With convent closing, Franciscan Sisters bid goodbye to Bradshaw parish

KINGSVILLE – Parishioners of St. Stephen in Bradshaw gathered to say goodbye to the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia at an emotional outdoor Mass May 16.

The five sisters now living in the convent are the last from the order, which has  ministered here since 1931. As St. Stephen prepares for new construction to serve its growing congregation, the sisters are moving to new quarters off-campus in July.

Father George Gannon, St. Stephen’s pastor; Father Paul Breczinski, associate pastor; and Father Joshua Laws, pastor of the Catholic Community of South Baltimore and an alumnus of St. Stephen School, concelebrated the Mass under threatening skies and a bit of thunder.

The sisters, as well as five other Franciscan sisters, most of whom served at the parish, arrived in two golf carts adorned with red hearts. The congregation rose to applaud amidst a rousing organ melody played by music director Rob Hott.

“You have shared the spirit of Assisi and we are grateful,” Father Laws said in his homily. “We will commit to keeping that spirit alive in our hearts, our families and our community.”

After Communion, the congregation rose to sing a blessing over the sisters, “May the Lord bless and attend you.”

Watch a photo presentation of the farewell event below. Story continues beneath.

In closing remarks, Father Gannon noted he has been at the parish 15 months.

“I have learned about the love and the care of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia,” he said. “As Father Josh said, the spirit of Assisi truly is at St. Stephen’s.”

After Mass, the sisters received gifts for their new home, including flowers, patio furniture and a shadow box with mementos and photos, created by parishioner Janice Duff.

They will move to a five-bedroom house at the Benedictine Sisters’ monastery in Lutherville, according to Sister Angela DeFontes, pastoral associate and director of faith formation, who celebrated her golden jubilee at the parish in 2013.

The other four are Sisters Ann Dutrow, director of mission at The Catholic High School of Baltimore; Kathy Dauses, chaplain of long-term care at Stella Maris; Barbara Carr, a retired professor who now advocates for the environment and elimination of nuclear arms; and Rose Mary Eve Holter, who leads music ministry for children and retreats for adults and youth.

“We are grateful for the five of us to be together,” Sister Angela said.

“We must trust in the providence of God,” said Sister Barbara. “God is leading us. That is our charism, to just go with it.”

“After 90 years in the parish, we are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us,” said Sister Kathy.

Sister Helen Jacobson, the congregation’s archivist, was one of five sisters attending from the motherhouse. She said she was touched by the outpouring of love and gratitude for the sisters’ ministry. “It’s hardly ever done.”

Also attending were Sisters Ruth Bernadette O’Connor, a former principal of St. Stephen School; Margaret Xavier Romans, who lived here 12 years; Florence Hee, a former teacher who twice lived in the convent; and Kathy Dougherty, the congregational minister who helped with RCIA while living in the convent in the 1990s. They were also joined by Franciscan Sister of Baltimore Regina DeAngelis, who lives nearby and has assisted with RCIA and RCIC.

The large two-story convent, built in the 1960s, served as more than a house. It was a place for birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, retreats and spiritual formation, even a temporary safe shelter for a family in crisis, according to Sister Barbara.

Sisters Angela and Rose Mary Eve hope to continue serving the parish.

“This has been the most wonderful experience of my life in a parish,” Sister Angela told the congregation. “I walked a journey of faith with many of you. We are so grateful for so many of you.”

After Mass, the sisters rode off in the golf carts, as parishioners applauded and waved signs and cardboard hearts.

“Their doors were always open for parishioners to come in and make it their place, too,” said Patty O’Brien, who served on the planning committee.

“We’re putting on our best faces, but we’re all crying inside,” said Mary “Duffy” Laws, another committee member. She and Deacon Frank Laws are the parents of Father Laws. “They have been a spiritual rock. That Franciscan spirit has permeated our parish.”

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