The Ryan Foundation | School Sisters St. Francis

The Ryan Foundation donated $53,500 to School Sisters of St. Francis Sacred Heart in July 2020. The donation was made in honor of the late Sr. Marie Gross-Rhode.

The School Sisters of St. Francis is an international community of Catholic sisters who unite with others to build a just and peaceful world. Founded in 1874, the congregation now has sisters, associates, staff, donors, and volunteers actively working to address the needs of those who are poor and marginalized by society.

Sacred Heart is a retirement and health care home located in Milwaukee, providing nursing care in collaboration with the School Sisters of St. Francis and Community Care. Health care is planned with each sister resident and delivered by a skilled team. In addition to their prayers and presence, sisters participate in liturgical ministry, visiting, reading to other sisters, praying and being with sisters who are ill. Sacred Heart also provides religious activities to sister residents, including daily Mass, the Rosary, the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick, an annual retreat, an annual Jubilee Mass and celebration, weekly scripture study, and guest speakers.

Dr. and Mrs. Ryan always recognized the importance of Sisters to the Catholic community. Eileen Ryan attended and supported Sacred Heart Schools and believed that the Sisters, who devote their lives to helping others, should also be able to live with dignity and grace in their later years. Dr. and Mrs. Ryan’s beloved friend, Sr. Marie Gross-Rhode, eventually found her way to the School Sisters of St. Francis and was able to live her last few years in their caring hands.

The purpose of this donation is to support the Sacred Heart retirement home in continuing their mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the donation will be used to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for the organization in 2020. The remainder will go towards capital improvements.

To learn more about School Sisters of St. Francis Sacred Heart, please visit their website.