Franciscan Sisters of Chicago

In good times and bad, Sister Theresa and the senior religious shown above here have dedicated themselves to God's work. Together with nearly 30,000 elderly sisters, brothers, and religious order priests in the United States, they educated the young, tended the sick, and ministered to the needy. Today, they pray for a world that is hurting. Yet many religious communities do not have enough retirement savings and struggle to provide for aging members. Covid-19 has only increased these challenges. Your tax deductible gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps furnish medications, nursing care, and more.
Click Here to Learn more about how you can donate to this fund.

One of the longest ministries the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago served was at Boys Town, Nebraska. Established in 1917 by the famous Father Edward Flanagan, Boys Town was a home and school for neglected and underprivileged boys. Over the years Boys Town grew into an enormous charitable community that helped thousands of young men (and later young women and families as well). One young girl, whose father worked at Boys Town in the 1940’s, was so inspired by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, she later joined their community. Sister Kathleen Melia entered religious life in 1956 and has been a Franciscan Sister of Chicago for 64 years. Sister Kathleen has written a wonderful piece on her life as a child at Boys Town.
Click Here to read this article

The Devotion of John Roszkowski

The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago have long promoted the cause of sainthood for their foundress, Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik. In 1994 she was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II. For her Cause to progress she needs a miracle attributed solely to her intercession. Then the Vatican may promote her to the next step, being declared Blessed. In June, Sister Jeanne Marie, promoter of the Cause of Mother Mary Theresa, received a letter from Father Donald Roszkowski from Peoria, Illinois. In the letter, Father Donald communicated the story of his father John, who lives in Normal, Illinois.
Click Here to Read this article on MotherTheresaDudzik.com

Read Mother Theresa Dudzik's personal memories of seeing the poor and needy in her neighborhood and feeling called to help them. Read about how she founded the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago to aid her in her works of mercy. Read further her own recollections of the deep interior struggles, hardships, and triumphs she experienced as she established the first Chicago nursing home to care for the homeless elderly and orphans of her time. Learn how these initial ministries in healthcare, education, and social work began during the eras of massive economic turmoil, labor strikes and of horrific World War I. Be inspired by Mother Theresa's unwavering faith and trust in God.

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Both paperback editions are also available in the gift shop at: Our Lady of Victory Convent, 11400 Theresa Drive, Lemont, IL, 60439. Call to arrange for curbside cash payment and paperback pickup at (630) 243-3600.