Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart...

Awakening hope

"Merciful, joyous and poor, 

doing works of neighborly love."


      With deep joy

   we awaken hope

    in our neighbors

through works of love.

Scripture Reflections

Scripture Reflections with Sr. Marilyn Renninger will be held on Thursdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16 at 10:30 a.m.-noon by Zoom and in-person in the Motherhouse auditorium below chapel at St. Francis Woods, 9201 W St Francis Road, Frankfort, IL. Please register in advance at this link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpcOyrrz0oHtSc-twja2qnHTXkeszM4l9a.

There is no fee. These reflections on the upcoming Sunday readings are in preparation for Sunday Mass.

Job Opening at The Woods

Come work at The Woods on a beautiful campus in a friendly atmosphere... where your work matters!

  • Full-time Assistant Cook with full benefits

    Come join our team here at St. Francis Woods and make a difference in the lives of our Motherhouse Sisters! The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart have an opening for a full-time cook. Hours vary. A minimum of 3 years cooking experience and a current Managers Sanitation License is a plus, or candidate must acquire a Managers Sanitation License upon employment. On-the-job training. Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. 401k, paid time off, sick pay, health savings account, flexible spending account. Send your resume to Jim Trautmann at james.trautmann@fssh.net or leave a message at 815.464.3855. St. Francis Convent, 9201 W St Francis Road, Frankfort, Illinois 60423

Meet Sister Dominic

When people think of women religious, teachers and nurses may be the most common professions we imagine sisters working in, but sisters can choose other roles, too, or move from one role to another. Meet Sister Dominic Dybel, who began in teaching but now has a fulfilling career at the Marriage Tribunal in Crest Hill.

Nov 2021 Campus NEws


Laudato Si' Action Platform

Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si' is truly Franciscan, addressing the interrelatedness of All creation! ALL are seen as sisters and brothers. Life is an intertwining of humanity, animal and plant life, water, climate, energy and economy. It is about all countries in relationship with one another. https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/ We therefore make this commitment:  Laudato Si' Action Platform Commitment


Three-Year Synod Begins

On October 10, Pope Francis inaugurated “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.” It is a three-year synod which begins with a local consultation between pastors and faithful around the world, which takes place from October 2021 to April 2022. The second phase is from September 2022 until March 2023 during which the continental bishops’ conferences will compile the results of the diocesan consultations. From this, a working document will be drafted for the Ordinary Synod of Bishops scheduled for October 2023 in Rome, which is the third phase of the synod.

It gives the faithful the opportunity “to imagine a different future for the Church and her institutions, in keeping with the mission she has received.”

(Crux, “As pope opens synod, experts extol ‘synodality’ but struggle to define it” Oct 9, 2021)

Emerging from the pandemic...

Thank you, Sr. Cristina Soyao, for your witness in Global Sisters Report! Sr Cristina's Story

Sr. Cristina's story is about her ministry during the pandemic and how she, as a religious, served the people in her care as well as how she cared for herself.

Franciscan Challenge:
Give Something Away!
Send us your story

The Franciscan Challenge is a daily call to let go of attachments and focus increasingly on loving one another.

Have you given something away recently? What was it like to let these things go and to share the items with others? Tell us your "Letting Go" story in a few sentences and send it to SISTERS@FSSH.NET  


We may share your story or a portion of it in an FSSH publication or social media. If you wish, we can share just your first name and/or city or you can remain anonymous.


St. Francis of Assisi once begged forgiveness of his brothers after fleeing into the forest during a fire at the friary. He fled instead of helping them because he did not want his favorite blanket to be destroyed. When he came back to apologize, he then gave away the blanket--one of his few possessions. 


Which of our own possessions possess us? How might our sharing of things that we own by God's grace bless others today and bring us closer to Him? 

Welcome back to St Francis Woods!

Our hearts are joy-filled that we can once again welcome our neighbors and friends to Mass in our Queen of Angels Chapel at the Motherhouse. Take note of the Mass schedule change and precautions that still need to be taken to protect the health of the Sisters at Updated reopening guidelines. Mass is available at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday. 


It will be wonderful to see you and worship with you! We will keep you updated about any changes as they happen. See you Sunday!  


Regarding visits with Sisters at the Motherhouse, we once again welcome you, when following these guidelines.

Choices as Merciful Franciscans

We hope you enjoy our latest video and get to know us!

LOADING PLAYER…

“The truly poor in spirit, following the example of the Lord, live in this world as pilgrims and strangers.” 

 (TOR Rule Ch. VI-22)


Like Francis and Clare, we journey in the footprints of Jesus through simple, Gospel living...

  • discerning God's dream for us personally and communally
  • gathering in fraternitas (community) with Jesus as our brother
  • being a welcoming and joyful presence
  • placing our incompleteness in God's transforming heart
  • embracing diversity in our life and ministries
  • furthering the new reign of God

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  • With so many ways to be involved, discover the ways you you can belong here!



    INSPIRATION TO BELONG

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  • Come to this peaceful, 50-acre wooded campus where you can be refreshed in body and soul.


    Unwind by walking our outdoor labyrinth, Cosmic Walk (walking meditation) and Stations of the Cross. Explore our winding wooded paths, benches for resting and enjoying nature, and sacred places graced by inspiring statuary.


        

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Anti-Racism Resources

Why are so many people angry? Here is a quick summary, which is about 15 minutes into this video, but we do hope you will go back to hear it all!

Understanding the Anger 


Maybe you had some of the same reactions and questions that others did when they watched the video about why so many people are angry. See how those questions are answered here:

Answers to Questions raised from first video


Here is an excellent reading list for articles on anti-racism. They have the potential to open our hearts to a greater love for ALL our sisters and brothers. 

Anti-Racism reading list 



Congregational Statement on the Death Penalty


We, the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, affirm our stance against the death penalty made in 2000. As followers of Jesus and Francis of Assisi, we hold the dignity of each person as sacred. Every person is the image of God and has the right to the breath of life.


  • We are against both federal and state executions.
  • We believe in the power of restorative justice.
  • We work in harmony with organizations holding parallel views.
  • We pray for peace first in our hearts and for our world.

Women Religious: Our Commonalities

Congregations of women religious around the world have common goals. This is just a sampling.

  • Lives of Women Religious

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  • LCWR Call to Resettle Refugees

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  • LCWR Pledge to Heal the Nation

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