Sister M. Francine McDonald, OSF, was born in Grand Rapids, MI. Growing up on a farm as the youngest and only girl, she was doted on by her 10 older brothers but learned grit and a strong work ethic from her father with the seeds of devotion and faith sowed by her loving and patient mother. Sister Francine attended SS Peter and Paul Parish School, where she was taught by members of our congregation. Soon after graduating from Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School, Sister Francine entered the Congregation. Sister Francine earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Duquesne University. Her first teaching assignment was third grade at St. George School in Cleveland, OH. Sister’s 44-years as an elementary teacher included serving parish schools in Moon Run. PA; Homestead, PA; Pittsburgh; Coopersville, MI; Elizabeth, NJ; and West Mifflin, PA. After she retired from full-time teaching, she served as a teaching assistant in Beaver, PA then as an auxiliary staff member at our former Franciscan Spirit & Life Center. She currently resides at the Nativity Convent in South Park, PA where she is engaged in the ministry of prayer and presence.
Sister Janet Gardner, OSF, a native of Denver, CO, attended St. Francis Academy and entered the community upon her graduation in 1966. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Carlow University and a Master’s in Social Work from Catholic University. Sister Janet’s initial assignments included teaching in New Kensington, PA, West Mifflin, PA and Kenosha, WI. She then assumed duties in Vocation and Formation ministry for the Congregation before being assigned as a case worker at Covenant House in New York City. Then, she served with Catholic Charities for three years as director of the county office in Waynesburg, PA.
In 1988, Sister Janet was called to Congregational leadership, which included serving as General Councilor with the responsibility of overseeing ministries. In the early 1990s, Sister Janet also helped establish Sisters Place, a collaborative ministry of Catholic Sisters in Western Pennsylvania that served families experiencing homelessness. She then served as a pastoral minister in Alagoas, Brazil from 1996 through 1999. She was elected Assistant General Minister in 2000, then served as General Minister from 2004-2012. Sister Janet served as executive director at Beatitude House from 2013 until she was elected to General Council in 2017, and assumed the responsibilities as our USA Area Minister. After two terms, Sister Janet concluded her leadership ministry in July 2025 and is presently serving the Community in various support and advisory roles.
Sister Odete Pereira da Silva entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Providence of God on July 16, 1961, beginning a journey marked by fidelity and love for her religious vocation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, which strengthened her commitment to human promotion and pastoral care. With a Franciscan spirit of simplicity, dedication, and zeal, her ministry has included serving as teacher, coordinator, principal, vocational promoter, provincial assistant, and councilor. She also served in health pastoral ministry at Pedro Leopoldo Hospital, social work at Pius XII School, and the formation of aspirants, postulants, and novices.
Carrying out her mission with dedication, wisdom, and a profound commitment to the promotion of life and human dignity, Sister Odete currently resides in the St. Michael the Archangel Community and coordinates the Saint Francis and Saint Clare Social Center in São Paulo.
Sister Rute entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Providence of God on August 27, 1984, beginning a journey marked by generosity and enthusiasm for our Franciscan mission. She holds degrees in Philosophy and Pedagogy, fields that supported her work in education, formation, and accompaniment of sisters at various stages of religious life.Sister Rute’s missionary journey has been marked by intense service in initial formation, serving as Director of Aspirants, Director of Postulants, and Director of Junior Sisters, as well as being part of the Initial Formation Team. She also worked in pastoral ministry, religious education, and administrative services in the communities and missions of the Congregation. Called to leadership, Sister Rute as a General Councilor, actively collaborated in the animation of the Congregation and in coordinating important projects, such as the Revitalization Program of Recanto Paz e Bem, where she also served as community coordinator. Sister Rute is currently serving her second term as General Minister of the Congregation. Her dedication, discernment, and a profound familial spirit animates and guides the life and mission of the Congregation and helps strengthening unity and faithfulness to the charism. Sister Rute’s leadership embraces faithfulness to the Gospel and the promotion of communion with Christ and the Church. Her simple and welcoming presence, combined with serene joy and a spontaneous laugh that brightens the heart, is a true reflection of Franciscan leadership exercised with closeness, lightness, and humanity.
Sister Carmem Lúcia de Almeida entered the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Providence of God in 1986, beginning a journey in consecrated life marked by dedication and love for our Franciscan mission. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and a postgraduate degree in Pastoral Ministry and Human Formation, which sustains and deepens her evangelizing service.
Throughout her religious journey, Sister Carmem has zealously dedicated herself to formation and pastoral mission, working in catechesis, grassroots pastoral ministry, health pastoral care, and community accompaniment. Her formation ministry, marked by her commitment to evangelization and attentive care for people, includes serving on the Ongoing Formation Team and working in vocational ministry. She also served in leadership as a Provincial Councilor.
Sister Carmem currently ministers in in Rodolfo Pirani and serves Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish where she collaborates in parish formation programs and offers support and fraternal presence to catechists. Faithful to our Franciscan charism, she also leads retreats and reflections focused on Integral Ecology, promoting a spirituality committed to the care of creation and the concrete living of the Gospel.
Sister Maria José da Conceição entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Providence of God on July 11, 1987, beginning a journey marked by zeal, dedication, and love for the mission. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and a Professional Master’s degree in Psychology, Development, and Public Policy.
After her initial formation, she served in Vila Zelina and Jardim Leonor, dedicating herself to formation with a focus on aspirancy and juniorate stages. She also served leadership as a Provincial Councilor. Throughout her journey, she was part of the Ongoing Formation Team and served in community animation and pastoral ministry. Her mission also extended beyond borders, collaborating in the Congregation’s international dimension and our Congregation’s mission in Bolivia.
Sister Maria Jose served many years in our Barbacena mission, which includes St. Francis of Assisi School. Sister was then transferred to the Paz e Bem Community, dedicated to the care of elderly sisters or those with fragile health, where she presently serves as community coordinator and administrator. She also serves in leadership as a General Councilor and coordinates Institutional Pastoral Ministry, using her gifts to serve our evangelizing mission with responsibility, sensitivity, and fidelity to our Franciscan charism.