“The move is a blessing. I look forward to connecting with more of our Sisters and to having more space to prepare for and provide spiritual direction.”
This architect’s rendering of the Monocacy Manor Convent Addition shows where it adjoins to the original, historic “White House” structure, marrying old with new in a space specially designed to meet our Sisters’ evolving needs and to enable them to continue to serve the community.
Help Our Sisters
Fund the Future
A new place to live … to pray … to continue to serve
An overhead view of the convent addition shows its position adjacent to the main White House residence.
The School Sisters of St. Francis have been a vital part of the Lehigh Valley’s community and spiritual life for nearly 80 years. We intend to be part of its future, as well.
As our devoted Sisters have aged and our ministries have evolved, so, too, have our needs. To allow our retired Sisters to age in place and to ensure that our younger Sisters remain in active ministry for as long as possible, we are building a long-term residential addition at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa.
Our Sisters need YOUR help to complete this $2.78 million project.
We have been blessed with nearly half of the necessary funding to undertake essential renovations of the historic “White House,” as well as to begin construction of our new adjacent residence. These projects represent a significant investment in our future and greatly enhance our ability to continue to serve the community that we — and you — love.
Because you share our commitment to both preservation and progress, we respectfully ask for your help in completing this vital project. Your investment in our future is an investment in the future of our broader community.
Read: A Letter from Sister Regina Ann Rokosny (formerly Sister Borgia)
Please consider lending your support.
DONATE ONLINE
With your credit card or Paypal account.
Mail Your Donation
Send checks payable to “School Sisters of St. Francis” to:
School Sisters of St. Francis
395 Bridle Path Road
Bethlehem PA 18017
If you are interested in naming opportunities within the new building or have a question about your donation,
please contact Sister Bonnie Kleinschuster at bkleinschuster@schoolsistersosf.org or 610-730-0957.
“To know that my home will now be well suited for my special needs as I continue to deal with this aging process is a blessing and a comfort.”
A Legacy Lives On
Our Sisters have lived and served at Monocacy Manor since 1947. Our former St. Francis Academy thrived here for decades, as did our former St. Francis Center for Renewal. Monocacy Farm Project — a service ministry situated adjacent to our residence — is a vital part of the Lehigh Valley’s emergency food system and carries forth our mission to care for creation and cultivate healthy relationships among people of all faiths.
With our Sisters’ now experiencing both the blessings and challenges of elderhood, the time has come to provide a more suitable environment for them to age in place as they continue to serve the spiritual needs of the community. With 13 new bedrooms with private bathrooms and multi-purpose common areas, this addition to our convent makes that possible now and for the future.
Christian education has always been the cornerstone of ministerial life of the School Sisters of St. Francis. Since the close of St Francis Academy in 1987, various schools whose mission aligned with that of the Sisters have leased space in the buildings once home to SFA.
Now, the torch has been passed to St. John Chrysostom Academy (SJCA), an Orthodox Christian school that has been providing classical education to K-12 students since 2022. SJCA now needs the entirety of these buildings to accommodate its increasing enrollment. At the same time, another building on the property will be renovated and repurposed to accommodate ongoing spiritual and educational programming and our precious community archives.
Over these many years, we have been so very blessed — by the endless opportunities to serve, by the relationships we have cultivated and continually renew with our students and friends, and by the generosity of our benefactors. We remain deeply appreciative of your special part in our history and your continued support for our future.
“This new space is equipped to help us stay safe and secure as we age, and I am so very grateful.”
Serving All of
God’s People
The charism of the School Sisters of St. Francis is intimate union with God in the midst of apostolic service. We are called to serve the poor and otherwise needy and to address the very real needs and social concerns of the times in which we live. Our vital ministries are the instruments by which we engage God’s people and meet their physical and spiritual needs. Our interior relationship with God and the external support of our friends help us to keep these ministries vital and relevant.
