Sisters Elect New Leadership Team at General Chapter Meeting

Buffalo, NY, July 20, 2008 - At their July 12 through 20 General Chapter meeting, 221 delegates representing the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities gathered at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Buffalo, N.Y. to affirm their Franciscan values and set a direction for the congregation.

During their time together, sisters elected a new leadership team including: Sister Patricia Burkard, general minister; Sister Marian Rose Mansius, assistant community minister; as well as three general councilors: Sisters Frances Kowalski, Roberta Smith and Barbara Woody.

Pictured at left is the newly elected leadership team. From left to
right: S. Barbara Woody, S. Roberta Smith, S. Marion Rose, S. Marie
Salandro, S. Pat Burkard, and S. Frances Kowalski.

Among the week’s activities, was a public event held Wednesday, July 18 at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Buffalo where sisters gathered to affirm their stance on justice and human dignity and the rights of all immigrants.

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities were officially founded on July 12, 2004 when the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Virgin of Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., the Sisters of St. Francis Third Order Regular of Buffalo (Williamsville Franciscans), and the Sisters of the Third Order of Syracuse, N.Y. united to form the new congregation. This marked the first union of Franciscan congregations in the U.S.  In August 2007, the Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale merged with the Syracuse-based congregation, making it one of the largest Franciscan congregations in the nation.

These four grew out of the same Philadelphia congregation that Sister Mary Francis Bachmann, Sister Mary Margaret Boll and Sister Bernardina Dorn founded with the guidance of St. John Neumann (then Bishop of Philadelphia) in 1855.

The congregation is comprised of 550 sisters who serve in the ministries of education, healthcare, pastoral care, the missions, social services and retreat work in 33 dioceses and archdioceses around the world, including Hawaii, East Africa, Peru, Puerto Rico and Canada. In addition, it brings together 274 women and men known as Franciscan associates who share in the sisters’ spirituality and mission.

General Chapter meetings are conducted by the congregation every four years. This was the first meeting of the reunited community.

	Many associates of the Sisters of St. Francis attended the General Chapter. They traveled from near and far to share in the the spirit and mission of the Franciscan congregation.
	A group of sisters had the opportunity to explore Niagara Falls aboard "The Maid of the Mist."
	Another social activity featured "The Olympic Games." Arm wrestling and swimming were just two of the many competitions. Sisters enjoyed this opportunity to get to know one another and share in an evening of fun.
	In addition to setting a direction for the new congregation and choosing a new leadership team, the sisters focused on their call to the ministry of peace and justice. On Wednesday, July 18, the sisters held a public prayer witness for comprehensive immigration reform at St. Joseph's Cathedral Cathedral with presentations by Michael E. Marszalkowski, internationally recognized immigration attorney; Brian Brown- Cashdollar, executive director of VIVE, Inc. as well as a refugee who has received assistance from the agency.
	Sisters from the reunited community enjoyed getting to know one another and new friendships were formed during this nine day event; friendships that will foster promising direction and hope for the future of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.
	What is a conference without a little fun? Here, the social committee and the performs a humoroud skit for the group.
	The closing Mass was celebrated by Bishop Edward Kmiec of Buffalo, N.Y. He offered words of appreciation to the sisters for their gifts of service in all the dioceses where they serve. Bishop Kmiec is pictured at left with the newly elected leadership team.