Our History


Three prophetic women answered God's call to serve the immigrant population of St. Louis in 1901. They responded to the needs of Polish immigrants for education to empower them to be responsible and contributing citizens, as well as people of faith, loyal to their Church and to their heritage.


Now, our Sisters respond to society's current needs in ministry that we might empower others. With a common heart, we commit ourselves to evangelize everyone, everywhere, everyway and to address global warming and other issues affecting our planet earth. The Canticle of St. Francis reminds us to be in right relationship with one another and with the earth. The Sisters, along with Franciscans nationally, will work to inform and affect earth issues.

 

Responding to the needs of
God's people in 16 states in:

  • Education – elementary through university schools
  • Campus ministry
  • Pastoral ministry in parishes
  • Pastoral care in nursing homes and hospitals
  • Native American reservations
  • Hospitals and nursing homes
  • Prisons and women's shelters
  • Centers for spiritual renewal
  • Victims of abuse
  • Volunteer work
  • Prayer ministry






















If you would like to support the sisters in their efforts to be a Transforming Presence, click here.

Meet Our Sisters

Sr. Monica Marie Laws

Director of Mission Integration St. Louis, Missouri "Being a Franciscan Sister of Our Lady of Perpetual Help for 43 years has awakened me to a sense of our connectedness with Christ our Brother and therefore to God our Creator." Sister Monica Marie says she feels connected, almost more alive being a Franciscan Sister because they are attentive to the moment and seek to find God in it. She believes her current ministry, Director of Mission Integration, has come at the right time and in the right place. “In the health care ministry, we follow the healing tradition of Jesus. With Francis, we reach out to the poor and marginalized. This is our way to be about the work of Evangelization. At St. Anthony's Medical Center, that translates to those who are uninsured or under-insured." Sister Monica is passionate about gardening and taking care of flowers. In past years, she has had tomatoes until the first frost. This summer she says she fed more squirrels, rabbits and birds than harvested tomatoes and peppers. She says the dahlias and zinnias were beautiful and colorful this past summer, and lots of hummingbirds have come to her garden. Her favorite story of Francis, she says, is the "Wolf of Gubbio." The symbolism opens up multiple interpretations and levels of understanding. "At some time, each of us likely meets a wolf in our own familiar setting."