From the very beginning, the School Sisters of St. Francis have drawn strength from the bold vision of our foundresses—Emma Franziska (Mother Alexia) Hoell, Paulina (Mother Alfons) Schmid, and Helena (Sister Clara) Seiter. These three women stepped into an unfamiliar world with courage, faith, and a conviction that compassionate service could change lives. Their journey to America in 1873 laid the foundation for a mission that has expanded beyond what they could have envisioned.

As we reflect on their legacy, we recognize that their story was never meant to remain in the past. It was the beginning of a movement, one that continues to evolve, expand, and respond to the needs of God’s people today. The same spirit that carried our foundresses across an ocean now carries our sisters across continents, cultures, and communities. 

Their ministries in education, health care, pastoral outreach, social services, and care for creation are living expressions of a mission that is still unfolding. These ministries are life giving, deeply needed, and made possible through your generosity. 

Today, the School Sisters of St. Francis are shaping a future filled with hope. Our sisters accompany those who long for opportunity and dignity. They open doors for girls and young women seeking education. They walk with families facing poverty and limited resources. They nurture communities through teaching, advocacy, compassionate presence, and creating safe spaces where hope can be restored. 

Our growing ministries in Indonesia and Tanzania are a powerful example of future focused missions. In these communities, our sisters serve families in underserved regions, offering education, nutritional support, and pastoral care. They help children get a healthy start and empower mothers with skills that strengthen households and communities. These emerging ministries are vibrant and full of promise, and your generosity helps them continue to flourish.

Our commitment to caring for creation is another way we are preparing for the future. This commitment extends across all the regions where our sisters serve, as they implement sustainable practices from renewable energy to environmental education that protect the earth and strengthen communities. These initiatives nourish families, protect the earth, and create pathways out of poverty, ensuring that future generations inherit a healthier, more sustainable world.

We also honor the sisters who have devoted their lives to this mission. With your support, we provide our retired sisters with the compassionate care they deserve – care that reflects our gratitude for their decades of ministry, prayer, and service. Their legacy continues to inspire the next generation of School Sisters of St. Francis.

As we look to the future, we remain inspired by the courage, compassion, and faith of our foundresses. Their story continues through every sister who serves, every life uplifted, and every community transformed. 

We invite you to join us in carrying this mission forward. With your gift, you help alleviate suffering, nurture hope, and build a more just and compassionate world for generations
to come.

With gratitude and blessings, 

Sister Deborah Fumagalli                   Amanda Ferguson
President                                            Director of Mission Advancement