SISTERS OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST. FRANCIS OF THE HOLY FAMILY (OSF)

SISTERS OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST. FRANCIS OF THE HOLY FAMILY (OSF). Order founded in 1864 in Herford, Germany, by Mother Xavier Termehr to care for orphans and offer home nursing and care for the wounded of the Austro-Prussian War and the CHOLERA plague. (1) In 1875 the sisters were expelled, along with all religious orders, from Prussia by Bismarck. A group of eighteen sisters, seven novices and four postulants came to Dubuque in 1878, at the invitation of Bishop John HENNESSY, to start the diocesan orphanage. (2)

The vacant HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH at 8th and White became their first Dubuque home. One year later the sisters and twelve orphans moved to the Duncan House on Davis Avenue. This became St. Mary's Orphan Home. The sisters also accepted responsibility for SAINT MARY'S SCHOOL and five of their number began supervision of the domestic department at St. Joseph's College.

The sisters built their motherhouse near the orphanage on Davis Street in 1881. A larger motherhouse was constructed in 1925 at its present location on Windsor Extension. The Holy Family Hall, an infirmary, was added in 1961 with a novitiate wing built later. The Franciscans have carried out a wide range of service in Dubuque.

In 1949 the Dubuque Franciscans built XAVIER HOSPITAL. (3) They have taught in HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH, ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, SACRED HEART CHURCH, and WAHLERT HIGH SCHOOL. In addition, the Sisters operated MARY OF THE ANGELS HOME for workingwomen, the Saint Francis Home for the Aging, the domestic departments of the Archbishop's residence, and STONEHILL CARE CENTER.

The decision was made in 1981 to consolidate services at Dubuque's two Catholic hospitals to contain healthcare costs and eliminate duplication. Xavier Hospital took on the task of housing for the elderly. Sister Helen HUEWE, who had been the president of Xavier, transitioned to the same role at MERCY MEDICAL CENTER from 1986 to 1997.

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Source:

1. 1. "Women of Courage and Conviction," Celebrating 125 Years, Mercy Medical Center, 2004, p. 5