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Blessing the Journey
Living the Mission
Embracing the Future
"Today, we joyfully announce the beginning of a sacred milestone: the 125th Anniversary of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. We invite you to join us throughout this anniversary year as we celebrate God's goodness."
Throughout the year, we will be sharing our stories, hopes, and prayers on Facebook, Instagram, our website, and YouTube. We invite you to follow along as we celebrate the vibrant and meaningful ways we are living the mission in our communities right now.
As we look ahead, we do so with hope and trust in God's unfolding plan — honoring our past, living fully in the present, and responding in new ways to God's invitation.
A glimpse into the rich history of our Congregation — the women, the moments, and the communities that shaped who we are across 125 years.
Sr. Carol Liszka shares her favorite prayers.
"For a long time the serenity prayer was my frequent prayer.
Then as we worked the land at Ain Karim it became “The Messenger” by Mary Oliver.
Now it is, “Be still, and know that I am Your God.”"
Sr. MaryLou Wojtusik reflects on those who influenced her life.
"The most significant influence in my life came, not from one person, but from the sister-members of the Saint Francis Region. Together…Through study, speakers, research, vibrant conversation, we experienced a deepening understanding of our Gospel/Franciscan life, of striving to build a world of justice and peace. We shared common beliefs, values and lived actions regarding opting for the poor in our ministries, choice of residence, leadership sharing, and mutual support. The bond we established with one another will remain with me for all my life."
Sr. Barbara Knauf reflects on a significant difference a sister made in her life.
"When I moved into the Mother House in Stevens Point, WI as a Candidate I was welcomed by everyone. My room was below Sister Esther Romalke and she taught me a lot about living in a community. She may not have known but her wisdom in how she lived and treated others influenced my formation and future as a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis."
Sr. Sandy LoPorto reflects on how she has experienced community.
"As a newly professed sisters in 1966, we left our closed convent living and attended Alverno College beside other women who attended - This was a form of new “community living”, preaching the Gospel. Now, living in an independent apartment building, having moved out of our convent building, my new “community living” is among the residents who live here. We talk with each other, we support each other, we live “community”, and the Gospel is preached!"
Sr. Mary Ellen Diermeier reflects on her favorite Scripture passage.
"The Scripture Reading that has defined my life in Religious Community has been based on the Blessed Mother's “Magnificat” – her prayer of praise for all that God had done for her. I echo the Blessed Mother's words in thanking God for all that He has done for me. Knowing how God has guided me in the past, gives me hope and confidence in the future. I may not know where God is leading our Community or what it may look like in the future, but I trust that God will continue to provide."
Sr. Marcia Lambert reflects on the greatest contribution we as Franciscans can make for our wounded world.
"We can continue to make us all more aware of God's dream for all:
Striving to become more alert to injustices that are surrounding us,
Willing to speak up for those that society tends to cast aside in a loving manner.
Assisting to address the need for better cooperation and understanding throughout the world.
Continuing to seek the wisdom to ensure quality of life for our common humanity."
Sr. Eunice Beaudin reflects on the Sisters who came before.
"As we pause to celebrate our Anniversary year, I want to reflect back to the Sisters who have once graced our community, our membership, and who influenced and guided many through their example of dedication, faith and generosity in sharing their talents, their wisdom and loving guidance making our lives more fulfilling."
Sr. Alice Chmura reflects on what makes her life fulfilling.
"The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass makes my day fulfilling because the Mass is the greatest wonder in the world. It is the greatest gift I can give to others."
"I always feel the presence of God. I don't feel alone. The presence of God is deep within me."
"God has blessed me as a Sister of St. Joseph TOSF by gracing me with a life of service as a Teacher, Director of Religious Education, Pastoral Minister, and POA for many Sisters. These ministries enabled me to grow in gratitude, compassion, and love for God and those I served."
Gracious God, we are grateful for 125 years of presence in our world as the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.
We thank You for blessing our journey and for the visionary women who cleared the path before us. Their courage is our foundation; their sacrifice is our strength; their legacy lights our way.
Give us insight and wisdom for living our mission today. Help us to see Your face in those around us, being truly present, and reflecting Your love in all we do.
