Sylvania Franciscans-Sisters of St. Francis

06/13/2026

Today was a historical day in the life of the Ursuline Sisters of Toledo.

At the last General Chapter meeting of the Ursuline Sisters, March 11, 2026, the Ursuline Sisters of Toledo approved of a new form of government for their Community. Today, in a simple, meaningful ceremony which took place in the Ursuline Center Chapel with Ursuline Sisters and Associates and a large number of Sylvania Franciscan Sisters present, Sister Sandy Sherman, present Superior, invited Sister Sharon Derivan, Congregational Minister of the Sylvania Franciscans, and Sister Shannon Schrein, her delegate to the Ursulines, to come forth and assume this Canonical responsibility. A delightful luncheon followed.

Please follow the link to the Ursuline Sisters’ website where you can read about the Transfer of Leadership.

https://www.ursulinecenter.org/

Photo: Sister Shannon Schrein, OSF/S, Sister Donna Frey, OSU, Sister Sandy Sherman, OSU, and Sister Sharon Derivan, OSF/S

06/12/2026

Last week, Community Gardeners helped care for the landscape by removing invasive plants that were in flower. The blooms were then gathered and brought indoors, paired with an older arrangement that still had lots of life, and transformed into new bouquets.

Using repurposed empty candle jars from chapel, the novice florists were able to make 15 beautiful arrangements and distribute them to Our Lady of Grace Hall and Rosary Care Center.

06/12/2026

O Love that is God — today we celebrate the Heart that holds all of creation. Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

06/11/2026

In third grade at Our Lady Queen of Heaven School in Detroit, MI, Sister Faith’s teacher asked her if she had ever considered becoming a Sister. “I never forgot that question. It was nurtured by the faith of my family and the example of the Sisters who taught me. The answer to the question eventually became a desire that has stayed with me through the years. It proved to be the first of many desires that God placed in my heart,” Sister M. Faith remembers.

Sister made first profession in 1966 and began the ministry of education, teaching grades 1 and 2 in OH and MN from 1965-1981. Sister Faith then served in the role of Formation and Novice Director at the Motherhouse until 1987 and as a Pastoral Associate at St. Pius X Parish in Toledo until 1990.

From 1989 – 1997, Sister Faith ministered at Bethany House as the Assistant Director and later Director. Sister became a Chaplain and ministered at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI from 2000-2020. She currently works in Pastoral Care and as a volunteer with two parishes in Michigan.

“Some of the desires God put in my heart included teaching little ones, assisting those who were in formation discerning their own call, serving survivors of domestic violence at Bethany House and supporting the sick and dying as a Chaplain. I truly believe God called me to each diverse role because I always found unfailing grace and an unexpected awareness of God’s presence in those I served. God has certainly blessed my heart’s desires and being a Franciscan Sister has drawn me closer to God. I’m so grateful,” Sister Faith says.

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

The Old West End Festival is such an iconic and important celebration, a place where diversity is a strength in which the individuals and families who live there find unity in community.

As the OWE community grieves and heals, may they grow even stronger and more vibrant in their commitment to their values and their neighborhoods. Our Sisters hope and prayer is for the healing of the victims and that the OWE continues to be a model of a community who has always grown stronger after facing adversity together.

06/08/2026

Birthday Blessings, Sister Jeremias!

06/07/2026

Sister Ann Carmen was born in Modica, Sicily, raised in the Saints Peter and Paul Parish of Sandusky, OH, and entered the Sylvania Franciscans in 1963. Sister made first profession in 1966 and proceeded to “learn from my Sisters how to bring a song of joy and love to all those who need it.”

Sister taught grades 3 – 8 until 1973 and then taught music and religion at Cardinal Stritch for over a decade. She served as Vocations Director for the community, Liturgist and Campus Ministry Director at Lourdes University, and as VP of Mission & Ministry and Director of Liturgy from 2000-2020 at Lourdes University.

Sister Ann Carmen reflects, “It’s difficult to pick just one moment over 60+ years of Franciscan life and ministry. What I think of instead is how the themes of music and beauty have been woven through these years. Music has taken me into so many parishes and schools, playing for liturgies, prayer services, and programs. I’ve been blessed with former students who continue to reach out and share how their experiences with music became a way for them to become confident and learn that they were capable of more than they ever imagined.

“I give thanks to the cast of characters for the life-giving memories … of ice cream scoops, shared breakfasts, prayer gatherings, our Franciscan celebrations, outreach opportunities around world issues, mission moments, and times to reconnect with the past and move it forward.”

For those who know Sister Ann Carmen, this favorite quote, a line from Dag Hammarskjold’s journal, Markings, rings true to her spirit: “For all that has been – thanks! For all that shall be – yes!”

06/06/2026

Birthday Blessings, Sister Grace Ellen!

06/05/2026