THE BLESSINGS OF
OUR NEW BUILDING
13 bedrooms with private baths
ADA compliant throughout
Dedicated Prayer Room
Library & Technology Room
Two spacious common areas,
each with kitchenette
Three-season room to “enjoy
the outdoors from indoors”
Modern Elevator
Dedicated Room for
Medical Staff & Records
Hairdressing Station
Additional Laundry Space
Indoor connector for easy movement to ‘White House’
St. Francis Academy students Ann Marie Janders, Kathleen Burkhardt, Dolores Mitko and Rosemary Weber work on a science experiment in 1961.
Sisters Marguerite Stewart and Ann Marie Yenca stay spry by blending exercise with a little fun, such as this bean bag toss game.
“I cherish the memories from my high school days.
The Sisters were important and impactful role models.
I feel very lucky to have attended St. Francis Academy.”
Our Generous Supporters
Thank you to the following friends for their generosity
in support of the Monocacy Manor Convent Addition:
Anonymous
Mike & Lynn Albarell
Joan Marie Balik
In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Balik
Jean Belski
In memory of Robert A. Belski
Cornelius Benner
Thesa Biggs
In memory of Kevin Bowyer
Milissa Bolcar (SFA 1986)
Thank you, Sisters!
John Bowen
Dennis Boyne
Christine Burkley Fritts (SFA 1967)
The Capobianco Family Foundation
Margaret Carnihan
In memory of Francis M. Ezar
Constance Chuck Howland (SFA 1962)
Doug & Cecelia Connelly-Weida (SFA 1970)
Mary Connelly (SFA 1973)
Please accept this gift as a token of appreciation for all you did for me while at SFA.
I hope it helps with the building project.
Sandra Csaszar-Swanson (SFA 1965)
Michael & Jo-Ellen Darling
Stephen & Frances D’Augustino Roseman (SFA 1968)
Denise Doherty (SFA 1970)
Toni Doherty Kellison (SFA 1969)
I loved my years at St. Francis! All of you Sisters have impacted my life in so many wonderful ways!
Stephen Doncevic
William & Marie Egan
Linda Evrard McAndrew (SFA 1972)
I graduated from SFA in 1972. Subsequently, I attended Temple and became a pharmacist. There were not many female pharmacists
in 1977, but I believe that my education helped me through. I actually took my granddaughter by the school this past summer
to show her were I went to high school. We wondered what all the construction was about! So I'm happy to help out.
Mary Jo Falco Johnson (SFA 1975)
Tom & Bridget Farley Muehlenkamp (SFA 1971)
The good and wonderful Sisters of SFA gave so much more than an education in the classroom.
They gave lessons that we could take and grow with in our life experiences. Great times, wonderful memories —
all thanks to our blessed Sisters! Thank you for all you did and all you continue to do with your prayers.
Regina Fink Fina (SFA 1969)
Jennie Giasi Wallace (SFA 1986)
Mary Gonzales (SFA 1973)
Anne Jane Gray (SFA 1968)
I cherish the memories from my high school days. The Sisters were important and impactful role models.
I feel very lucky to have attended St. Francis Academy.
Patrice Hampsey McDermott (SFA 1968)
Deacon Reuben & Maryann Hartzell
In memory of Sister Mary Damian Baloga
Rev. George Hazler
Annamae Hein (SFA 1975)
Ann Hilton
In memory of Joseph J. Hilton Sr.
Eileen Hilton Epsaro (SFA 1978)
Claire Hintze
Edward Hozza Sr.
In honor of Mrs. Susan Novak
Sandra Hudak (SFA 1964)
Thanks for the memories!
Ed & Kathy Kaufmann
Grace Kelleher (SFA 1971)
To help the Sisters settle into their new living space.
Sister Marie Bernadette Kelleher (SFA 1963)
To enhance my St. Francis community of Sisters’ quality of life.
James & Colleen Kelleher Weiss (SFA 1971)
Kathy Kelleher Whittaker (SFA 1973)
In deep appreciation for Sister Marguerite Stewart’s love and sharing of music.
