Join us for the first installment of our Three Evenings with Three Franciscan Saints series, featuring the stories of three Franciscan Saints who followed the way of Jesus as in the tradition of Saint Francis of Assisi. Tonight’s gathering will focus on Clare of Assisi, whose life encourages us to bear witness to the Gospel in unique and profound ways.

• Thursday, October 8: An Evening with Clare of Assisi

• Thursday, October 15: An Evening with Saint Bonaventure

• Thursday, October 22: An Evening with Blessed John Duns Scotus

Through their stories, their words, and their actions, these saints inspire us to embrace life with joy and use our gifts to promote the Kingdom of God now — in 2026. What might we glean from their wisdom, their holiness, and their commitment to Christ and his teachings?

Sister Barbara Brown will lead all three sessions, which will be held in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. Registration is $15 per session or $35 for the entire series.

To register online now, please click the button below. If you prefer to register by phone or pay by check, please contact Lauren Martin at lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org or 610-867-8890.

In 2026, we mark the 8th Centenary of the Death of Saint Francis of Assisi. Join us for a very special Simply Prayer, as our Sisters remember and celebrate their spiritual father — his person, how he lived and what he taught us — even in death. Eight hundred years have passed, yet this humble man from Assisi continues to teach the world about conversion of life, respect for God’s creation, peacemaking, and hope!

We will gather at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6, in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. All are welcome to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee. Freewill offerings will be accepted.

To register online now, simply click the button below. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone or email, please contact Lauren Martin at 610-867-8890 or lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org.

Our friends in the Bethlehem area are invited to join us for a special Mass remembering Francis of Assisi upon his feastday. We will gather at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, in Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. No RSVP is necessary.

Our friends in the Pittsburgh area are invited to join us for a special Mass remembering Francis of Assisi upon his feastday. We will gather at 9 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa. No RSVP is necessary.

Each year on October 3, Franciscans and their friends come together to celebrate his transitus — to remember the final journey of our father, Francis of Assisi, from life, through death, to new life in God. This year is of particular significance as we observe the Eighth Centenary of the Transitus of St. Francis.

We learn much about a person in the last moments of his or her life. Eight hundred years ago, Francis was surrounded by the love of his brothers during the final journey. On this night, we will join our hearts and minds in prayer with all Franciscans, as we continue to recall the things Francis thought, said and did in his last days and hours on earth.

Join us in remembering our father, Francis of Assisi, as he joyfully prepared to meet Sister Death on his way home to God. We will gather in the White House Chapel at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. No RSVP is necessary.

Each year on October 3, Franciscans and their friends come together to celebrate his transitus — to remember the final journey of our father, Francis of Assisi, from life, through death, to new life in God. This year is of particular significance as we observe the Eighth Centenary of the Transitus of St. Francis.

We learn much about a person in the last moments of his or her life. Eight hundred years ago, Francis was surrounded by the love of his brothers during the final journey. On this night, we will join our hearts and minds in prayer with all Franciscans, as we continue to recall the things Francis thought, said and did in his last days and hours on earth.

Join us in remembering our father, Francis of Assisi, as he joyfully prepared to meet Sister Death on his way home to God. We will gather in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa. No RSVP is necessary.

EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER!

Join our Sisters and friends for the 11th Annual Monocacy Farm Fall Festival on Sunday, September 27, in Bethlehem, Pa.! This exciting day will include local food and craft vendors, live music, crafts and activities, farm tours, info sessions, great raffles and more!

Bring the kids for fall-themed activities and pick up some unique foods and crafts created by talented folks from Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. There is something for everyone!

The festivities run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free parking and free admission. While you're there, be sure to grab some official Monocacy Farm Project merchandise and fresh produce grown on the Farm. All proceeds benefit our ministry work to provide fresh produce to local food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens.

More event details and a complete vendor list can be found on the Monocacy Farm Project website. You can also follow the event Facebook page for ongoing updates!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us persevere in running the race that lies before us, while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12: 1-2

Life can feel like a storm sometimes — distracting us, discouraging us and pulling us in different directions. At these times, it’s easy to lose our focus and let our fears and doubts consume us. The key to weathering these storms lies in keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus — the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Join Sister Barbara Brown for Keeping Our Eyes Fixed on Jesus, the first Simply Prayer of a new season, set for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1. Together, we will explore some ways to be more intentional about keeping Jesus as our center and hope so that we gain new perspectives about life, our relationships, everyone we encounter, and everything we see around us.

We will gather in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. All are welcome to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee. Freewill offerings will be accepted. To register online now, simply click the button below. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone or email, please contact Lauren Martin at 610-867-8890 or lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org.

