Community Profile

School Sisters of the Third Order of St Francis Sr. Mary Michael Huseman, O.S.F. Vocation Director P.O. Box 906 Panhandle, TX 79068-0906 806-537-3182 schsrs@gmail.com www.panhandlefranciscans.org

Community Information

International? Yes No. in community (professed members) 21 (Texas Region) Year founded 1723 Generalate/ motherhouse Vienna, Austria Province/federation North American Represented in US (Arch)dioceses Amarillo, TX

About Us

Mission statement/description The School Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis are a Congregation of Papal Right that was founded in 1723 near Salzburg, Austria. The sisters know that the vocation they have been called to is to belong completely to Jesus. Following that is adherence to their foundress’ vision of the education of Christian Youth. This is fulfilled in Catholic schools, youth programs, faith formation, retreats, camps, and other activities in kind. The community has a passion is to help all people to know their dignity and the depth of God’s love for them. The sisters bring the love of Christ to the residents of the St. Ann’s diocesan Catholic Nursing Home and to retired priests at the St. Joseph’s diocesan retirement home. Ministry to all of those whom God places in their path often has an emphasis on the New Evangelization and to John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Qualifications for entry Good health, average intelligence and maturity, and a desire to serve God with her whole heart are the main requirements for a young woman to be considered for admission. At least a high school degree is required. Restrictions include canonical impediments and excessive debts. Formation program Candidacy is generally three months; postulancy is six months; novitiate is two years; juniorate is five to six years; and lifetime ongoing formation begins after final vows. An aspirancy program is available for those who qualify. Age range/limit 18-35 Consider belated vocations? Yes Belated/late vocations explanation Each situation considered separately.