Margaret Kneiss Libsch (SFA 1967)
I am especially grateful that three of my former teachers — Sisters Anita, Marguerite & Regina — will be able to benefit from this new facility. Thank you all for providing me with excellent academic preparation during my high school years and for continuing to offer spiritual growth opportunities to the community.
David Kordulak
In honor of Sister Irene Novak
Constance Libricz (SFA 1974)
Mary Beth Kline Mulicka (SFA 1974)
In memory of George & Elizabeth Kline and in grateful appreciation to all the good Sisters who patiently taught me.
Regina Koneski Beretsky (SFA 1969)
Bonnie Kosman
In memory of Alfred & Elizabeth Kuchera Kosman on behalf of their children Bonnie Kosman, Marianne Laury and Joseph Kosman
Joseph & Jeanne Krenicky Kipp (SFA 1965)
Cheryl Longo Schwenk (SFA 1974)
Thank you to all of the Sisters who took an honest interest in my life and education at St Francis Academy.
You were an inspiration to all of your students and have left memories that will never be forgotten.
Rosemary Makl Emeigh (SFA 1971)
Dear Sisters, thank you for all your hard work and dedication. My four years at St. Francis Academy
are one of my most cherished memories. Wishing you all of God’s many blessings!
Cheryl Markwich Brandt (SFA 1968)
Rev. Msgr. John Martin
Tony & Mary Martocci
Lois Matusa Nakata (SFA 1971)
Barbara McCaffrey
Maryclare McGinley Plucinsky (SFA 1974)
Bernadette McNary Zak (SFA 1964)
Thank you for your leadership.
Carissa Mertz Soroush
In memory of Rose Schmidt Brown
Maribeth Mooney (SFA 1981)
As I grow older I am more and more grateful for the exceptional education, attention and guidance I received at SFA. I continue to be floored by the Sisters’ dedication to us and exposing us to so much art, music and Latin that would prove to be so beneficial in my adult life. It was a privilege to attend St. Francis Academy, and it is a privilege to be included in your alumnae fund.
Katherine Mohylsky (SFA 1971)
Mary Muller Bogle (SFA 1967)
In memory of Sister Marietta Bankos
Louis Murgia
In honor of Louis & Rosella Murgia
Susan Novak
Kate O’Boyle (SFA 1972)
Anita Ortwein McCarthy (SFA 1967)
Stephen & Patricia Papp Bedics (SFA 1967)
Judith Parenti Davco (SFA 1967)
Kristine Patterson Doherty (SFA 1971)
Catherine Pavlo Policare (SFA 1975)
Graduating from St. Francis Academy changed my life. I'm hoping, in a small way,
my donation will help with the changes you are now making!
Joanne Pekarik
Samantha Pillar Ellis (SFA 1987)
John J. Pohanka Family Foundation
Anne Reidy Hull (SFA 1972)
Given with appreciation for all the Sisters!
Gene & Alice Reily
Ann-Margaret Rogers Longenbach (SFA 1985)
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Roth
In memory of Cynthia Pavelko-Tracy
Erie & Donna Seidenberger Schnabel (SFA 1978)
I am happy to be able to help Fund the Future. Thank you for many happy memories of SFA.
Sister Marie Therese (Ilona) Sherwood (SFA 1962)
John & MaryAnn Skrincosky
God bless all the Sisters of Monocacy Manor.
Slovak Catholic Sokol Assembly 78
Diane Sommer Lucarelli (SFA 1987+)
Irene Stratz (SFA 1968)
Patricia Tarashok
In memory of Sister Bernadine Marie Stemnock
Thomas & Mary Toczek
Stephanie Turek
Rosanne Venditto
Clare & Clarice Vresk (SFA 1962)
Edward Weireter
In memory of Irene Emelia Weireter
Michael & Regina Williams Costantino (SFA 1964)
Jake Yurish
In memory of Annette Yurish
Mary Ann E. Zakeski (SFA 1973)
Jane Zarecsky Elmouderrib (SFA 1983)