Join our Sisters and friends for a sweet and savory summer evening — Monocacy Farm Project’s sixth annual Pairing for a Cause — set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 28, at Black River Farms Vineyard & Winery in Bethlehem, Pa.

Each $75 ticket includes exclusive wine pairings in the vineyard. Enjoy vineyard tours, specially-selected wines, gourmet bites, live music, and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres. There also will be a wine pull, a silent auction, and a tastebud-tempting raffle. All proceeds benefit the mission and work of our farm ministry.

Save $25 with a VIP Pairing Package, including your event ticket ($75 value), three raffle sheets ($25 value) and a wine pull ($25 value) for $100.

Get your tickets now — sales officially close on August 21!

Black River Farms is located at 2472 Black River Road in Bethlehem, Pa. Questions? Please contact us at mfp-info@monocacyfarmproject.org or call 610-867-8494.

Please note that this is an outdoor event. In the case of substantial rain, Pairing for a Cause will be rescheduled for Saturday, August 29, and all original tickets will be honored.

Our Sisters welcome you to our Franciscan Resource Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., for Breaking Bread: A History of the Celebration of the Eucharist. This program will be delivered in two parts:

• 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3

• 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 24

All are welcome. No RSVP is necessary. For more information, email us at FRCpgh@schoolsistersosf.org.

The 2026 Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community comes to Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley on Saturday, June 13, drawing team and individual participants for a day of fun, fitness and fundraising for vital health and human service organizations throughout our community. This year, the event aims to raise $140,000 in support of 16 different nonprofits — including our Monocacy Farm Project ministry — that make an impact every day for those in need in the Lehigh Valley.

The Monocacy Farm Project team is registering participants to walk with us and raise much-needed funds in support of our ministry’s mission to feed the hungry, care for the earth, and grow health community. We welcome you to become part of our team to walk in your choice of the 5K Walk or One-Mile Walk. Can’t join us that day? No problem. You can still donate in support of MFP by visiting the official Highmark Walk page here.

Our Sisters welcome you to our Franciscan Resource Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., for Breaking Bread: A History of the Celebration of the Eucharist. This program will be delivered in two parts:

• 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3

• 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 24

All are welcome. No RSVP is necessary. For more information, email us at FRCpgh@schoolsistersosf.org.

Faithfulness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. We know it is an attribute of God. Over the ages, we have seen how God has fulfilled His promises and remains steadfast in His love. We, too, need to be faithful in our own lives. Even when it is difficult, we should be consistent and loyal to the people in our lives, our beliefs and worthy causes.

Join Sister M. Virginelle Makos for June’s Simply Prayer: Celebrating God’s Faithfulness. We will gather in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. All are welcome to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee.

Registration Details: Freewill offerings will be accepted. To register online now, simply click the button below. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone or email, please contact Lauren Martin at 610-867-8890 or lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org.

Before you know it, it will be time to embrace spring, get outside and jumpstart the growing season! To help you do just that, Monocacy Farm Project’s sixth annual Spring on the Farm event is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9.

The day will include a sale of a wide variety of plants direct from our greenhouse (sure to sell out), local food and craft vendors, farm tours, and exhibitors.

All proceeds from this and all the day’s events benefit Monocacy Farm Project, a ministry of the School Sisters of St. Francis. Parking and admission are free.

As the day approaches, visit the event Facebook page for late-breaking details.

Discover the miracles all around us by spending an evening in prayer and reflection, sharing in the joy of the Resurrection. Led by Robert Olney, this program will begin in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. The evening will include a light walk on the grounds of Monocacy Manor.

Registration Details: Registration is $25 per person. To register online now, simply click the button below. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone or pay by check, please contact Lauren Martin at 610-867-8890 or lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org.

Mary and Elizabeth come together as more than distant cousins. They are sisters in spirit, drawn together in a common experience. Their greetings display an intimacy with the presence of God in their lives. This morning, we will reflect upon the sisterhood of these two women, joined by faith in the God of the Impossible.

Join Sister Marie Therese Sherwood for Mary & Elizabeth — A Divine Encounter, the May installment of Simply Prayer. We will gather in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. All are welcome to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee.

Registration Details: Freewill offerings will be accepted. To register online now, simply click the button below. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone or email, please contact Lauren Martin at 610-867-8890 or lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org.

There are signs of spring everywhere. The grass is growing green, and buds are appearing on the trees. And that familiar sight of women and men in their gardens, digging and watering the soil, readying it for planting. There are signs of life everywhere. 

The human spirit is much like the spring garden. If growth is to happen, it too, must be made ready. The human spirit must be opened if God’s goodness is to grow there. Open minds and hearts are ready to receive the abundant life God constantly offers. 

