Sister Mary Louise Gerber entered the Millvale Franciscans from St. Joseph Parish in Johnstown, Pa., where she had been taught by the sisters in the parish school. Although she had cousins in two other congregations, as well as relatives in the Millvale congregation, she chose to build her future with the Millvale Franciscans. Since that wonderful day many years ago when she made final profession, she has regarded community as being very important. Within community she experiences many opportunities for spiritual growth and for deepening her relationship with God.
Mary Louise serves in the Prayer Ministry today; however, her life of teaching has had some very interesting turns. One in particular was a unique experience that she will never forget. When she served as principal and teacher at St. Sebastian School in Belle Vernon, she opened a brand new school with only two grades. Sister Alicia Snyder had the first grade, Mary Louise had second. Each year for the next six years, the next grade was added and she herself progressed with her class to the next level, all the way through eighth grade. She says they were an outstanding and wonderful group of children, who were proud to be pioneers. She continued in her ministry for a total of 22 years.
Mary Louise enjoys reading and in her spare time you might find her curled up with an interesting story or a book on some aspect of religious life. She also enjoys traveling, seeing new places and doing new things. She claims that her sabbatical at the University of San Diego, in California, was one of her most wonderful, surprising experiences. The outdoors always hold surprises for her as she enjoys her daily walks around the Motherhouse campus.

Sister Maria Ramón Santiago Colón attended Colegio San Antonio in Puerto Rico, where she was taught by the Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale. She felt an attraction to religious life when she helped the sisters teach Catechism and decided that this was what she wanted to do, too. She began praying three Hail Mary’s every day to know God’s will for her and continues this practice today. When she came to the states from her home parish of the Exaltación de la Santa Cruz, she knew it would be hard to leave her parents, who had given their children a wonderful example of keeping prayer in their lives; however, she felt strongly that this was the path God was calling her to follow.
Maria Ramón feels that her investing day was the most significant moment of her life, beautiful and full of joy. Ever since then, she has served the Lord living and proclaiming the gospel through the ministry of Catholic education in the Franciscan tradition. Presently, she serves as director at Colegio Santa Cruz in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, where she has ministered for the past 38 years; she also taught at Colegio San Antonio for 10 years.
During these 48 years, she has ministered as teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and religious program director. She has received several awards and citations, including Distinguished Educator during Women’s Week; Assistant Superintendent/Religious Program for Catholic Schools in San Juan; Who’s Who in American Education 1993 edition; and recognition as Adopted Daughter of Trujillo Alto by the mayor.
“I feel blessed to be a part of the integral formation of children and adolescents to whom I have been trusted to educate in the Franciscan tradition, which helps them in the future to serve society with responsibility and maturity, without losing their Christian values and their Catholic faith,” says Maria Ramón.
When she is not involved in school work and activities, Maria Ramón enjoys reading, listening to music and playing table games, especially cards. Although her ministry keeps her far away from Millvale, she enjoys being with the sisters, and looks forward to visiting with them in Pittsburgh.

Fifty-some years ago, Sister Elizabeth Bauer, affectionately known as Betty, saw an advertisement for  Mount Alvernia in a magazine and decided to visit for a weekend. She liked what she saw and experienced, and came back to stay. Elizabeth came to Mount Alvernia from St. Joseph Parish in the town of Lucinda, Pa. in Clarion County. During her years as a Millvale Franciscan, Elizabeth has ministered as an elementary grade school teacher and as a principal in schools staffed by our sisters. After retiring from the classroom, she served as pastoral minister, director of religious education and coordinator/catechist for the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program. Presently, she keeps the medical records of the sisters in the Motherhouse Health Care Unit up-to-date.

Of all the ministries in which she had been engaged, Elizabeth believes that coordinating, catechizing and walking in faith with the many youth and adults in the RCIA program have been most rewarding and enriching for her own life. “The wonders of God shone forth in these people as they discovered God’s self-giving love in their everyday living,” she says. Elizabeth was always very impressed by their faith, openness, and the sharing of their conversion experiences. She adds, “God is a God of surprises!”
Elizabeth is grateful for having the opportunities to enjoy the freedom to develop and use her talents for the benefit of the community and the church. She feels the encouragement, support and prayers of the sisters in community have enabled her to meet the challenges she encountered during the years.
In-between-times, Elizabeth enjoys a refreshing walk outdoors, probably with a book tucked under her arm for some relaxing reading later.