The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

Aston, PA—The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia are pleased to announce an important change. The Franciscan Ministries Foundation, created in 1994 to support the sisters’ sponsored ministries, will now be called the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation. The foundation is an important vehicle for securing sources of support to further the mission of the Sisters of St. Francis.

“The new name of the foundation should make us more recognizable to individuals and donors who were taught or cared for by the sisters and will provide many of these individuals with a way to more easily connect with the sisters, as well as give them an opportunity to support our good works,” said Sister Mary Vandergeest, OSF, the foundation’s Executive Director. “We have had many recent heartwarming stories from new donors who have reconnected with the Sisters of St. Francis and have wanted to support us.”

For over 150 years, the Sisters of St. Francis have dedicated their lives, talents, and love to those most in need. The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia were founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1855 by Mother Francis Bachmann. Throughout their history, the sisters have educated tens of thousands of young people and cared for countless others in their hospitals and social service ministries.

The congregation remains steadfast in serving those who are underserved, marginalized, and/or oppressed. Today 600 sisters and nearly 400 Franciscan Companions in Mission (lay men and women) minister in social and human services with poor and homeless families, immigrants, refugees, orphans, and youth; in prayer ministry and spirituality; eldercare; in services for people with HIV/AIDS; in advocacy efforts to help people obtain needed resources to fully participate in society; and in many other ministries. They minister around the globe in 24 states as well as in Puerto Rico, Ireland, and Africa.

“This is important for carrying out the sisters’ mission,” said Jack Surgent, President and CEO, Surgent McCoy, CPE, LLC, who serves as chair of the foundation’s Board of Directors. “The foundation dedicates 100% of every dollar donated to the sisters’ ministries. During such an economic crisis as we have before us, many people are hurting. The sisters are able to reach out and extend a helping hand to many in need.” 

“While the economic climate has affected many, our congregation has also been substantially impacted,” said Sister Esther Anderson, OSF, Congregational Minister. “Now more than ever, our congregation requires significant new income sources to ensure the Sisters of St. Francis’ legacy and continue the Franciscan charism through the care of our members and our ministries.” 

Through their healing ministry, the sisters founded a total of twelve hospitals spanning the east and west coasts—many are now major medical systems and teaching hospitals. On the east coast, the sisters founded hospitals in Pennsylvania including: St. Mary Hospital in Philadelphia (1860), St. Joseph Hospital in Reading (1873), St. Joseph Hospital and Health Care Center in Lancaster (1883), St. Agnes Medical Center in Philadelphia (1888), St. Mary Hospital in Langhorne (1973), and Franciscan Health System in Aston (1981). In Maryland, they founded St. Joseph Hospital in Baltimore, which later moved to Towson (1864). In New Jersey, they founded St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton (1874). In Delaware, they founded St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington (1924). In the Pacific Northwest, the sisters also founded hospitals in Tacoma, Washington (St. Joseph Hospital in 1891); in Baker, Oregon (St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in 1897); and in Pendleton, Oregon (St. Anthony Hospital in 1902).

In the field of education, the sisters began their teaching ministry in South Philadelphia. They later founded, taught, and served as administrators in over 250 schools, academies, colleges, and universities in several archdioceses and dioceses around the country. Besides serving in parochial schools, the congregation initiated and operated schools in areas where educational needs were not being adequately served. Today, the congregation continues its commitment to education and sponsors Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania (started in 1965), and The Catholic High School in Baltimore, Maryland (started in 1939). In addition, the sisters cosponsor Mother Seton Academy, an alternative middle school for at-risk youth in urban Baltimore. In 2007 the sisters began a collaborative ministry at Drexel Neumann Academy, a Catholic elementary school serving the needs of low-income children in Chester, Pennsylvania.

For more information about the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation or to make a tax-deductible donation, call Sister Mary Vandergeest, OSF, Executive Director, (610) 558-7713, or visit us online at www.osfphila.org.