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In 1901, forty-six women, members of the School Sisters of St. Francis located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, responded to the need to educate Polish immigrant families. Under the leadership of foundresses Mothers Felicia and Clara, and with the assistance of Bishop Sebastian Messmer (Bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin) and Father Luke Pescinski (Pastor of St. Peter Parish in Stevens Point, Wisconsin), these women risked everything and left the School Sisters of St. Francis. The call of 'who will teach the children?' provided the impetus to begin a new community.
On July 1, 1901, the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, originally known as the Polish Sisters of St. Joseph, was founded in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. On May 20, 1902, the cornerstone was laid on what was to become the first school and eventual Motherhouse of the new congregation. Begun initially as a diocesan community, the Constitution was approved in Rome by the Holy See. The community continued to grow and to minister to those in need.
As the congregation grew, three Provinces were established: Stevens Point, Wisconsin (1903); Garfield Heights, Ohio (1926); and Chicago, Illinois (1936). The Provinces expanded the community's mission to educate and many educational institutions were founded. Visit the "Sponsored Institutions" page of this section for more information.
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