This kind of opening is at the heart of the Easter Story. It begins with the open tomb. Beside it stands the messenger of God. “He is not here,” the messenger says. “He has risen from the dead,” the woman who has come to anoint the body of the crucified Jesus rushes back to tell the disciples. But the disciples refused to believe. Nor would they believe Mary Magdalene. “I saw the Lord,” she said. “He called my name: Mary!” 

In their grief the disciples refused to believe the Easter Story. The same thing can happen to us when we experience difficult situations in our lives. It can lead to closed minds and hearts. Join us this Easter season, as we joyfully renew our love and belief in our Risen Lord.

Join Sister Marguerite Stewart for April’s Simply Prayer: Alleluia … He Is Risen. We will gather in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. All are welcome to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee.

Registration Details: Freewill offerings will be accepted. To register online now, simply click the button below. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone or email, please contact Lauren Martin at 610-867-8890 or lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org.

During Catholic Sisters Week (March 8-14), we will join other communities of women religious from throughout Western Pennsylvania for a special Morning of Prayer for Compassion & Dignity at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 13. We will stand in prayer at the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Pittsburgh. Together, we will pray that compassion, dignity and respect be shown to all, in particular to those who are immigrants.

The theme for CSW 2026 is Stories of Hope and Heart. Our collective prayer action reflects our continuing story of support for immigrants and their fair and just treatment. For, we all are created in the image of God.

All people of good will are invited to join this interfaith prayer vigil. Please click the button below to review some important guidelines before attending.

Our Sisters welcome you to this special Lenten Reflection program at our Franciscan Resource Center in Pittsburgh. Lent calls us to “repent and believe in the Gospel.” Let us consider the ways we can witness to the Gospel of Peace. All are welcome, and no RSVP is necessary.

If you have questions, please email us at FRCpgh@schoolsistersosf.org.

How will this season of Lent be different for you? As we sit with the Scripture readings in the weeks ahead, we meet persons of compassion in Joseph the dreamer, in the prophets Daniel and Micah, Elijah and Hosea, and, of course, in Jesus our Lord.

Journey with us as we meet these figures of empathy and mercy amid the difficult stuff of life. In this Lenten season, we make a prayerful pause and ask ourselves, “Where is God in this situation?” Throughout history, God is with us, responding with love and compassion. The challenge is for us is to “go and do likewise.”

Join Sister Barbara Brown for March’s Simply Prayer: Walking the Lenten Journey with Compassion. We will gather in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. All are welcome to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee.

Registration Details: Freewill offerings will be accepted. To register online now, simply click the button below. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone or email, please contact Lauren Martin at 610-867-8890 or lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org.

Over the past two months, we have heard that the star directed the Kings to Jesus. Now we hear John the Baptist pointing to Jesus as “The One.” Are we also called to point out Jesus to those we meet? Do we believe He dwells within each and every one of us? Perhaps we need to “fix our eyes on Jesus” so that we can recognize Him in one another and ourselves.

Join Sister M. Virginelle Makos for February’s Simply Prayer: Recognize Christ. We will gather in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. All are welcome to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee.

Registration Details: Freewill offerings will be accepted. To register online now, simply click the button below. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone or email, please contact Lauren Martin at 610-867-8890 or lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org.

The Magi’s story is our story. Epiphany is the story of seekers. This morning, we will reflect on how we are seeking Christ in the here and now, and what gifts we are bringing to the God of Peace.

Join Sister Marie Therese Sherwood for Simply Prayer during the first week of a new year. We will gather in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. All are welcome to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee.

Registration Details: Freewill offerings will be accepted. To register online now, simply click the button below. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone or email, please contact Lauren Martin at 610-867-8890 or lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org.

Our Sisters invite you to join them for an Epiphany gathering at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, at our Franciscan Resource Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. It is a time to continue celebrating the Christmas Season and enjoy one another with music, conversation and refreshments. No RSVP is necessary.

For Franciscans, the mystery of the Incarnation is a profound expression of the humility of our God. We invite you to explore this mystery with us as we host Stations of the Crib this holiday season.

Bring your family and join us at Monocacy Manor at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 22, for an afternoon of song and prayerful reflection. We will revisit 15 events and experiences surrounding the birth of Jesus — from the Annunciation, on the journey to Bethlehem, to the Birth of Christ and the return to Nazareth.

Featured Stations of the Crib

Based on The Gospel of Matthew and Luke, Saint Bonaventure’s The Tree of Life, John Shea’s Starlight, and Sharon’s Christmas Prayer:

• The Annunciation

• The Visitation

• His Name is John

• Joseph

• The Marriage of Mary and Joseph

• The Edict

• Journey to Bethlehem

• The Search for Lodging

• The Birth of the Child

• The Angels The Shepherds

• The Magi

• Simeon and Anna

• The Flight into Egypt

• Return to Nazareth/The Hidden Years

• Growing in Wisdom and Grace

We will gather in the White House Chapel at Monocacy Manor, located at 395 Bridle Path Road in Bethlehem, Pa. No RSVP is necessary. Freewill offerings will be accepted.

