Spreading the Good News Still Mission Of Franciscan Sisters of Peekskill

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The Franciscan Sisters of Peekskill put on their gray robes and traditional habits each morning, but most importantly, they put on their smiles—perhaps their greatest tool of evangelization.

The 33 sisters in Peekskill are of the congregation of Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, as they are formally known. Their reputation is one of faith, optimism and joy.

“We consider evangelization as our priority, as accomplished through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, addressing the present needs of the people of God as we discover them. All of our ministries center around the needs of the Church and our ability to respond to them, always obedient to God’s will, with a spirit of self-sacrifice and total availability,” states the sisters’ mission, as written on their website.

Servant of God Father Gregorio Fioravanti and noblewoman Laura Leroux, Duchess of Beauffremont, founded the Peekskill Franciscans, as the congregation is commonly known. At first, there were only three sisters sent to America from Italy, Switzerland and Austria, by Father Fioravanti. They served at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Manhattan with migrants, orphans and the poor. From those three brave sisters, the numbers grew.

In 1869, the sisters founded their provincial headquarters in Peekskill at Mount St. Francis, where the sisters live today. The sisters serve as missionaries in 20 countries around the world.

The sisters have been serving in New York for 150 years. A Mass to be offered at Mount St. Francis on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m., will close the anniversary year. Cardinal Dolan will be the principal celebrant.

The outwardly simple-looking Mount St. Francis offers a glorious view of the Hudson River, making visitors feel as if they are stepping into a different world when they arrive. With crisp, white walls and bright, vibrant paintings of the angels and saints in the Chapel of St. Margaret of Cortona, the sights keep one’s eyes and mind affixed firmly on what is most important—God.

All around are photographs and memorabilia of the sisters working throughout history, serving as mementos of all the good that the sisters have accomplished in New York and New Jersey.

Throughout the past 150 years, the sisters have ministered largely through teaching in elementary and high schools, and also serving as nurses at hospitals, in prison ministry, as social workers and much more. In all things, they spread the Good News, their main mission being one of evangelization.

Sister Laura Morgan, F.M.S.C., the order’s provincial, said, “Our ministries today are limited, but our older sisters are amazing in that many of them do whatever they can do.”

“They can’t go out and teach anymore, so we try to have programs here,” she explained. “They talk to people, they are here for them.”

“The sisters make you feel that you are someone. That God loves you,” said Luz Pesantez, a single mother who is an immigrant from South America and now lives in the area with her 8-year-old daughter, Amira.

“They have that instinct to help people, and they tell you how wonderful life is. It’s contagious. They’re very positive people,” said Ms. Pesantez, who first met the sisters more than eight years ago when she started working in the sisters’ kitchen as a dishwasher. Ms. Pesantez, 43, told CNY that being a single mother comes with its own challenges, but the sisters have always been there for both her and her daughter.

One sister in particular, Sister Francis Marie, F.M.S.C., who is 103, has had a great influence on Ms. Pesantez and her outlook on life. “Even if it is a rainy day, she is always positive. She makes you feel the same way,” she said.

A spunky Sister Francis Marie told CNY, “I love spending my time praying, especially for the community. That’s what helps to keep us going. We’re still here, aren’t we?”

The sisters are up early every day, with morning prayer at 7:10 a.m., the celebration of Mass at 7:30 a.m. and evening prayer at 5 p.m. Even when there is no scheduled prayer time, the sisters continue praying.

With verve and commitment like that, it’s no wonder that Sister Laura refers to the veteran sisters as “The Powerhouses of Prayer.”

“The sisters will tell us, ‘I’m praying you home,’” she told CNY. She noted that hearing those words provides a great deal of peace and comfort. That sort of interaction is crucial since community life is so important to the order.

When asked about the importance of prayer, Sister Charlene, 93, said, “Pray. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do? Prayer changes everything. We all have to ask God for his help.”