Strengthen our hearts to embrace our future. With faith we move forward to meet the evolving changes in our world. Together we journey with certain hope into the future. May Your goodness continue to shine through us.
Before You O Lord we give our lives that find their goodness in Your life O Lord. Amen.
Each month during our 125th Anniversary year, we gather in prayer — honoring our past, celebrating our present, and entrusting our future to God. You may use the prayer privately, share it with others, or join us every first Sunday at 3:00 pm ET on Zoom: us06web.zoom.us.
Prepared by Sr. Sharon Dillon
This service invites us to focus on St. Clare's "Gaze, Consider, Contemplate" method of prayer and our shared Franciscan call to radical poverty and light.
Setting: A central candle (The Light of Christ) surrounded by a mirror, or with individual mirrors, and simple garden elements reminding us of Clare's love for creation.
From the SSJ-TOSF Constitution:
"In the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare, we commit ourselves to a life of poverty, realizing that we own nothing, but receive all as a gift from God. This poverty of spirit frees us to be available to the needs of the world, especially the marginalized, as we strive to be a source of peace and reconciliation."
From the Third Order Rule of Life (TOR):
"The sisters and brothers should love God with their whole heart... and they should love their neighbors as themselves. Let them manifest their love for one another by the works they do." (Chapter III, 11)
St. Clare often spoke of the soul as a mirror. To gaze into the mirror of the Cross is not to see sorrow, but to see the radical vulnerability of a God who emptied Himself for us. Our Constitution reminds us that "owning nothing" isn't about lack; it's about making room. When we are empty of "self-importance," we are finally full enough to see others.
"When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him... Whenever the Israelites saw the face of Moses, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord."
Just as Moses reflected the glory of God after being in the Holy One's presence, St. Clare taught that by gazing at the Mirror (Christ), our own lives begin to radiate that same light. In the SSJ-TOSF tradition, our "radiance" is found in our simple service and presence among the people.
Question 1
In the busyness of this August, what "clutter", mental or material, is preventing me from truly gazing at the needs of my neighbor?
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
The Third Order Rule calls us to "manifest love through works." This transformation mentioned by St. Paul is the "inner work" that makes our "outer works" authentic. We move from contemplating the Lord's glory to becoming His image in the world. Clare lived a cloistered life, yet her light reached the entire city of Assisi. Our Franciscan calling is to be "laborers with God." We do not just look at the Light; we are called to reflect it into the dark corners of our modern world.
Question 2
How can my specific ministry or daily actions act as a mirror, reflecting God's compassion to someone who feels forgotten?
Clare's final words were, "Blessed be You, my Lord, for having created me." She saw her very existence as a gift. Our Constitution echoes this, stating we "receive all as a gift." In a world of "earning" and "deserving," the Franciscan way is one of radical gratitude and dependence on the Divine.
Question 3
If I viewed every person and challenge I encounter today as a 'gift received,' how would my response change?
Leader: Most Holy Mother Clare, you who were the first "little plant" of the Blessed Francis, help us to remain rooted in the soil of humility.
All: May we gaze upon the Christ, consider His poverty, and contemplate His love, until we become what we behold. Grant us the grace to be sisters and brothers of the light, today and always. Amen.
"The Blessing of St. Clare" (Edmondson)
A song for St Clare of Assisi — on YouTube
The Blessing of St. Clare of Assisi is one of the most poignant pieces of Franciscan literature. It's a rhythmic, soulful piece of advice originally written to Agnes of Prague, capturing Clare's philosophy of "spiritual holding."
"What you hold, may you always hold. What you do, may you always do and never abandon. But with swift pace, light step, unswerving feet, so that even as you walk you do not stir up any dust, go forward securely, joyfully, and swiftly, on the path of prudent happiness."
Clare wasn't talking about holding onto material possessions. Instead, her "holding" is about consistency and gaze.
"What you hold": This refers to the Mirror of Eternity—the divine. She's encouraging you to keep your focus locked on your highest values and your spiritual source.
"Never abandon": It's an anthem for perseverance. She wrote this to a friend who was facing immense pressure to give up her simple life for a more "sensible," comfortable one.
