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Our Mission

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As Franciscan women, The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi trust in God's providence and live the Gospel as they nurture a deep sense of the worth of every person and all of creation.


Our Mission as Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi is to further the coming of the reign of God:

  • to live the Gospel;
  • to be faithful to the rule of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis and the Constitutions of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi;
  • to carry forward the dependence upon the Father, prayerfulness, simplicity and hospitality which marked the foundation of the Congregation in Milwaukee;
  • to be available in service to the Church, at home and abroad, in those areas of concern and need that call forth the corporate and personal gifts of our members.

Founded in 1849, The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi is the oldest Franciscan congregation of women founded in the United States. The Sisters supported ministries across the Midwest and beyond, focusing on education, healthcare, and social services. They established numerous ministries such as schools, orphanages, and care facilities, eight of which are still in operation. Each reflects the Franciscan values of respect for human dignity, outreach to the poor, promoting peace and reconciliation, and respect for the environment. They include:


  1. Canticle Court (St. Francis, Wis.) provides HUD-subsidized affordable housing for low-income individuals over 62 and/or those with disabilities.
  2. Juniper Court (St. Francis, Wis.) provides affordable housing and independent living for individuals over 55.
  3. Cardinal Cushing Centers (Braintree and Hanover, Mass.) serve children and adults with developmental disabilities, providing opportunities for every individual to be as independent as possible.
  4. St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care (Milwaukee, Wis.) provides day care for infants through seniors, including persons with disabilities.
  5. St. Coletta of Wisconsin (Jefferson, Wis), is one of the oldest Catholic organizations in the nation providing services for adults with developmental disabilities.
  6. St. Coletta's of Illinois (Tinley Park, Ill.) provides educational, vocational, and residential services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Programming and services include residential and medical care, educational programs and vocational services, religious and pastoral care.
  7. St. Elizabeth School (Baltimore, Md.) provides multi-disciplinary education for students ages 5 through 21 with developmental disabilities.
  8. Franciscan Shore (St. Francis, Wis.) is an assisted living residence for seniors. Founded in 2024 on the grounds of St. Francis Convent, Franciscan Shore includes two wings: Elizabeth Hall Assisted Living Center and Clare Circle Enhanced Care.

Other notable former ministries include St. Mary's Academy and Cardinal Stritch University. Located in St. Francis, St. Mary's Academy operated from 1899 through 1991, educating more than 8,000 young women.


Cardinal Stritch University was originally founded as St. Clare College in 1937 to help the Sisters train effectively as teachers. The school was renamed Cardinal Stritch College in 1946 after Milwaukee's Cardinal Samuel Stritch and later renamed Cardinal Stritch University in 1997. By the time the university closed in 2023, more than 40,000 men and women had graduated with degrees in 60 fields of study throughout four colleges.


The Sisters served the ministries in many roles-from spiritual directors to educators, administrators, healthcare and business professionals. For more than 175 years, The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi have dedicated their lives in service to those in need. Today, they continue to carry out their mission with a focus on advocacy for the marginalized, collaboration with diverse communities, and a commitment to the spiritual and educational needs of future generations.


Contact us today to learn how you can help us fulfill our mission. We would also greatly appreciate if you could give us your feedback to help us enhance our service to you.