“The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
“May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.”
— Pope Francis
Praying for Peace in Ukraine
Following this Friday's Mass, students at Northside Catholic Assumption Academy in Pittsburgh — where Sister Carol Ann Papp (left) teaches art and religion — eighth-grade students participated in a time of reflection and prayer for an end to violence in our world. They entered the adjacent St. Cyril of Alexandria Church to the sound of the prayer bell and led by the colors of Ukraine, a handmade cross and two candles. They stood in silence as students and parishioners left the church, many deeply touched and moved to work for peace. Sister Carol Ann ordered the flag through the Flag Factory to benefit the Brother's Brother Foundation, a nearby nonprofit raising funds to airlift 72 pallets of medical supplies to Ukraine.
Our Sisters around the world, too, are stepping up to directly help Ukrainian refugees displaced by war. Those in the Slovak Province are welcoming refugees into some of their convents. A few Sisters there also are going to the border to help the Franciscan friars in their direct service to the refugees, all while keeping up with their regular ministries. 

In Sicily, our Sisters serve at a guest house run by the diocese for relatives of patients at a nearby hospital. The local bishop is working to open the second floor to house 20 refugees. Our Sisters are preparing by collecting clothing and other needs. 

Other plans also are in the works in Italy and the Czech Province to offer aide. Stateside, our American Sisters are offering prayers and collecting funds to support Catholic Relief Services in Ukraine. You can help here.
Sisters and volunteers in the Slovak Republic sort donations to help Ukrainian refugees.
Opportunities to Pray with Us This Spring
Tuesday, March 22
Praying with the Psalms Lenten Retreat
Join Sister Virginelle Makos
in person or online
Tuesday, April 5
Simply Prayer:
Father Forgive Them
Join Sister Marguerite Stewart in person or online
Wednesday, May 4
Aging with Grace:
Senior Day at SFCR
Join Sister Marguerite Stewart in person or online
In the Spirit of St. Patrick
Most of our Sisters may be of Slovak descent, but just like the rest of the world, they too are Irish in spirit on St. Patrick's Day. The Sisters who live at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh had a little fun at the resident party on March 17, complete with corned beef, cabbage and a little green beer. See their smiling Irish eyes below.
Sisters Anece Salay and Jeanne Marie Ulica raise a toast to St. Patrick.
Sister Rosalia Giba with Marylou Markovich, a 1960 graduate of Mount Assisi Academy who now volunteers
at the site of her alma mater.
Usually one to shy away from shenanigans, Sister Cecilia Jacko couldn't resist getting in on the fun.
Sister Francesca Parana accessorized her festive outfit with a hearty chuckle right before this photo was snapped.
Sisters to Host Food Dropoff March 26
We are partnering with our ministries in Eastern Pennsylvania — St. Francis Center for Renewal and and Monocacy Farm Project — to combat food insecurity in the Lehigh Valley. Together, we will host a drive-thru dropoff of nonperishable food items from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Saturday, March 26, in the circular driveway outside the Center. All donations will go to the Diocese of Allentown's Catholic Charities Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry and Central Moravian Church Food Pantry. Please share what you can. If you can't make the food drive but want to help anyway mail checks (payable to School Sisters of St. Francis) to Sisters Food Drive, c/o Sister Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster, 395 Bridle Path Road, Bethlehem PA 18017.
Most needed items include but are not limited to:
  • Bulk packs of individually-wrapped items like snacks, crackers, cereal bars and fruit cups
  • Cases of bottled water
  • Granola and protein bars
  • Cans and pouches of tuna fish
  • Individual servings of macaroni and cheese and similar microwaveable or quick-serve meals
  • Canned soups, fruits, vegetables and beans
  • Diapers, wipes and baby formula
  • Boxed potatoes, rice and meals like Hamburger Helper
  • Oatmeal packets or cups
  • Cereal in boxes or individual cups
  • Peanut butter, jelly and applesauce
  • Noodles and pastas
  • Teabags, coffee and hot chocolate
  • Ramen noodles and soup cups
  • Don’t forget the pets — pet food is needed too
St. Francis Center for Renewal is located at 395 Bridle Path Road, Bethlehem PA 18017