"Do not stir up any dust": This is a beautiful metaphor for living with grace and minimal ego. It suggests moving through the world so lightly and peacefully that you don't cause unnecessary friction or drama
We gather as a community of hope, joined by our sisters and brothers, our friends, our neighbors, united with all of Creation. This is the day, this is the hour and the moment God gives us. Let us all rejoice and give thanks.
Today we mark 125 years of following the path of Jesus in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare. We honor our Founding Mothers Felicia and Clara and the 48 pioneer sisters who on July 1st, 1901 courageously stepped forward into an unknown future. 125 years later, that same Spirit moves through us and we are grateful.
Response: "We carry the light forward."
For the courage of our founding sisters who answered the call to serve the Polish immigrant communities in the Midwest. May we honor their legacy by remaining a "constant presence" in the lives of those seeking hope.
For the thousands of hands that have healed in our hospitals and the voices that have shaped minds in our schools. May we continue to see the face of Christ in every person we serve.
In the spirit of St. Francis, we pray for our commitment to the Earth, our Common Home. May we be humble stewards who protect the soil, the water, and our siblings in the web of creation.
For the SSJ-TOSF family — our sisters, associates, and partners in mission. Grant us the grace to listen deeply to the needs of the time and the boldness to respond with Franciscan joy.
Through the intercession of St. Joseph and St. Francis, hear the prayers of your people. You have sustained this congregation through 125 years of change and challenge; continue to pour out your Spirit upon us. Amen.
Prepared by Sr. Barb Krakora · Suggested length: 30–40 minutes
Today we gather in gratitude for the gift of our lives and for the many seasons through which God has accompanied us in these past 125 years. There are seasons when we feel that our light is strong and bright. There are other seasons when we wonder if our light has grown dim. And there are seasons when we discover something beautiful: God is not finished with us.
Like a flower that continues to unfold, we continue to grow, to deepen, to give, and to become.
"These symbolize our Social Justice focus for the year: Immigrants."
During this Anniversary Year, we are called not only to remember but to act. As a congregation founded by immigrant women, we want to recognize and celebrate the positive contributions of immigrants in our society and of their courage in seeking safety, dignity, and welcome.
This year we will show our recognition and support of immigrants by wearing a brown ribbon. In wearing this ribbon, we recognize immigrants as positive members of our human family who deserve dignity and respect, rather than suspicion. As a communal symbol of solidarity, the Sisters invite you to join us in wearing a brown ribbon as a visible sign of this commitment.
A special word of gratitude goes to Sister Gretchen Clark, who hand-assembled 350 brown ribbons — an extraordinary gift of time, patience, and love.
Brown is the universal color chosen to honor those who journey across borders in search of hope — reminding us of our shared connection to the earth and to one another. It says, "I see the dignity in every person."
The safety pin attached marks the wearer as a safe person — someone who offers kindness and a heart of peace.
Need a ribbon? Additional ribbons are available upon request — contact us at PO Box 305, Stevens Point WI 54481-0305.
We invite you to join us in a spirit of gratitude and reflection. Our journey has been defined by the lives we've touched and the communities we've served — and we would be honored to have you celebrate this anniversary year with us.
Reach out to a Sister or Associate who has made a difference in your life. A simple note of thanks means the world. Send us a short video greeting expressing your congratulations and gratitude, and it will be posted on this page. Send your video to nunbutbarb4@gmail.com.
Express your congratulations by card, or share a message on our Facebook page. Every word of encouragement is a gift.
Mail to: Sisters of St. Joseph TOSF · 125th Anniversary
PO Box 305, Stevens Point WI 54481-0305
Attend one of our two liturgical celebrations in April 2027 — in Garfield Heights, Ohio or Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
See the celebration dates below ↓
Share a favorite memory or experience with our Sisters on Facebook. Your story is part of our story.
Consider a donation to a parish or institution where our Sisters have ministered — honoring their legacy through generosity.
Make a direct donation in honor of a specific Sister whose life and ministry has touched your own.
Give Online →St. Monica Catholic Church
Garfield Heights, Ohio
St. Peter Catholic Church
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
We welcome you to walk with us throughout this year of remembrance and renewal. Letters, cards, and messages are a true blessing to our Sisters.
Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis 125th AnniversaryJoin us as we officially open the anniversary year together — open to all who wish to celebrate.
Sunday, September 6 at 3:00 pm ET · Prepared by Sr. Barb Krakora
A service of gratitude for every season of our 125 years, and an invitation to let God's light shine through us just as we are now. Suggested length: 30–40 minutes.
Today we gather in gratitude for the gift of our lives and for the many seasons through which God has accompanied us in these past 125 years. There are seasons when we feel that our light is strong and bright. There are other seasons when we wonder if our light has grown dim. And there are seasons when we discover something beautiful: God is not finished with us.
Like a flower that continues to unfold, we continue to grow, to deepen, to give, and to become. Today we are invited to remember that our light does not come from what we accomplish. Our light comes from God. And wherever we are in the journey, God can still shine through us.
God of light and life, You have walked with us through every season of our lives. You have been with us in our beginnings, in our growing, in our struggles, in our joys, in our losses, and in our moments of new discovery. You have never stopped calling us.
Help us to see ourselves as you see us: beloved, precious, gifted, and still becoming. Open our hearts today to the light you have placed within us. Help us not to hide that light because we think our best days are behind us. Help us to recognize that every season has its own beauty, every age has its own wisdom, and every life has something still to give.
May the light of Christ shine through us and may our lives become a blessing to others. All: Amen.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden… Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Jesus does not say, "You might become the light." He says, "You are the light." The light is already there. Our task is not to manufacture the light. Our task is to allow God's light to shine through us.
Jesus does not say that our light is only needed when we are young, energetic, successful, or productive. There is no expiration date on discipleship. There is no retirement age for love. Our light may change as we grow older. But it does not become less valuable.
Sometimes the light is found in a smile, a prayer, a listening ear, a word of encouragement, a blessing, or simply the quiet presence of someone who has learned how to love.
Reflection after the video: Perhaps we sometimes think our light must be spectacular. But Franciscan spirituality reminds us of something different. Francis of Assisi did not change the world through wealth, power, or prestige. He chose simplicity. He chose joy. He chose compassion. He chose to see Christ in the poor, the forgotten, and the vulnerable. His light shone because he allowed God's love to become visible through his life.
Clare did the same. Their light was not about themselves. It pointed beyond themselves to God. That is the invitation given to us: Let your light shine — not so that people will notice you, but so that they may encounter God's love through you.
Reflect and Share
What light has God given me? Where is God asking me to let that light shine now?
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"
Leader: Sometimes we live looking backward. We remember who we once were. We remember what we could once do. We remember the ministries we once held, the work we once accomplished, the responsibilities we once carried. And sometimes we quietly say: "Those were my best years."
But God says: "See, I am doing something new." Perhaps our lives do not bloom in exactly the same way forever. A flower does not remain forever in spring. But every season has its own beauty. The bud is beautiful. The blossom is beautiful. The autumn colors are beautiful. Even the seed lying quietly in the earth has within it the promise of life.
God is not asking us to become who we once were. God is inviting us to become who we are now.
Read and reflect on the song's lyrics, printed in the service booklet, and then watch the video: In My Bloom — on YouTube.
Reflect and Share
What is blooming in me now? What wisdom has grown in me? What compassion? What freedom? What gift do I still have to share?
Take a deep breath. Imagine yourself as a flower in God's garden. You did not choose the soil. You did not choose the season. You did not choose all the storms or droughts that came along the way. But God was with you through all of it.
And somehow, through grace, you bloomed. Perhaps you are still blooming. Perhaps you are blooming in a way you never expected. Perhaps your gifts today are not the things you once did, but the person you have become. Remain in silence.
"Remain in me, as I remain in you… Whoever remains in me and I in them will bear much fruit."
"Remain." There is great freedom in that word. We do not have to prove our worth. We do not have to compete. We do not have to compare our lives with anyone else's. We simply remain connected to Christ. And when we remain in Christ, fruit comes. Love comes. Peace comes. Wisdom comes. Kindness comes. Compassion comes. Joy comes.