By the mystery of the Incarnation, Jesus has truly transformed our lives! Come and join us. It’s a perfect way to enter the very heart of Advent!

Our Sisters welcome all to Las Posadas, a Mexican Christmas tradition that commemorates the journey of Joseph and Mary seeking a room at the inn. The celebration is set for 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 14, at our Franciscan Resource Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. Refreshments will follow.

All are welcome. Freewill offerings accepted. Have questions? Contact us at 412-761-2855 or frcpgh@schoolsistersosf.org.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The malls and shops in town have been telling us for weeks that Christmas is coming. And you can almost smell Christmas in the air with Christmas trees, candy canes and scented candles. What about the sounds of Christmas with traditional carols like Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful? Yes, the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas are all around us, and it’s only early December!

In the midst of all these external happenings, our Church is saying, “Now wait! There is a reason for this time, this season. From the last Sunday in November to December 24, we celebrate the season of Advent. The word advent comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming.”

Join Sister Marguerite Stewart for Simply Prayer during the first week of Advent, as, together, we wait and seek ways to prepare our hearts for Christmas 2025. We will gather in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. All are welcome to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee.

Registration Details: Freewill offerings will be accepted. To register online now, simply click the button below. If you have questions or would prefer to register by phone or email, please contact Lauren Martin at 610-867-8890 or lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org.

Hanover Township Community Center in Bethlehem, Pa., will host a special harvest bingo to benefit our Monocacy Farm Project ministry. Admission is $25 per person for 20 games. Additional cards are $5. The event also will include raffles, baked goods, and a 50/50 drawing. Admission is limited to 100 people. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the games begin at 6 p.m.

With grateful hearts we prepare to celebrate the harvest of the land. Let us also celebrate with gratitude and joy the men and women whose paths to holiness were blazed in the Americas — a land of challenges and possibilities, a land of struggles and dreams.

Learn about the Jesuit missionaries who gave their lives to convert the Native Americans. Meet the resilient ones — Cardinal John Henry Neuman, Katherine Drexel, Francis Xavier Cabrini, and Elizabeth Ann Seton — who sowed the seeds of faith in northeastern United States and beyond.

Many holy people, once thought to be ordinary, have inspired us in more recent times. Among them is Jose Luis Sanchez Del Rio, a 14-year-old farm boy. Who can forget the courage of Bishop Oscar Romero, or the faith and trust of Father Damien and Sister Marianne Cope, who worked among the lepers of Molokai? Who can doubt that God was at work in the life Josephine Bakhita? Once sold into slavery, she later became a devoted religious sister, and is now the patroness for victims of human trafficking.

Army chaplain Father Stanley Rother shows us the path of humble service and leadership under very difficult circumstances. The audacious Dorothy Day and Robert Ellsberg call us to examine our attitudes regarding social justice, the dignity of each person and the injustice of war. It will be difficult to choose a favorite from so great a harvest of saints!

During this special morning of prayer with Sister Barbara Brown, we will find inspiration in these holy men and women and discover that, with God’s grace, the path to holiness can be discovered in the joys and sorrows of everyday life.

This program will be held in the first-floor conference room (Blue Room) of St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa. Freewill offerings will be accepted. Participants are welcome to join us for coffee at 9:30 a.m.

To register online now, click the button below. If you would prefer to register by phone or pay by check, please call 610-867-8990 or email Lauren Martin at lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org.

Get into the holiday spirit with our 2025 Holiday Craft Fair & Bake Sale, set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, in Mullen Hall at Monocacy Manor, 395 Bridle Path Road in Bethlehem, Pa.

Explore a wonderful selection of handmade crafts, gifts, and treats created by local artisans. Enjoy delicious snacks, festive music, and the joy of community. This is the perfect opportunity to find unique holiday gifts and support local creators!

Vendor Spots Available: Interested in showcasing your handwork at our event? Space are available. Contact Lauren Martin at 610-867-8890 or lmartin@schoolsistersosf.org for details.

Baked Goods Needed: We are seeking volunteer bakers to contribute cakes, cookies, cupcakes, breads and more to sell during the craft fair. If you can help, baked goods can be dropped off at St. Francis Center at Monocacy Manor on the following dates:

• Tuesday, October 28 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

• Thursday, October 30 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Bring your friends and family — let’s make this holiday season unforgettable. We look forward to celebrating the season with you!