In a Eucharistic liturgy filled with meaning and joy, the Millvale Franciscans celebrated their merger with the Sisters of St. Francis August 26 at Immaculate Conception Parish in Fayetteville, N.Y., near Syracuse. The same celebration was repeated Sunday, September 30 at the chapel at Mount Alvernia.

The two communities 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.

In her welcoming remarks, Sister Patricia Burkard, general minister of the Sisters of St. Francis set the tone for the celebration. “Today, we join our histories, our years of service to the people of God, our Franciscan way of life and our personal lives,” she said. “For this, our spirits rejoice in God our Savior.”

During both liturgies, sisters from Millvale renewed their vows according to the Constitutions of the Sisters of St. Francis. After receiving the new Constitutions, each sister from Millvale signed her name in the community membership book.

Afterward, Patricia reflected upon the significance of the moment. “This wonderful day of reunification is a stepping stone to a greater reality. We have come this far because it is all about mission and trust,” she said.

Gifts were exchanged as Sister Grace Anne Dillenschneider, assistant general minister of the Sisters of St. Francis, presented a framed version of the congregation’s directional statement to Sister Ann Carville, community minister in Millvale.

Likewise, Ann presented Patricia with a San Damiano Cross, which was hand written by iconographer Sister Rosaire Kopczenski of Millvale. “Today, we begin the journey to live our spiritual lives with you,” said Ann.

The liturgy culminated as each sister in attendance received a pendant featuring the new community symbol. Associates who were present, received a similar pin.

Following the liturgy, a reception was held at the church hall during which time sisters reflected upon the coming together of the two congregations.

Sisters from Millvale agreed their welcome “home” was a hospitable one. “How graciously we were welcomed! They’ve opened their hearts and arms to us,” said Sister Rosita Wellinger of Millvale.

Imaginations were stirred as sisters reflected on the past, present and future. “It brings us back to our beginnings and gives us energy to see our place in the world as we re-invent ourselves,” said Sister Roberta Smith, general councilor in Syracuse. Similarly, Sister Rose Marie Wilson of Los Angeles, Calif. called the reunification a “. . . dream come true. It’s wonderful looking back at the gifts of our three foundresses, and recognizing we’ve been gifted to carry the mission on,” she reflected.

The new congregation includes 564 sisters serving in education, health and pastoral care, the missions, social services and retreat work in 33 dioceses and archdioceses around the world.
“With all of the gifts and talents of sisters combined into one congregation, my hope for the future is that we can continue to serve God’s people and spread the Franciscan charism wherever we are,” said General Councilor Sister Marian Rose Mansius of Williamsville. The sisters are joined by 274 associates, lay women and men who share in their spirituality and mission.

The five-member Millvale Franciscan Servant Leadership Council will serve until January 2008, with Sister Marian Rose Mansius, general councilor of the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse serving as liaison through June 2008.  At their July 2008 General Chapter meeting, delegates representing the community at large will chart the direction for the congregation and elect members to the general administration.  

The Millvale-based community numbers 147 sisters and 38 associates and will continue to be based at Mount Alvernia, with central administrative offices in Syracuse, N.Y.

A Family Reunited

The Sisters of St. Francis 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 Franciscan Order of Syracuse, N.Y. united to form the new congregation.

These three communities together with the Millvale Franciscans 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. In response to the needs of the times, small groups of sisters traveled to Syracuse and Buffalo, and in 1865 two sisters traveled to Pittsburgh to serve the sick and poor, especially German-speaking immigrants. Eventually four additional communities were formed, creating the Neumann-Bachmann Heritage communities.  “In essence, the merger is a reunification of the family since we all began from the same historical roots,” said Sister Patricia Burkard, general minister of the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse.

To strengthen their mission, the two congregations developed a Spirit-led process of discernment that invited all their members to discussions and multiple inter-congregational meetings in New York and Pittsburgh. In April 2007, the Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale secured the personal commitment for merger from each sister.