The fruit of a lifetime may be most visible in the people whose lives we have touched. A child we taught. A person we encouraged. A community we served. Someone who needed us to listen. Someone who needed forgiveness. Someone who simply needed to know that they mattered. That may be our bloom. That may be our light.
Francis of Assisi once looked at creation and saw not merely objects, but brothers and sisters. Brother Sun. Sister Moon. Brother Wind. Sister Water. Mother Earth. Francis understood that everything has a purpose in God's beautiful creation.
A flower does not apologize because it is not a tree. The moon does not apologize because it does not shine like the sun. The autumn leaf does not apologize because it is not a spring blossom. Each has its own season. Each has its own beauty. Each gives glory to God simply by being what God created it to be.
Perhaps that is a message we need to hear as well. We do not have to be who we once were. We do not have to be someone else. We simply need to be faithful to who God is calling us to be now.
Reflect and Share
What is one gift God has placed within me that I can still share? What is God bringing to life in me at this stage of my journey? Who might need the gift that only I can give? Where is God asking me to bring light, peace, joy, or compassion?
Leader: For the light of Christ that shines within each of us… All: Help us let it shine.
Leader: For the wisdom that has come through the years… All: Help us share it generously.
Leader: For the wounds that have taught us compassion… All: Help us bring healing.
Leader: For the people who have helped us bloom… All: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: For the people whose lives have been touched by our presence… All: We give you thanks, O God.
Leader: For the gifts that remain within us… All: Help us use them for your glory.
Leader: For the new things you are bringing to life within us… All: Give us courage to embrace them.
Leader: For the light we sometimes forget we carry… All: Remind us that we are your beloved.
Leader: For every season of our lives… All: We give you thanks.
May God bless the light within you. May God bless the wisdom you have gathered. May God bless the wounds that have become places of compassion. May God bless the gifts you continue to share. May God give you the courage to bloom wherever you are planted.
And may the light of Christ shine through you in this very moment, and in all the moments still to come. May you continue to bless. May you continue to bring color into the world. And may your life always point beyond yourself to the God who is Love. All: Amen.
Today, we joyfully announce the beginning of a sacred milestone: the 125th Anniversary of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. We invite you to join us throughout this anniversary year as we celebrate God's goodness.
One hundred and twenty-five years ago, a foundation of faith was laid by women of courage and vision. Founded in 1901 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, our Sisters answered God's call by responding to the needs of the time — educating the children of Polish immigrants and offering hope rooted in faith.
This anniversary is, above all, a moment of gratitude: for these women who came before us, for their trust in God, and for the strong foundation they built through lives of prayer, service, and love.
As Franciscans, we have witnessed God's goodness in countless ways. From our beginnings, the Spirit led us to expand our ministries beyond Wisconsin to other states including Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Connecticut, and even even across borders to Brazil, Puerto Rico, Africa, and Peru.
We honor this journey shaped by faith and guided by the Spirit: a journey of listening, responding, and walking alongside those in need, a journey of ministering in schools, hospitals, and parishes, touching lives and strengthening communities. As we reflect on where we have been, we recognize that every step has been a blessing. And so, we celebrate this moment in time by blessing the journey that has brought us here.
In this anniversary year, we recommit ourselves as faithful women and partners continuing the work entrusted to us. Together, we are living the mission and responding to today's world with the same spirit that has guided us for 125 years. Our call remains the same, even as the needs around us continue to change.
Throughout the year, we will be sharing our stories, and our hopes, and prayers, on Facebook, Instagram, our website, and YouTube. We invite you to follow along as we celebrate the vibrant and meaningful ways we are living the mission in our communities right now.
As we look ahead, we do so with hope and trust in God's unfolding plan. This anniversary year will culminate in the celebration of a Mass and reception in two locations:
April 11, 2027 — St. Monica Catholic Church, Garfield Heights, Ohio
April 24, 2027 — CREATE Portage, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
These celebrations are open to the public and will bring us together in person to give thanks and rejoice.
We welcome you to walk with us throughout this year of remembrance and renewal, as we honor our past, live fully in the present, and respond in new ways to God's invitation.
With confidence and faith, we move forward —
Celebrating God's Goodness: Blessing the journey, Living the mission, Embracing the future.