Sarah Fund: Caring for our Senior Sisters in the United States
You may know one or more of our senior Sisters and hold them in a special place in your heart. They were dedicated teachers, imparting Gospel values and high standards of academic excellence. They were respected nurses, they mothered orphans, and they were pastoral ministers, bringing the Eucharist to the homebound, along with a caring touch and a sympathetic ear. As true Franciscans, they joyfully served God with little monetary compensation, trusting that Providence would provide for their needs.
The impact of their work lives on in the hearts and minds of hundreds upon hundreds of people in the communities where they have ministered. Our senior sisters are an invaluable asset to our Franciscan community and have earned our heartfelt gratitude, respect and consideration.
Your Prayers and Support are Vital to the Care of our Senior Sisters
As you may know, all of our Sisters living and serving in the United States are over age 60 – many in their 80s and 90s. The blessings of growing older come with humbling vulnerability and present many challenges that our Sisters continue to face with faith and grace. Yet, meeting the everyday needs of our aging Community also comes with a heavy financial strain.
Our Community relies on the generosity of our donors and benefactors to help us care for our Sisters. As with all women religious communities, our Sisters served dioceses, schools, hospitals, and other charitable institutions for little more than a minimal stipend. Prior to policy changes in the late 1970s, we had no extra funds to save for retirement. Nor, were we able to pay into Social Security. Our Community has been doing all that we can through prudent financial planning, applying for grants, and utilizing government programs. We also receive little financial support from the Church.
Several years ago, we established the Sarah Fund, which is intended to support our senior sisters. In addition to providing skilled and assisted living care for our more fragile Sisters, Sarah Fund donors also help provide much-needed chair lifts, walk-in showers, and other accessibility improvements benefitting the health, safety, and quality of life of our Sisters who continue to remain active in the community through part-time ministries, board service, and volunteer efforts.
Supporting our sisters in their senior years is a wonderful way of giving back for all the contributions they have made to the lives of countless others. Please join us in the celebration of our sisters’ lifetime of service to those in need. No gift is too small to make a difference.
Ways to Give to the Sarah Fund
- Donate Online
- Call 412-885-7232
- Send a donation via mail to:
Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God
Attn: Sarah Fund
5802 Curry Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15236
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law (EIN: 25-1051993). For more information, please contact our Development Director at 412-885-7232 or rmoeller@osfprov.org.