Franciscan Sisters of Chicago News Articles
The History of
Madonna High School
The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago founded Madonna High School in Chicago in 1949. Over the years, thousands of young women were embraced by both Sisters and lay teachers who dedicated their lives to the education and empowerment of women.
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The Sisters at St. Florian in Hegewisch
The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago have a long history in the ministry of education as many Sisters in their
Congregation served in schools across the Chicago area and several states across the United States. One of the earliest schools where the Sisters taught was St. Florian in Hegewisch, a community in Chicago located on the south side of the city. Click here to read article.​
The Storyteller
Florence Nightingale. Diana Spencer (Princess of Wales). Eleanor Roosevelt. St. Clare of Assisi. Mary Magdelene. These are just some of the famous women from history that theater artist and storyteller Megan Wells has brought to life.
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They Might Be Saints
What is a miracle? The Catholic Church defines a miracle as a sign or wonder from God, such as a medical healing which can only be attributed to divine power. These wonders of God can be manifested directly or indirectly through prayers to specific Catholic saints and religious figures.
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The Making of a Saint
On September 13, Michael O'Neill, host of the weekly EWTN radio show, The Miracle Hunter, and the television show, Explore with the Miracle Hunter, visited the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.
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An Interview with
Sr. Lois Marie Rossi
Sr. Lois Marie Rossi has been a Franciscan Sister of Chicago for 65 years. She joined the congregation in
1958 and chose nursing as her ministry. She became an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) then later an RN (Registered Nurse).
​Click here to read article.
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St. Joseph Village of Chicago
Celebrated 125th Anniversary
This year marks the 125th Anniversary of St. Joseph Village of Chicago. In 1898, the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, led by their Foundress Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik, opened St. Joseph Home for the Aged and Crippled in Chicago.
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The Miracle at Assisi Hill
Local Lemont author Pat Camalliere has written a novel inspired by Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik titled The Miracle at Assisi Hill. She recently sat down for an interview discussing the project and how she learned of Mother Mary Theresa's story. The book has now been published and is available for purchase.
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Swinging for the Sisters
Golf Outing
The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago held their 14th annual Swinging for the Sisters Golf Outing on June 13, at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club in Lemont. This year we were blessed with beautiful weather as 122 golfers came out to support the Sisters' ministries.
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A Chicago Hero
Joe Malham, an artist-in-residence and iconographer at St. Gregory the Great Church in Chicago, was recently featured in Chicago Catholic for his beautiful art series entitled “Chicago Heroes.” The series focused on holy Catholics who ministered in the Archdiocese of Chicago and accomplished great things in their lifetimes. Click here to read article.
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A New Design for Heritage Hall
On the first floor of Our Lady of Victory Convent is a room dedicated to the extensive history and legacy of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. This room is called Heritage Hall and it documents the start of the Congregation, the life of its foundress, Venerable Mary Theresa Dudzik, and pays tribute to all those who served as Franciscan Sisters of Chicago in the many ministries the Sisters sponsored for over 125 years. Click here to read article.
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In the Company of Saints
In 1958, a priest by the name of the Reverend Henry M. Malak visited the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago's Motherhouse in Lemont, Illinois, to give a retreat to the members of the Our Lady of Czestochowa Society. Click here to read article.
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The History of Venerable Mary Theresa Dudzik’s Saintly Cause
Since the 10th Century, the Catholic Church has felt that its duty is to search and find “wonderful workers of God,” individuals referred to as saints. The Vatican defines a saint as a person who lived a virtuous life, offered their life formothers, and who is worthy of imitation or was martyred for his or her faith. In order for the individual to be named a saint, they must be canonized.
I was a Girl in Boys Town by Sister Kathleen Melia, OSF
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. Click here to read article.
Laudato Si' Action Platform - On Care for Our Common Home
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In 2015, Pope Francis issued his second encyclical to the world, entitled Laudato Si', on care for our common home. This encyclical is a direct appeal to citizens of Earth to begin a discussion about the future of our planet. The title is an Umbrian phrase which translates to "Praise be to you." Click here to read article.
Sister Joseph Marie Zenda: Bloom Where You are Planted
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Sister, teacher, principal, General Minister and Chief Executive Officer, Sister Joseph Marie Zenda has served in many different roles in her time as both a Franciscan Sister of Chicago and a leader with Franciscan Ministries. Click here to read article.
An Interview with Regina Umanskiy
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This past summer Regina Umanskiy was selected as President and CEO of Franciscan Ministries, replacing Judy Amiano, who retired earlier in the year. She recently sat down for an interview to discuss her background, her inspirations, and her new role at Franciscan Ministries. Click here to read article.
The First School - SS. Peter and Paul School, Spring Valley, Illinois
In 1901, the Reverend Andrew Drewnicki, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Spring Valley, Illinois, sent a request to the Franciscan Sisters of Blessed Kunegunda (the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago’s original congregational name) to have Sisters staff and teach at his newly established school. Click here to read article.
The FSC Peace Pole
At the entrance of Our Lady of Victory Convent in Lemont stands the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago (FSC) peace pole. This peace pole serves as a monument to inspire others to spread the message and prayer of world peace with the hope that one day we may achieve a better world. Click here to read article.
A Statue Connecting Our Foundresses
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The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago and the Sisters of St. Casimir have had a bond over the years. Recently it was discovered that bond goes back even further to the beginning days of the formation of their congregations. The story came to light with a beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Click here to read article.