During
the 20th century, famine, war, and political turmoil generated global
emigration. Lithuania alone lost a quarter million of its predominantly
Catholic people. They passed through Ellis Island between 1899 and 1914;
many pressed on to the eastern Pennsylvania anthracite region and the mills of
Chicago and Pittsburgh. Their labor was cheap; injuries in the mines were
common, and lives were impoverished. Clustered together in poor
neighborhoods, they were unable to scrape together the resources for their own
church or children's religious education.
In
Pittsburgh, Rev. John J. Sutkaitis and Rev. Magnus J. Kazenas collaborated with
Monsignor Michael L. Krusas, pastor of Chicago's St. George Parish, to convince
Lithuanian Sisters in Chicago to minister in
Pittsburgh's parishes. In
1922, after years of negotiation, Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale agreed to
receive 24 postulates and prepare them to pioneer a new Franciscan congregation
- The Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God. Located in the
Borough of Whitehall, approximately 6 miles south of downtown Pittsburgh and
next to St. Casimir's Cemetery, the sisters built their motherhouse and
ancillary buildings over the years. They included a school, which is now a
daycare center and retreat houses.
The
Sisters established ministries in Lithuania and Brazil. Today many of the
Sisters that make up the congregation are natives of Brazil. The Sisters
have also renewed their mission to Lithuania after being forced to flee during
WWII. The Sisters have also ministered to many schools and and hospitals
in the near Midwest and eastern parts of the U.S. as their numbers permit.
Today they are still involved in day care, social service, education, pastoral
ministry, healthcare, and care for the poor. If you are interested in
knowing how you can help or if you want to explore more about religious life,
you may contact the Sisters of St. Francis at
info@osfprov.org
or visit their Web site.