Blessed by their daily presence...

St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care is one of eleven Corporate Ministries sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi (OSF). OSF corporate ministries currently serve the underserved in communities in four states, providing critical services to those living with special needs, especially those who are young, frail, or challenged with disabilities.

To learn more about OSF's Corporate Ministries, go to http://www.lakeosfs.org/.

Even though each ministry is separately incorporated, all eleven corporate ministries sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi are united by the Franciscan values: Creating a caring community, Sharing compassion for others, Reverence for creation, and Peacemaking.

We will share more about these values in future blogs, but suffice it to say here that these values reflect our commitment to live and create community together through being with those in need.

So we here, at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, are not only employees and volunteers of St. Ann Center – we are also responsible for continuing the ministry originally founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi and carrying out their mission and values. 

As an OSF corporate ministry, St. Ann Center is very blessed by the daily presence of many Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi who work and volunteer daily at the center. Our upcoming Fall Seasons of Life newsletter features profiles on the many Sisters that give their time and positivity to promote peace, justice, and the fulfillment of the mission and purpose of St. Ann Center.

Together, all of us at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care are responsible for creating a caring community that bridges the age gap and provides innovative programs to those in need and who might otherwise not receive our love and care.

Discovering the Hidden Jewels of St. Ann Center

   We are so thankful for the many volunteers that we have here at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. Without their hard work and dedication, we would not be able to reach those in need of our love and care. Many of our volunteers travel out into the community to raise awareness and spread the reach of our programs and services. Others, like Sister Jeanne d'Arc Omilan, come into the Center to help with the myriad of activities and programs that we offer in-house.

   Sister Jeanne d’Arc has been volunteering for St. Ann for ­­­­14 years, and at 97 years of age, that is no small feat.  After retiring in 1991, she began her second career as a volunteer. She has been putting her time and effort towards helping organizations in the Milwaukee community extend the outreach of their missions and services.  Our center is one of the many recipients blessed by her touch. In addition to helping out with the Jewelry department here at St. Ann Center, she also volunteers with several other Sisters in a local jail outreach.

   In the Jewelry Department here at St. Ann Center, it is the careful eye and the keen attention to detail that she provides as donation intake specialist that allows valuable pieces of jewelry to not go unnoticed. And 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these donations go towards providing the much needed services to our clients who otherwise would not be able to afford them.  This includes baths, therapy, rehabilitation, and integrative counseling services.

   Without Sister Jeanne d’Arc’s faith and commitment to the mission of St. Ann Center, some of these hidden gems would go unnoticed. As she kindly says about St. Ann’s founder and President Sister Edna Lonergan, “She has the vision and we do the work.”

International Day of Peace – Peace Walk

On a beautiful, sunny autumn day, about 50 members of the community gathered outside St. Francis Convent on Milwaukee’s south side to celebrate the 28th Annual International Day of Peace.

The United Nations established the day of peace in 1981 which is observed every year on September 21. More than 175 nations celebrate Peace Day. (Wect.com, 2010)

In the opening prayer we were reminded that we are all part of one global human family living together in a world that remains broken and divided. Everyone joined in prayer in hopes that the universal desire for peace may be realized. The participants gathered, walked and prayed for peace.

Everyone gathered around the “peace pole” located on the grounds of the St. Francis convent. The pole is inscribed with the words “May peace prevail on earth” written in serveral different languages.

The event ended with a prayer recited by one of St. Ann Center’s clients. As a Franciscan community we are reminded of the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace!”