Penny for her thoughts: Mary’s White Mantle
December 6, 2023
A Story that Never Ends – The Christmas Story
December 20, 2023
By Sister Nancy Linenkugel
December 8, 2023
It’s well-known that our Sylvania Franciscan order was founded on December 8, 1916, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Mother Mary Adelaide Sandusky was assigned by her Rochester MN Franciscan Congregation to be the leader of a group of 23 Sisters sent to fulfill the request of then-Toledo Bishop, Joseph Schrembs, who needed Sisters to teach Polish immigrant children. They settled in Toledo’s St. Hedwig Parish and the group was known as the Province of the Immaculate Conception.
We know from her writings that in 1916-1917 she had eight things on her list of concerns in those earliest of days:
First, a reliable telephone; next, heat in the building; followed by setting up a chapel, finding a permanent site for the order, caring for the sick Sisters, finding good helpers, responding to requests from parishes who were begging for Sister-teachers, and grass seed.
She was 43 years old and about to create a new and enduring enterprise in Sylvania, although she didn’t know it yet. Her faith in Mary, in St. Francis, in daily grace, and in mission together was the success formula.
The year 1916 seems very long ago now – 107 years ago to be exact. Folks living then were part of the “Greatest Generation” because they made it so. World War I was well-underway in Europe but the United States hadn’t entered until the following year. In 1916 the USA was comprised of the 48 contiguous states, as both Alaska and Hawaii weren’t admitted until 1959.
It sounds like a simpler and less expensive time to think that in 1916 a dozen eggs cost 38₵, milk cost 36₵ a gallon, and bread was 8₵ a loaf. But financial matters quickly became worries, no different than today.
December 8 in 1916 was a Friday, just like it is this year. That date of Mother Adelaide’s appointment to establish a new foundation of Franciscan Sisters turned out to be enormously successful. In 1930, just 14 years later at its first General Chapter, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio became an autonomous congregation separate from Rochester MN. In 1964 we received rank as a pontifical congregation, meaning that we answer directly to Rome.
On this inspiring and historical founding anniversary date, we rejoice and give thanks for the untold blessings of these past 107 years. Thank you for being part of our Franciscan Family.
Sister Nancy Linenkugel
Franciscan in Administration
Sister Nancy Linenkugel is the current Congregational Minister for the Sylvania Franciscans. She has served in healthcare administration, education and leadership for the congregation. From 2011-2020
Sister Nancy served as the Chair of the Department of Health Services Administration and Director of the Graduate Program in Health Services Administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati, and was the first program alumna to serve in that position. She was President of Chatfield College in Cincinnati, President and CEO of the Providence Health System and Providence Hospital in Sandusky, Ohio, and Vice President of St. John Medical Center in Steubenville, Ohio. She is a life fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served on its national board. Sister Nancy was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 1999. She is an accomplished cello player and a member of the Washington D.C.-based Medical Musical Group, made up of doctors, nurses and medical professionals from around the country, and also recently completed service as president of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra. She is a Toledo, Ohio native and a liturgical musician.
