Sister Marian Sgriccia, Provincial Minister for the School Sisters of Saint Francis, recognizes that the road ahead for Catholic ministries is uncertain. So, to make sure they are not walking that road alone, Sister Marian and her fellow Sisters partnered with the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania and established two new funds to help secure the future of their ministries and strengthen relationships with their supporters.
“Through our partnership with the Catholic Foundation, we have a trusted ally who brings financial acumen, investment opportunities, mission alignment, and a heart for collaborative ministry,” Sister Marian said.
“We recognize that the needs of the Church, and the world, are not the same as they were 100 years ago. We need to respond to the signs of the times.”
As the Catholic Foundation’s 117th partner, Sister Marian wants to leverage the guidance provided by the Foundation.
“We hope to raise awareness about the Order’s mission so we can make even greater use of our resources,” she said.
Two New Funds Created for the School Sisters of St. Francis
For more than 111 years, the Order has delivered on its promise to offer education and service in the communities where the various Sisters were located. To make sure that promise lasts forever, the Sisters created two new endowment funds: The Antonia Lampel Scholarship Endowment Fund and the School Sisters of St. Francis Ministry Fund.
The Lampel scholarship fund provides support for annual scholarship awards for students who are or who will be attending a Catholic school or college in the United States with preference to students residing in the Diocese of Allentown and the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
The ministry fund was created to support the various ministries and activities that reflect the Sisters’ Franciscan values of justice, peace, and care for creation.
“Our charism has always been about more than classroom teaching,” Sister Marian said. “It is about lifting up the poor, serving with compassion, and always being ready to adapt.
“These funds, and the support of the Catholic Foundation, connects us with our donors so we can work together on achieving our mission.”
With a shared Catholic identity and mission-driven approach, the Catholic Foundation helps ensure that gifts made to these funds are both strategic and spiritually meaningful.
“One of the most compelling aspects of the Sisters’ relationship with the Catholic Foundation is the opportunity it creates for deeper donor engagement,” said Sister Bonnie Kleinschuster, Provincial Councilor and Treasurer.
Because of their small staff, Sister Bonnie said the Catholic Foundation offers tools like planned giving support, donor consultations, and communication resources that they simply could not do on their own.
“The Catholic Foundation offers the expertise and stewardship needed to help us carry our mission forward and to invite others into it,” Sister Bonnie said.
A Legacy Rooted in Education and Service
Founded in the 19th century by Mother Frances Antonia Lampel, the School Sisters of St. Francis always placed a strong emphasis on education, especially for young women. That foundation continues with their commitment today to support schools, parishes, health, and spiritual ministries, and many more.
“We educate in many ways, through schools, parish work, spiritual formation, and healthcare,” Sister Marian said.
Now based in Pittsburgh, the Sisters focus on mentoring, advocacy, and spiritual education in schools and through ministries like the Franciscan Resource Center and the Monocacy Farm Project in Bethlehem, which combines sustainability, education, and food justice.
Growing Together as Mission Partners
By collaborating with the Catholic Foundation, the Sisters found a way to extend their reach, grow their legacy, and welcome a new generation of mission partners, while continuing to thrive in new and transformative ways.