SISTERS EXCEED TARGET OF $3.7 MILLION

Buffalo News,   May 19, 2002  by Dave Condren

       The Sisters of St. Francis of the Third Order Regular will announce today that a capital campaign to raise $3.7 million for their new motherhouse has exceeded its goal.

       The announcement will be made as the sisters, known as the Williamsville Franciscans, unveil a "Wall of Honor" in the new facility, St. Mary of the Angels Motherhouse, 201 Reist St., Williamsville. The wall contains the names of donors who contributed $1,000 or more.

       The $3.7 million-plus, raised over two years, will be used to reduce the debt on the new $12 million motherhouse the sisters moved into in fall 1998.

       "Through the generosity of the people of Western New York, the sisters are able to continue our work of serving the needs of others while at the same time caring for our fragile and elderly sisters," said Sister Marian Rose Mansius, general minister of the Sisters of St. Francis.

       Gerald C. Saxe, who headed the campaign cabinet, said, "The sisters have been ministering to the Western New York community for 140 years, and I think the success of this campaign is the community's way of giving back -- saying 'thank you' for so many years of service."

       The sisters sold the 70-year-old St. Mary of the Angels Motherhouse at 400 Mill St. and some land to the state and the Town of Amherst for use as a park to raise some of the money to build the new motherhouse.

       Today's program will include presentation of a proclamation by Amherst Supervisor Susan J. Grelick, displays highlighting the various ministries of the sisters, and tours of the grounds.