“By all these lovely tokens September days are here, with Summer's best of weather and Autumn's
best of cheer.”
— Helen Hunt Jackson
“Faithful servants never retire. You can retire
from your career, but
you will never retire
from serving God.”
— Rick Warren
Simply Prayer Returns Sept. 6
We can all, in some way, relate to the well-known scripture story of Mary and Martha. Martha invited Jesus and His apostles to dinner, and she’s in her glory as she prepares this special meal. But in time, she realizes she needs help. Yet, her sister, Mary, sits peacefully at Jesus’ feet. “Don’t you care, Lord, that my sister leaves me with all the work?” “Martha, Martha,” Jesus says, “You are busy about so many things. Mary has chosen the better part!”

St. Francis Center for Renewal's popular Simply Prayer series returns this Tuesday, September 6, as Sister Marguerite Stewart helps us examine if we, too, find ourselves so “busy about many things” that we lose sight of “the better part?” What is the better part?

Attend in person in Bethlehem, Pa., or join in online via Zoom for reflection, sharing and group prayer. The program begins at 10 a.m. Those attending in person are invited for coffee at 9:30 a.m. Freewill offerings will be accepted. Use the buttons below to register.
Skylarks’ School Records Still in San Antonio
When our St. Francis Academy in San Antonio, Texas, closed in 2002, the Sisters purposefully left the school’s academic records with the Archdiocese of San Antonio’s Office of Archives & Records Management so that transcripts would remain geographically accessible to graduates. We frequently receive calls to our Provincial Office in Pittsburgh requesting copies of records, as well as graduation verification requests from potential employers. Unfortunately, the Sisters are not able to provide such information because the records are no longer in our possession. However, the information in the link below will help our beloved Skylarks and their potential employers most effectively access the information they need.
Inquires from graduates of St. Francis Academy in Bethlehem and Mount Assisi Academy in Pittsburgh may be directed to administrationusa@schoolsistersosf.org or 412-761-2855.
Decades of Dedication
Each year, religious communities like ours honor their members who reach milestones in service to the Lord. Because both of our 75th Jubiliarians — Sisters Norberta Kralosky and Francesca Parana — passed away this summer, no formal Jubilee celebration was held this year. However, those marking their 60th and 70th anniversaries celebrated their milestones with Masses and informal meals. Sisters Pat Marie Buranosky, Mary Georgette Dublino, Mary Lou Metro and Barbara Ann Webster celebrated 70 years in religious life with a Mass and brunch on August 3 at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa. On August 7, Sisters Mary Xavier Bomberger, M. Virginelle Makos, Jean Makovsky and Donna Pusch marked their 60th anniversaries with a Mass and brunch at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. We congratulate each of these Sisters for their contributions to our community and the Catholic Church.
At left, Sister Marian Sgriccia, provincial minister, lights ceremonial candles before Sisters Barbara Ann Webster, Pat Marie Buranosky, Mary Lou Metro and Georgette Dublino renew their vows in Pittsburgh. At right, Sisters Jean Makovsky, Mary Xavier Bomberger, Donna Pusch and M. Virginelle Makos mark their 60th anniversary in Bethlehem.