrough the years.While in executiveroles in the Coca ColaCompany, Sharon wasalso instrumental inthe start-up for the

InternationalLife SciencesInstitute whose mission is toprovide sciencethat empowers

public health and well-being globally.

As chairperson of theboard, Sharon reinforces

the need for board com-mitment and involvement.Sharon raises awarenessof the needs of those whoare poor and under-served and spreads whatis for her a powerful mes-sage—the needs of theretired sisters who havemade a significant contri-bution to society. Her re-sponses are dynamic andmarked by a creative vi-sion and enthusiasm.While stressing need,Sharon also seeks tospread news about themiraculous results thatcan occur when help isprovided through thefoundation and itsdonors.

As Sister Esther Ander-son, congregational min-ister for the Sisters of St.Francis observes,

“Sharon has vast experi-ence on boards and otherorganizations. Evenmore, her deep sense ofmission, her relationshipswith sisters in the congre-gation, and the depth ofher compassion for thosewho are poor and under-served deepens our grati-tude for her.”

In a poem entitled,Thresholds, RobertMorneau wrote “Each ofus decides—perhapseach day—to cross or re-main behind that invisibleline, that threshold into anew horizon.” Sharon isa gifted woman who willcross those invisible linesinto new horizons, intonew ways to respond andto empower.

Chairperson Reflects on FoundationGrowth and Development

Sharon Coleman, ChairSisters of St. Francis Foundation Board

At Neumann University, students are truly appreciative of scholarship assistance monies provided to them through the Sisters of St. FrancisFoundation. In a letter shared by Sr. MargueriteO’Beirne, vice president for mission, a studentwrote, “I am thankful for the financial help to furthermy education. This scholarship has taken a greatburden off my mom who has tried her hardest tohelp me pay…I would like to continue to help otherswith the knowledge I received at Neumann University.”

Those who Receive Desire toGive Back

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The Capital Campaign made it possible to build a chapel and walkingpaths and to remodel a wing of St. Ann Convent for the retired sistersin Tacoma, Washington. The greatest gift was the chapel; previouslythe sisters prayed in a small meeting room. The new chapel is located on the south side of the convent adjacent to a thriving forest which brings the beauty of nature inside. The windows themedaround The Canticle of Creation further enhance this sacred spacefor prayer, contemplation, and liturgy. Sr. Jude Connelly, administrator, shares thedeep spirit of gratitude evidenced by the sisters for those who made the dream for a“real chapel” come true.

Dream Comes True in St. Ann Convent

Sr. Jane LaManna, ad-ministrator of AssisiHouse, a residence forretired sisters in Aston,Pennsylvania, pointsto the ability to replacewindows in AssisiHouse and the presentfocus on purchasing anew bus as two in-stances of help re-ceived through thefoundation. One willhelp to maintain thestructure of AssisiHouse; the other willensure safety for thesisters in transport asa 14-year-old bus isretired. The founda-tion’s receptiveness toneeds as they occurand the willingness toprovide help in newendeavors to enhancethe quality of care is agift.

Stewardshipof Resources SupportsCare

Sharing ourCharism

A resident of Wilmington,Delaware, Dr. M. EileenSchmitt is vice-chair of theboard. Dr. Schmitt sees theneed to advise, to move into the future, and toraise monies for the mission which includes theretired sisters and embraces so many otherneeds. When Sr. Clare Carty, a valued founda-tion supporter, first approached Dr. Schmitt aboutboard membership, she recognized “Eileen’s lovefor the Franciscan charism, dedication to service,and selfless commitment to those who are poor.”A woman whose life has been one of reachingout to others, Eileen is gift to us and to the mis-sion we share.

The sisters gather inthe new chapel at St.Ann’s for liturgy and

for times of quiet, personal prayer