The Oldenburg Franciscans Participate In The Year Of Mercy
he Sisters of Saint Francis, Oldenburg, like all religious communities relate very well to the Year of Mercy. It is very much our life.
Many of the Oldenburg sisters work with the poor and marginalized, but two sisters in particular are working tirelessly in Cincinnati to help those in need. Sister Janet has spent years living with the poor and spending endless hours at Purcell Marian High School helping the at risk students to succeed. They have few good role models in their lives and little support. Sister Janet is there to help them with their needs, which may be money for food or bus fare enabling them to get to and from school as well as encouraging them to achieve their full potential. She challenges them to be their best. She loves them and they know it.
Sister Margaret is another selfless person who helps senior citizens remain in their homes by making home visits to see what their needs may be. Then she searches for organizations which will help fill those needs – whether it is cost of prescriptions, trips to the doctor or energy and food bills. There are times that she has had to use her own money to help.
Our sisters also minister to the poor in Kentucky. With the help of volunteers they have set up second-hand shops in parishes for those in need. Treating people with dignity is as important as clothing their bodies, the sisters say. They help the people see the face of God when they meet their needs with dignity and caring.
Our retired sisters at the Motherhouse are actively involved in works of mercy too. Many of our sisters were able to collect household products needed for struggling families. They then filled bags with these products to distribute to those in need. We also have sisters who work in the food pantry in the nearby town and help stock shelves or fill bags with food to give to the needy. Helping tutor Chinese children with their English so they can graduate (along with helping them to understand our American customs) is also part of their daily lives.
Our sisters have been and still are working in New Mexico and among the Native Americans in Montana, helping wherever there is a need. The sisters help serve the poor by giving away blankets, dispensing medicine and feeding the needy families. A Prayer Lodge has been established in Montana as a place for the people to pray, spend quiet time and make retreats.
Our Community was founded as a teaching community. Our main focus was to educate, and with our meager finances we help parishes to build schools so that children could receive an education. Many times our sisters did without in order for the schools to survive. The sisters now are involved in many ministries, reaching out to minister to God’s people. We go where the need is and where God leads us.
Sister Irma teaches fourth grade at St. James School in Haubstadt, where she also serves the parish as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector.
