Education Ministries
Early Childhood Education Enjoys the Sunshine of a New School Year
Across our Felician Educational Ministries, students returned back to school for the 2026 -2027 school year. The start of a new school year is more than a return. It’s a renewal, carrying fresh faces, the promise of growth and opportunity for the whole school community.
The Felician Sisters Child Care Centers (in Livonia and Pontiac, MI) each marked the first week of school at their ministry with some fun crown-making.
Montessori Center of Our Lady put up a “Happy Birthday, Dr. Montessori!,” and “Welcome Back to School,” sign. Kindergarteners dressed as Dr. Montessori during her formative years in India and Italy, while a first grader stepped into the role of her son, Mario, greeting everyone with a warm welcome.
K-12 Schools Opened Their Doors Wide to 2026-2027!
St. Joseph Academy (Milwaukee, WI) officially kicked off the school year. During the first week, students were welcomed by teachers and staff members and ended their first week of school with a celebration outdoors with bubbles, icy pops, music, and plenty of smiles.
Enfield Montessori School & Chiaravalle Academy (Enfield, CT) adorned their sidewalk with chalk art. From “Welcome Back” greetings to encouraging messages with cute drawings. The chalk art greeted students with smiles as they walked into school.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School (Coraopolis, PA) celebrated its first school mass. The school community came together to bless the start of the new 2026-2027 school year and affirmed God’s call of discipleship to share God’s love with the world.
A Warm Welcome-Back at the Universities
At Madonna University (Livonia, MI), Villa Maria College (Buffalo, NY), and Felician University (Lodi and East Rutherford, NJ), campuses are full again. From a new student convocation to a holy mass, access to free supplies, favorite treats and a cookout, every detail came together for a warm and faithful welcome to new and returning students.
Senior Living and Health Care Ministries
Angela Hospice is Recognized for Their Compassionate Care
Angela Hospice (Livonia, MI) received a 5-star rating on Medicare.gov, based on quality reporting data and family satisfaction surveys. They also received a heartfelt thank-you letter from a patient’s family, writing: “Angels carry out their tasks daily through your loving compassion and empathy… May these flowers brighten your day.” Angela Hospice President and CEO, Jamie LaLonde, affirmed, “Angela Hospice is an extraordinary ministry comprised of dedicated and caring professionals who work every day to make a difference in the lives of others we are serving.” We congratulate Angela Hospice for this achievement and for living out the Felician values.
Marywood Nursing Care Center Grateful for a Great Golf Outing
President/CEO Tedra Kumru noted, after a successful golf outing, that, “at Marywood, we believe that our mission does not end at our front doors. It calls us to look outward—to recognize the dignity of every person, to stand in solidarity with those who are vulnerable, and to use the gifts entrusted to us to make a difference in the lives of others. This is Catholic Social Teaching in action. It is the belief that we are stronger when we walk together. That every person has inherent dignity. That we have a responsibility to care for our neighbors. And that when a community comes together in service, something greater than any one of us can accomplish becomes possible.”
Fair Day Fun at the Senior Living Ministries in Wisconsin
Felician Village Court residents (Manitowoc, WI) took a trip to the county fair! They enjoyed delicious cheese curds and corn on the cob, and some even took part in face painting and the petting zoo. Meanwhile, at Villa St. Francis (Milwaukee, WI), leadership brought the fair to their ministry and enjoyed their own “handmade” state fair! They spent time crafting their own games and fun signage, creating a festive event full of joy and community spirit.
Fall colors, Painted with Care at St. Anne Home
St. Anne Home (Greensburg, PA) residents enjoyed a creative fall activity painting trees adorned with autumn colored leaves. This communal activity brought shared laughs and a reflection of Laudato Si’ by caring for, respecting, and appreciating the earth. St. Anne also acquired a new ice cream freezer and celebrated with staff and two sisters from the Daughters of Mary with waffle ice cream cones.
Social Service Ministries
Social Service ministries celebrated back-to-school season too!
The School at McGuire Memorial (New Brighton, PA) kicked off a new school year. Smiles were everywhere as students, teachers, and paraprofessionals beamed with glee walking into the school. Every child deserves a memorable welcome back to school and McGuire delivered, with mascot SAMM the Bulldog on hand to make the students’ return even more special.
Hopebound Ministries: Felician Community Services (Buffalo, NY) and Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs (Moon Township, PA) held back-to-school community events
At Hopebound Ministries: Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs, close to 100 families attended a resource fair that showcased local partner agencies and the programs and services they offer to families in the community. Each child who attended received a bike helmet donated by UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and 120 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed at the event.
Hopebound Ministries: Felician Community Services hosted a Sneakers with Soul event using awarded monies from the Felician Services, Inc.’s St. Francis Fund Grant. The event served 265 children with brand new, brand name, properly fitted shoes and package of socks. A mother shared her gratitude with HB:FCS: “I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation…I was opting out of new sneakers this school season because of budget constraints, and your event made it possible for my two kids to receive brand new sneakers for the school year”
Having properly fitting sneakers, brand new backpacks filled school supplies and a bike helmet gives students the dignity and confidence to fully participate in school which is a reflection of the Felician charism.
