Name/Title
St. Francis High School StaffEntry/Object ID
70.55.011Description
Sisters leaving the Our Lady of Angels Convent to teach at nearby St. Francis High School. This image features Sister Agnes (Johnathan) Jiskra, Sister Mary (Clare) Nyderek and Sister Florence (Jude) Roling. The school was located at 2130 West Roosevelt Road in Wheaton, Illinois.
Opened in 1957, St. Francis High School was staffed through the combined efforts of the Franciscan Sisters, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) and Christian Brothers. By 1972, the Franciscan Sisters had withdrawn from the St. Francis ministry.Context
Born in Germany in 1827, Mother Clara Pfaender founded the Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, in 1860. With a focus on education, nursing and care for orphaned children, the women reached out to those in need. In the following years, Sisters were sent to nations such as France, the Netherlands and the United States. There, they gained increased autonomy when America became a province in 1884, and by the early 20th Century, their health and education ministries included locations in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Colorado. Looking to relocate, in 1947 land was purchased in Wheaton, Illinois and a new motherhouse was completed in 1955. As time passed, the Sisters continued to develop their healthcare ministry and addressed pressing issues such as Polio, Aids and affordable housing. During the early 21st Century, they celebrated the 150th anniversary of the congregation and found new sponsorships for their healthcare and housing ministries. Today, the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters continue to follow in the spirit of Mother Clara Pfaender by responding to the needs of the Church and our times.Lexicon
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Notes
Please contact the WFS Archives (archives@wfsisters.org) for further information or materials requests.